The Ultimate Weapon Arsenal: Unveiling the Top Ranked Powerhouses in The Ascent

Highlights

Player choice in The Ascent offers an extensive range of options, comprising five weapon categories and an impressive selection of over thirty guns. This vast array allows players to tailor their gameplay experience to their specific character build and personal preferences.

The game only offers a limited number of upgrade pieces, making it essential to carefully select the right weapon. Only two weapons can be fully maximized with the available pieces. Maximizing the weapon slots is crucial for optimal gameplay.

This article presents a comprehensive list of recommended weapons for players to consider in their loadout. It highlights the top choices based on factors such as damage output, damage type, rounds per second, clip size, reload time, and knockback effect.

The player's ability to choose their firepower in The Ascent is truly exceptional. With five different weapon categories and over thirty total guns, the options for unleashing the Indent's power are abundant. Selecting the perfect weapon involves considering factors such as character build, player preference, and desired effect. Some players may opt for a versatile all-purpose weapon, while others may prefer a specialized utility weapon.

Unfortunately, the game does not provide enough upgrade pieces to fully enhance multiple weapons by the end. Even after collecting every treasure on each map, there are only enough pieces to fully upgrade two weapons. With limited weapon slots, choosing the right gun becomes crucial. Here we present the most deserving contenders to be included in the player's loadout in The Ascent.

Updated on September 30th, 2023 by Hodey Johns: Acknowledging the perspective of numerous gamers who rightly believe that the best item is the one that suits their playing style the most, The Ascent diverges from this notion. Certain guns are unequivocally superior to others, but regrettably, the game lacks an integrated Atlas for players to identify an inferior weapon. Consequently, players may unknowingly invest substantial resources in upgrading an inferior gun, only to realize that they cannot retrieve those valuable resources. To address this concern, a comprehensive chart illustrating the statistical advantages of the listed firearms over the excluded ones has been incorporated. Additionally, noteworthy weapons from the DLC have been appropriately incorporated.

10 ES4 Eraser

Damage Per Second	828
Damage Type	Energy
Rounds Per Second	3
Clip Size	8
Reload Time	3.2 seconds
Knockback	50

Shotguns serve as a highly effective backup weapon for situations when opponents become overpowering. The ability to quickly switch to a weapon that can effectively eliminate them is advantageous for any playstyle. The ES4 Eraser stands out as the superior shotgun, boasting approximately twice the damage output compared to other options.

Furthermore, it excels at dealing coveted energy damage, effortlessly taking down resilient robotic foes. This shotgun proves to be a wise and reliable selection, as it covers a wide range of scenarios. In the appropriate circumstances, it elevates the gameplay experience to that of the finest dungeon crawlers available on the PS5.

9 Magmamaker

Damage Per Second	506
Damage Type	Fire
Rounds Per Second	5
Clip Size	5
Reload Time	2 seconds
Knockback	20

The visual spectacle of the Magmamaker is truly impressive. Its flamethrower effectively blankets a substantial conal area, making it ideal for dealing with groups of enemies that are frequently encountered while playing one of the finest top-down RPGs on the PS5.

This

8 Astrosmasher

deals significant damage instantly, while also igniting enemies and effectively dissolving anyone in close proximity. Perhaps the intentional inclusion of such extensive damage on both fronts serves as compensation for the inherent sluggishness associated with heavy weaponry. If that is the case, the surplus damage may be slightly burdensome.

Damage Per Second	280
Damage Type	Ballistic
Rounds Per Second	6
Clip Size	30
Reload Time	4 seconds
Knockback	400

The Astrosmasher perfectly embodies the love/hate relationship players have with The Ascent. It exemplifies the frustration of the Indent's sluggishness when equipped with heavy weapons, yet undeniably delivers incredible damage.

On paper, the weapon's statistics may appear underwhelming, but its gameplay defies expectations. Holding down the trigger causes the rockets to increase in speed with each shot, resulting in mind-blowing damage. Action RPG players adore this game, as it offers the indulgence of a rocket launcher equipped with an integrated accelerator.

7 BC7 Disintegrator

Damage Per Second	850
Damage Type	Energy
Rounds Per Second	12
Clip Size	100
Reload Time	1 second
Knockback	30

Without hesitation, this remarkable entity claims the title of the second most formidable source of destruction in the game when considering sheer statistics (the ultimate champion shall be unveiled further on). Take into account that this exceptional damage inflicted is of the energy nature, consequently resulting in the rapid demise of mechanical units as if they were mere insects. Alas, their companions shall endure a similarly grim fate.

