Best Fortnite weapons in 2025: Tier list for Chapter 6 Season 3

Antony Terence
Aleksha McLoughlin
A desktop monitor displaying a Fortnite and Star Wars crossover event titled "Galactic Battle" featuring characters like Chewbacca, General Grievous, and Emperor Palpatine, with lightsabers and starships in the background, set in a cozy home office environment.
Image credit: Epic Games / Fortnite

TL:DR

  • The best Fortnite weapon is the A280-CFE Blaster Rifle, thanks to its solid damage output.
  • Consider the IQA-11 Marksman Blaster Rifle if you prefer sniping foes from a distance.
  • Wield a Lightsaber and use Force abilities to destroy enemy players.
  • Shotgun fans should check out the ACP Scatter Blaster.
  • The CR-2 Blaster is our SMG of choice in the latest season.

Fortnite’s Chapter 6 Season 3 is live, and we’ve got a comprehensive Fortnite weapon tier list for you that ranks all of its Star Wars-themed goodness. Galactic Battle has changed the game, so you’ll need the right firepower to stay ahead. 

While Lightsabers are a no-brainer, we’ve compared the game’s arsenal of Blasters to help you decide which gun is worth keeping. Read on for a deep dive into the best Fortnite weapons available in Galactic Battle.

Our ranking list covers the new assault rifles, shotguns, SMGs, sniper rifles, pistols, and melee weapons introduced in Galactic Battle. The season goes on till June 7 2025, so you still have plenty of time to explore locations like the First Order Base and Vader Samurai’s Solitude. Here are our picks for the most powerful weapons in Fortnite right now.

Best Fortnite weapons right now

Our top picks for the best Fortnite weapons:

  • A280-CFE Blaster Rifle – best assault rifle
  • ACP Scatter Blaster – best shotgun
  • IQA-11 Marksman Blaster Rifle – best sniper rifle
  • DL-44 Blaster Pistol – best pistol
  • CR-2 Blaster – best submachine gun

Now that you’ve had a chance to experience Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3, it’s time to bring out the big guns. Get your hands on the A280-CFE Blaster Rifle, and you can use its scope to take out opponents in medium to long-range firefights. If you prefer sneaking up on an enemy before blasting them in the face, consider the ACP Scatter Blaster. On the other end of the spectrum, snipers will love the IQA-11 Marksman Blaster Rifle for its headshot damage. 

While pistols aren’t our go-to weapons, nostalgic fans will appreciate the addition of the DL-44 Blaster Pistol. SMG fans will like the CR-2 Blaster’s solid rate of fire. But if there’s one weapon that could overshadow all these noteworthy additions to Fortnite, it’s the Lightsaber. Deflect bullets and run into the fray as you wield Force powers to decimate your opponents.

Fortnite weapon tier list for Chapter 6 Season 3

Now that Fortnite’s Galactic Battle is here, we’ve rounded up all the best weapons in Fortnite and sorted them into weapon tiers based on their effectiveness in combat. Just remember that since ammo is no longer a consideration for energy weapons, you’ll have to keep an eye on your fire rate to keep your guns from overheating. And with that, let’s kick off our Fortnite weapon tier list with the best assault rifles.

Fortnite assault rifle tier list

Three futuristic sniper rifles from Fortnite
Three new assault rifles to dominate in Fortnite with / Image credit: Epic Games

Fans of the Holo Twister AR will find themselves drawn to the A280-CFE Blaster Rifle and its Enhanced Mythic variant in Fortnite’s new season. Its built-in scope, substantial damage, and low recoil make it an excellent option for engagements regardless of the enemy’s distance. Opt for single-shot bursts, and you can punish distant opponents. While the DC-15 rifle is a powerful option, its lack of a scope and slower fire rate pushes it below the A280. Fury Assault Rifle mains should consider the new DLT-19 Blaster Rifle for its rate of fire.

Weapon nameTier ratingDamage output
A280-CFE Blaster RifleS114.75 DPS (Common), 140.25 DPS (Legendary)
DC-15 Blaster RifleA151.2 DPS (Common), 184.8 DPS (Legendary)
DLT-19 Blaster RifleB153.3 DPS (Common), 182.5 (Legendary)

Fortnite pistol tier list

Futuristic silenced pistol from Fortnite displayed on a purple background
There’s only one new pistol in Season 3, but it packs a solid enough punch / Image credit: Epic Games

If you want to go gunslinging like Han Solo, the DL-44 Blaster Pistol is your best bet. While it’s not as effective as an assault rifle, this weapon feels great to handle and fire. Consider using it only if you haven’t managed to grab another gun; no Fortnite weapon list is complete without a handy blaster, after all. 

