Raft is Redbeet Interactive's oceanic survival game where you start on a tiny wooden raft in an endless ocean, collecting floating debris to expand and improve your floating home. The game features a story-driven progression through island stops, each revealing more about why the world is flooded. With a persistent shark enemy that attacks your raft, research-based crafting progression, and both survival and creative modes, Raft offers a unique take on the survival genre.
Your choice of equipment 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.
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Tier | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal Spear | S | All playstyles — primary weapon | The upgraded melee weapon dealing more damage than the Wooden Spear. |
| Machete | A | Explorer — island combat | A crafted melee weapon with faster attack speed than the Spear. |
| Bow | A | Explorer, Diver — ranged threat management | Ranged weapon using Stone or Metal Arrows. |
| Net Launcher | B | Farmer — animal capture | Captures animals (Cluckers, Goats, Llamas) for transport to your raft. |
| Throwable Anchor | B | All playstyles — utility | Anchors your raft at island locations so it doesn't drift away while exploring. |
S-Tier: Metal Spear
The upgraded melee weapon dealing more damage than the Wooden Spear. Essential for fighting the shark, Screechers on islands, and other threats. Can be thrown for ranged damage (and retrieved). Your primary combat tool.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | All playstyles — primary weapon |
| Key Mechanic | raft building |
| Recommended Build | Builder |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Metal Spear: Pairs naturally with Builder thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Machete
A crafted melee weapon with faster attack speed than the Spear. Better for fighting groups of enemies on islands. Requires Metal Ingots and Bolt to craft. The best sustained DPS melee option.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Explorer — island combat |
| Key Mechanic | ocean exploration |
| Recommended Build | Explorer |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Machete: Pairs naturally with Explorer thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Bow
Ranged weapon using Stone or Metal Arrows. Essential for fighting Screechers (bird enemies) and Bears on certain islands. Arrows can be crafted in bulk. The only way to safely deal with some airborne threats.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Explorer, Diver — ranged threat management |
| Key Mechanic | island stops |
| Recommended Build | Farmer |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Bow: Pairs naturally with Farmer thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Net Launcher
Captures animals (Cluckers, Goats, Llamas) for transport to your raft. Animals placed in Grass Plots produce resources indefinitely. The Net Launcher is a farming tool, not a weapon, but it's essential for setting up animal husbandry.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Farmer — animal capture |
| Key Mechanic | research table |
| Recommended Build | Fisher |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Net Launcher: Pairs naturally with Fisher thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Throwable Anchor
Anchors your raft at island locations so it doesn't drift away while exploring. Not a weapon but absolutely essential — losing your raft means losing everything. Always anchor before leaving the raft.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | All playstyles — utility |
| Key Mechanic | shark management |
| Recommended Build | Diver |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Throwable Anchor: Pairs naturally with Diver thanks to stat scaling synergies.
Equipment Progression Path
The order you should acquire equipment as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Radio Tower
- Machete → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Bow → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Metal Spear → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Equipment Tips
- Always upgrade your primary equipment before diversifying — one strong option beats three mediocre ones.
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- Build collection nets on all edges of your raft early. Nets automatically catch floating debris (planks, plastic, leaves, barrels) so you gather resources passively.
- Check our tier list for how equipment rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More Raft Guides
- Raft Raft Overview
- Raft Best Builds
- Raft Tier List
- Raft Walkthrough
- Raft Beginner's Guide
- Raft Tips & Tricks
- Raft Combat Guide
- Raft Boss Guide
- Raft Maps & Locations
- Raft Crafting Guide
- Raft Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Raft, check out these related guides:
- Palworld Weapons Guide — survival game with similar mechanics
- Rust Weapons Guide — survival game with similar mechanics
- ARK: Survival Evolved Weapons Guide — survival game with similar mechanics
