By James Robinson
Gears of War 5 is a blast, in more ways than one. With a robust arsenal at the player's disposal, which weapons are the best in the game?
Gears 5 is here in all of its messy and gory glory. Over the years, the Gears series has given players an assortment of highly volatile weapons to eradicate Locust, Swarm, and enemy players alike. It comes as no surprise then that Gears 5 has a healthy roster of weapons to play around with, some new and some old.
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In this arsenal is some of the most powerful and satisfying weaponry to use. Every firearm is different but only a handful of them can be seen as the best. For the sake of simplicity, heavy weapons like the Tri-Shot and Mulcher will be left out of this list, and of course, grenades have their own separate applications as well. With that said, here are the top 10.
10 10. Talon Relic
A new addition, the Talon auto pistol brings some much-welcomed variety to the rather small assortment of sidearms in the game. Sporting fully automatic and burst fire capabilities, this pistol has the highest rate of fire but does the lowest damage per shot out of any sidearm.
Its relic version rectifies this little drawback. If you hit your active reload, this weapon gets a buff in damage and becomes easier to control when firing. Considering those are the two issues that make the stock Talon a hit-or-miss weapon, the relic version is easily the superior one.
9 9. Boltok Relic
Not much can replace a good old fashion revolver pistol. Accuracy is the key to handling this bad boy. Around 2 headshots will destroy most enemies in the game, so if you’re the type that likes to land some sweet headshots at a consistent rate, this is the sidearm for you.
Even without headshots, this fine firearm is still more than capable of stopping enemies dead in their tracks. It has the slowest rate of fire compared to other pistols in the game, but it more than makes up for it in stopping power. The relic version also brings a bit more accuracy to its hip-fire as well.
8 8. Longshot Relic
When it comes to sniper weapons, the Longshot is the go-to for most. With its zoom ability and high damage output, this traditional sniper rifle can be absolutely deadly in the hands of a proficient player. The key is finding comfortable and reliable spots to get shots off.
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The normal variant only gets one shot per reload and its reload cycle is rather long, but doing a perfect reload with the relic version grants you an extra round in the chamber, so it pays to master its active reload. This bonus gives you a little extra firepower and having two shots instead of one is always great.
7 7. Embar Relic
The Embar is kind of like the Longshot's kid sibling. With no scope and a charge up time before firing, it can be hard to love it when compared to its big brother. The relic version makes a case for itself in no longer living in its big brother's shadow. The relic version takes longer to charge but that charged-up shot does an insane amount of damage.
Its utility still doesn't rival the Longshot's when facing a group of Swarm enemies spread out around the battlefield, but its high damage output when focused on a singular large target surpasses it by a mile if you're patient and your aim is on point.
6 6. Lancer MK3
It's an assault rifle with a chainsaw for a bayonet. Not much more need be said. The good old Lancer has been sawing unfortunate souls in half since the original Gears of War. It's by far the most identifiable and iconic weapon in the entire franchise.
If someone is getting too close for comfort, just fire up the chainsaw and tell them to respect your personal space. It's one of the most abundant weapons dropped by enemies throughout the campaign, so you'll rarely have to worry about running out of ammo for it. An all-around solid tool, you can never go wrong with the Lancer.
5 5. Gnasher
Like the Boltok, you can't really be without a good shotgun. A classic, the Gnasher is always ready to blow anyone unlucky enough to get caught in its cone of fire to chunks. If you're someone who likes to get up close and personal with the enemy, the Gnasher is probably your best friend.
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A reliable weapon and also one that's never short of ammo throughout the campaign as well. You won't have to worry too much about your ammo economy when you're using this shotty right. It's also by far one of the most satisfying weapons to handle in the game.
4 4. Retro Lancer Relic
The Retro Lancer tends to be an underestimated weapon when compared to its upgraded versions. The chainsaw attachment is a safer and more practical option than trying to line up a charge with the bayonet. Its slower rate of fire and smaller maximum reserve ammo also don’t helpthe Retro Lancer's case.
The relic version certainly does though. While its maximum reserve ammo is even smaller, it makes up for it through its explosive rounds. If you aren’t the type that’s into intensive aiming, this weapon can take the load off. Out of all the weapons that have an explosive property, this one is the most satisfying when it comes to causing havoc.
3 3. Boomshot Relic
The Boomshot is one of the more versatile explosive weapons in the game. When handling it in the right situation, it can wipe whole squads away with a few well-placed shots. Its drawback is that you have to reload after every shot. The relic version fixes this problem.
Instead of one-shot per reload, the Boomshot relic gives you three. In addition to this, its maximum reserve ammo is also increased from its regular version. This may give you a bit more liberty to fire away or help you appreciate the weapon a little more if you’re the type who’s a bit more frugal with your ammo economy.
2 2. Lancer GL
One of the newest additions to the Gears armory. What could you possibly do with this classic that hasn't been done? Attach a grenade launcher to it, of course!
The Lancer GL is equipped with an alternate fire that shoots a hailstorm of micro-missiles over a targeted area. This is a great and more convenient option to help flush out enemies from cover without having to resort to using a slow grenade toss or the cumbersome Dropshot. It also sports an increased rate of fire compared to a regular Lancer. So, if you weren't satisfied with the limited ranged options your basic Lancers have, the GL variation is sure to solve your concerns.
1 1. Lancer GL Relic
The relic version of the Lancer GL brings with it a small tweak. While the stock version delivers a micro-missile payload to rain upon your enemies, the relic version is a straight shooter, literally. The explosive payload it delivers is an airburst one that will travel in a straight line toward a target.
This means that the explosions happen much quicker and have less of a chance to be interrupted by inconveniently placed architecture, but they lose some of the cover flushing utility the stock version provides. It ultimately comes down to preference. If you're the type who enjoys being a bit more straight-forward when in a fight, the Lancer GL Relic is probably for you.
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