The best weapons in 99 Nights in the Forest give players enough damage, range and crowd control to clear Cultist Strongholds, rescue the missing children and defend the camp during difficult nights. The strongest options include Alien Scientist’s advanced weapons, the Laser Cannon, Rifle, Tactical Shotgun and several powerful class-exclusive weapons.
No single weapon is perfect in every situation. The Rifle is excellent for accurate long-range attacks, while the Tactical Shotgun performs better when several enemies reach close range. Alien Tech weapons regenerate energy instead of consuming conventional ammunition, but they can overheat or require time to recharge.
This guide ranks the best weapons in 99 Nights in the Forest, explains how each weapon works and covers the best choices for solo survival, multiplayer, Strongholds and child rescues.
Best Weapons in 99 Nights in the Forest Tier List
| Tier | Weapons |
|---|---|
| S Tier | Alien Shotgun, Laser Cannon, Rifle, Tactical Shotgun, Dissolve Ray |
| A Tier | Raygun, Laser Sword, Trusty Revolver, Flamethrower, Infernal Crossbow, Katana |
| B Tier | Revolver, Shotgun, Blowpipe, Morningstar, Throwing Knives, Grenades |
| C Tier | Spear, Bear Traps, Old Axe and basic survival tools |
This best weapons in 99 Nights in the Forest ranking considers damage, range, ammunition, reliability, availability and performance against groups of enemies.
Class weapons are included because many of the strongest options are supplied through premium classes. However, a class-exclusive weapon may not provide its full value when handed to a player who does not have the relevant class perks.
What Is the Best Weapon in 99 Nights in the Forest?
The Alien Shotgun is one of the best weapons in 99 Nights in the Forest for general combat because it delivers strong close-range damage without relying on ordinary shotgun ammunition.
Alien Scientist begins with the Alien Shotgun alongside the Dissolve Ray and Raygun. These weapons share the Alien Tech energy system, allowing them to recharge instead of consuming physical ammunition. The Alien Scientist also gains extra benefits from collecting Essence with the Dissolve Ray.
The Alien Shotgun is particularly effective against:
Cultist groups
Enemies guarding missing children
Hostile creatures inside structures
Targets approaching the camp
Enemies weakened for the Dissolve Ray
Its main limitation is energy management. Firing too frequently can leave the weapon unable to attack effectively while the shared Alien Tech bar recovers.
Players without Alien Scientist may find the Rifle or Tactical Shotgun more practical because both can be discovered and used without purchasing a 600-Diamond class.
Laser Cannon
The Laser Cannon is one of the best weapons in 99 Nights in the Forest for area damage and crowd control.
Its projectile can damage enemies across an area, making it useful when several Cultists or animals are grouped together. The weapon is supplied by the Cyborg class and uses Alien Tech energy rather than conventional ammunition.
The Laser Cannon works well during:
Cultist raids
Stronghold battles
Missing child rescues
Crowded structure encounters
Camp defence
The weapon consumes a large portion of the Alien Tech energy bar with each attack. Players cannot fire continuously without allowing the energy to recover.
The Cyborg’s later class perks improve Alien Tech damage and energy regeneration, meaning the Laser Cannon is considerably stronger when used with its intended class.
The Laser Cannon can also overheat. Poor heat management may damage the player, so wait for the energy system to recover rather than repeatedly attacking after the warning appears.
Rifle
The Rifle is one of the best weapons in 99 Nights in the Forest for accurate long-range damage.
It can kill a Wolf with one successful headshot, an Alpha Wolf with two headshots and a Bear with four headshots. These figures make the Rifle particularly useful for hunting dangerous animals before they reach melee range.
The Rifle has a slow reload, so it should not be treated as a rapid-fire weapon. Fire an accurate shot, begin reloading and temporarily switch to another weapon when enemies continue approaching.
The Rifle is effective for:
Hunting bears and Alpha Wolves
Weakening Stronghold enemies
Protecting teammates from a distance
Clearing child rescue locations
Fighting from elevated or protected positions
Big Game Hunter begins with a Rifle and Rifle Ammo. The class can also gain permanent bonuses from collected pelts, making the Rifle increasingly effective during long survival runs.
