Fortnite Weapon Tier List: Best Guns Meta in Chapter 7 Season 1 Ranked

Fortnite has completely revamped its arsenal of weapons in Chapter 7 Season 1, with the new season bringing a more focused weapon pool. The release of these new weapons has impacted the meta significantly and emphasized a shift towards raw firepower. Knowing how well these weapons perform is essential if players want to dominate matches.

If you are looking for a comprehensive Fortnite tier list for weapons in Chapter 7 Season 1, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s break down every gun available in Chapter 7 so far, and rank them by their viability.

Fortnite Tier List Weapons – January 2026

Tier	Weapons
S-Tier	Deadeye Assault Rifle, Iron Pump Shotgun, Tactical Pistol
A-Tier	Enforcer AR, Twin Hammer Shotguns
B-Tier	Dual Micro SMGs, Forsaken Vow Blade, Vengeful Sniper Rifle, Holo Rush SMG
C-Tier	Tactical Assault Rifle, Arc-Lightning Gun, Sovereign Shotgun

Best Fortnite Meta Loadout in Chapter 7 Season 1

Since the meta is constantly changing with each new season release in Fortnite, Chapter 7 Season 1 is no different. The meta loadout for this reason centers around the Deadeye Assault Rifle and the Iron Pump Shotgun. These two weapons are the pillars of this season as they allow for versatility and control over your battles. Apart from these two slots, your three other inventory slots need to be dedicated to utility, mobility, and healing.

The rest of the inventory slots can vary depending on your playstyle. If you prefer to take more long-range fights, your balanced loadout should comprise the Deadeye Assault Rifle, Iron Pump Shotgun, Vengeful Sniper Rifle, Wingsuits, and Big Pots. The sniper can allow for a quick burst of damage that you can follow up with the Deadeye Assault Rifle. The Wingsuits let you close the distance quickly so that you can capitalise on the damage. Additionally, long-range battles allow for longer intervals to heal, making Big Pots a viable healing option.

If you prefer to get up close, you can go with the Deadeye Assault Rifle, Iron Pump Shotgun, Dual Micro SMGs, Forsaken Vow Blade/Shockwave Grenades, and Small Shields. Trading out the sniper for the micro SMGs allows you to execute the classic shotgun-SMG combo. Meanwhile, the Forsaken Blade can give you opportunities to take high ground and also get away if the need arises. Since close quarters mean fast-paced combat, Small Shields serve as your best option for heals.

Best Fortnite S-Tier Weapons

Deadeye Assault Rifle

The Deadeye Assault Rifle is arguably the best weapon in the Chapter 7 Season 1 weapon tier list. This assault rifle comes with a built-in scope and features virtually no recoil. The weapon can laser enemies when aiming down sights, providing consistent damage at almost any range during combat. With 26 body and 45 headshot damage at Legendary rarity (28 and 53, respectively, for Mythic), the weapon features a 1.73x headshot multiplier that rewards accuracy.

Weapon Stats (Legendary)

• DPS: 143
• Body Damage: 26
• Structure Damage: 26
• Headshot Damage: 45 (1.73x multiplier)
• Fire Rate: 5.5
• Magazine Size: 26
• Reload Time: 2.25 s

The added scope also lets the weapon avoid the usual bloom issue that many non-scoped weapons face. It allows for much better sight that can lead to consistent damage even across 100 m fights. Players can even reload the weapon while aiming down the scope, allowing them to maintain a line of sight with the enemy.

The Deadeye Assault Rifle also features a 26-round magazine and 2.25 s reload time, making it a much more balanced assault rifle than the Enforcer AR. All of this, in addition to the Deadeye Assault Rifle’s availability through loot and a Mythic variant, makes it a force to be reckoned with in Chapter 7 Season 1.

Iron Pump Shotgun

The Iron Pump Shotgun is the most dominant close-range weapon in the Chapter 7 loot pool. This shotgun possesses the ability to deliver the highest burst of damage this season. With 111 body damage and 202 headshot damage at Legendary rarity (116 and 210, respectively, for Mythic), the Iron Pump shotgun has a 1.82x headshot multiplier. This can guarantee single-shot kills during boxfight scenarios if players can land clean headshots.

Weapon Stats (Legendary)

• DPS: 88.8
• Body Damage: 111
• Structure Damage: 57
• Headshot Damage: 202 (1.82x multiplier)
• Fire Rate: 0.8
• Magazine Size: 5
• Reload Time: 4.59 s

While the Iron Pump has a much slower fire rate and reload time than the Twin Hammer and Sovereign shotguns, its damage output compensates handily. The Iron Pump Shotgun features a five-shell magazine and quick pullout speed. This, mixed with its pellet spread, makes it a much more cohesive close-range option than the Twin Hammer Shotguns.

The weapon’s consistency also allows players to be more aggressive during combat, knowing the damage they will deal. Additionally, the Iron Pump Shotgun is easily available through loot and has a Mythic variant available. This gives players multiple opportunities to come across this shotgun and craft their balanced loadout.

Tactical Pistol

The Tactical Pistol is undoubtedly one of the more surprising standout weapons in Chapter 7 Season 1. This is a full-auto pistol that packs quite a punch despite its small size. The Tactical Pistol can deal 28 body and 56 headshot damage at the Legendary variant, putting out an impressive 193 DPS. For players with accurate aim during close-range encounters, the Tactical Pistol performs beautifully, even maintaining versatility at mid-range encounters.

