Everspace 2: Best Weapons

Everspace 2 is a flashy, fast-paced space shooter from Rockfish Games, the makers of the first Everspace game. They changed the formula for the sequel, switching out the rogue-like elements for a focused story that takes place across many different star systems. Overall, the game walks a fine line between simple space-blasting fun and deep, immersive narrative.

One place Everspace 2 sticks the landing is its weapon options. There are many weapons to choose from, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Although they’re well-balanced on the whole, there are some that stand out. Here are a few choices for the best weapons in Everspace 2.

Best Primary Weapons in Everspace 2

lots of firing effects going on around the ship

Primary weapons are the bread and butter of most ship builds. Unlike secondary weapons, they don’t require ammunition. Instead, they have an Energy Capacity that gets consumed as they fire. Ships can be equipped with two or three different primary weapons. It’s good practice to equip one weapon for Energy damage and another for Kinetic damage. The following weapons are best for dealing one or both types of damage.

Flak

The Flak cannon is the best medium-range weapon in Everspace 2. It fires a single, concentrated burst that explodes upon impact, dealing damage in a radius around it. The Flak weapon deals incredible amounts of Kinetic damage, and the Energy damage isn’t bad either. It has a large Energy Capacity, so it can be fired many times before running dry.

Rail Gun

The Rail Gun is the best long-range weapon in Everspace 2. With a ‘Marksman’ upgrade, it can fire at a target over 4.5km away. This weapon is especially deadly in the Scout, which increases its damage based on the distance from the target. It deals more Energy damage than Kinetic, but the Kinetic damage can still take apart an opponent’s hull without needing to switch to close-range weapons.

Thermo Gun

The Thermo Gun’s projectiles home in on targets, which gives it the advantage of rarely missing a shot. It has a decent range and a generous Energy Capacity, but improving the Energy Consumption with an ‘Efficient’ upgrade is a good way to get the most out of it. It deals far more Energy Damage than Kinetic and is best used to take apart shields quickly.

Gauss Cannon

The Gauss Cannon is the best short-range weapon in Everspace 2. It takes a moment to spin up to its maximum fire rate, but when it does, it pours out damage like no other weapon. Each blast from the Gauss Cannon deals huge amounts of Kinetic and Energy damage. The Interceptor’s Power Converter ability makes a stellar combo with the Gauss Cannon, as it guarantees more up-time at its maximum fire rate.

Best Secondary Weapons in Everspace 2

Secondary weapons fill a vital role in Everspace 2. They all provide either some helpful utility or deal massive damage. They do require ammunition, so they can’t be relied upon like primary weapons. As players experiment with new ships, they’ll find the right combination of primary and secondary weapons for their play style. Here are a few secondary weapons that do well in any ship build.

Cruise Missiles

cruise missile flying towards its target

Cruise Missiles are the hardest-hitting weapon in Everspace 2. In the right circumstance, they can deal over 100,000 damage. They deal catastrophic levels of Kinetic and Energy damage. Only the biggest bosses and certain heavy ships can survive more than a single blast from a Cruise Missile.

However, they take time to get a lock, and they fly slowly. To get the most out of them, hit the target with a Destabilizer Missile first. When firing, get in close enough to be sure of a hit, but then fly away as quickly as possible. The blast radius is huge.

Destabilizer Missiles

Destabilizer Missiles are a great way to break down an opponent’s defenses. They lock on quickly, and they're excellent at finding their target. However, Destabilizer Missiles don't do any damage themselves. Instead, they apply a debuff that increases the damage the target takes.

Homing Missiles

Homing Missiles are a reliable standard, and most builds will benefit from reserving a secondary weapon slot for them. They lock on quickly and maneuver swiftly when fired. Homing Missiles deal massive Kinetic Damage. To get the most out of Homing Missiles, upgrade them with either ‘Marksman’ for increased range or ‘High-Capacity’ for more ammunition.