This Days Gone tier list ranks every major option by overall effectiveness. Rankings factor in damage output, survivability, versatility, gear requirements, and how well each option scales.
Tier definitions: S = best in class, always a strong pick. A = strong and competitive, minor weaknesses. B = solid but clearly outperformed in most situations. C = viable only for players who enjoy the playstyle.
Characters Rankings
| Tier | Role | Rating | Playstyle |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Stealth Trapper | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| S | Horde Runner | 9.5/10 | Scout the horde's route in daylight while it sleeps, set traps at the chokepoint, wake it with an attractor and keep backing away in a wide loop, never letting the crowd get an angle around you. |
| A | Marksman Bounty Hunter | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| B | Melee Brawler | 7.5/10 | Fight in doorways and narrow paths so only one or two Freakers reach you at a time, and always keep a spare melee weapon since durability runs out mid fight without warning. |
| A | Explosives Specialist | 8.5/10 | Bait groups into pre placed remote bombs, use attractors to move Freakers away from a camp before entering it, and keep Molotovs strictly for Breakers and Ragers rather than ordinary Swarmers. |
Detailed Characters Analysis
Stealth Trapper (A-Tier)
Stealth Trapper is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Drifter Crossbow. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Horde Runner (S-Tier)
The build the whole game points toward. High Stamina, a crowd control primary and a bag full of explosives, used to funnel 300 or more Freakers through a gap where the crowd cannot spread out.
Best with: Chicago Chopper, attractors, pipe bombs, Molotovs, napalm where available, maximum Stamina injectors. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Stamina first and by a wide margin, then Health, then Focus
Marksman Bounty Hunter (A-Tier)
Marksman Bounty Hunter is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Chicago Chopper. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Melee Brawler (B-Tier)
A resource light build for players who want to stop spending ammunition on Newts and Swarmers. Crafted melee weapons like the spiked bat and the fire axe kill in one or two swings and are rebuilt from scrap in seconds.
Best with: Spiked bat or fire axe, crafting materials for melee repairs, Health injectors, bandages. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Health, then Stamina, then Focus
Explosives Specialist (A-Tier)
A build around crafted ordnance rather than guns, which suits the ammunition scarcity of the first half of the game. Pipe bombs, remote bombs and Molotovs cost scrap and rags that the world hands out constantly.
Best with: Pipe bombs, remote bombs, Molotovs, attractors, a suppressed sidearm for cleanup. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Stamina, then Health, then Focus
Weapons Rankings
| Weapon | Best With | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drifter Crossbow | Silent ambush camp clears and any approach where waking a nearby horde would end the attempt. | An upgraded crossbow supplied through Iron Mike's camp, with better damage and accuracy than the starting version and access to explosive and poison bolts. |
| MWS | Marauder camps, Ripper outposts and general open world defence at medium range. | An assault rifle available early with a clear step up in stopping power over the starting weapons. |
| Chicago Chopper | Horde fights and any moment a crowd of Swarmers closes to under fifteen metres. | A drum fed submachine gun modelled on the Thompson, with one of the highest rates of fire and largest magazines in the game. |
| SMP9 | Emergency close quarters defence and clearing Newts in tight interiors. | A compact stockless submachine gun carried in the sidearm slot, firing fast with good accuracy but a limited magazine. |
| .50 BFG | Breakers, Ragers and picking off camp leaders before an assault starts. | A heavy sniper rifle that removes most enemies in a single hit, including armoured militia and larger Freakers. |
Check our weapons guide for in-depth stats and comparisons.
Weapons Analysis
Drifter Crossbow: An upgraded crossbow supplied through Iron Mike's camp, with better damage and accuracy than the starting version and access to explosive and poison bolts. Bolts are recoverable from bodies, so it costs almost nothing to run.
MWS: An assault rifle available early with a clear step up in stopping power over the starting weapons. Most human enemies, Rippers included, go down in two shots, which makes it the default primary for the first half of the story.
Chicago Chopper: A drum fed submachine gun modelled on the Thompson, with one of the highest rates of fire and largest magazines in the game. It is the standard horde weapon precisely because it does not need reloading every few seconds.
SMP9: A compact stockless submachine gun carried in the sidearm slot, firing fast with good accuracy but a limited magazine. It exists to give a rifle build a close range answer without giving up the primary slot.
.50 BFG: A heavy sniper rifle that removes most enemies in a single hit, including armoured militia and larger Freakers. Ammunition is scarce and expensive, so it works as a specialist tool rather than a main weapon.
Meta Analysis
The current meta in Days Gone centers on Bike fuel and durability and Camp Trust and credits. Builds that leverage both systems outperform those that focus on only one. Our combat guide explains these interactions in depth.
What's strong right now:
- Stealth Trapper with Drifter Crossbow is the benchmark. Everything else is measured against it.
- Freaker hordes builds are gaining ground as players find new combinations.
- Marksman Bounty Hunter remains essential for learning hard content. See the boss guide.
What's underrated:
- Horde Runner is consistently overlooked despite being the most flexible option.
- Chicago Chopper offers excellent performance for its investment level.
What's overhyped:
- Pure Explosives Specialist builds. High ceiling but the consistency isn't there for most players.
Quick Picks by Situation
| Situation | Best Role | Best Weapon | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall best | Stealth Trapper | Drifter Crossbow | Highest consistent performance |
| New player | Horde Runner | MWS | Most forgiving, teaches mechanics |
| Hard content | Marksman Bounty Hunter | Chicago Chopper | Survivability when you need it |
| Group play | Melee Brawler | SMP9 | Utility and team support |
| Experienced player | Explosives Specialist | .50 BFG | Unique challenge and high ceiling |
More Days Gone Guides
- Days Gone Days Gone Overview
- Days Gone Best Builds
- Days Gone Walkthrough
- Days Gone Beginner's Guide
- Days Gone Tips & Tricks
- Days Gone Weapons Guide
- Days Gone Combat Guide
- Days Gone Boss Guide
- Days Gone Maps & Locations
- Days Gone Crafting Guide
- Days Gone Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Days Gone, check out these related guides:
- Helldivers 2 Tier List: action game with similar mechanics
- Black Myth: Wukong Tier List: action game with similar mechanics
- Monster Hunter Wilds Tier List: action game with similar mechanics
