100 Waves Later Weapons Tier List (June 2026) Best Guns

The Plasma Shotgun reigns supreme as the best weapon in 100 Waves Later, offering unmatched burst damage, wide spread, and excellent boss-killing potential. Shotguns dominate the current meta, with the Auto Shotgun and Incendiary Shotgun rounding out the top three weapons for late-game survival. This comprehensive weapon tier list analyzes all 25+ weapons based on scaling potential, DPS output, and wave-clearing effectiveness to help you build the ultimate loadout.

Quick Reference: Weapon Tier Summary

Tier	Weapons	Best For	Meta Relevance
S-Tier	Plasma Shotgun, Auto Shotgun, Gatling Laser, Incendiary Shotgun	Late-game survival, boss killing	Meta-defining
A-Tier	Greatsword, Pump Shotgun, Sniper Rifle, Plasma Sword, Minigun	Mid-game dominance, specific builds	Strong alternatives
B-Tier	Plasma Laser, Chainsaw, Katana, Flamethrower	Early-mid game progression	Situational use
C-Tier	Knife, Auto/Semi-Auto Rifles, Grenade Launcher	Niche builds, early waves	Limited effectiveness
D-Tier	MP5, Plasma Rifle, Pistols, Crowbar	Avoid investment	Meta traps

S-Tier: Meta-Defining Weapons

Plasma Shotgun (Best Overall)

The undisputed king of 100 Waves Later weapons, the Plasma Shotgun combines massive blast damage with impressive range and wide spread. Its ability to wipe entire hordes with a single trigger pull makes it essential for waves 50+.

Why it dominates:

• Highest burst damage in the game
• Natural pierce capability for crowd control
• Excellent boss-killing potential with proper positioning
• Scales incredibly well with upgrades

Recommended Skills: Gun Damage, Reload Speed, Ammo Capacity, 2x Legendary Damage, Pierce

Pro Strategy: Always position yourself to maximize pierce damage by lining up enemies. The Plasma Shotgun excels when you can hit multiple zombies with a single shot, making it perfect for choke points and corridors.

Auto Shotgun

The Auto Shotgun offers the perfect balance of accessibility and power. As a beginner-friendly option that scales into late-game, it’s the most versatile weapon for any playstyle.

Key Advantages:

• Easy to obtain early in runs
• Consistent DPS without punishing missed shots
• Excellent for both crowd control and boss damage
• Fits any class build due to forgiving fire rate

Recommended Skills: Gun Damage, Reload Speed, Ammo Capacity, Pierce

Expert Tip: The Auto Shotgun pairs perfectly with the Engineer class for turret support, allowing you to focus on positioning while your turret handles additional threats.

Gatling Laser

For players who prefer sustained damage over burst, the Gatling Laser is the ultimate crowd-control machine gun. Its ability to continuously push back enemies while melting their health bars makes it invaluable for overwhelming hordes.

Strengths:

• Unmatched crowd control capabilities
• Excellent sustained DPS
• Great synergy with Fire Rate and Piercing upgrades
• Perfect for holding positions during intense waves

Recommended Skills: Gun Damage, Reload Speed, Ammo Capacity, 2x Legendary Damage, Pierce

Advanced Strategy: Use the Gatling Laser in combination with melee weapons for ammo conservation. Switch to your melee option during early waves (1-15) to save ammunition for the critical later waves.

Incendiary Shotgun (Robux Exclusive)

While locked behind a paywall, the Incendiary Shotgun delivers performance on par with the Plasma Shotgun with the added benefit of fire damage over time (DOT).

Why it’s worth considering:

• Similar base damage to Plasma Shotgun
• Fire DOT makes it exceptional for boss killing
• Excellent spread and pierce capabilities
• Visual satisfaction of burning zombies

Cost-Benefit Analysis: The Plasma Shotgun offers 95% of the performance for free, making the Incendiary Shotgun a luxury rather than a necessity. However, for dedicated players who frequently engage boss waves, the fire damage can be game-changing.

A-Tier: Powerful Contenders

Greatsword (Best Melee Weapon)

The Greatsword stands as the premier melee weapon in 100 Waves Later, offering high damage, excellent reach, and natural cleave damage that hits multiple enemies simultaneously.

Combat Advantages:

• Highest DPS among melee weapons
• Cleave capability for crowd control
• Essential for ammo conservation strategies
• Scales exceptionally well with melee-focused builds

Recommended Skills: Melee Damage, Swing Speed, Movement Speed, 2x Legendary Damage

Pro Usage: Always keep the Greatsword in your secondary slot for early waves (1-15) to conserve valuable ammunition. The ammo savings compound significantly over long runs, making it invaluable for 100+ wave attempts.

Pump Shotgun

Don’t underestimate this starter weapon – the Pump Shotgun scales incredibly well with upgrades and can carry you through the entire game when properly invested in.

Why it excels:

• Free availability from the start
• Incredible scaling potential with upgrades
• Good spread for crowd control
• Cost-effective upgrade path

Investment Strategy: Prioritize upgrading the Pump Shotgun early if you obtain it. Its free status means more resources for weapon upgrades compared to other tier options.

