Hunting down the best Battlefield 2042 weapons? We've got you covered - and then some.
The wartime FPS is back and more chaotic than ever, as Battlefront 2042 sees players waging war against each other in the midst of a climate apocalypse wreaking havoc on the world around them. Consisting of three distinct multiplayer experiences - but no single-player mode - Battlefield 2042 leans into the frenetic style of gameplay the series is famous for. It offers plenty of new weapons for you to get your hands on, even in the game’s early stages.
But with so many guns at your disposal, you might be wondering which will serve you best in the heat of battle. Managing your inventory and loadout can be a drag, especially with such limited space to hold them all.
Fortunately, we’re here to help. Read on as we run through some of our early favorites to give you an idea of the best guns to pick up when you’re kitting yourself out with a killer loadout.
The best beginner Battlefield 2042 weapons
Battlefield 2042: how to manage your loadout
Battlefield 2042 is very different from other entries in the series. Mostly, it feels much quicker than previous games, with extra chaos and a shorter time to kill.
It has done away with the rigid class system seen in previous games too, so you can put together dynamic builds, change your weapons between deaths and swap out attachments on the fly. This means that honing in on any particular gun is less important, as the gameplay is more focused on versatility.
You’ll need all kinds of weapons to adapt to changes in the map and the weather, so don’t worry if our choices don’t fit with your own - you can get away with pretty much any build in Battlefield 2042. You should try and fit your Specialist around your gun where possible though, and pick the right gear, like armor plates or C4, to cover every base.
Battlefield 2042: best starter weapons
LCMG (Unlocked from the start)
Our personal favorite starter weapon in Battlefield 2042 is the LCMG. It might seem strange to pick up an LMG straight out of the gate, but given how short a time it takes to kill anyone in this game, the boost you get from the range and power combo of the LCMG is potent, and it will serve you well even as you unlock more powerful guns later down the line. Once you get a few kills you will have unlocked hybrid scopes that let you become deadly at any distance, and if you can pick up 210 kills you’ll unlock armor-piercing rounds, which is great for taking down the hordes of vehicles that plague Battlefield 2042’s maps.
SVK (Level 14)
We’ve found that Marksman rifles are more useful than actual Snipers in Battlefield 2042 given the pace of the game and the boon of single fire over bolt-action. Of course, it will come down to your playstyle, but the SVK is the most deadly Marksman rifle in the game, with its solid damage output and strong rate of fire. It strikes a careful balance between the two long-range gun styles, so it’s superb for taking out enemy soldiers at mid to long-range.
PP-29 (Level 18)
As you push through the levels you may be tempted to pick up a short-range weapon like an SMG to clear out objective points. The best of the bunch is the PP-29. By the time you unlock it, you should be familiar with its silhouette from all of the post-death loading screens where it pops up. It’s an incredibly popular gun in Battlefield 2042 for good reason. The 650 rate of fire is complemented by the high magazine size, which allows the PP-29 to dole out deadly bursts up close but also last long enough that you don’t get caught out by a lack of ammo.
