Best Guns in Gears of War: E-Day for Versus and Horde Siege
Which Guns to Pick in Gears of War: E-Day
There is no single best weapon: the right choice depends on the mode. In Versus everyone starts with the same kit, so distance control decides duels. In Horde Siege weapons unlock through class progression, and mods add another layer on top.
In short, players most often name the Gnasher, Prototype Lancer and Longshot for Versus. For Horde Siege waves many rank the Gut-Puncher first, but it is not available right away. Below is what makes each of these guns work, what else is worth carrying, and how to unlock mods.
Weapon rankings are subjective: different authors rate the same guns differently, and the Season 1 launch patch already shifted the balance. Treat any ranking as a starting point.
Versus: Three Guns for Duels
Versus is 4v4 with Team Deathmatch, Conquest, Demolition and Crucible. Everyone gets the same starting loadout, there are no weapon mods, and power weapons are picked up on the map. That leaves positioning and aim as the real difference between players.
Gnasher. A close-range shotgun that hits hard up close and loses punch quickly with distance. It holds six shells, so every miss hurts. Shells load one at a time, which lets you top up only what you spent between fights. The Season 1 patch gave it more ADS damage at range and more consistent hipfire.
Prototype Lancer. An automatic rifle with a large magazine and the friendliest option for learning target tracking and positioning. It covers crossings, pressures enemies who leave cover and supports a teammate's push. When an enemy closes to shotgun range, take a new angle and keep firing. Its damage was set between the Beta Weekend 1 and 2 values before launch.
Longshot. A sniper rifle for players who reliably land accurate hits. Its job is to hold long sightlines and punish exposed targets. You are vulnerable while reloading, so find cover you can return to right away and let teammates handle close threats.
Horde Siege: What to Bring Against the Waves
Horde Siege fields 12 players in three squads of four. Each of the four classes has its own 30-level track that unlocks weapons, mods, extra mod slots and gear. Some of the strongest guns have to be earned first.
Gut-Puncher. It fires explosive rounds with player-controlled detonation, so you can place a blast behind cover instead of waiting for an enemy to step out. That makes it strong against crowds and dug-in enemies. Some rankings put it first for Horde, while others rate it lower. Mind the limits: according to player reports it unlocks at Assault Level 28 and Breacher Level 30, and the Season 1 patch reduced its spare ammo. Save shots for groups that threaten your squad or objective.
Longshot. Great on weak points, and the Marksman class has a Horde Siege bonus that strengthens it. For accurate players it is one of the main options.
Prototype Lancer and Hammerburst. Dependable rifles for firing from safe positions. The first applies steady pressure, the second delivers precise bursts from cover.
Incinerator and Breechshot. The Incinerator suits narrow approaches and area denial when you have room to retreat. The Breechshot demands deliberate shots and protection from nearby enemies.
The Rest of the Arsenal
The full roster covers the Gnasher, Prototype Lancer, Lancer Mk1, Hammerburst, Longshot, Breechshot, Torque Bow, Incinerator, Gut-Puncher, Ripper, Striga and Snub. The table below sums up the roles of the main guns.
Weapon | Role | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
Hammerburst | Medium-range pressure | Accurate six-round bursts; damage was increased for Season 1 |
Breechshot | Precise medium to long-range shots | Loads one round at a time; reportedly kills with a headshot in Versus |
Torque Bow | Explosive bolts on priority targets | Needs charge time, awkward against crowds |
Incinerator | Close range and area control | Best in narrow approaches |
Lancer Mk1 | Close to medium-range rifle | Noticeable recoil; damage reduced before launch |
Ripper | Light machine gun for sustained fire | Accuracy builds over a long burst, the opening is hard to control |
Snub | Backup pistol | Quick draw and stow; fire rate reduced |
Striga | Specialist sidearm | Mods change its behavior |
A note on the Breechshot: according to guides and the beta, a headshot kills instantly in Versus, so its power depends entirely on aim. Not everyone is sold on it, though. One review says it takes four body shots to kill and the gun feels slow.
Heavy Weapons and Gear
Heavy weapons help when your regular guns cannot handle a fight. The list includes the Troika, Vulcan, Gorehook and Boomshot. They slow your movement, so before grabbing one, check how exposed the route to the next cover is.
Troika: a machine gun that needs a good position for sustained fire.
Vulcan: a minigun; the Season 1 patch reduced its damage.
Gorehook: a heavy hook weapon; mind the path the hook travels out and back.
Boomshot: an explosive weapon best saved for valuable targets and groups.
Grenades help too: frag, incendiary, smoke, concussion and the healing Stim. Smoke hides you while you reposition, and a concussion grenade disables enemies in its area.
Weapon Mods: How to Unlock and Buy Them
Weapon Mods exist in the Campaign and Horde Siege. Versus has none, so there is nothing to tweak there. In Horde the process is simple.
Play missions and earn class XP to unlock new mods.
Collect Weapon Parts from secondary objectives, level rewards and Stockpiles.
Make sure at least one squad member extracts, since that is what keeps your collected parts.
Buy an unlocked mod with Weapon Parts and equip it.
Purchased mods and configurations are shared across classes that use a compatible weapon. Each gun starts with one mod slot, and up to three more unlock through Campaign exploration and Horde leveling, for a maximum of four. Read a mod's description before swapping: it can change how the weapon behaves quite a bit.
What the Season 1 Patch Changed
The Season 1 launch patch from October 1 touched weapons directly. The developers published no exact numbers, only the direction of each change.
Lancer Mk1 and Vulcan received reduced damage.
Hammerburst received increased damage.
Snub had its rate of fire reduced.
Prototype Lancer damage was set between the Beta Weekend 1 and 2 values.
Gnasher gained ADS damage at range and steadier hipfire.
Gut-Puncher lost some spare ammo.
The October 14 update was the first major one after launch, and no weapon balance changes were reported in it. Ranked Versus has been live since October 13, so your gun choice now affects your rank too.
Where a Beginner Should Start
Pick a weapon for the skill you want to build. A simple way to start:
Learning to track targets: Prototype Lancer with its big magazine.
Learning close duels: Gnasher, which teaches you to watch distance and ammo.
Practicing mid-range aim: Hammerburst, where bursts reward keeping the crosshair on target.
Want precise shots: Longshot or Breechshot from a protected position.
Surrounded by a crowd in Horde Siege: Gut-Puncher, once you have unlocked it.
If Horde Siege is your goal, decide early which weapon you are leveling a class for: some guns unlock only high on the track.