Rifle ammunition is valuable and should not be wasted on rabbits or weak enemies that can be defeated using an axe or melee weapon.
Tactical Shotgun
The Tactical Shotgun is one of the best weapons in 99 Nights in the Forest when enemies are already close.
A shotgun blast can damage a target with several pellets, producing strong damage at short range. The Tactical Shotgun is particularly useful inside buildings, narrow Stronghold passages and crowded camp attacks.
Unlike the Rifle, the Tactical Shotgun does not depend on precise long-distance headshots. It provides a more forgiving option when enemies move quickly or approach from several directions.
Use the Tactical Shotgun for:
Close-range Cultist combat
Stronghold rooms
Defending a downed teammate
Camp raids
Dangerous animals at short range
The weapon becomes less reliable at longer distances because its pellets spread. Players should carry a Rifle, Revolver or another accurate ranged weapon for distant targets.
Shotgun ammunition can also become limited. Save it for dangerous enemies rather than using it against every animal found during exploration.
Dissolve Ray
The Dissolve Ray is one of the most unusual best weapons in 99 Nights in the Forest because it is designed to finish weakened enemies rather than provide ordinary sustained damage.
Alien Scientist begins with the Dissolve Ray. When an enemy falls below the required health threshold, the ray can dissolve it and convert the target into Essence. Collecting Essence improves the class’s Alien Tech regeneration and strengthens its overall combat cycle.
The best Dissolve Ray strategy is:
Damage the enemy using the Alien Shotgun or Raygun.
Watch for the target to enter its low-health state.
Switch to the Dissolve Ray.
Move close enough to identify the valid target.
Fire the Dissolve Ray to collect Essence.
Return to the main weapon for the next enemy.
The Dissolve Ray is not the best choice for beginning a fight. Its value comes from finishing enemies and improving the Alien Scientist’s energy regeneration.
Because it depends on the Alien Scientist’s class mechanic, the Dissolve Ray is less useful for players using another class.
Raygun
The Raygun is one of the most dependable best weapons in 99 Nights in the Forest because it uses rechargeable Alien Tech energy.
Its handling is similar to a Revolver, providing straightforward ranged attacks without requiring the team to find boxes of ammunition. The Raygun shares its energy bar with other Alien Tech weapons, including the Laser Sword and Laser Cannon.
The Raygun is useful for:
Routine exploration
Fighting Wolves
Preserving conventional ammunition
Defending camp
Weakening enemies for stronger attacks
Alien begins with a Raygun and receives perks that improve Alien Tech regeneration. Alien Scientist also carries a Raygun as part of its larger starting loadout.
The Raygun does less burst damage than the Laser Cannon or Alien Shotgun, but its lower energy demand makes it easier to use repeatedly.
Laser Sword
The Laser Sword is one of the best weapons in 99 Nights in the Forest for players who prefer melee combat without ordinary ammunition.
At full Alien Tech energy, the Laser Sword produces a small area attack and deals additional damage. Continuing to use it after the energy bar is depleted causes its damage to fall considerably until the system recharges.
The Laser Sword is strong against:
Groups of weaker enemies
Cultists at close range
Animals that have already reached the player
Enemies inside confined structures
Targets that do not justify spending firearm ammunition
The weapon requires disciplined energy management. Attack several times, create distance and allow the energy bar to recover.
Players should avoid draining the Alien Tech bar with the Laser Sword immediately before switching to a Raygun or Laser Cannon. All three weapons draw from the same energy resource.
Trusty Revolver
The Trusty Revolver is the Gunslinger’s starting weapon and one of the best weapons in 99 Nights in the Forest for conventional firearm users.
Gunslinger begins with the weapon and a substantial amount of Revolver Ammo. Its later perks improve ammunition availability and make the starting weapon more dependable.
