Ranking the Grimdark Armoury
With over 75 distinct weapons drawn from Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer Age of Sigmar, choosing the right wargear on each level-up determines whether you survive to the 25-minute wave cap. This tier list evaluates weapons based on three core criteria: early-game survivability, crowd-clearing capability against high-density swarms, and single-target DPS against Extremis bosses.
To understand how to upgrade these weapons into their ultimate forms, refer to our Evolution Guide and full Evolution Recipes List.
Weapons Tier List Overview
| Tier | Weapon Name | Universe | Evolution Result | Role & Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S-Tier | Boltgun | 40k | Heavy Bolter | Supreme all-rounder; massive explosive knockback and armor tearing. |
| S-Tier | Lasgun | 40k | Meltagun | Melts high-HP bosses; infinite linear pierce through elite lines. |
| S-Tier | Whirlwind Battery | 40k | Orbital Bombardment | Screen-wide artillery barrages that eliminate off-screen spawns. |
| S-Tier | Tempest Axes | AoS | Whirlwind Axes | Spiral lightning paths providing reliable 360-degree perimeter clear. |
| A-Tier | Chainsword | 40k | Eviscerator Chainsword | Top-tier melee protection; high-RPM cleave and life-leech sustain. |
| A-Tier | Power Fists | 40k | Gauntlets of Ultramar | Heavy shockwave slams that stagger and crush heavily armored elites. |
| A-Tier | Brazier Staff | AoS | Master of Runes | Protective fire aura that incinerates approaching swarm chaff. |
| A-Tier | Boltstorm Pistol | AoS | Typhoon Crossbow | Fast ricochet volleys that clear multiple targets per shot. |
| B-Tier | Frag Grenades | 40k | Vortex Grenades | High burst damage with delayed detonation; requires predictive kiting. |
| B-Tier | Fyrestorm Greataxe | AoS | Zangrom-Thaz | High melee damage with burning ground trails; slower attack rhythm. |
| B-Tier | Rope & Grapnel | AoS | Ghost of Rhea | Bonus executing strikes, but less reliable against dense rushes. |
S-Tier Weapons Breakdown
1. Boltgun / Heavy Bolter
The unquestioned backbone of any ballistic build. Even at base level 1, the Boltgun's explosive impacts stagger enemies. Evolving it with the Dice Cube & Passives creates the Heavy Bolter, turning your champion into a mobile artillery platform. Learn how to maximize this build in our Boltgun Evolution Guide.
2. Lasgun / Meltagun
While unassuming early on, the Lasgun evolves into the Meltagun—the most efficient boss-killing weapon in the game. It allows players to burn through the colossal health pools of the Norn Emissary Boss in a fraction of the usual time. Check our Lasgun Evolution Guide for details.
3. Whirlwind Battery / Orbital Bombardment
Paired with Liquid Green Stuff, this weapon rains fiery strikes across the entire map. It guarantees that high-threat ranged units never reach firing distance, vacuuming up experience gems across the arena.
A-Tier Defensive Staples
Melee options like the Chainsword Evolution and Power Fist Combos provide vital security when swarms breach your ranged fire cones. Their high knockback and area coverage prevent champions from suffering contact chip damage during late-game wave surges.
Consult our Armoury Meta Progression Guide to see how persistent gold upgrades boost base weapon stats across every run.
