Gunstoppable Weapons Tier List
S through C tiers for all ten base weapons — ranked by speed synergy, not spreadsheet DPS.
This community meta snapshot for August 2026 ranks Gunstoppable’s ten distinct base weapons by how well they respect the game’s core rule: speed multiplies damage. Flat damage numbers lie here. A katana with mediocre base stats climbs when you parry into wall-runs; a rocket launcher drops if it slows your grapple chains. Use this list alongside the Builds Tier List, Weapons reference, and Controls page when planning dual-wield pairs.
Disclaimer: augments, attachments, and run modifiers can reshuffle any row mid-run. These tiers describe typical launch-week consensus, not developer-enforced balance.
Tier key
| Tier | Meaning |
|---|---|
| S | Dominant momentum payoff; excels in Reaper Mode and at high speed |
| A | Reliable all-run picks; strong dual-wield partners |
| B | Situational but viable; needs specific augments or playstyle |
| C | Hard to justify unless a broken synergy rolls; movement tax too high |
S tier — momentum kings
Katana
The katana rewards parry timing and melee momentum chains better than any other base weapon. Community runs pair it with crossbows or space pistols for reload cover. Hex-grid fire augments turn it into a speed-skirmisher’s dream. It shines during Reaper Mode freezes when you reposition for cluster cuts.
Space Pistols (dual pair)
Fast firing, minimal movement penalty, and excellent stagger while you grapple. Launch players run pistols in both hands early, then swap one slot for utility. S-tier because they never force you to stop — not because of raw DPS.
Crossbow (piercing build)
Piercing bolts line up with wall-run strafing and long sightlines in cyberpunk arenas. Attachments that add freeze or slow synergize with time-bending augments. Drops to A-tier without pierce mods.
A tier — consistent workhorses
Shotgun (flamethrower augment path)
Base shotgun is B-tier until augment paths flip it into a flamethrower or spread-nuke setup. At A-tier we assume you hit a transform augment within two floors. Pairs with mobility secondaries; see Builds Tier List for flame rush builds.
Rocket Launcher
Huge Reaper Mode burst and boss-phase cleave — especially against Johnny Jetpack altitude patterns. Movement tax keeps it from S-tier: reload windows punish slow players. Strong with permanent upgrades that trim reload time.
Black Hole Gun
Crowd control during bullet-hell swarms. Pulls clusters together for Reaper detonations. Less single-target boss DPS than rocket launcher, but invaluable when capitalist goons stack.
Handgun (precision variant)
Headshot scaling and clean mid-range shots while sliding. A-tier for players who alternate hands during reloads. Falls off if you ignore momentum perks.
B tier — situational specialists
Flamethrower (base)
Without transform augments, range and self-slow keep it mid-tier. Climbs with speed buffs and narrow corridor maps. Buy fuel upgrades from Kane the Rat before committing.
Grenade Launcher / Banana Launcher
Absurd ceiling when banana-nuke augments roll — otherwise awkward arc and self-damage risk. Community meme tier that becomes S-tier in one lucky run. Default ranking: B.
Knife
Stagger and finisher tool for parry builds. Too range-limited for general bosses unless paired with heavy secondary and movement tech from Guides.
C tier — movement tax warnings
Heavy Minigun-style base (when offered)
Any weapon that roots you or kills slide speed lands here by default. Some augment paths rescue it; most players skip.
Unaugmented Rocket + Unaugmented Launcher dual-wield
Double heavy without reload stagger is a trap for new players. Listed as C pair, not individual weapons.
Dual-wield pairing cheat sheet
| Primary | Secondary | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Katana | Crossbow | Melee momentum + ranged cover |
| Space Pistols | Shotgun | Constant fire during reloads |
| Black Hole | Rocket | Cluster then detonate in Reaper Mode |
| Crossbow | Handgun | Mid-range control at speed |
How augments reshuffle tiers
Gunstoppable’s hex grid lets you slot attachments where placement matters. Fire, freeze, bullet-time, and banana-nuke transforms appear in launch pools. A B-tier grenade launcher becomes S-tier when bananas roll — document your run and adjust personally. Full modifier context lives on Run Modifiers.
Boss-specific notes
- Robot Crab — piercing crossbows and mid-range pistols avoid missile lanes; heavy slow weapons struggle on high ground routes.
- Johnny Jetpack — vertical tracking favors rockets and fast pistols over ground-only flamethrowers.
- Capitalist finale — burst windows favor Reaper-ready katanas and black-hole setups.
Related links
- Tier List Hub — all ranking pages
- Early Game Tier List — first-floor picks
- Items Hub — Kane inventory and currencies
- Tools — build planners when published
Re-test after patches. Steam community notes already mention katana and banana-gun tuning. Speed meta evolves, but momentum synergy remains the ranking lens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common Gunstoppable questions.
Why is the katana S-tier in Gunstoppable?
Parries, melee momentum, and Reaper Mode repositioning reward aggressive movement. It scales with speed better than stationary heavy weapons.
Does the banana launcher start at B-tier?
Base ranking is B-tier due to inconsistency. Banana-nuke augments can spike it to S-tier in a single run — tier lists track typical outcomes, not best-case RNG.
What is the best dual-wield pair for beginners?
Space pistols plus a forgiving shotgun or handgun covers reload gaps. See the [Early Game Tier List](/tier-list/early-game-tier/) for detailed first-run advice.
Are rocket launchers bad in Gunstoppable?
Not at A-tier — reload tax and movement slowdown keep them below katanas and pistols for general speed runs, but they excel in boss burst phases.
How do attachments change these tiers?
Hex-grid placement stacks elemental and transform effects. A flamethrower augment promotes shotguns; pierce mods promote crossbows. Always re-evaluate after each augment pick.