Weapon nameTier ratingDamage output
DL-44 Blaster PistolB110.55 DPS (Common), 137.35 (Legendary)

Fortnite sniper rifle tier list

Long-range sniper rifle from Fortnite displayed on a purple background
You’ll be able to do some serious damage with this Fortnite sniper rifle / Image credit: Epic Games

Long-range engagements in Fortnite are a breeze with the new IQA-11 Marksman Blaster Rifle in Fortnite. It’s the lone addition in the sniper category, but its power earns it the S-tier rating among the top guns in Fortnite. Prey on unsuspecting foes with its scope; you’ll be cleaning up opponents in no time. Its Enhanced Mythic variant is even more potent against enemies.

Weapon nameTier ratingDamage output
IQA-11 Marksman Blaster RifleS119.7 DPS (Uncommon), 138.7 DPS (Legendary)

Fortnite SMG tier list

Three futuristic SMGs from Fortnite showcased on a purple background
There are plenty of high-damaging SMGs to choose from in Season 3 / Image credit: Epic Games

The CR-2 Blaster handily earns our top recommendation if you swear by SMGs. While you still have to get in close, this weapon is far more forgiving than a shotgun when missing your shots. Another good SMG worth picking up is the F-11D Blaster, especially its Captain Phasma variant in Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3. The E-11 Blaster is an all-rounder that can work in a pinch, but we prefer the CR-2 thanks to its higher DPS.

Weapon nameTier ratingDamage output
CR-2 BlasterS162.5 DPS (Common), 187.5 DPS (Legendary)
F-11D BlasterA148.35 DPS (Common), 187.05 DPS (Legendary)
E-11 BlasterB148.2 DPS (Common), 182.4 DPS (Legendary)

Fortnite shotgun tier list

The Sentinel Pump ruled tier lists last season, and the new ACP Scatter Blaster is a strong contender for the throne. It deals devastating damage up close, but remember to make every shot count since its fire rate isn’t great. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most powerful weapons in Fortnite. The BARM-ST12 Scatter Blaster is another shotgun you should consider if you like closing the distance between you and your foes before taking them down.

Weapon nameTier ratingDamage output
ACP Scatter BlasterS79.2 DPS (Common), 96.8 (Legendary)
BARM-ST12 Scatter BlasterA119 DPS (Common), 143.5 DPS (Legendary)

Fortnite melee weapon tier list

Three glowing lightsabers from Fortnite displayed on a purple background
Do you really need anything else? / Image credit: Epic Games

No Star Wars tie-in would be complete without Lightsabers. Paired with Force abilities, these melee weapons are an absolute menace on the battleground and are a fine addition to our list of best Fortnite weapons. Negate damage by blocking enemy shots as you approach enemies by holding down the aim button. Just watch out for a short cooldown after deflecting some attacks. Unlike most weapons, Lightsaber damage differs based on the number of consecutive strikes you deal to an opponent. So you’ll have to land six hits for maximum damage.

Weapon nameTier ratingDamage output
LightsaberS40/150 DPS (Mythic)

Conclusion

If you’re just getting the hang of Galactic Battle, the A280-CFE Blaster Rifle and IQA-11 Marksman Blaster Rifle will serve you well. We’re also big fans of the new shotguns in the latest season. While Lightsabers are flashy and unrivalled in melee fights, they can’t deflect bullets forever and go into a cooldown after protecting you from a few hits. With new weapons still being added, keep visiting Esports Insider to learn how the meta is shuffled to pick the best weapon in Fortnite based on your preferences.

FAQs

What are the best guns in Fortnite?

The best guns in Fortnite right now are the A280-CFE Blaster Rifle and IQA-11 Marksman Blaster Rifle, thanks to their decent damage potential over long distances.

What is the strongest weapon in Fortnite?

If sheer damage is your metric of choice, the strongest weapon in Fortnite is the IQA-11 Marksman Blaster Rifle.

Once a steel plant engineer, Antony is an independent journalist who has written for IGN, GamesRadar, Rock Paper Shotgun, VideoGamer, and <a href="https://www.gamesindustry.biz/">GamesIndustry.biz</a> over the past five years. You'll find him at tech stores or board game cafes when he isn't yapping about Persona or Like A Dragon.