Top 10 Best Weapons in 7 Days to Die

(Estimated Read Time: 14 minutes)

The release date of 7 Days to Die 1.0 draws near! So, it's ideal to prepare for the waves of new horrors by equipping the best weapons the game offers. So, keep reading as we rank the best weapons heading into 7 Days to Die 1.0.

Ranking the Top 10 Best Weapons in 7 Days to Die

It's important to mention that this list of the best weapons in 7 Days to Die doesn't represent every player's playstyle. Depending on how you approach combat, you might find some options are more useful than others. Still, if you want to take out infected effectively, you can't go wrong with any of these options.

10. Grenade

It’s safe to say that 7 Days to Die 1.0 brings new challenges to zombie apocalypse survivors, such as new zombie variants. Some new undead, like the new Demolisher, can gang up on an unsuspecting player when they least expect it. If so, preparing for such an encounter with a good old-fashioned Grenade is best. Like its real-life counterpart, the Grenade in 7 Days to Die is a throwable weapon. It explodes a few seconds after the player throws it. This weapon can deal massive damage in a small area, making it ideal for crowd control in a pinch. The Grenade is, however, a consumable weapon. So, players must craft a decent amount of Grenades to bring as they can rely on them to explore Navezgane, especially the more dangerous POIs.

Stats & Crafting

• Entity Damage: 341
• Block Damage: 10
• Scraps Into: Iron
• Melts Into: Iron
• Crafting Requirements: Read 5x Explosive Magazine
• How to Craft: Use 1x Mechanical Parts, 14x Gun Powder, 4x Forged Iron, and 1x Spring at the Workbench

9. Steel Club

Some zombies may escape a Grenade explosion and want to get "up close and personal" with you. If so, you can switch that throwable weapon and equip the Steel Club. This mid-ranged melee weapon packs a powerful punch as you use it to bludgeon the heads of incoming undead. Combine it with certain perks, like Flurry of Blows, and escape the clutches of horrific undead hordes. However, one swing from this powerful melee weapon eats significant stamina. So, ensure that your hits are accurate with the Steel Club, or you might not have enough stamina to run from the fight.

Stats & Crafting

• Entity Damage: 26.3 to 52.5
• Block Damage: 22.1 to 44.2
• Range: 2.4
• Attacks per Minute: 52
• Stamina Usage per Use: 23.7 to 40.3
• Durability: 300 to 700
• Compatible Mods: Weighted Head, Structural Brace, Burning Shaft, Ergonomic Grip, Fortifying Grip, Metal Spikes, Barbed Wire, Metal Chain, The Hunter, and Rad Remover mods.
• Scraps Into: Steel Club Parts
• Melts Into: N/A
• Crafting Requirements: Read at least 39x Big Hitters
• How to Craft (Quality 1): Use 1x Steel Club Parts, 10x Forged Steel, 10x Wood, 3x Leather, and 3x Duct Tape

8. Stick of Dynamite

The Grenade's stronger variant, one explosion from a thrown Stick of Dynamite, can quickly clear a group of zombies. Despite its usefulness in crowd control, this throwable explosive, like the Grenade, is consumable. Additionally, it produces a loud sound, drawing the undead found near and far to your location. Apart from clearing zombie waves, the Stick of Dynamite can also be useful in making an impromptu escape by creating makeshift exit tunnels. Having at least one Stick of Dynamite in your inventory can be a good idea, especially during 7th-day hordes.

Stats & Crafting

• Entity Damage: 550
• Block Damage: 3,000
• Scraps Into: Paper
• Melts Into: N/A
• Crafting Requirements: Read 12x Explosive Magazine
• How to Craft: Use 1x Plant Fibers, 20x Gun Powder, 2x Duct Tape, and 10x Paper at the Workbench

7. Pump Shotgun

Although not the best Shotgun in 7 Days to Die 1.0, the Pump Shotgun can still help in mowing down zombie hordes. The materials required to craft this reasonably powerful weapon can also be found in the game's early stages. However, it’s advisable to be as close as possible to different zombies when shooting the Pump Shotgun. Otherwise, its damage potential decreases because it fires its shells in a wide area. Thankfully, it's possible to mitigate this concern by installing mods like the Shotgun Choke Mod.

