I’ve used every weapon in Dead Rails. Some are zombie-shredding machines. Others are glorified paperweights. Here’s the complete weapons tier list based on damage, ammo efficiency, and overall usefulness.
How Weapons Work
Weapons in Dead Rails fall into five categories:
- Melee - No ammo, close range
- Ranged - Guns requiring ammo
- Turrets - Stationary defenses
- Explosives - Area damage
- Utility - Special purpose items
You find weapons by looting buildings, buying from stores, or killing outlaws.
S-Tier Weapons (Best)
Electrocutioner
Type: Special Ranged | Damage: 100
The highest damage weapon in the game. One-shots everything except bosses. The only downside is rarity - you won’t find this often.
Where to find: Rare loot, Gunsmith (expensive)
Rifle
Type: Rifle | Damage: 45
The most reliable ranged weapon. Good damage, decent fire rate, common ammo. If you find a Rifle, keep it.
Where to find: Buildings, Gunsmith, Outlaw drops
Shotgun
Type: Shotgun | Damage: 60 (spread)
Devastating at close range. Two-shots most zombies. The spread means you can hit multiple enemies. Essential for train defense.
Where to find: Buildings, Gunsmith, Outlaw camps
Bolt-Action Rifle
Type: Rifle | Damage: 55
Higher damage than the standard Rifle but slower fire rate. Excellent for picking off enemies at range before they reach the train.
Where to find: Rare loot, Gunsmith
A-Tier Weapons (Great)
Navy Revolver
Type: Pistol | Damage: 30
Upgraded revolver with better damage and accuracy. Reliable sidearm that carries you through mid-game.
Where to find: Gunsmith, rare loot
Double Barrel Shotgun
Type: Shotgun | Damage: 70 (spread)
Two quick shots of massive damage. The reload is slow, but those two shots can clear a doorway of zombies.
Where to find: Rare loot, Gunsmith
Turret
Type: Turret | Damage: Varies
Set it up and let it shoot for you. Turrets are incredible for train defense - they never miss and never run out of ammo (until destroyed).
Where to find: Gunsmith (expensive), rare loot
Holy Water
Type: Utility | Damage: High vs undead
Destroys vampires and deals heavy damage to zombies. Essential for vampire-heavy runs. Priest class starts with 2.
Where to find: Churches, Priest class, rare loot
Crossbow
Type: Special | Damage: 40
Silent kills that don’t attract more zombies. Bolts can be recovered from bodies. Great for stealth looting.
Where to find: Buildings, Gunsmith
B-Tier Weapons (Good)
Revolver
Type: Pistol | Damage: 25
The starter ranged weapon for Cowboy class. Reliable, common ammo, gets the job done. You’ll eventually upgrade, but it’s solid early game.
Where to find: Common loot, Gunsmith, Cowboy class
Sawed-Off Shotgun
Type: Shotgun | Damage: 50 (spread)
Compact shotgun with less range but faster handling. Good for tight spaces inside the train.
Where to find: Buildings, Gunsmith
Mauser C96
Type: Pistol | Damage: 28
Semi-automatic pistol with a larger magazine. Good fire rate compensates for lower damage per shot.
Where to find: Rare loot, Gunsmith
Molotov
Type: Explosive | Damage: Fire DOT
Area denial and crowd control. Throw into a zombie horde and watch them burn. Arsonist class starts with 4.
Where to find: Buildings, stores, Arsonist class
Dynamite
Type: Explosive | Damage: 80 (AOE)
Massive area damage but dangerous to use. Can damage you and teammates. Best thrown from the train at approaching hordes.
Where to find: Mining areas, stores
Pickaxe
Type: Melee | Damage: 35
Slow but powerful melee option. Miner class weapon that doubles for mining ores. Better than the shovel.
Where to find: Mining areas, Miner class
Tomahawk
Type: Melee | Damage: 35
Same stats as pickaxe but throwable. You can retrieve it after throwing. Versatile melee option.
Where to find: Buildings, stores
C-Tier Weapons (Situational)
Flintlock Pistol
Type: Pistol | Damage: 35
High damage but single shot with long reload. One good hit, then you’re vulnerable. Not worth it when better options exist.
Where to find: Rare loot
Blunderbuss
Type: Shotgun | Damage: 55 (wide spread)
Ancient shotgun with massive spread. Hits everything in front of you but damage per pellet is low. Novelty weapon.
Where to find: Rare loot
Springfield Rifle
Type: Rifle | Damage: 40
Slower than the standard Rifle with similar damage. No reason to use this over the regular Rifle.
Where to find: Buildings, stores
Sword
Type: Melee | Damage: 30
Knight class weapon. Decent reach but mediocre damage. The Knight’s armor is more valuable than the sword.
Where to find: Knight class, rare loot
Firework Gun
Type: Special | Damage: 25
Shoots fireworks that… distract enemies? More of a meme weapon than a practical choice.
Where to find: Rare loot, events
D-Tier Weapons (Avoid)
Shovel
Type: Melee | Damage: 20
The default weapon everyone starts with. Replace it as soon as possible. Only use when you have literally nothing else.
Where to find: Starting weapon
Fists
Type: Melee | Damage: 10
You will die. Only use fists if you’ve somehow lost every other weapon and want to go out swinging.
Where to find: Always available (unfortunately)
Crucifix
Type: Utility | Damage: 0
Wards off vampires but deals no damage. Situational utility item, not a weapon. Priest class starts with 2.
Where to find: Churches, Priest class
Weapon Categories Ranked
Best Weapon Type by Situation
| Situation | Best Weapon Type |
|---|---|
| Train Defense | Shotgun, Turret |
| Looting Towns | Rifle, Crossbow |
| Boss Fights | Electrocutioner, Rifle |
| Zombie Hordes | Shotgun, Molotov |
| Vampires | Holy Water, Shotgun |
| Werewolves | Rifle, Shotgun |
| Ammo Conservation | Melee, Crossbow |
Ammo Efficiency Ranking
- Crossbow - Recoverable bolts
- Rifle - Common ammo, good damage
- Revolver - Common ammo, decent damage
- Shotgun - Shells are rarer but worth it
- Electrocutioner - Rare ammo but one-shots
Weapon Loadout Recommendations
Early Game Loadout
- Primary: Revolver or Rifle
- Secondary: Shovel or Pickaxe
- Utility: Bandages
Mid Game Loadout
- Primary: Rifle or Shotgun
- Secondary: Revolver (backup)
- Melee: Tomahawk or Pickaxe
- Utility: Molotov, Bandages
Late Game Loadout
- Primary: Electrocutioner or Bolt-Action
- Secondary: Shotgun
- Melee: Vampire Knife (if Vampire class)
- Utility: Holy Water, Dynamite
Budget Loadout (No Store Purchases)
- Primary: Whatever Rifle you find
- Secondary: Revolver from Cowboy class
- Melee: Pickaxe from Miner class
- Utility: Looted Molotovs
Where to Find Weapons
Common Locations
- Abandoned Buildings - Random weapons
- Outlaw Camps - Good guns, ammo
- General Store - Basic weapons, ammo
- Gunsmith - Best weapons (expensive)
Rare Locations
- Banks - High-value loot
- Sheriff’s Office - Confiscated weapons
- Boss Drops - Unique items
More Dead Rails Content
- Dead Rails Codes - All working codes
- Dead Rails Guide - Beginner’s survival guide
- Dead Rails Class Tier List - Best classes ranked
