Best Weapons and Loadouts in Ready or Not

Ready or Not punishes shooting first -- suspects must be given a chance to surrender, and unauthorized force costs you points -- so weapon choice should be matched to the mission briefing's expected threat level, not just raw stopping power.

SA-58 and MK18 are the two cornerstone primary weapons for general use: SA-58 hits hard enough to neutralize armored suspects in 1-2 shots but carries heavy recoil requiring disciplined semi-auto fire, while MK18 offers more manageable full-auto room-clearing with strong customization options.

M1014 Shotgun is the best shotgun in the game and one of the most popular weapons overall -- reliable, fast-firing, and ideal for tight, close-quarters spaces. Swap to slug rounds specifically for stricter close-range engagements.

For less-lethal missions, Beanbag Shotgun is the top pick -- it typically stuns a suspect on the very first hit without lasting injury, better than the cumulative-effect pepperball launcher for fast, reliable non-lethal takedowns.

Glock 19 with a flashlight is a community-favorite sidearm for its sheer reliability when your primary runs dry mid-reload -- don't treat your sidearm choice as an afterthought.

For AI teammates specifically, SA-58 is often recommended since they don't suffer the same recoil handling penalties a player does -- pairing it with a suppressor also makes their gunfire more distinct and easier to track during a chaotic clear.

See the full data: Ready or Not Weapons