Current weapons at a glance
Choosing the right weapon matters because animal recommendations depend on impact energy, distance, and whether a shotgun is firing slugs or rifle ammunition is being used. This Way of the Hunter 2 weapons list collects the currently reported Early Access arsenal so you can start comparing practical hunting options before buying or equipping a firearm.
The game is still receiving updates, so treat this as a working roster rather than a permanent final catalog. Community reports identify four shotguns, nine rifles, two bows, and one crossbow. A later update also added a new rifle, but its name and caliber were not included in the available source material.
| Weapon class | Reported weapons | Main role |
|---|---|---|
| Shotguns | 4 | Short-range hunting with gauge and slug choices |
| Rifles | 9 | Broadest range of caliber and distance options |
| Bows | 2 | Quiet, close-range hunting |
| Crossbows | 1 | Compact bolt-based alternative to bows |
Weapons are level-locked, which means a strong late-game rifle is not necessarily available as soon as you begin. The Primacy Classic Hunter MK II is reported as the starter rifle, giving new hunters a .308 Winchester option while they unlock more specialized equipment.
When deciding what to carry, do not focus on caliber alone. The important number is the energy still delivered when the projectile reaches the animal. A cartridge that looks powerful at the firing line can lose effectiveness as range increases, while a modest cartridge may be ideal for smaller game at sensible distances.
Shotguns and their gauges
Shotguns provide four reported gauge options. They are worth considering when you expect short shots, want a different handling style from rifles, or plan to use slug ammunition where it fits an animal’s recommended impact-energy range.
| Shotgun | Gauge | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Primacy Stalker | 28 gauge | The lightest reported gauge; check effective energy carefully before longer shots |
| Primacy Morning Silence | 20 gauge | A middle-ground shotgun option |
| Primacy Rasenbaum | 12 gauge | The largest reported Primacy gauge |
| Bonser & Klein Standard | 16 gauge | A distinct mid-size alternative between 12 and 20 gauge |
A gauge is not a universal power ranking. Ammunition selection and actual downrange performance still determine whether a shot is appropriate. In particular, the game distinguishes recommended impact energy for slug rounds from the recommendations used for rifles. That makes it important to compare like with like instead of assuming that a shotgun and rifle serve the same animals at the same distances.
Before taking a shotgun on a hunt, use this quick check:
- Confirm that the target species accepts the energy delivered by your selected slug.
- Estimate the likely shooting distance rather than relying on the weapon’s close-range feel.
- Compare the slug’s retained energy at that distance with the animal’s recommendation.
- Keep a rifle available if the terrain regularly creates long sightlines.
- Avoid stretching a shotgun beyond the range where its projectile still meets the intended energy threshold.
The 12-gauge Primacy Rasenbaum may sound like the obvious choice for maximum versatility, but the correct choice depends on the species and shot distance. A lighter gauge can be the more fitting tool when it meets the target’s recommendation cleanly and reduces the temptation to use excessive power.
Rifle roster and caliber guide
Rifles make up the largest part of the reported arsenal. They range from .22 Long Rifle options for small game to large magnum cartridges intended for substantially tougher targets. This variety is useful, but it also makes weapon selection more deliberate than simply choosing the largest caliber available.
| Rifle | Caliber | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vanhoutte Stringer 22 | .22 Long Rifle | Small-caliber rifle option |
| Jack Bear Hunter | .45-70 Government | Large, heavy-hitting cartridge option |
| Strasser RS 700-22 | .22 Long Rifle | Second reported .22 Long Rifle rifle |
| Bergara B14 HMR | 6.5 Creedmoor | Mid-caliber precision-oriented option |
| Primacy Safari Elite | .375 H&H Magnum | Large-game magnum rifle |
| Primacy Classic 1907 | .30-06 Springfield | Traditional all-purpose hunting caliber |
| Primacy Advance Shift | .338 Lapua Magnum | High-power long-range caliber |
| Primacy Advance DK94 | 6.5x55mm Swedish | Moderate rifle cartridge option |
| Primacy Classic Hunter MK II | .308 Winchester | Reported starter weapon |
The two .22 Long Rifle rifles, Vanhoutte Stringer 22 and Strasser RS 700-22, should not be judged against the larger rifles by raw power. Their purpose is to cover lower-energy hunting needs where an oversized rifle would be a poor fit. If a target calls for a small-game solution, a .22 can be the more responsible choice.