Sniper Rifle

The Sniper Rifle dominates single-target scenarios with massive damage output and natural piercing capability. Perfect for boss waves and precision-minded players.

Strategic Value:

• Highest single-shot DPS in the game
• Piercing allows multiple enemy kills per shot
• Exceptional boss-killing potential
• Rewards skilled positioning and aim

Recommended Skills: Pierce, Gun Damage, Ammo Capacity, Reload Speed

Positioning Tips: Use elevated positions and natural choke points to maximize the Sniper Rifle’s effectiveness. The piercing mechanic works best when enemies are lined up, allowing you to eliminate entire groups with precision shots.

Plasma Sword

As the runner-up for melee supremacy, the Plasma Sword offers faster attack speeds than the Greatsword while maintaining respectable damage output.

Combat Benefits:

• Faster swing speed than Greatsword
• Good damage output with upgrades
• Excellent backup weapon option
• Viable for pure melee builds

Build Synergy: Pairs exceptionally well with the Boxer class, creating a formidable melee-focused build that can sustain through the most challenging waves.

Minigun

The Minigun serves as the second-best machine gun option, offering solid fire rate and DPS that falls just short of the Gatling Laser’s dominance.

Strengths:

• High fire rate for sustained damage
• Good single-hit DPS for crowd control
• Accessible and reliable
• Strong upgrade potential

Limitations: Lacks natural pierce, requiring significant investment in Pierce skills to match the Gatling Laser’s effectiveness.

B-Tier: Situational Specialists

Plasma Laser

Recently buffed and significantly more viable, the Plasma Laser now serves as a respectable mid-game option with potential for late-game success.

Current Status:

• Improved damage after recent buffs
• Viable mid-game progression weapon
• Lacks explosive power of S-tier shotguns
• Requires specific build investment

Upgrade Priority: Consider investing in the Plasma Laser if you obtain it early and need a reliable primary weapon before acquiring S-tier options.

Chainsaw

Despite recent nerfs, the Chainsaw remains a viable melee option with its impressive 10 hits per second attack rate, making it excellent for stunlocking single targets.

Combat Role:

• High attack speed for consistent damage
• Excellent for single-target focus
• Risky against large crowds post-nerf
• Strong synergy with Boxer class

Usage Strategy: Use the Chainsaw for focused boss damage or single-target elimination, but switch to area-of-effect weapons for crowd control situations.

Katana

The Katana offers a faster alternative to the Greatsword with lower overall DPS, making it ideal for early-game speed runs and quick clearing.

Advantages:

• Faster attack speed than Greatsword
• Good early-game performance
• Decent base damage with upgrades
• Lower upgrade ceiling than top-tier options

Best Use Case: Excellent for early waves when speed matters more than raw damage, but plan to transition to higher-tier melee weapons for late-game survival.

Flamethrower

The Flamethrower dominates early waves (1-20) with overwhelming damage but falls off significantly in later content, making it a specialized early-game weapon.

Early Game Dominance:

• Overpowered for waves 1-20
• Easy boss melting in early stages
• Significant damage drop-off post-wave 40
• Not worth heavy investment

Investment Warning: Do not heavily invest in the Flamethrower. Save your resources for weapons with better late-game scaling.

C-Tier: Build-Dependent Options

Knife

The Knife offers improved mobility over other melee weapons but lacks the damage output needed for late-game success.

Limited Advantages:

• Better mobility than Baseball Bat
• Slightly higher damage than basic melee options
• Outclassed by Katana and Chainsaw
• Not worth investment beyond early waves

Auto & Semi-Auto Rifles

These free starter weapons serve their purpose in the first 10 waves but quickly become obsolete due to insufficient DPS for boss encounters.

Early Game Utility:

• Free availability from start
• Adequate for waves 1-10
• Low DPS makes them ineffective against bosses
• Replace as soon as possible

Grenade Launcher

Recently buffed but still requiring specific Fire & Explosive builds to be effective, the Grenade Launcher remains a niche option for dedicated explosive builds.

Build Requirements:

• Requires dedicated Fire & Explosive build
• Slow reload speed limits effectiveness
• Splash damage can be powerful with proper investment
• High skill ceiling for optimal usage

D-Tier: Meta Traps to Avoid

MP5

The ultimate “run killer,” the MP5 drops frequently from Mystery Boxes but has arguably the worst scaling in the game, making it a trap weapon that can ruin promising runs.

Why it’s terrible:

• Extremely poor damage scaling
• High drop rate creates false hope
• Wastes valuable upgrade resources
• Feels underpowered even with heavy investment

Plasma Rifle

While consistent early on, the Plasma Rifle falls off dramatically in later waves, making it a poor investment choice for long-term success.

Scaling Issues:

• Decent early-game performance
• Dramatic damage drop-off in late game
• Better alternatives available at similar cost
• Not worth upgrade investment

Pistols & Deagle

The basic Pistols and Deagle suffer from low damage, zero penetration, small clips, and slow reloads, making them completely non-viable beyond the earliest waves.

