PUBG Weapon Tier List
The strongest guns in PUBG right now, based on recent patch notes and how often each weapon is actually used in matches – with the reasons, not just letters.
How we ranked these weapons
Rankings are based on three things: recent official balance changes, real match data on how often weapons are fired and how lethal they are, and how forgiving each gun is for an average player. A weapon that wins fights for pros but is hard to control will sit lower than one most players can use well.
Telemetry from WinnerMeta for June 2026 showed the AUG, M416, MP5K, Beryl M762 and ACE32 as the five most-used full-auto weapons by shots fired, with the Beryl and ACE32 having the highest kills per shot of that group.
Assault rifles
| Tier | Weapon | Why |
|---|---|---|
| S | M416 | The most consistent AR in the game. Easy recoil, accepts many attachments, and received a small horizontal recoil reduction in Update 39.1. |
| S | AUG | The most-used full-auto weapon in recent data. Fast, accurate and strong at mid-range, despite a small horizontal recoil increase in 39.1. |
| A | Beryl M762 | Highest lethality per shot among popular ARs, but its recoil punishes inconsistent spray control. |
| A | ACE32 | 7.62 damage with more manageable recoil than the Beryl. A strong middle ground. |
| B | AKM, SCAR-L and others | Usable, but each has a clear downside compared with the guns above. |
DMRs (designated marksman rifles)
| Tier | Weapon | Why |
|---|---|---|
| S | Mk12 | Still excellent for fast follow-up shots, even after Update 40.1 lowered its damage slightly and increased horizontal recoil. |
| A | SLR | Buffed in Update 42.1 with higher muzzle velocity (840 to 870 m/s) and better recoil. Hard-hitting at range. |
| A | Dragunov | Recoil reduced substantially in Update 41.1, making it far more usable than before. |
| B | Mini14, SKS | Reliable picks. The SKS benefited from recoil improvements in 39.1. |
| C | VSS | Recoil and firing sound were made worse in 39.1. Situational at best. |
Note that the QBU was removed from world spawns in Update 42.1.
SMGs
| Tier | Weapon | Why |
|---|---|---|
| S | MP5K | The most-used SMG in recent data and a top-three full-auto weapon overall. Excellent for close range and building fights. |
| A | UMP45, Vector | Strong close-range options; the Vector is deadly but has a small magazine without extensions. |
The PP-19 Bizon was removed from world spawns in Update 42.1.
LMGs
| Tier | Weapon | Why |
|---|---|---|
| B | RPD | Added in Update 42.3 (7.62mm, 750 RPM, 50 rounds extendable to 110), then nerfed in 43.1 with slower ADS, more recoil and 30% lower spawn rates. |
| B | M249, MG3 | Buffed in 42.3, then toned down in 43.1 with slower aim-down-sights (0.30 to 0.37 seconds) and more recoil, especially prone. |
LMGs are still useful for suppressing teams and vehicles, but the 43.1 nerfs make them less dominant than they were in August. The DP-28 is no longer a world spawn.
Sniper rifles
The Kar98k and M24 remain the standard world-spawn bolt-action rifles. A headshot from either downs a player wearing a level 1 or 2 helmet in one shot, while a level 3 helmet survives, so they reward patient, accurate players. The AWM remains a care-package weapon. The Mosin Nagant was removed from world spawns in Update 42.1.
Best loadouts right now
- All-round: M416 or AUG with a 3x/4x scope, plus a Mk12 or SLR for range.
- Aggressive: Beryl or ACE32 with a red dot, plus an MP5K for building fights.
- Long-range: Kar98k or M24 with an 8x, plus an M416 for close defence.
Whatever you choose, recoil control decides most fights – see our recoil control guide.
Related guides
- PUBG recoil control guideAttachments, stance and a practice routine.
- PUBG sensitivity guideFind a sensitivity you can aim and control recoil with.
- PUBG grenade guideFrags, smokes, molotovs, stuns and the rest.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best gun in PUBG right now?
As of Update 43.1, the M416 and AUG are the strongest all-round assault rifles. The Beryl M762 and ACE32 hit harder but are harder to control. The Mk12 and SLR lead the DMRs.
What changed for LMGs in Update 43.1?
The RPD, M249 and MG3 all got slower aim-down-sights time and more recoil, and the RPD and M249 spawn about 30% less often.
Which weapons were removed from world spawns?
Update 42.1 removed the Mosin Nagant, R45, DP-28, PP-19 Bizon, P1911 and QBU from world spawns.
Is the Beryl better than the M416?
The Beryl does more damage per shot, but the M416 is much easier to control. Most players get more kills with the M416 unless their spray control is very good.
Sources and further reading
- PUBG Patch Notes – Update 43.1 (official)
- PUBG Patch Notes – Update 42.3 (official)
- PUBG Patch Notes – Update 42.1 (official)
- PUBG Patch Notes – Update 41.1 (official)
- PUBG Patch Notes – Update 40.1 (official)
- PUBG weapon balance changes by update – PUBG Statistics
- PUBG full-auto weapon meta, June 2026 – WinnerMeta