Best Fortnite weapons in 2026: Tier list for Chapter 7 Season 1

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1 is live after much anticipation, ready to take the battle royale, doubling as the world’s greatest pop-culture hub, into 2026. Hollywood has landed, starting with Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill, but from a gameplay perspective, The Bride’s inclusion is a bit of a footnote. 

Fortnite Chapter 7 has introduced a myriad of gameplay changes beyond just the weapons, and these changes also affect how effective these weapons will be when taken to the new map. So, with all these changes, what are the best of the new Fortnite weapons?

We’ve compared the game’s arsenal of armaments to help you decide what’s worth keeping. Our ranking list covers the new assault rifles, shotguns, SMGs, pistols, and special weapons introduced in the Pacific Break update. The season lasts till March 4, 2026, so you still have plenty of time to try these weapons. Read on for a deep dive into the best Fortnite weapons available right now.

Our top picks for the best Fortnite guns:

Now that players have had some time to experience Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1, we can separate the big guns from the duds. Almost all of Chapter 7’s weapons are new and will require developing new muscle memory to compensate. Of the assault rifles, the Deadeye AR should be the go-to for those with strong aiming skills. The Iron Pump Shotgun is a great option thanks to its sheer damage output at close range.

On the other end, the best pistol and sniper are only the best by default, due to being the only options (Tactical Pistol and Vengeful Sniper, respectively). This isn’t the case with the SMGs, with the Holo Rush being the best option for its versatility. Then, there are the special weapons, which might not have the impact wanted, but in general, the array of weapons is well-balanced.

Now that the Pacific Break update is out, we’ve rounded up all the best weapons in Fortnite right now and sorted them into weapon tiers based on effectiveness. Note that these will sometimes depend on your skill and playstyle.

Let’s kick off our weapon tier list for Fortnite with the best assault rifles.  

While the Enforcer is still a respectable assault rifle, the Deadeye is the best all-around weapon in the game. It combines pinpoint precision with its built-in scope, respectable damage, decent fire rate, and is the fastest weapon to pull out in Fortnite. Yes, the Enforcer has the Deadeye AR beaten in raw damage, but the Deadeye’s faster fire rate, accuracy, and all-around nature make it one of the best weapons in Fortnite right now.

As previously stated, the Tactical Pistol is the only weapon of its class in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1, unless the Overdrive version is included. Still, the Tactical Pistol has decent damage output, a mighty headshot multiplier of 2x, and enough to make it part of the meta, especially as a secondary firearm. It doesn’t seem like the most special weapon in the world, but it does what it says on the tin, and does it well.

Much like the Tactical Pistol, the Vengeful Sniper is the only one of its class, but it should still be considered a meta pick. If you can find somewhere to hunker down and have good aim, you can’t really go wrong, especially because it can be reloaded while aiming. If taking out foes from afar is how you want to be the last one standing, the Vengeful Sniper is one of the best Fortnite weapons.

With their high fire rates, SMGs are great at the mid-to-close range, and the two options Epic Games has given players in Fortnite Chapter 7 exemplify this. The Holo Rush SMG, with its scope, is fit for mid-range affairs, while hip firing makes it strong at closer ranges. The Dual Micro isn’t quite as versatile, being specifically brilliant for building exchanges thanks to incredible fire rates, but that makes it a double-edged sword, requiring careful ammo management.

While the argument can be made that nothing is completely overpowered, it does feel like the shotguns got some special love in Fortnite Chapter 7. While the Twin Hammers fire so quickly, they can be treated as automatic shotguns built for aggressive pushes; the Iron Pump provides the more traditional, pump-action experience. Still, just because it’s traditional doesn’t mean it isn’t scarily effective, with excellent range for a shotgun and smooth, refined handling. Both are meta viable, but the Iron Pump is just that bit better.

Outside the regular categories are two new special weapons that leave a little to be desired. The Arc Lightning Gun can be good for sustained damage and destroying buildings, but it weirdly has a low fire rate for a mini-gun-style firearm and is practically useless at longer ranges. Pair this with low damage, and it feels ineffective, even if it’s cool. The Forsaken Vow Blade is another weapon that’s more style than substance, with low damage, but has decent range and handy mobility. It’s still tough to not get shot down before getting in range with the katana, but it is situationally useful.

If you’re just getting into Fortnite at the start of its seventh chapter, note that this is one of the best-balanced sets of weapons the game has ever had. Still, the Deadeye AR and Iron Pump shotgun will be the two most reliable options, and are strong choices for the best Fortnite weapons in this season.

With the way that Fortnite Chapter 7 is set up, it’s tough to go wrong, with all weapons having at least some use, even the Arc Lightning Gun. Stick to weapons you’re comfortable with or that suit the way you want to go about firefights, whether that be rushing enemies in close quarters or picking them off afar with the Vengeful Sniper.