Critical Flaws:

• Lowest damage in the game
• No pierce capability
• Small magazine sizes
• Slow reload speeds
• Completely obsolete after wave 10

Crowbar

Universally considered the worst weapon in the game, the Crowbar becomes completely useless after wave 20, regardless of upgrade investment.

Why it’s the worst:

• Lowest damage output
• No redeeming qualities
• Outclassed by every other weapon
• Becomes a paperweight mid-game

Advanced Weapon Strategies

Weapon Synergy Combinations

Primary + Secondary Setup:

• Plasma Shotgun + Greatsword: The ultimate combination for both crowd control and boss damage
• Auto Shotgun + Katana: Perfect for balanced progression with reliable performance
• Gatling Laser + Chainsaw: Excellent for sustained damage with single-target focus

Class-Specific Loadouts:

• Engineer: Gatling Laser + Any Shotgun for maximum turret synergy
• Boxer: Greatsword/Chainsaw + Shotgun for melee-ranged hybrid
• Pathfinder: Auto Shotgun + Greatsword for super skill maximization

Upgrade Priority System

Tier 1 Priority (Essential):

1. Gun Damage: Foundation of all damage output
2. Pierce: Critical for crowd control effectiveness
3. Reload Speed: Maintains consistent DPS

Tier 2 Priority (Important):

1. Ammo Capacity: Reduces downtime and resource management
2. 2x Legendary Damage: Massive late-game scaling
3. Fire Rate: Improves sustained damage output

Tier 3 Priority (Situational):

1. Movement Speed: Enhanced positioning and dodging
2. Critical Chance: Random damage spikes
3. Explosive Bullets: Niche build enhancement

Meta Analysis and Future Predictions

Based on recent updates and developer patterns, the current meta heavily favors weapons with natural pierce and high burst damage. Shotguns dominate due to their combination of spread, pierce, and boss-killing potential.

Upcoming Meta Shifts:

• Potential buffs to underperforming weapon categories
• New exclusive weapons may shake up rankings
• Balance changes likely to address weapon diversity
• Melee weapons may receive scaling improvements

Community Resources and Official Channels

For the most current information and community discussion, connect with these official resources:

• Official Discord Server: Join the 100 Waves Later Discord for real-time discussions, code drops, and developer announcements. The community is incredibly active with experienced players sharing strategies and build recommendations.
• Reddit Communities: The r/ZombieWaves subreddit provides excellent player discussions, strategy sharing, and troubleshooting advice from veteran players.
• Official Game Page: Visit the 100 Waves Later Roblox page for the latest updates, patch notes, and direct game access.
• Game Wiki: The 100 Waves Later Wiki offers comprehensive documentation of weapons, classes, and game mechanics for detailed reference.
• Developer Community: Follow banjo boiler room on Roblox for official announcements and developer insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the absolute best weapon in 100 Waves Later?

The Plasma Shotgun is currently the best weapon due to its superior burst damage, wide spread, and excellent scaling. It excels at both crowd control and boss damage, making it the most versatile and powerful option for late-game survival.

Are Robux weapons worth the cost?

The Incendiary Shotgun is the only Robux weapon that truly competes with free-to-play options. While it offers excellent performance, the Plasma Shotgun provides 95% of the effectiveness for free, making Robux weapons a luxury rather than a necessity.

Which weapon should I prioritize upgrading?

Always prioritize S-Tier shotguns first. The Plasma Shotgun and Auto Shotgun offer the best return on investment for reaching high waves. If you have a Greatsword, invest in it as a secondary option for ammo conservation.

How do I survive past Wave 50?

Surviving beyond Wave 50 requires weapons with natural pierce or area-of-effect damage. Single-target weapons like pistols and basic rifles cannot handle the zombie density in later waves. Focus on shotguns, machine guns with pierce, or melee weapons with cleave.

What’s the best weapon combination?

The Plasma Shotgun + Greatsword combination provides the best balance of crowd control, boss damage, and resource management. This setup allows you to handle any situation while conserving ammunition during easier waves.

How often do weapon rankings change?

Weapon rankings typically shift after major game updates, which occur every 2-3 months. Balance patches can significantly alter the meta, so it’s essential to stay current through official Discord channels and community discussions.

Should I invest in D-Tier weapons?

Never invest significant resources in D-Tier weapons like the MP5 or basic pistols. These weapons have poor scaling and will hinder your progress. Save your scrap for S and A-tier options that will carry you through late-game content.

Conclusion

Mastering the 100 Waves Later weapon meta requires understanding both individual weapon strengths and how they complement your chosen class and playstyle. The current meta heavily favors shotguns, particularly the Plasma Shotgun, due to their exceptional balance of crowd control and boss damage.

Remember that weapon choice is only part of the equation – proper upgrade prioritization, class synergy, and resource management all play crucial roles in achieving 100+ wave runs. Stay connected with the community through official channels to remain current with meta shifts and new content updates.

For the most success, focus on acquiring S-Tier weapons early, invest strategically in upgrades, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations to find what works best for your playstyle. The zombie hordes wait for no one, and with this knowledge, you’re ready to dominate the battlefield.