In ARC Raiders, weapon choice can make or break a raid. Among all available firearms, one weapon consistently stands out across PvP and mid-range combat scenarios: the Tempest assault rifle. Often regarded not only as the best assault rifle but also as one of the strongest all-around weapons in the game, the Tempest offers unmatched versatility, strong time-to-kill, and excellent recoil control when properly upgraded and equipped.

This guide breaks down the Tempest’s stats, upgrades, attachments, and optimal usage so you can fully understand why it dominates the current meta.

Tempest Damage and Time-to-Kill Explained

The Tempest delivers one of the fastest body-shot time-to-kill (TTK) values in ARC Raiders. Against medium shields, it takes only 13 body shots to eliminate a target, resulting in an average TTK of roughly 1.3 seconds. This puts it on par with top-tier weapons like the Bobcat Tier 4, making it extremely forgiving during sustained sprays.

However, the Tempest has a unique downside:

- It features the lowest headshot multiplier in the game (excluding shotguns).
- Headshots deal only 50% bonus damage, compared to 100% or more on most other weapons.

This design pushes the Tempest toward consistent center-mass tracking rather than precision head-clicking, which directly influences how players should aim and engage in fights.

Overall Weapon Performance and Stats

What truly defines the Tempest is not dominance in a single category, but high performance across all stats:

- Reload Time: ~2.24 seconds at Tier 4
- Fire Rate: 4th fastest in the game (behind SMGs and Torrente)
- DPS: 4th highest overall
- Range: 4th best, behind snipers and the Rattler
- Recoil: Among the best automatic weapon recoils at Tier 4

The Tempest doesn’t win every category—but it’s near the top in all of them, making it one of the most adaptable weapons for unpredictable raid scenarios.

Best Tempest Upgrade Path (Tier 1 to Tier 4)

Unlike some weapons that peak at lower tiers, the Tempest scales extremely well with upgrades. There is no “sweet spot”—you want to push this weapon to Tier 4 as soon as possible.

Upgrade Benefits

- ~13% faster reload per tier
- ~16.6% improved horizontal recoil per tier
- At Tier 4:

 - 40% faster reload
 - 50% improved horizontal recoil control

Upgrade & Repair Costs

Full upgrade:

- 6 Advanced Mechanical Components
- 7 Medium Gun Parts
- 50% repair cost:

 - 5 Advanced Mechanicals
 - 4 Medium Gun Parts

Durability testing shows the Tempest loses 1 durability per ~10 shots, giving a Tier 4 version roughly 1,300 rounds before breaking. Combined with high ammo consumption, this makes the Tempest one of the most expensive weapons to maintain in ARC Raiders.

Best Attachments for the Tempest

Magazine

Always equip the largest magazine available. The Tempest burns ammo quickly, and larger mags come with no downsides, making this a mandatory choice.

Grip Selection

- Horizontal Grip: Best overall option for consistency
- Pink Grip (Epic): Best-in-slot if available

- Reduces both vertical and horizontal recoil
- Turns the Tempest into a near laser beam

Despite reduced ADS speed on rare and epic grips, this drawback is minimal on the Tempest and should not deter players from using higher-tier grips.

Muzzle Attachment

- Silencer: Not recommended due to high fire volume
- Extended Barrel: Better suited for snipers and long-range weapons
- Compensator (Best Choice):

 - Reduces bullet dispersion
 - Improves mid-range spray accuracy
- Muzzle Brake:

 - Easier recoil control
 - Worse bullet spread compared to compensator

The compensator outperforms all other muzzle options at realistic combat distances (20–50 meters), where the Tempest shines most.

How to Use the Tempest Effectively in PvP

Aim for Center Mass

Due to the low headshot multiplier, sustained chest-level spraying yields better results than chasing headshots. The Tempest’s body-shot TTK is fast enough to outgun most weapons without precision aiming.

Optimal Engagement Range

- Best Range: 20–50 meters (mid-range)
- Struggles slightly against:

 - Shotguns & SMGs at point-blank
 - Snipers at extreme distance

The Tempest excels when holding rooftops, elevated positions, or wide lanes where controlled spraying is possible.

Best Weapon Pairings

Pair the Tempest with a long-range poking weapon:

- Renegade
- Osprey

Both share ammo compatibility and cover the Tempest’s weakness at long distances, creating a well-rounded loadout for PvP-focused raids.

Is the Tempest Good for PvE?

Short answer: not really.

While usable in emergencies, the Tempest is:

- Ammo inefficient
- Durability draining
- Costly to repair

There are far better PvE-focused weapons available. The Tempest should primarily be reserved for PvP and hybrid encounters, not extended PvE farming.

Final Verdict: Is the Tempest Worth Using?

Absolutely. The Tempest remains one of the strongest and most versatile weapons in ARC Raiders. While expensive to maintain, its consistency, forgiving recoil, and devastating mid-range performance make it a top-tier choice for skilled players who want reliability in every fight.

If you can afford it—and maintain it—the Tempest will reward you with dominance across most combat scenarios.