Stats & Crafting

• Entity Damage: 146 to 151
• Block Damage: 54 to 80
• Range: 2 to 9
• Rounds per Minute: 60
• Reload Time: 2.6 seconds
• Ammo Type: Shotgun Shell, Shotgun Slug, and Shotgun Breaching Slug
• Magazine Size: 8
• Durability: 160 to 350
• Compatible Mods: Muzzle Brake, Barrel Extender, Silencer, Sawed-Off Shotgun Barrel, Shotgun Duckbill, Shotgun Choke, Cripple Em, Fore Grip, Shotgun Tube Extender, Reflex Sight, Weapon Flashlight, Laser Sight, The Hunter, Rad Remover, and Retracting Stock mods.
• Scraps Into: Shotgun Parts
• Melts Into: N/A
• Crafting Requirements: Read at least 27x Shotgun Weekly
• How to Craft (Quality 1): Use 1x Shotgun Parts, 15x Forged Steel, 3x Duct Tape, 20x Scrap Polymers, and 3x Spring at the Workbench

6. Machete

If you’re not a fan of bludgeoning the undead’s head with the Steel Club, then perhaps the bladed Machete can pique your interest. Despite its short range, this sharp melee weapon has a fast attack rate, ideal for dismembering, disemboweling, and decapitating zombies. Players can also use the Machete to butcher animals for food, making it a practical weapon in and out of combat.

Stats & Crafting

• Entity Damage: 20.1 to 40.1
• Block Damage: 21 to 42
• Range: 2.3
• Attacks per Minute: 55
• Stamina Usage per Use: 19.2 to 32.7
• Durability: 288 to 673
• Compatible Mods: Tempered Blade, Serrated Blade, Diamond Blade Tip, Structural Brace, Burning Shaft, Ergonomic Grip, Fortifying Grip, The Hunter, and Rad Removed mods
• Scraps Into: Machete Parts
• Melts Into: N/A
• Crafting Requirements: Read at least 39x Knife Guy
• How to Craft (Quality 1): Use 1x Machete Parts, 10x Forged Steel, 10x Wood, 3x Leather, and 3x Duct Tape at the Workbench

5. AK-47 Machine Gun

The AK-47 Machine Gun is a solid firearm for anyone wishing to survive in post-apocalyptic Navezgane. It has a decent range, excellent firepower, and a large magazine size. Additionally, players shouldn’t find it significantly challenging to find its ammunition while exploring.

Stats & Crafting

• Entity Damage: 40 to 50
• Block Damage: 5 to 6
• Range: 41 to 90
• Rounds per Minute: 360
• Reload Time: 2.85 seconds
• Ammo Type: 7.62mm Bullet, 7.62mm Bullet (AP), and 7.62mm Bullet (HP)
• Magazine Size: 30
• Durability: 250 to 550
• Compatible Mods: Bipod, Barrel Extender, Silencer, Muzzle Brake, Cripple Em, Fore Grip, Drum Magazine, Magazine Extender, Scope 4x, Scope 2x, Reflex Sight, Weapon Flashlight, Laser Sight, The Hunter, Rad Remover, Retracting Stock, Trigger Group: Burst, Trigger Group: Full Auto, and Trigger Group: Semi mods
• Scraps Into: Machine Gun Parts
• Melts Into: N/A
• Crafting Requirements: Read at least 11x Tactical Warfare
• How to Craft (Quality 1): Use 1x Machine Gun Parts, 10x Forged Iron, 2x Duct Tape, 10x Scrap Polymers, and 2x Spring at the Workbench

4. Auto Shotgun

If you like the Pump Shotgun, then you may love the Auto Shotgun. This mid-range firearm can blast any incoming zombie to kingdom come. By default, it can carry 16 shells, enough to take on various undead hordes. Additionally, the Auto Shotgun is compatible with a broad range of mods. Some notable examples include the Shotgun Choke Mod and Barrel Extender Mod, allowing you to fire this weapon from the hip with great accuracy.

Stats & Crafting

• Entity Damage: 196 to 202
• Block Damage: 54 to 80
• Range: 2 to 9
• Rounds per Minute: 70
• Reload Time: 2.6 seconds
• Ammo Type: Shotgun Shell, Shotgun Slug, and Shotgun Breaching Slug
• Magazine Size: 16
• Durability: 160 to 500
• Compatible Mods: Shotgun Choke, Shotgun Duckbill, Sawed-Off Shotgun Barrel, Silencer, Muzzle Brake, Barrel Extender, Cripple Em, Fore Grip, Magazine Extender, Drum Magazine, Reflex Sight, Laser Sight, Weapon Flashlight, The Hunter, Rad Remover, Retracting Stock, Trigger Group: Semi, Trigger Group: Full Auto, and Trigger Group: Burst mods
• Scraps Into: Shotgun Parts
• Melts Into: N/A
• Crafting Requirements: Read at least 60x Shotgun Weekly
• How to Craft (Quality 1): Use 1x Shotgun Parts, 30x Forged Steel, 3x Duct Tape, 40x Scrap Polymers, and 4x Spring

3. Sniper Rifle

Are you looking for a safe way to dispose of Navezgane's nasties? The Sniper Rifle can help satisfy that need! This long-range firearm boasts massive firepower. Aiming it at an undead’s head will definitely dispose of that being. But be wary as shooting this weapon produces a loud “bang.” Consider placing turrets while shooting this weapon at your base to dispose of any zombie that might come your way after hearing the shot.