The Trusty Revolver provides:
Reliable medium-range damage
Fast weapon handling
A useful opening firearm
Better consistency than searching for a random gun
Strong performance during early rescues
Its limitation is ammunition. Unlike Alien Tech energy, Revolver Ammo does not regenerate automatically.
Use axes and melee weapons against weak animals, saving the Trusty Revolver for Cultists, dangerous wildlife and guarded objectives.
Flamethrower
The Flamethrower is one of the best weapons in 99 Nights in the Forest for damaging groups and controlling crowded areas.
It uses Fuel Canisters and Oil Barrels rather than conventional ammunition. Enemies killed by the Flamethrower can drop cooked meat instead of raw meat, giving the weapon an additional food-management advantage.
The Flamethrower is effective during:
Cultist attacks
Stronghold encounters
Animal hunting
Camp defence
Fights involving tightly grouped enemies
Pyromaniac begins with the Flamethrower and gains perks that improve its fuel efficiency and movement while enemies are burning.
Its greatest disadvantage is the fuel requirement. Fuel Canisters and Oil Barrels are also valuable for maintaining and upgrading the campfire.
Do not empty the team’s emergency fuel storage into the Flamethrower without discussing it first. Powerful crowd control is not helpful if the campfire runs out shortly afterwards.
Infernal Crossbow
The Infernal Crossbow is an excellent fire-based weapon supplied by the Fire Bandit class.
It combines ranged attacks with burning damage, allowing players to damage targets without consuming the campfire fuel required by the Flamethrower.
The Infernal Crossbow is particularly useful against durable enemies because the fire effect continues dealing damage after the initial hit.
Fire Bandit can also gain additional opportunities to apply fire through its later perks, making the class and weapon combination more powerful than the weapon alone.
The Infernal Crossbow belongs in A Tier because it provides strong damage and useful status effects without the extreme fuel demands of the Flamethrower.
Katana
The Katana is one of the best weapons in 99 Nights in the Forest for fast melee combat.
Assassin begins with a Katana and Throwing Knives, creating a flexible loadout for switching between close and medium range.
The Katana is useful for:
Preserving ammunition
Defeating weaker Cultists
Clearing animals
Finishing damaged targets
Moving quickly between enemies
It provides less safety than a ranged weapon because the player must remain close to the target. Assassin’s movement bonuses help offset this risk.
The Katana is strongest when paired with Throwing Knives or another ranged weapon. Use the ranged option to weaken or isolate enemies, then finish them with the Katana.
Revolver
The standard Revolver is a reliable early weapon but does not match the strongest class-exclusive guns.
It uses Revolver Ammo and provides useful medium-range damage. Players can obtain a Revolver through chests, traders, an Armoury and selected classes.
The Revolver is easy to understand and works well during the first child rescue. It can also protect explorers who have not yet located a Rifle or Shotgun.
Its lower damage means players may need several shots against stronger animals or Cultists. Ammunition efficiency becomes increasingly important as the run continues.
Ranger begins with a standard Revolver, Flashlight and ammunition, making the class a useful affordable choice for beginners.
Shotgun
The normal Shotgun provides strong close-range damage but is less versatile than the Tactical Shotgun.
Use it inside structures, during camp attacks or when a dangerous animal reaches close range. Avoid wasting shells on distant enemies because the spread reduces effective damage.
The normal Shotgun remains a worthwhile upgrade over basic melee weapons and the Revolver when fighting groups at short range.
Replace it with a Tactical Shotgun or Alien Shotgun when one becomes available.
Blowpipe
The Blowpipe is the Poison Master’s starting weapon.
Its direct damage is less impressive than a Rifle or Shotgun, but it applies poison that continues damaging the target. Poison Master’s class perks strengthen the effect, allow poison to spread and increase damage against poisoned enemies.
The Blowpipe works best against durable enemies that survive long enough for poison to matter.
It performs poorly against weak targets that could be eliminated instantly using another weapon. This makes it a specialised rather than universally strong choice.
Morningstar
The Morningstar is a heavy melee weapon capable of strong close-range damage.
