What is the best starting weapon for Support?

The guide calls the SG-500 the best starting weapon in the game: effective against low-tier ZEDs, weak against high-tier ones.

Which weapon has the highest damage per second according to this guide?

The .500 Magnum Revolver for the Gunslinger has the highest DPS; the AA-12 has the second highest. The Railgun has the highest damage per shot.

Is this guide still accurate?

It was written for update 1035 in mid-2016. Balance has changed since, so use the tier ideas but check current stats.

Weapons

KF2 Basic Weapons Guide: Every Perk's Four Tiers (Update 1035)

A bare-bones community reference that lists the four weapon tiers for each perk in Killing Floor 2, written when update 1035 (Sharpshooter) arrived and brought many new players. Each entry notes fire modes and which kinds of ZED the weapon handles well or poorly. For up-to-date numbers see KF2 weapon stats spreadsheet and KF2 weapon list by perk.

Berserker (melee)

Tier	Weapon	Notes
1	Crovel Survival Tool	Effective in the first three waves, good against Clots and Gorefasts, weak against Sirens, Bloats, Husks and high tier ZEDs.
2	Vlad 1000 Nailgun	Switches between shotgun and single shot. Good against low and medium tiers; slow fire rate.
3	Pulverizer	Heavy attack causes an explosion. Effective against high tiers and bosses.
4	Eviscerator	Primary fire throws a blade, secondary spins it for melee. Huge damage, good against high tiers with headshots; spinning is good against low and medium tiers.

Commando

Tier	Weapon	Notes
1	AR-15	Burst and single modes. Good against low tiers, weak against medium and high.
2	L85A2 bullpup	Auto and single. A good all-rounder.
3	AK12	Burst and auto. Effective against medium tiers, weak against bosses.
4	SCAR-H	Auto and single. Effective against high tiers.

Support

Tier	Weapon	Notes
1	SG-500	The best starting weapon in the game; good against low tiers, weak against high tiers.
2	Double-Barrel Boomstick	One shell or both. Effective against medium tiers, weak against bosses.
3	M4 Combat Shotgun	Semi-automatic. Good against low and medium, weak against high and boss tiers.
4	AA-12	Auto and single. Effective against high and boss tiers; second highest DPS in the game.

Medic

Tier	Weapon	Notes
1	HMTech-101 Pistol	Fires a healing dart costing 50 points. Good against low tiers.
2	HMTech-201 SMG	Healing dart costing 50 points, fast fire rate.
3	HMTech-301 Shotgun	Dart costs 40 points. Good against low and medium tiers; a reskin of the M4 Combat Shotgun.
4	HMTech-401 Assault Rifle	Dart costs 30 points. Effective against medium tiers, weak against high and bosses.

Demolitionist

Tier	Weapon	Notes
1	HX25 Grenade Pistols	Fires 7 small explosive projectiles. Good against low and medium, weak against high tiers.
2	C4	Secondary lobs C4, primary detonates in pairs. Effective against medium and high tiers.
3	M79 Grenade Launcher	High damage grenade. Effective against medium and high tiers.
4	RPG-7	Rocket with huge damage. Effective against high and boss tiers.

Firebug

Tier	Weapon	Notes
1	Caulk 'n Burn	Flamethrower with lower direct damage; tap-fire it. Weak against medium and high tiers.
2	Trench Gun	Shotgun with fire damage over time and good damage. Weak against high and boss tiers.
3	Flamethrower	Average direct damage; hold fire. Weak against high and boss tiers.
4	Microwave Gun	Special weapon with high direct damage; hold fire. Effective against all tiers.

Gunslinger (every weapon akimbo)

Tier	Weapon	Notes
1	1858 Revolver	A good starting weapon, effective against low and medium tiers.
2	M1911	Highest ammo pool among akimbo weapons; good against low and medium tiers.
3	Desert Eagle	Good damage per bullet; effective against all tiers, weak against bosses.
4	.500 Magnum Revolver	Highest DPS in the game; effective against high and boss tiers; one-shots Clots and Gorefasts.

Sharpshooter (long range)

Tier	Weapon	Notes
1	Winchester 1894	Lever-action rifle. Good against low and medium tiers.
2	Crossbow	Powerful single shot. Good against low and medium tiers.
3	M14 EBR	Highly accurate semi-automatic rifle; effective against all tiers.
4	Railgun	Highest damage per shot; effective against high and boss tiers but not recommended for low and medium tiers.

FAQ

What is the best starting weapon for Support?: The guide calls the SG-500 the best starting weapon in the game: effective against low-tier ZEDs, weak against high-tier ones.
Which weapon has the highest damage per second according to this guide?: The .500 Magnum Revolver for the Gunslinger has the highest DPS; the AA-12 has the second highest. The Railgun has the highest damage per shot.
Is this guide still accurate?: It was written for update 1035 in mid-2016. Balance has changed since, so use the tier ideas but check current stats.