Stats & Crafting

• Entity Damage: 100 to 110
• Block Damage: 8 to 10
• Range: 80 to 150
• Rounds per Minute: 150
• Reload Time: 2.7 seconds
• Ammo Type: 7.62mm Bullet, 7.62mm Bullet (AP), and 7.62mm Bullet (HP)
• Magazine Size: 12
• Durability: 250 to 500
• Compatible Mods: Bipod, Barrel Extender, Silencer, Muzzle Brake, Cripple Em, Fore Grip, Drum Magazine, Magazine Extender, Scope 4x, Scope 2x, Reflex Sight, Weapon Flashlight, Laser Sight, The Hunter, Rad Remover, Retracting Stock, Trigger Group: Burst, Trigger Group: Full Auto, and Trigger Scraps Into: Rifle Parts
• Melts Into: N/A
• Crafting Requirements: Read at least 60x Rifle World
• How to Craft (Quality 1): Use 1x Rifle Parts, 30x Forged Steel, 10x Duct Tape, 40x Scrap Polymers, and 12x Spring

2. Rocket Launcher

The Rocket Launcher gives you the best of both worlds with good reach and AOE capabilities. While it doesn't have quite the long-range capabilities of the Sniper Rifle, the Rocket Launcher's rockets can still reach farther than many of the other best weapons in the game, and its rockets explode on impact, dealing massive AOE damage. However, finding ammunition for the Rocket Launcher can be a side quest in itself. It may take a few minutes to a few hours to find one rocket, depending on RNG. Although you can craft its ammunition, the materials needed to make one rocket are also fairly expensive and tough to find. So for players rich in resources, the rocket launcher can be a key tool for base defense. Just keep in mind it's best to save it for desperate times.

Stats & Crafting

• Entity Damage: 420 to 700
• Block Damage: 10 to 2,500
• Range: 70 to 100
• Rounds per Minute: 75
• Reload Time: 2.7 seconds
• Ammo Type: Rocket HE and Rocket Frag
• Magazine Size: 1
• Durability: 80 to 150
• Compatible Mods: Muzzle Brake, Barrel Extender, Cripple Em, Reflex Sight, Scope 2x, Weapon Flashlight, Laser Sight, The Hunter, and Rad Remover mods
• Scraps Into: Rocket Launcher Parts
• Melts Into: N/A
• Crafting Requirements: Read at least 55x Explosive Magazine
• How to Craft (Quality 1): Use 1x Rocket Launcher Parts, 20x Forged Steel, 3x Duct Tape, 5x Electrical Parts, and 3x Spring at the Workbench

1. M60 Machine Gun

One of the best weapons in 7 Days to Die, if not the best weapon in the game for most situations, is the M60 Machine Gun. It gains the top spot on this list because it is an all-rounder firearm. It delivers massive damage to groups of zombies, has a reasonably large magazine size by default, and is a fairly long-range weapon. Adding mods to the M60 Machine Gun also makes this beast fiercer. For example, add a Bipod Mod and Scope Mod to it to hunker down while decimating zombies in front of you during 7th-day hordes.

Stats & Crafting

• Entity Damage: 70 to 80
• Block Damage: 6 to 8
• Range: 58 to 90
• Rounds per Minute: 440
• Reload Time: 3.8 seconds
• Ammo Type: 7.62mm Bullet, 7.62mm Bullet (AP), and 7.62mm Bullet (HP)
• Magazine Size: 60
• Durability: 300 to 650
• Compatible Mods: Bipod, Muzzle Brake, Barrel Extender, Silencer, Cripple Em, Fore Grip, Drum Magazine, Magazine Extender, Scope 4x, Reflex Sight, Scope 2x, Weapon Flashlight, Laser Sight, The Hunter, Rad Remover, and Retracting Stock mods
• Scraps Into: Machine Gun Parts
• Melts Into: N/A
• Crafting Requirements: Read at least 60x Tactical Warfare
• How to Craft (Quality 1): Use 1x Machine Gun Parts, 20x Forged Steel, 3x Duct Tape, 10x Scrap Polymers, and 4x Spring at the Workbench