It does not require ammunition, making it useful when firearm supplies are low. Its slower handling and limited range make it riskier against groups or fast-moving enemies.
Use the Morningstar against isolated Cultists and animals rather than charging into a crowded Stronghold room.
Players who prefer melee combat may find the Katana or Laser Sword easier to use, but the Morningstar remains a solid conventional alternative.
Best Weapon for Solo Players
Alien Shotgun, Laser Cannon and Rifle are among the best weapons in 99 Nights in the Forest for solo runs.
Solo players need a weapon capable of dealing with several types of enemies without depending on teammates.
| Solo Priority | Best Weapon |
|---|---|
| Overall combat | Alien Shotgun |
| Area damage | Laser Cannon |
| Long range | Rifle |
| Close range | Tactical Shotgun |
| Renewable energy | Raygun |
| Melee combat | Laser Sword |
| Crowd control | Flamethrower |
| Finishing enemies | Dissolve Ray |
Alien Scientist and Cyborg provide the strongest immediate solo loadouts because they begin with powerful equipment.
Players without premium classes should search for a Rifle and Tactical Shotgun, using each at the range where it performs best.
Best Weapon for Multiplayer
The best weapons in 99 Nights in the Forest for multiplayer are weapons that cover different ranges and roles.
A balanced four-player team could use:
| Player | Weapon Role |
|---|---|
| Player 1 | Rifle for distant targets |
| Player 2 | Tactical Shotgun for close defence |
| Player 3 | Laser Cannon or Flamethrower for crowds |
| Player 4 | Raygun or Revolver for flexible support |
Do not give every good weapon to the same player. A team becomes vulnerable when only one member can fight effectively.
Distribute ammunition alongside each firearm. Giving somebody a Rifle without Rifle Ammo does not improve the team’s combat strength.
Best Weapon for Cultist Strongholds
The Laser Cannon is one of the best weapons in 99 Nights in the Forest for Cultist Strongholds because its area damage can hit grouped enemies.
The Tactical Shotgun and Alien Shotgun are excellent inside narrow rooms, while the Rifle can remove dangerous targets from a distance.
A strong Stronghold loadout includes:
One long-range weapon
One close-range weapon
Medical supplies
Matching ammunition
Food
Armour
A melee weapon for weak targets
Avoid entering with only one firearm. Reloading or running out of ammunition can leave the player unable to defend themselves.
Best Weapon for Rescuing Children
The best child rescue weapon depends on the enemies guarding the location.
A Rifle is excellent for attacking animals before entering their range. The Tactical Shotgun can finish enemies that reach the player, while the Laser Cannon damages several guardians at once.
Players attempting later rescues should bring at least two dependable weapons. Stronger guardians can punish a failed reload or overheated Alien Tech bar.
See [How to Find and Rescue All Children in 99 Nights in the Forest] for the complete rescue strategy.
Best Weapon for Hunting Animals
The Rifle is the best weapon in 99 Nights in the Forest for hunting most dangerous animals.
Its strong headshot damage allows skilled players to defeat Wolves, Alpha Wolves and Bears efficiently.
Big Game Hunter is the best class for this role because it begins with a Rifle and gains additional benefits from animal pelts.
Use a melee weapon against rabbits and other weak animals. Rifle rounds are too valuable to waste on targets that pose no serious danger.
The Flamethrower is another useful hunting weapon because meat dropped by burned enemies can arrive already cooked. However, it consumes fuel that may be needed at camp.
Best Melee Weapon in 99 Nights in the Forest
The Laser Sword is the best all-round melee weapon because it combines strong close-range attacks with an area effect at full Alien Tech energy.
The Katana is the strongest conventional alternative. It is fast, does not consume energy and works well with Assassin’s mobility.
| Melee Weapon | Best Use |
|---|---|
| Laser Sword | Alien Tech melee and area damage |
| Katana | Fast conventional melee attacks |
| Morningstar | Heavy single-target damage |
| Vampire Scythe | Vampire class combat and lifesteal |
| Spear | Basic early-game protection |
| Axe | Emergency combat while gathering |
Melee weapons preserve ammunition, but players should not use them against every enemy. Bears, Stronghold groups and other dangerous targets are safer to fight from range.
