Sunkenland is a post-apocalyptic survival game set in a waterworld where civilization has been submerged beneath the ocean. You build floating bases on the water's surface, dive into sunken cities for resources, defend against raider attacks, and trade with other survivors. The game distinguishes itself from other survival titles with its dual-layer gameplay — surface base building with deep underwater scavenging. Early Access since 2023, the game has received consistent updates adding new biomes, building pieces, and the trading system that gives purpose to excess resources.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speargun | S | Diver | The primary underwater weapon, effective against sharks and hostile divers. |
| Crossbow | A | Raider (stealth approach) | Silent ranged weapon effective for stealth approaches to raider outposts. |
| Pistol | A | All playstyles (backup) | The first firearm available, crafted from scavenged parts. |
| Rifle | B | Raider | The strongest ranged weapon with high per-shot damage and decent range. |
| Machete | B | All playstyles (melee) | Primary melee weapon with fast swings and low stamina cost. |
S-Tier: Speargun
The primary underwater weapon, effective against sharks and hostile divers. Limited ammo that must be crafted from metal scraps. The upgraded speargun has faster reload and deals double damage, making deep-dive encounters manageable.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Diver |
| Key Mechanic | underwater exploration |
| Recommended Build | Builder |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Speargun: Pairs naturally with Builder thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Crossbow
Silent ranged weapon effective for stealth approaches to raider outposts. Bolts are cheaper to craft than rifle ammunition. The crossbow's silence means you can pick off sentries without alerting the entire outpost.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Raider (stealth approach) |
| Key Mechanic | base building on water |
| Recommended Build | Diver |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Crossbow: Pairs naturally with Diver thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Pistol
The first firearm available, crafted from scavenged parts. Low damage but fast fire rate and manageable recoil. Ammunition requires gunpowder (rare early game). Best used as a backup weapon when melee gets dangerous.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | All playstyles (backup) |
| Key Mechanic | raider defense |
| Recommended Build | Raider |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Pistol: Pairs naturally with Raider thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Rifle
The strongest ranged weapon with high per-shot damage and decent range. Ammunition is expensive to craft, requiring brass casings from deep dives. Reserved for raider outpost assaults and base defense.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Raider |
| Key Mechanic | diving mechanics |
| Recommended Build | Trader |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Rifle: Pairs naturally with Trader thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Machete
Primary melee weapon with fast swings and low stamina cost. Effective against both human enemies and underwater threats in a pinch. The upgraded machete deals bleed damage that drains enemy health over time.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | All playstyles (melee) |
| Key Mechanic | trading |
| Recommended Build | Farmer |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Machete: Pairs naturally with Farmer thanks to stat scaling synergies.
Equipment Progression Path
The order you should acquire equipment as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Starting Raft
- Crossbow → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Pistol → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Speargun → 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 your first permanent foundation on shallow reef areas where the water floor is visible. Deep water foundations require more expensive materials.
- Check our tier list for how equipment rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More Sunkenland Guides
- Sunkenland Sunkenland Overview
- Sunkenland Best Builds
- Sunkenland Tier List
- Sunkenland Walkthrough
- Sunkenland Beginner's Guide
- Sunkenland Tips & Tricks
- Sunkenland Combat Guide
- Sunkenland Boss Guide
- Sunkenland Maps & Locations
- Sunkenland Crafting Guide
- Sunkenland Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Sunkenland, 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
