Ready or Not is a tactical SWAT simulator where you command a police team clearing dangerous locations. Unlike arcade shooters, RoN punishes shooting first — you lose points for unauthorized use of force. Suspects must be given a chance to surrender before engagement. The missions range from drug lab raids to active shooter responses, each requiring different loadouts and tactics. The AI (both enemies and teammates) behaves unpredictably, creating tense room-clearing sequences where a suspect might surrender or open fire. The 1.0 release added a full campaign connecting missions narratively.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| G36C | S | Point Man | A versatile assault rifle with good accuracy, moderate recoil, and high damage. |
| MP5 | A | Breacher | A submachine gun with excellent handling and low recoil. |
| M4A1 | A | Point Man | The highest-damage assault rifle available. |
| Beanbag Shotgun | B | Negotiator | A non-lethal shotgun firing fabric beanbag rounds. |
| Pepperball Gun | B | Negotiator | A semi-automatic non-lethal weapon firing irritant projectiles. |
S-Tier: G36C
A versatile assault rifle with good accuracy, moderate recoil, and high damage. The G36C handles most engagement distances in indoor environments. Its built-in sight rail accepts various optics. Best all-purpose primary weapon.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Point Man |
| Key Mechanic | door breaching |
| Recommended Role | Point Man |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using G36C: Pairs naturally with Point Man thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: MP5
A submachine gun with excellent handling and low recoil. The MP5 excels in CQB (close quarters battle) with fast target acquisition. Lower damage than rifles but faster follow-up shots. Ideal for room clearing.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Breacher |
| Key Mechanic | suspect compliance |
| Recommended Role | Breacher |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using MP5: Pairs naturally with Breacher thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: M4A1
The highest-damage assault rifle available. The M4A1 stops threats in 1-2 hits even through light cover. Higher recoil than the G36C but superior stopping power. Best for Point Man roles where first-shot kills matter.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Point Man |
| Key Mechanic | non-lethal options |
| Recommended Role | Negotiator |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using M4A1: Pairs naturally with Negotiator thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Beanbag Shotgun
A non-lethal shotgun firing fabric beanbag rounds. Two hits incapacitate most suspects without killing them. The Beanbag Shotgun is essential for achieving S-rank (non-lethal) mission ratings. Limited range — requires close engagement.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Negotiator |
| Key Mechanic | team AI commands |
| Recommended Role | Rear Guard |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Beanbag Shotgun: Pairs naturally with Rear Guard thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Pepperball Gun
A semi-automatic non-lethal weapon firing irritant projectiles. Sustained fire on a suspect's face area forces compliance through pain. Higher capacity than the Beanbag Shotgun but slower incapacitation. Effective for compliance enforcement.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Negotiator |
| Key Mechanic | evidence collection |
| Recommended Role | Sniper |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Pepperball Gun: Pairs naturally with Sniper thanks to stat scaling synergies.
Weapons Progression Path
The order you should acquire weapons as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Gas Station
- MP5 → Your first real upgrade, available early
- M4A1 → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- G36C → 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.
- Mirror under every closed door before entering. The optical wand or mirror gun shows room layout, suspect positions, and civilian locations — knowledge that prevents friendly casualties.
- Check our tier list for how weapons rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More Ready or Not Guides
- Ready or Not Ready or Not Overview
- Ready or Not Best Builds
- Ready or Not Tier List
- Ready or Not Walkthrough
- Ready or Not Beginner's Guide
- Ready or Not Tips & Tricks
- Ready or Not Combat Guide
- Ready or Not Boss Guide
- Ready or Not Maps & Locations
- Ready or Not Crafting Guide
- Ready or Not Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Ready or Not, check out these related guides:
- Counter-Strike 2 Weapons Guide — fps game with similar mechanics
- Apex Legends Weapons Guide — fps game with similar mechanics
- Rainbow Six Siege Weapons Guide — fps game with similar mechanics
