Summary
- SCUM 1.0 bring overhauled visuals, NPCs, and AI, making it more inviting for new players.
- Different weapons in SCUM have varying stats for damage, accuracy, and range.
- Craftable weapons like the metal sword and improvised shotgun offer accessible combat options.
After initially releasing in early access all the way back in 2018, the PvPvE survival-crafting game SCUM has finally launched in its 1.0 version. The full release brings overhauled visuals, new NPCs and AI, a reworked map, and a host of other features. SCUM's hardcore survival focus can be a bit intimidating for new players, but the game has never been more inviting for those looking to jump in for the first time.
There are many weapon options in SCUM, from crafted melee weapons and improvised guns all the way to high-grade military equipment. Some weapons can be hard to find, others can be easily accessed or crafted, and each has its own stats for damage, accuracy, rate of fire, and more. Even different melee weapons have different attack speeds.
SCUM: Where To Find Weapons
Check out these locations if you're looking to find some decent guns and other gear in SCUM.
Players will need to take into account the weapons' strengths when selecting what to use, as some weapons are suited for long-range or close-range combat, while others have more versatility. Then, there are ammo types to consider, as having easily available ammo makes a weapon much more viable to use for general gameplay. With all these factors in mind, these are the best weapons in SCUM.
10 Metal Sword
One-Handed Melee Option
- Damage: 120
- Weight: 1.5
- Crafted: Yes (2 Metal Scrap, 2 Rubber, 20 Rope + Toolbox)
When players start out in SCUM, they're going to need to craft their basic weapons. A weapon being craftable can be a big advantage, as relying on a lucky drop can be hit or miss. The metal sword is a solid craftable option for a one-handed weapon, with decent attack speed and bladed damage.
This can be a handy weapon for taking out puppets quietly, as it's fast enough to attack and still move out of the way of any incoming hits. The crafting requirements are relatively low, so it's easy to keep a metal sword on hand once players have a toolbox.
9 Katana
Two-Handed Melee Option
- Damage: 150
- Weight: 1.5
- Crafted: No (Can be purchased from an armory trader)
The Katana is a superior option for a two-handed melee weapon, although players can only buy or loot these swords. While the two-handed weapon swings slower than a one-handed sword, the damage can easily take out normal puppets fast. The weapon deals bladed damage, so it can be resisted by a stab vest or armor, but outside those cases it's one of the best melee weapons available.
8 Improvised Shotgun
Powerful And Easy To Craft
- Damage: 15
- Weight: 3
- Ammo: 12 Gauge
- Crafted: Yes (8 Duct Tape, 2 Wood, 2 Metal Scrap, 1 Metal Pipe, 2 Bolts/Nails, 5 Sharp Item)
Since guns are one of the rarer loot types (outside of specific locations like bunkers) in SCUM, guns that can be crafted shouldn't be ignored. The recipe for the improvised shotgun is shockingly easy to put together, and easily accessible for a fresh character.
SCUM: Cheats & Console Commands
If you're trying to learn or experiment with stuff in SCUM, then using admin commands will be the best way to go about that.
As players would expect from a shotgun, the damage is solid from close range, but relatively useless at mid to long ranges unless players use slug cartridges.
7 SVD Sniper Rifle
Long Range Engagement
- Damage: 120
- Weight: 5.3
- Ammo: 7.62x54mmR
- Crafted: No (Can be purchased from an armory trader)
The SVD is a popular option for a sniper rifle in SCUM, as it's relatively obtainable compared to some of the more advanced military options. It still kills with headshot, and can be fitted with a variety of attachments and adjustable sights.
It's semi-automatic, making the weapon much more usable than the bolt-action options, and while it does cost 24,000 to buy, it's more realistically accessible (and easier to obtain ammo for) than the anti-material sniper.
6 Improvised 40mm Grenade Launcher
Fire In The Hole
- Damage: 150 (area)
- Weight: 4.1
- Ammo: 40x46mm Grenade
- Crafted: Yes (10 Metal Scrap, 2 Metal Pipe, 20 Bolts, 5 Wood Plank, 45 Duct Tape, 7 Rubber Bands, 8 Rag Strips, 2 Sharp Items + Drill, Toolbox, Workbench)
Explosive weapons like grenade launchers and rocket launchers can be very difficult to obtain in SCUM, so having the improvised grenade launcher as a craftable option can come in very handy. It doesn't have the easiest recipe, and players will need to be some way into their base-building / crafting loop to realistically make one, but it's still probably going to be new players' easiest way of guaranteeing an explosive combat option.
5 AS-VAL Suppressed Assault Rifle
Close Quarters Combat
- Damage: 120
- Weight: 2.5
- Ammo: 9x39mm
- Crafted: No (Can be purchased from an armory trader)
This integrally suppressed assault rifle isn't great for open combat, as the low-velocity bullets have sharp damage drop-off, but it's one of the best options for players who want to sneak into a large bunker and take out puppets quietly. At close-quarters, the high fire rate will mow down enemies quickly, without alerting the whole area to a player's location.
SCUM: Best Loot Locations To Farm
For SCUM players looking for reliable loot locations, here are the best places to farm in the game.
4 SDASS 12M Shotgun
High-Powered Shotgun
- Damage: 50
- Weight: 2.4
- Ammo: 12 Gauge
- Crafted: No (Can be purchased from an armory trader)
Shotguns can be great for close-quarters combat if the player doesn't mind getting loud, and the SDASS 12M is one of the best options. The weapon can be obtained from armory traders and is relatively affordable at 8,000. Unlike the simple improvised shotgun, this weapon can have a suppressor, red dot sight, or flashlight, among a few other attachments.
3 M16A4 Assault Rifle
Combat Ready
- Damage: 120
- Weight: 2.9
- Ammo: 5.56x45mm
- Crafted: No (Can be purchased from an armory trader)
There are a lot of options for assault rifles in SCUM, but the M16A4 sits in the sweet spot of being relatively common, reliable, and without any compromise on damage. The weapon features a full rail and can take a variety of scope and suppressor attachments, making its effective combat range adjustable. The weapon can be purchased from an armory trader for 11,200.
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2 Judge 44 Pistol
The Judge
- Damage: 150
- Weight: 1
- Ammo:.44
- Crafted: No (Can be purchased from an armory trader)
The Judge 44 packs a lot of punch for a handgun, and this six-shot revolver is one of the best sidearms in the game. The Judge can be fitted with a reflex sight or red dot sight for increased accuracy, making it a powerful weapon for mid-range engagement. The weapon can be purchased from an armory trader for a relatively modest 2,400.
1 MK18 Carbine Rifle
Accurate And Powerful
- Damage: 120
- Weight: 2.7
- Ammo: 5.56x45mm
- Crafted: No (Can be purchased from an armory trader)
Combining accuracy and power, the MK18 Carbine assault rifle excels at both mid-range and extended-range engagements. The weapon can have a variety of scope and suppressor attachments to further customize its effectiveness at different ranges.
It's a rare find when it comes to looting these weapons, usually limited to bunkers or military bases, but they can be purchased from an armory trader for 12,800.
SCUM
- Released
- June 17, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Croteam, Gamepires
- Publisher(s)
- Devolver Digital
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Survival
- Platform(s)
- PC
