Respect PVP Weapons Tier List
Archetype rankings for BETA deathmatch — what to main, what to counter, when patches flip the meta.
This page is the deep dive under the Tier List Hub. Respect PVP [BETA] by VOLL Games Inc throws large deathmatch lobbies (server size 35) across PC, phones, tablets, Xbox, and PS5. Because the shooter is early access, we rank weapon archetypes with playstyle fits and counters instead of pretending every catalog name is frozen forever. When VOLL ships a balance patch, re-read the criteria on the hub, then adjust your main using the notes below.
New players should unlock comfort before chasing fringe picks: Getting Started, Controls, and the Weapons Guide explain handling. Execution live-fire advice sits in Combat Tips and How to Win. Fair play still applies — tiers assume clean clients, not ESP or aim tools described on the Scripts Hub.
How to read this list
- S — Queue with confidence; strong in most arena layouts.
- A — Excellent when you choose fights that match the gun’s range.
- B — Playable and rewarding; loses more fair mid-fights than S/A picks.
- C — Needs a specific plan or unlock ladder context.
- D — Challenge / finisher niche; poor as a full-match primary.
Criteria remain TTK, recoil, mobility, range as defined on the Tier List Hub. Cross-play means we ding guns that only work with perfect mouse micro-corrections.
Assault rifles — S / high A
Role: Mid-range backbone. First peeks, spray transfers, and post-reload re-peeks.
Why they sit high: Balanced TTK meets readable recoil. In 35-player chaos you often inherit a half-finished duel; ARs forgive imperfect first shots better than snipers or pellet guns.
Playstyle fit: Default main for controller and touch players; mouse users still benefit from the stability when tracking strafe spam.
Counters: SMG stacks in tight halls, shotgun holds behind hard corners, and snipers who never let you close past mid.
Patch watch: If a hotfix slows ADS or raises bloom, ARs may slip toward high A while SMGs absorb the carry role. If recoil is flattened, expect almost every lobby to flood mid with lasers — then play wider angles.
SMGs — S / A
Role: Close to close-mid pressure, entry, and multi-frag chains after a break.
Why they sit high: Mobility synergy is excellent. Hip-fire or light ADS lets you take space that slow rifles concede. Mag dumps delete targets before a panicked shotgun rack finishes.
Playstyle fit: Aggressive rotators, players who win with sound cues, and anyone who likes challenging spawns immediately.
Counters: Pre-aimed ARs in open courtyards, snipers on elevated lanes, and disciplined shotgun peeks at true point-blank.
Patch watch: Damage falloff nerfs hurt SMG mains first. If falloff softens, SMGs can become unfair mid weapons and will likely be patched again quickly during BETA.
Shotguns — A
Role: Doorway and corner ownership. Highest close spike when the pellet pattern lands.
Why A not S: Miss or partial pellet hits feel terrible against strafing SMGs. Range discipline is mandatory; ego peeks into mid sightlines tank your KD.
Playstyle fit: Patient anchors, bait-and-swing players, and duos who trade on the same choke.
Counters: Keep-out ARs, long slides from SMGs that break your one-shot distance, and utilities or nades if a build adds them later.
Patch watch: Pellet count, spread cones, and damage ramp are classic BETA knobs. A single buff can create a “shotgun only” week — expect rapid follow-up nerfs. Track Updates after any close-range complaint spike.
Snipers and marksman rifles — A
Role: Lane denial, spawn crossfires, and punishing rotations across open ground.
Why A: A clean hit reshapes a whole mid-fight, but miss punishment is brutal when 30+ other players are also hunting. Scope sway and slow swaps matter more on console.
Playstyle fit: Players with strong pre-aim, headphone footsteps, and the patience to abandon a bad angle.
Counters: Flank SMGs, smoke or chaos that blocks sightlines, and double peeks that force a rechamber while a teammate trades.
Patch watch: Aim assist changes, flinch multipliers, and one-shot thresholds define sniper weeks. If bodyshots stop deleting, marksman play shifts to headshot-only A-tier skill guns.
Pistols — B (A as secondary)
Role: Swap finisher, run-gun secondary, and anti-reload punish tool.
