Recreate Games shipped Party Animals on 20 September 2023, and the pitch is simple: puppies, kittens and gorillas punch each other off ledges using floppy ragdoll physics. Punching, grabbing, climbing and rolling all drain one shared stamina bar, so an empty bar is usually what kills you rather than the other animal. Around 70 characters exist between the base roster and Surprise Eggs, and every single one of them is cosmetic.
Your choice of weapons defines your damage output and playstyle. This guide ranks every major option, explains what makes each one strong, and tells you which builds they pair best with.
Weapons Rankings
| Weapon | Tier | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punch | S | Knocking someone off balance near an edge | The default attack, thrown with either paw depending on the button. |
| Headbutt | A | Breaking ledge hangs and interrupting grabs | A forward lunge that carries your whole body weight into the target. |
| Taser | A | Last Stand maps with plenty of exposed edge | A pickup that leaves whoever it touches limp for long enough to be dragged somewhere unpleasant. |
| Plunger | B | Holding a chokepoint or a narrow bridge | A joke melee pickup that swings with more reach than a paw. |
| Lollipop | B | Straight fights where you do not need a grab | Large, heavy and slow. |
S-Tier: Punch
The default attack, thrown with either paw depending on the button. It costs stamina and misses often, because both bodies are wobbling independently, so it works best after you have created a step of space.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Knocking someone off balance near an edge |
| Key Mechanic | Ragdoll physics control |
| Recommended Role | Ledge guard grappler |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Punch: Pairs naturally with Ledge guard grappler thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Headbutt
A forward lunge that carries your whole body weight into the target. Cheapest way to break somebody's grip on a ledge, since it does not need you to line a paw up first.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Breaking ledge hangs and interrupting grabs |
| Key Mechanic | Stamina bar |
| Recommended Role | Hit and run puncher |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Headbutt: Pairs naturally with Hit and run puncher thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Taser
A pickup that leaves whoever it touches limp for long enough to be dragged somewhere unpleasant. In Last Stand a stun near an open edge is functionally an elimination.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Last Stand maps with plenty of exposed edge |
| Key Mechanic | Grab and throw |
| Recommended Role | Objective runner |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Taser: Pairs naturally with Objective runner thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Plunger
A joke melee pickup that swings with more reach than a paw. Reach beats damage in a game where nobody can aim, so it wins trades against unarmed animals almost by default.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Holding a chokepoint or a narrow bridge |
| Key Mechanic | Commando roll |
| Recommended Role | Weapon hunter |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Plunger: Pairs naturally with Weapon hunter thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Lollipop
Large, heavy and slow. It hits with real momentum but telegraphs badly, and carrying it means you cannot throw, because thrown attacks do not work on held weapons.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Straight fights where you do not need a grab |
| Key Mechanic | Map hazards and pickups |
| Recommended Role | Team blocker |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Lollipop: Pairs naturally with Team blocker thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
Weapons Progression Path
The order you should acquire weapons as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Ichiban
- Headbutt → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Taser → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Punch → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Weapons Tips
- Always upgrade your primary weapon before diversifying. One strong option beats three mediocre ones.
- Match your weapons to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- Create distance before you swing. Punches land far more often with a step of space, because the wind-up finishes before your target drifts out of the arc. Standing chest to chest and mashing burns your whole bar for nothing.
- Check our tier list for how weapons rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More Party Animals Guides
- Party Animals Party Animals Overview
- Party Animals Best Builds
- Party Animals Tier List
- Party Animals Walkthrough
- Party Animals Beginner's Guide
- Party Animals Tips & Tricks
- Party Animals Combat Guide
- Party Animals Boss Guide
- Party Animals Maps & Locations
- Party Animals Crafting Guide
- Party Animals Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Party Animals, check out these related guides:
- Helldivers 2 Weapons Guide: action game with similar mechanics
- Black Myth: Wukong Weapons Guide: action game with similar mechanics
- Monster Hunter Wilds Weapons Guide: action game with similar mechanics