6 Besieger

This minigun is bulky and difficult to transport, no doubt about it. However, with its exceptional killing power, there are few occasions where a hasty escape to seek shelter is actually required.

Damage Per Second	517
Damage Type	Ballistic
Rounds Per Second	2
Clip Size	30
Reload Time	4 seconds
Knockback	400

The game's abundant arsenal can significantly hinder player mobility. Being slowed down by a minigun or flamethrower often leads to death in intense battles. This is not compatible with top-down RPG games on Steam, where fluid movement is crucial.

The Besieger is a remarkable improvement over the already impressive RPG23 Launcher. Its area of effect damage effectively eliminates enemies, while still allowing for decent mobility with the Indent.

5 EBR Enforcer

Damage Per Second	523
Damage Type	Energy
Rounds Per Second	14.1
Clip Size	45
Reload Time	0.6 seconds
Knockback	60

Machine guns are integral to The Ascent's gameplay, enabling players to maneuver swiftly and unleash a continuous barrage of fire against relentless enemy hordes. While many of these machine guns feel similar, the EBR Enforcer stands out with its unique characteristics. It exemplifies the innovative approach that is expected from one of the finest indie RPGs available on Xbox.

4 The Dealbreaker

This gun not only inflicts devastating energy damage to machine opponents, but it also possesses the unique ability to fire in three-round homing bursts. This firing mode requires both precision aiming and the ability to rapidly unleash multiple shots. Moreover, it boasts the second-highest damage output among all machine guns in the game.

Damage Per Second	1,119
Damage Type	Ballistic
Rounds Per Second	8
Clip Size	200
Reload Time	4 seconds
Knockback	150

The Dealbreaker is officially the most powerful weapon in terms of damage per second. Even without any upgrades, it stands alone with a four-digit DPS. However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. As a minigun, it significantly reduces movement speed. Additionally, it fires in a cone similar to a shotgun, meaning that the calculated DPS assumes hitting the entire cone. Nevertheless, the Dealbreaker is still remarkable because anything in close proximity is essentially doomed, eliminating the need for quick escapes.

3 Newt MGL

Damage Per Second	710
Damage Type	Ballistic
Rounds Per Second	2
Clip Size	6
Reload Time	3 seconds
Knockback	400

While The Newt MGL may not match the DPS stats of The Dealbreaker, its advantage lies in its versatility as a grenade launcher. Unlike other weapons, range is not a constraint for this formidable weapon. Moreover, when facing groups of enemies, few options can surpass the incredible damage and knockback effect delivered by a well-placed grenade.

2 Overwhelmer

: Incorporating traditional firepower alongside cutting-edge technology, the CyberSec Pack showcases a unique blend that sets it apart as one of the top cyberpunk games in the industry.

Damage Per Second	607
Damage Type	Ballistic and Fire
Rounds Per Second	5
Clip Size	20
Reload Time	2 seconds
Knockback	0

It seems as though the developers intentionally chose to create a game where one weapon stood out above the rest. If that is indeed the case, then the AR Overwhelmer was the embodiment of that concept.

Being a machine gun, it possesses all the standard advantages such as mobility, range, and rapid firing capabilities. However, what sets it apart is its exceptional damage per second, fire damage, and explosive damage. As a result, its damage output is not only absurdly high, but it also inflicts harm to enemies in a wide area.

1 Recoil

Damage Per Second	750
Damage Type	Ballistic
Rounds Per Second	14.1
Clip Size	45
Reload Time	0.6 seconds
Knockback	60

The Recoil is a burst rifle that fires in short bursts. It boasts higher overall damage compared to most heavy weapons, making it possible to envision completing the game using only the Recoil. Additionally, with a quick reload time of just 0.6 seconds, this rifle offers nonstop action.

The Recoil lacks the small area burst of the Overwhelmer, but compensates by incorporating a knockback effect to prevent groups from overpowering the shooter. Especially during later stages when endless waves of enemies emerge, this feature becomes a valuable asset. The primary objective of this elite RPG is not to save the world, but rather to safeguard the Indent, and the Recoil excels in accomplishing just that.

The Ascent is currently accessible on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.