Why B as primary: Magazine depth and mid-range TTK usually lose to ARs in extended sprays. As a secondary, pistols often play like A-tier because swap speed turns almost-kills into frags.
Playstyle fit: Hybrid loadouts (sniper + pistol, shotgun + pistol), players who track ammo obsessively.
Counters: Do not hard-challenge full SMG mags in the open; break line of sight and re-swing.
Patch watch: If pistol damage rises to compete with SMGs, expect a “pistol round” meta and a later correction. Until then, treat them as glue for your primary archetype.
Melee — D primary / B finisher
Role: Panic swing, silent challenge runs, finishing a cracked target without reloading.
Why low as main: Open arena floors favor bullets. Charging an AR lane with a knife is content, not a ladder strategy.
Playstyle fit: Movement learners, short-range lurkers near sound traps, highlight-clip hunters.
Counters: Literally any gun with space. Your counterplay is terrain: corners, stairs, and unexpected elevations.
Patch watch: Only a major move-tech or lunge buff would raise melee as a primary. Even then, it would likely stay specialized. Keep it bound for finishers while you main an S/A gun.
Suggested loadout pairs
| Primary focus | Pair with | When to swap |
|---|---|---|
| AR mid control | Pistol finisher | Enemy stacks inside buildings → SMG |
| SMG entry | Shotgun or pistol | Long sightline map → AR or sniper |
| Shotgun anchor | Pistol | Forced mid rotates → AR |
| Sniper lane | Pistol or SMG | Flank pressure → SMG |
| Melee challenge | SMG backup | Any fair mid duel → bullets |
Tune sensitivity per archetype on Settings — sniper scopes often need a lower look speed than SMG hip-fire.
When the meta shifts (BETA checklist)
Respect PVP launched into early access around 2026-10-23. High visit counts and frequent 1k+ concurrent peaks mean balance feedback arrives fast. After each notable update:
- Skim patch text on Updates for TTK, recoil, ADS, and pellet notes.
- Play ten matches with your old main; note if you lose fair duels you used to win.
- Revisit this page’s archetype section that got touched — do not rebuild your entire vault overnight.
- Cross-check the hub criteria on Tier List Hub so you are not ranking on vibes alone.
- Ignore clip farms that rely on exploits; those results are outside the tier system (Scripts).
Cosmetics from Codes and Supporter skins never move a gun between letters.
Practice path after you pick a tier
- Choose one S or A archetype and stay on it for a session.
- Drill the range band — SMG players should refuse ego ARs fights across open ground.
- Review deaths: was it recoil, positioning, or a bad swap? Combat Tips helps separate those.
- Study how stronger lobbies peek using notes on Players.
- Return to the Guides Hub or wiki overview when you need a different skill (controls, settings, win conditions).
Summary table
| Archetype | Tier | Best range | Main risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assault rifle | S–A | Mid | Flanked by SMG/shotgun |
| SMG | S–A | Close–mid | Punished in open lanes |
| Shotgun | A | Close | Partial pellets / overpeek |
| Sniper / marksman | A | Long | Miss + slow recovery |
| Pistol | B (A secondary) | Close–mid | Mag depth in sprays |
| Melee | D (B finisher) | Melee | Any spaced gunfight |
Stay flexible, patch-aware, and honest about range. That mindset beats chasing every shiny unlock while Respect PVP is still BETA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers for Respect PVP lobbies, codes, and BETA changes.
What is the best weapon type in Respect PVP right now?
Balanced assault rifles and strong SMGs are the safest S-tier style carries for mixed-input deathmatch. Exact names will move with BETA patches, so master the archetype first.
Are shotguns or snipers better?
Both sit around A tier with opposite jobs: shotguns own chokes, snipers own long lanes. Pick based on the map’s sightlines, not highlight clips.
Should I main a pistol or melee?
Use pistols as finishers or secondaries and melee as a panic or challenge tool. Neither is an ideal full-match primary on open arena floors.
How often will this weapons tier list change?
Whenever VOLL Games ships noticeable TTK, recoil, ADS, or pellet changes. Recheck Updates after patches, then adjust your main using the archetype notes here.
Do these tiers assume PC only?
No. Rankings account for cross-play with phones, tablets, Xbox, and PS5, which is why controllable ARs stay highly valued beside flick-heavy niches.