Best Gun in 99 Nights in the Forest
The Rifle is the best conventional gun for long-range damage, while the Tactical Shotgun is the best conventional gun at close range.
The Trusty Revolver provides the best consistent handgun experience when used by Gunslinger.
Alien Tech weapons are technically ranged energy weapons rather than normal guns. Alien Shotgun and Laser Cannon can outperform conventional firearms, but they require class investment or rare loot and careful energy management.
How to Get Better Weapons
The best weapons in 99 Nights in the Forest can be obtained from several sources:
Classes
Chests
The Pelt Trader
Armouries
Workshops
Cultist Strongholds
Alien locations
Dangerous biomes
Seasonal events
Update parties
Premium classes provide the most dependable starting method. Cyborg begins with a Laser Cannon, Alien Scientist begins with three Alien Tech weapons and Gunslinger begins with the Trusty Revolver.
Players without those classes should search buildings, open valuable chests and trade pelts for improved equipment.
How to Save Ammunition
Ammunition management is essential during long runs.
Use these methods to preserve ammunition:
Fight weak animals with an axe or melee weapon.
Aim for headshots with the Rifle.
Do not fire at enemies outside the weapon’s effective range.
Allow teammates to finish weakened targets.
Use Alien Tech weapons while conventional guns reload.
Store spare ammunition at camp.
Match every ammunition type with the correct weapon.
Avoid panic-firing during Cultist attacks.
Ammunition cannot help the team when it remains inside the inventory of a player who has travelled alone.
Deposit spare rounds at camp and carry only the amount needed for the next objective.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best weapon in 99 Nights in the Forest?
The Alien Shotgun is one of the strongest overall weapons because it provides high close-range damage and uses rechargeable Alien Tech energy. Laser Cannon, Rifle and Tactical Shotgun are also top-tier choices.
What is the best long-range weapon?
The Rifle is the best conventional long-range weapon. Accurate headshots can defeat Wolves, Alpha Wolves and Bears efficiently.
What is the best close-range weapon?
Alien Shotgun and Tactical Shotgun are the best close-range weapons. Both provide heavy damage when enemies are nearby.
What is the best weapon for groups?
Laser Cannon and Flamethrower are excellent against groups. The Laser Cannon provides area damage, while the Flamethrower applies fire across several enemies.
What is the best melee weapon?
Laser Sword is the best Alien Tech melee weapon, while Katana is one of the strongest conventional melee options.
Do Alien weapons need ammunition?
Alien Tech weapons use a rechargeable energy bar instead of ordinary ammunition. They may become weaker or unusable temporarily when the energy is depleted or overheated.
What ammunition does the Rifle use?
The Rifle uses Rifle Ammo.
What ammunition does the Revolver use?
The Revolver and Trusty Revolver use Revolver Ammo.
Does the Flamethrower use ammunition?
The Flamethrower uses Fuel Canisters and Oil Barrels instead of standard bullets.
Can the Laser Cannon overheat?
Yes. Excessive Alien Tech use can trigger overheating and may damage a Cyborg player.
What weapon does Alien Scientist start with?
Alien Scientist starts with the Alien Shotgun, Dissolve Ray and Raygun.
What weapon does Cyborg start with?
Cyborg starts with the Laser Cannon and Alien Armour.
What weapon does Big Game Hunter start with?
Big Game Hunter starts with a Rifle and Rifle ammunition.
The best weapons in 99 Nights in the Forest are the ones that suit the current objective. Use a Rifle for long-distance hunting, a Tactical Shotgun for close combat and the Laser Cannon when several enemies gather together.
Alien Scientist currently provides one of the strongest complete weapon kits, while Cyborg remains an excellent option for immediate area damage. Players without premium classes can still create a powerful loadout by combining a Rifle, Tactical Shotgun and reliable melee weapon.
