Alpha 20 brought about several significant changes to the game. One of which was how looting was done and what items you would be able to find. Currently, it is all based on one thing - your “Loot Stage” which is found under your stats, in the character menu. The items found (and quality of items) can be broken up into 4 different Tiers. In terms of just weapons, Tier 1 (with a Loot Stage up to 39) Allows you to loot basic things like Clubs, and Pipe weapons. Tier 2, (With a Loot Stage of 40 or higher) opens up the possibility of finding Rifles, Double-barrel Shotguns, and AK-47s. Tier 3 (with a Loot Stage of 80 or higher) opens up the possibility of finding Tactical Rifles, Pump Action Shotguns, and Revolvers. Finally Tier 4 (With a loot stage of 118 or higher) You have a chance to find the highest-tiered weapons like M60s, Auto-Shotguns, and Sniper Rifles.
1. Contact Grenade
Fire in the hole!
This is ranked as one of my favorites since it is excellent at crowd control. Kite a bunch of zombies together into a tight group, chuck a grenade or two, and you’re done! These are especially useful if you can figure out how to get zombies into a pit. Just make sure you get enough space between you and the blast radius, or you’ll regret it.
Best Use: Medium Range, Crowd Control / Large groups
Acquired By: Crafting, Looting, Trading
Crafted: At a Workbench - Schematic, or Level 5 Demolitions
https://7daystodie.fandom.com/wiki/Contact_Grenade
2. M60
Squeeze the trigger until it goes 'click'
This is the most powerful Machine Gun in 7 Days to Die. With a high damage output and large ammo capacity, even with no points towards the Machine Gunner perk, you will be a force to be reckoned with!
Best Use: Medium Range, Large Groups
Acquired By: Crafting, Looting, Trading
Crafted: At a Workbench - Schematic or Automatic Weapons Handbook Vol. 7
https://7daystodie.fandom.com/wiki/M60_Machine_Gun
3. SMG-5
Super useful in all situations
A powerful and useful Machine Gun for a variety of uses. This gun has a decent damage output, is highly accurate, is quick to reload, and best of all - in later game stages, 9mm ammo is plentiful and easy to craft.
Best Use: Medium to Close Range, Multiple Enemies, Run and Gun
Acquired By: Crafting, Looting, Trading
Crafted: At a Workbench - Schematic Only
https://7daystodie.fandom.com/wiki/SMG-5
4. Auto Shotgun
What horde?
This high-tier shotgun is deadly at close range. It has a 17 round magazine (compared to the Pump Shotgun’s 7) Which makes it ideal if you have several zombies surrounding you. You will be highly effective with runandgun tactics at close range. Nothing will touch you, and the fight will be over in just a few shots.
Best Use: Close Range, Runand-Gun
Acquired By: Crafting, Looting, Trading
Crafted: At a Workbench - Schematic, or Level 5 Demolitions
https://7daystodie.fandom.com/wiki/Auto_Shotgun?so=search
5. Rocket Launcher
Do we really need to explain? Look at that! Those suckers are toast!
Stand back and get ready to blow some zombies away with this little beauty. The Rocket Launcher is understandably incredibly powerful depending on what ammo type you use. On one hand, the Rocket Frag Ammo deals incredible damage to any living entity it hits. One-shotting most creatures. On the other hand, you have the HE ammunition which is ideal for block damage. Imagine being able to level your favorite POI with just a few well-placed shots.
Best Use: Long Range, Demolition, Large Groups
Acquired By: Crafting, Looting, Trading
Crafted: At a Workbench - Schematic
https://7daystodie.fandom.com/wiki/Rocket_Launcher?so=search
6. 44. Desert Vulture
Move over Dirty Harry, this is the most powerful handgun in the world.
The 44. Desert Vulture is the most powerful handgun in the game. It’s able to kill most zombies with a single headshot at close range. It is one of those guns that won’t show up in loot containers until later in the game, but when you find it or can craft it, you will not regret it.
Best Use: Close Range, Single Enemies
Acquired By: Crafting, Looting, Trading
Crafted: At a Workbench - Schematic
https://7daystodie.fandom.com/wiki/.44_Desert_Vulture?so=search
7. Tactical Rifle
My best friend, and your's too!
The Tactical Assault Rifle is a weapon you will likely find in a container mid-game and stick with well into late-game. It is wildly useful. It is automatically built with a quick snap-on aim, and semi-auto firing/ burst firing. With your favorite mods equipped, this gun will keep you safe even against some of the worst hordes.
Best Use: All Ranges, Universal
Acquired By: Crafting, Looting, Trading
Crafted: At a Workbench - Schematic
https://7daystodie.fandom.com/wiki/Tactical_Assault_Rifle?so=search
8. Iron Crossbow
Silent, but deadly
While the Crossbow lacks quick-firing or accuracy while firing from the hip, this weapon is absolutely essential when taking a stealthy approach to the game. You can multiply your damage output several times over when dealing a sneak attack on sleeping zombies. If you were able to sneak attack all sleeping zombies while moving through a POI, you could likely get through with zero resistance.
Best Use: Close Range, Sneaking
Acquired By: Crafting, Looting, Trading
Crafted: At a Workbench - Schematic, or Level 1 Archery
https://7daystodie.fandom.com/wiki/Iron_Crossbow?so=search
9. Steel Club
Bonk!
We needed to include at least one Melee weapon on this list, and the Steel Club is definitely at the top. It takes little stamina, deals high damage, and has a chance to dismember with a headshot. Imagine how deadly you would be with this weapon if you invested a few points into the Strength skill tree?
Best Use: Close Range
Acquired By: Crafting, Looting, Trading
Crafted: At a Workbench - Schematic
https://7daystodie.fandom.com/wiki/Steel_Club
10. Dynamite
Finally, we have Dynamite! These are easy to craft early on in the game and deal an insane amount of damage. With 550 damage to creatures, this also deals 3000 to surrounding blocks making this the go-to demolitions tool. Just like the Rocket Launcher’s HE rounds, you can use these to level your choice in buildings.
Best Use: Medium range, Demolition, Large Groups
Acquired By: Crafting, Looting, Trading
Crafted: At a Workbench - Schematic, or Level 2 Demolitions
https://7daystodie.fandom.com/wiki/Stick_of_Dynamite
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