Weapon Stats (Legendary)

• DPS: 193
• Body Damage: 28
• Structure Damage: 28
• Headshot Damage: 56 (2x multiplier)
• Fire Rate: 6.9
• Magazine Size: 15
• Reload Time: 1.3 s

If used efficiently, the Tactical Pistol can serve as a primary weapon rather than just a sidearm. This is best evident during early game scenarios where assault rifles aren’t readily available. While the weapon has only 15-bullet magazines, its 2x headshot multiplier and 6.9 fire rate make it much more viable than one may think. Players can even use this pistol in place of an SMG as a follow-up to a shotgun blast.

You can easily find the Tactical Pistol in chests and floor loot. However, it sadly doesn’t have a Mythic variant. Its limited magazine can prove to be a hindrance for some, but its raw damage output makes it one of the best weapons in the entire Fortnite gun tier list.

Best Fortnite A-Tier Weapons

Enforcer AR

Making our way down the tier list, The Enforcer AR is a returning weapon in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1. It serves as a powerful hitscan rifle that, while not as accurate as the Deadeye Assault Rifle, packs a powerful punch per-shot. The Enforcer AR can deal 41 body damage and 70 headshot damage at Legendary rarity (45 and 67, respectively, for Mythic), which means it hits over 50% harder than the Deadeye. This makes it a great choice for applying mid-range pressure.

Weapon Stats (Legendary)

• DPS: 164
• Body Damage: 42
• Structure Damage: 42
• Headshot Damage: 70 (1.67x multiplier)
• Fire Rate: 3.9
• Magazine Size: 20
• Reload Time: 2.25 s

However, the weapon has a couple of downsides, especially with the noticeable vertical recoil. The Enforcer AR also lacks a scope, which requires tap-firing the weapon for maximum efficiency. Burst firing patterns can also help the weapon maintain accuracy beyond close to medium range. Additionally, the weapon has a much slower fire rate of 3.9 and only 20 bullets in one magazine. However, the 2.25-second reload time makes up for it a little.

The Enforcer AR can be found through loot and has a Mythic variant, making it not too hard to find. Despite it being an inferior assault rifle, it can shine in early game scenarios or when the Deadeye isn’t available.

Twin Hammer Shotguns

The Twin Hammer Shotguns are Chapter 7 Season 1’s fast-firing shotgun alternative. The weapon features two barrels that alternate shots per trigger pull. This allows players to continuously put pressure on their enemies. Twin Hammer Shotguns deal 78 body damage and 125 headshot damage at Legendary rarity (82 and 130, respectively, for Mythic). While the numbers may seem low, these shotguns trade raw damage for attack speed.

Weapon Stats (Legendary)

• DPS: 157
• Body Damage: 78
• Structure Damage: 40
• Headshot Damage: 125 (1.6x multiplier)
• Fire Rate: 2.01
• Magazine Size: 10
• Reload Time: 2.88 s

Its 10-shell magazine (5 shells in each shotgun), mixed with its 2.01 fire rate, can make these shotguns extremely useful in prolonged close-quarter fights. However, its positives can also be its downfall. The low damage doesn’t guarantee eliminations and gives enemies opportunities to survive and escape. Additionally, the weapon has a much wider pellet spread, making it far less accurate.

The Hammer Pump Shotguns are also available through loot and in a Mythic variant. While the Iron Pump Shotgun’s one-tap potential almost always makes it a better close-range choice, the Twin Hammer Shotguns can serve as a viable alternative, especially with their shorter reload time.

Best Fortnite B-Tier Weapons

The B-tier weapons on Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1’s tier list can be solid but situational options. While these weapons can help complement certain playstyles, they are not considered loadout staples. The Dual Micro SMGs pack the fastest fire rate in the game, but their ammo consumption and small magazine size hold them back from being truly exceptional. The Vengeful Sniper Rifle, despite packing huge one-shot potential, remains extremely situational and requires precise aim to be viable.

The Holo Rush SMG might seem like a great weapon to bridge close and medium-range combat with a holographic scope. However, it remains outclassed in both situations by other viable options, even with the addition of the Mythic variant with the Winterfest 2025 update. Finally, the Forsaken Vow Blade is less of a traditional weapon as it largely focuses on mobility. While the blade can also deal 35 damage with a swing and 70 damage with the Feeling Blossom, it just isn’t worth it when you take into account how close you have to get with enemies to attack them with the Forsaken Vow Blade.

Best Fortnite C-Tier Weapons

The C-tier weapons in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1 have massive drawbacks that completely overshadow any viability they have. The Sovereign Shotgun is outclassed in every way by the Iron Pump and Twin Hammer Shotguns. Despite being versatile with its two firing modes, the weapon demands clean shots to be viable at all. The Tactical Assault Rifle is another returning weapon in Chapter 7 Season 1, added with the 39.10 patch. While it packed a punch in its initial introduction in Chapter 1 Season 9, the weapon lacks any real utility in Chapter 7.

The weapon shines as a hipfire rifle, but that is extremely situational, and it is outclassed by most weapons in the game right now. Finally, the Arc Lightning Gun is the most interesting weapon in Chapter 7 Season 1. It works great as a crowd control weapon with its continuous electrical beams chaining between multiple enemies. However, the weapon has a measly 9 DPS, making it unreliable in one-on-one gunfights.

Now that you know the top weapons to use in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1, which ones are you grabbing the next time you drop from the Battle Bus? Let us know in the comments!