For a general-purpose progression path, the starter .308 Winchester is a practical baseline. The .30-06 Springfield and 6.5 Creedmoor offer familiar rifle roles, while the 6.5x55mm Swedish creates another moderate-power choice. At the upper end, the .45-70 Government, .375 H&H Magnum, and .338 Lapua Magnum are options to evaluate for demanding game and longer or more energy-intensive shots.
| Hunting situation | Sensible starting comparison | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Small game | Vanhoutte Stringer 22 or Strasser RS 700-22 | Both use .22 Long Rifle |
| First general rifle | Primacy Classic Hunter MK II | It is reported as the starter .308 Winchester |
| Broad medium-game comparison | Bergara B14 HMR, Classic 1907, or Advance DK94 | These provide several moderate rifle-caliber choices |
| Heavy-game comparison | Jack Bear Hunter, Safari Elite, or Advance Shift | These use the largest reported rifle cartridges |
| Long open terrain | Compare retained energy at range | Range performance matters more than caliber labels |
The rifle selector material available for the game compares 50-meter through 300-meter hit-energy values. That is the right mindset for equipment decisions: first choose a target animal, then identify its required energy, then see which rifles still deliver enough energy at your expected distance. A suitable rifle at 50 meters may not remain suitable at 300 meters.
Bows, crossbows, and selecting a loadout
The reported non-firearm selection is smaller but gives hunters quieter alternatives. Bows use arrows, while the crossbow uses bolts. Their effective use depends heavily on closing distance and making a careful shot rather than trying to duplicate a rifle’s long-range role.
| Weapon | Ammunition | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Terra Fractal TR | 30-inch arrow | Traditional bow option |
| Skye Ferran Wonder | 32-inch arrow | Second bow with a different arrow length |
| Buffden Apex Predator | 18-inch bolt | Crossbow option |
Bow and crossbow hunting rewards preparation. Use cover, terrain, wind awareness, and patient approaches to create shots inside a distance where you can place an arrow or bolt accurately. The available material identifies the ammunition lengths, but it does not provide enough verified ballistic figures to rank these three weapons by damage or animal class.
A well-rounded loadout usually has a primary role and a backup role. For example, take a medium rifle for the animal you expect to pursue, then choose a second weapon only if the reserve’s wildlife or terrain justifies it. Carrying every extreme option is less useful than understanding the range limits of the weapon in your hands.
Use this selection process before leaving camp:
- Pick the animal species you are most likely to hunt.
- Check its recommended impact energy for the ammunition type you plan to use.
- Estimate your normal engagement range from the map’s terrain.
- Select a weapon whose downrange energy meets that recommendation.
- Choose a backup only for a clear second hunting role, such as small game or close-range bow hunting.
Ballistic references under development in the community track weapon name, caliber, ammunition types, and on-hit energy at 100, 200, and 300 meters. Those measurements are especially useful when the game’s expanding roster makes memory-based decisions unreliable.
FAQ
How many weapons are in the Way of the Hunter 2 weapons list?
The currently reported roster contains 16 named weapons: four shotguns, nine rifles, two bows, and one crossbow. Because the game is in active development, later updates may add weapons beyond this count.
What is the starter weapon?
The Primacy Classic Hunter MK II in .308 Winchester is reported as the starter rifle.
Which rifles use .22 Long Rifle?
The Vanhoutte Stringer 22 and Strasser RS 700-22 both use .22 Long Rifle ammunition.
Are slugs judged the same way as rifle ammunition?
No. Available weapon-selection information indicates that animals can have different recommended impact-energy values for slugs and rifle rounds. Check the recommendation for the specific ammunition type you are firing.
What is the best weapon?
There is no single best choice. The best weapon is the one that delivers suitable impact energy for the target animal at your actual shooting distance.