Alien Annihilation Arsenal: Unleash the Ultimate Firepower in Dark Descent

A brand-new storyline within the iconic Alien franchise has made its way to game consoles. Aliens: Dark Descent offers a fresh tale of survival against the well-known Xenomorphs. Players will embark on a mission to repair their spacecraft, the Otago, as they explore the perilous planet of Lethe. With various marine classes and a wide range of weaponry, they must navigate through Lethe's dangers.

To ensure the survival of their marine squad in the face of multiple threats, players must equip them with suitable weapons, gadgets, and gear. Among the crucial decisions for the team's success is selecting the right weapons for deployment. Aliens: Dark Descent provides numerous options for short, medium, and long-range combat, but which ones are the most effective for their intended purpose?

10 SA.357 Revolver

When facing dire circumstances and running low on ammunition, having the right backup weapon can mean the difference between survival and defeat. In Aliens: Dark Descent, there may not be an extensive selection of secondary weapons, but the SA.357 Revolver provides more than enough firepower to get the job done.

As the most powerful secondary weapon for marines, the SA.357 outperforms the M4A3 Service Pistol with up to three times the damage. However, its magazine size is limited. With only six bullets, players must make each shot count.

9 M42A3 Sniper Rifle

The Recon class possesses various advantages that contribute to their squad's superiority on the battlefield. One of these advantages is their ability to eliminate enemies from long distances using their exclusive weapon, the M42A3 Sniper Rifle, which can accurately target individuals up to 80 meters away.

Although the M42A3 surpasses most other weapons in terms of range and firepower, it does have its limitations. The rifle generates substantial recoil due to the immense power required to deliver its deadly force, necessitating a considerable cooldown period before being ready for use again. While highly effective for inflicting damage, it is advisable to reserve this weapon for situations when the enemy is approaching the unit.

8 XM99A Phased Plasma Pulse Rifle

The XM99A Phased Plasma Pulse Rifle is a powerful long-range weapon that offers an alternative to sniper rifles. Its charged plasma projectiles can impale enemies in its path, making it a lethal option. Unlike the M42A3, which uses bullets, the XM99A relies on plasma for its attacks.

Although the XM99A boasts a high damage rate, its main drawback is its slow fire rate. Since it uses energy as ammunition, the gun needs to fully charge its projectile before it can be fired. Because of this, the XM99A is most effective in stealth situations or during the early stages of an assault when the squad is not facing immediate distance pressures.

7 M56 Smartgun

The M56 Smartgun, exclusively available to Gunner marine class, surpasses the standard Pulse Rifle in terms of precision and firepower, making it equally formidable against human and Xeno adversaries. It is not just a weapon, but a comprehensive system that includes the combat harness, head-mounted sight, articulation, and the gun itself.

Compared to the default weapon, the M56 Smartgun offers enhanced shooting bursts and a larger clip size of 150 bullets per clip. As a valuable addition for the Gunner class, this weapon serves as an efficient assault tool against all types of foes.

6 M37A2 Shotgun

The M37A2 Shotgun is the perfect partner to combat overwhelming alien threats. It packs an unprecedented amount of power for close-quarters combat, capable of not only eliminating foes but potentially tearing them apart. With the ability to utilize the Shotgun Blast skill at any moment, this weapon has the potential to take down multiple adversaries simultaneously.

Although the effectiveness of the M37A2 diminishes with distance, it compensates by delivering immense destruction within its intended range. When employing the Shotgun Blast, players have a 15% chance of dismembering enemies within 12 meters of the marine. This probability doubles to 30% for unfortunate souls standing within 6 meters of this formidable weapon.

5 U1 Grenade Launcher

The U1 Grenade Launcher is an unparalleled solution for neutralizing any opponent, regardless of their strength. This versatile weapon, equipped with a 4-round magazine, can launch explosives from a distance, causing devastating effects. By leveraging the associated skill, any enemies within the blast radius can be swiftly eliminated.

In the challenging world of Aliens: Dark Descent, the U1 proves to be an essential asset for the marine squad, particularly when faced with nests infested by Facehuggers. While utilizing the Extraction skill is necessary to combat these smaller xenomorphs, the U1 is equally effective in curbing the risk of losing comrades to these insidious creatures, regardless of the players' skill set.

4 M5 RPG

The M5 Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) is a compact and powerful explosive weapon. Capable of firing high-power rockets directly at targets, it can quickly eliminate groups of enemies with devastating effect.

Compared to the U1 Grenade Launcher, the M5 RPG offers the same offensive potential but with improved accuracy. Unlike the U1's lob-type attack, the M5 propels its projectiles directly towards the target. This means that timing is less important for a successful strike, as accuracy takes precedence.

3 M240 Incinerator Unit

Known as the "Bake-a-Flake," the M240 Incinerator Unit is beloved by players for its ability to completely annihilate enemies. In the game Aliens: Dark Descent, it serves as the fiery solution to the alien pest problem. This powerful weapon can be used by marines during deployment to engulf hostiles in flames, leaving behind a scorching zone that continues to inflict damage on anyone who crosses it.

The M240 is the ultimate weapon for close-quarter combat, causing massive destruction to any nearby adversaries and burning those who dare to enter its range. Although its effectiveness diminishes with distance, it flawlessly fulfills its intended purpose.

2 M41AE3 Heavy Pulse Rifle

The M41AE3, the older sibling of the M41A Pulse Rifle, offers even more power, a larger clip, and a faster firing rate. It proves to be a valuable asset to the marine squad, excelling in both providing covering fire and efficiently eliminating enemies.

With its high damage rating and ample supply of projectiles, the M41AE3 stands out as one of the most formidable offensive weapons. To unlock this highly effective weapon, players must elevate one of their marines to level 6.

1 UA 571-C Automated Sentry Gun

The ideal weapon is one that operates automatically, inflicting damage without requiring the player to manually fire it. The UA 571-C Automated Sentry Gun perfectly fits this description, acting as an additional member of the marine squad. This advanced weapon is capable of detecting enemy movement and unleashing a barrage of heavy gunfire until the threat is eliminated.

Players have the option to deploy up to four portable sentry guns in various formations to bolster and safeguard the squad. The only drawback is that once set up, these guns are unable to be relocated. Nevertheless, when employed strategically, they prove to be highly effective in neutralizing any potential threats before they have a chance to mount an offensive.

Aliens: Dark Descent is available now on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC.