It won’t be long until7 Days to Dieis ten years old. Despite being so long in the tooth, this game still has quite a few loyal fans. That’s almost always a sign that a game is worth trying. This game plays much likeMinecraft; however, instead of the retro look ofMinecraft,7 Days to Diehas a more modern look to its graphics.
Players mustestablish a base, try their best to fortify it, and then brace for the impending onslaught of zombies. In games such as this, using the best weapons is not only the best way to stay alive - it’s also the best way to have the most fun.
Updated July 31, 2025, by Jeff Drake:Selecting the right weapon is important in7 Days to Die.There are several weapons that will make the game more difficult than it needs to be, or that have deficiencies that are not immediately apparent - like being too loud. There are also a few weapons that were not the most useful initially, but have been made better through updates. Perk compatibility is another factor players need to keep in mind when planning their character’s build. Some weapons are dramatically improved if the right perk is taken. This update adds five additional weapons to the mix, ranking them accordingly.
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15Grenade
The Grenade is similar to the Dynamite in function, just with much smaller explosions. This doesn’t mean it isn’t an effective means of clearing a room filled with zombies, though. Players just need to expect a second wave of zombies after using explosives, which lowers their usefulness.
Unlike Dynamite, Grenades are not very effective for clearing land. One benefit Grenades have over Dynamite is that they won’t explode until thrown; Dynamite gives the player four seconds before it explodes in their hand.
14Dynamite
Also called TNT, this weapon is too useful to not include it on this list. This weapon is great for clearing a group of zombies quickly. There are two caveats though. First, as an explosive it’s loud. In other words, this will probably wake up some nearby zombies. Second, the other thrown explosives are almost as effective at killing agroup of zombies.
This weapon has been included for how it can be used outside of combat. Among all the weapons in the game Dynamite is the best for clearing away blocks - whether it’s for mining or to make an impromptu escape through a wall.
13Baseball Bat
There are numerous melee weapons in7 Days to Die, but one of the best is the baseball bat. When playing this game there will inevitably be times when you run out of ammunition, and times when players don’t want to make too much noise. The baseball bat provides a great balance between damage and attack speed.
For playerswanting to go full Negan, a barbed-wire mod is available - though, there are better mods. The best thing about using a baseball bat is that it doesn’t require ammunition, and it’s a lot quieter than a firearm.
12Machete
The Machete is an excellent all-purpose weapon and tool. As a weapon, the Machete gives the player a short range, but to counter the range issues the Machete has a fast attack rate. The Machete is also the perfect tool for dismembering zombies.
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This weapon also has more practical purposes, as it allows the player to butcher animals for food. Pairing the Machete with the Deep Cuts perk increases the chance of causing bleed damage to the target, and lets the player craft a better quality Machete.
11Pump Shotgun
When the zombies are breaking down your barriers and have you cornered the Pump Shotgun should be a player’s go-to weapon. Since it’s a shotgun, it doesn’t have the best range. This drawback is forgivable considering the amount of damage this weapon can deliver to the target(s).
The pump shotgun had a huge selection of available mods. Player’s will want to get the Tube Extender to increase the amount of ammunition it can hold. The Duckbill mod is another must-try mod that sends the shot out as a horizontal line, rather than a circular spread. This allows for simultaneous headshots to multiple targets.
10AK-47
The AK-47 is a solid choice for a conventional firearm in7 Days to Die,even more so after being improved via updates. This gun uses one of the most commonly found types of ammunition. So, if a player conserves ammo, they should seldom run out.
Damage for this gun is similar to other firearms that use the same ammunition; the only difference is the AK-47 does less damage on a headshot. On the other hand, there are quite a few mods for this weapon, allowing players to fix anything they dislike about it.
9Tactical Assault Rifle
The best way to stay alive in7 Days to Dieis tokill the zombies before they surround you. Shotguns are great, but if a player misses their mark a few times they can suddenly find themselves in the untenable position of being attacked from all sides. Sometimes nothing compares to a high rate of fire and a large magazine
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The Tactical Assault Rifle comes standard with a 3-shot burst; though, it can also be fired as a semiautomatic by tapping the button. The 3-shot burst usually does enough damage to kill lesser zombies without the need for a headshot. There is a full-auto mod, but this mod is not good for ammo conservation. Investing in the Machine Gunner skill can make this weapon incredibly efficient (and fun).
8Sniper Rifle
Running around with a Baseball Bat or Steel Sledgehammer can be fun; however, if players want to stay alive they should seek to eliminate zombies from as far away as possible. The Sniper Rifle has excellent range - only the Hunting Rifle and Rocket Launcher are a match when it comes to range.
Using this weapon a player can safelydispatch zombiesfrom so far away they will never have to worry about taking any damage. The only drawback is that if enemies get too close this weapon becomes impractical.
7Compound Crossbow
Being sneaky is a great way tostay alivein7 Days to Die. This can be difficult since most of the best weapons in the game make a lot of noise when used. The Compound Crossbow gives players the range and damage of a firearm, but with the silence of a melee weapon.
Let’s be honest, there will be a lot of players that will pick this weapon and pretend they’re Daryl Dixon. Those players will quickly find the Compound Crossbow is a great weapon. Other than the Rocket Launcher and grenade-like weapons, the Exploding Crossbow Bolt ammunition does more damage than any other ranged weapon.
6SMG-5
The SMG-5 is an awesome weapon in7 Days to Die. It takes pistol ammunition (9mm), which is easier to find and cheaper to craft. This weapon also has a large enough magazine that players won’t find themselves constantly reloading. The SMG-5 doesn’t do much damage when compared to the other firearms in the game - this isn’t that much of a negative due to the SMG-5 having the fastest rate of fire in the game.
By improvingthe Gunslingerperk, players can make this gunfire even faster. In narrow hallways, this weapon is just as devastating as a shotgun.
