Patch 4.10 rewards pilots who build for penetration, fire rhythm, ammo tolerance, and real kill speed. Raw alpha still matters, but it no longer tells the whole story.

We tested the current Size 1-5 weapon pool across bounty-style combat, mixed hardpoints, starter ships, and larger-gun setups. The result is clear: Deadbolts dominate most serious bounty builds, while M-series lasers, Tarantulas, Sledge mass drivers, Omniskys, and AD5B each have specific jobs.

↖ Best Missile Setup Before You Pick Guns

The pain point: pilots waste missiles by firing the wrong seeker type into the wrong target profile.

The strategy: use missiles to cover your weapon weakness. If your guns struggle to burst shields or crack large targets, then your missile selection must do that work.

Use this fast missile rule before leaving the hangar.

Takeaway: Run EM for general use, CS for big ships, and IR for industrial hunting.

↖ Size 1 Weapons: Best Picks for Starter Ships

The pain point: Size 1 hardpoints feel weak if you build only for alpha damage.

The strategy: use Size 1 weapons for penetration support, fire-rate pressure, or safe PvE sniping. If you fly an Aurora-style starter ship, then distance and consistency matter more than ego damage.

Here are the best Size 1 weapons in Star Citizen 4.10.

Takeaway: Deadbolt I is the best Size 1 overall; Sledge I is the safest beginner PvE sniper pick.

↖ Best Size 1 Choice: Deadbolt I

Use Deadbolt I when your ship has larger guns or missiles handling the shield and armor break.

Why does this matter? Once armor starts soaking shots, low-penetration weapons feel dead. Deadbolt I keeps contributing after shields drop.

Execution is simple: mount Deadbolt I as a support cannon, let bigger weapons crack the target, then keep pressure on exposed hull.

Result: better time-to-kill than most Size 1 weapons suggest on paper.

↖ Best Size 1 Laser: M3A

Use M3A if you hate rearming or want a clean beginner setup.

Here is the catch: it is easy to run, but it struggles harder against bigger targets once armor becomes the fight. For entry-level combat, it is fine. For tougher bounties, Deadbolt I gives better bite.

↖ Best Size 1 Sniper: Sledge I

Use Sledge I if you fly a weak ship and want to stay alive.

Keep range. Fire first. Avoid knife-fighting. Against small PvE targets, four Sledge I cannons can erase ships before they punish you.

↖ Size 2 Weapons: Best Balance for Light Fighters

The pain point: Size 2-only ships often lack the heavy punch needed to break armor fast.

The strategy: choose between laser sustain and ballistic penetration. If your entire build is Size 2, then the M4A becomes more valuable. If you have mixed support, then Deadbolt II and Tarantulas scale better.

These are the Size 2 weapons worth mounting.

Takeaway: M4A is the safest Size 2 main weapon; Deadbolt II is better when armor penetration matters.

↖ Best Size 2 Choice: M4A

Use M4A if your ship relies mostly on Size 2 hardpoints.

What this actually means is you get reliable uptime, no ammo anxiety, and steady pressure across longer sessions. It is not the hardest-hitting option, but it is the cleanest all-rounder.

↖ Best Size 2 Ballistic: Deadbolt II

Use Deadbolt II when targets feel too tanky after shields collapse.

Its paper DPS may not look dominant, but field performance improves when armor is involved. If you are comfortable rearming, Deadbolt II earns its slot.

↖ Best Size 2 Support Gun: Tarantula Mk II

Use Tarantula Mk II when another weapon is already breaking defenses.

It fires faster than Deadbolt and shreds exposed targets. Do not ask it to solve the whole fight alone.

↖ Size 3 Weapons: Deadbolt III Takes Over

The pain point: many pilots overvalue no-rearm laser convenience at Size 3.

The strategy: run Deadbolt III if your goal is faster bounty kills. Use M5A only if you prefer sustain over finishing speed.

Here is the Size 3 weapon ranking for Patch 4.10.

Takeaway: Deadbolt III is the best Size 3 bounty weapon; M5A is the comfort pick.

↖ Best Size 3 Choice: Deadbolt III

Mount Deadbolt III if you care about kill speed.

We found it stronger in real bounty runs because it keeps working when shields are gone and armor becomes the wall. You trade reload trips for faster kills.

Result: fewer drawn-out chases and cleaner bounty chains.

↖ Best Size 3 Laser: M5A

Use M5A if you want no-ammo sustain.

It is good. It is not weak. But if you find yourself watching damaged targets live too long after shield break, then switch to Deadbolt III.

↖ Best Size 3 Mixed-Build Gun: Tarantula Mk III

Use Tarantula Mk III with larger armor breakers.

It can handle light and medium fighters, but it performs best when paired with Size 4 or Size 5 weapons doing the heavy lifting.

↖ Bonus Pick: Quarreler

Use Quarreler if you want decent alpha, good DPS, more penetration than comparable Omnisky options, and lower EM signature.

The cost is power draw. If your ship can handle it, test it.

↖ Size 4 Weapons: Deadbolt IV Beats C-788

The pain point: pilots still chase the C-788 because of alpha damage.

The strategy: prioritize practical fire rate and real kill consistency. In 4.10, Deadbolt IV feels better in live combat than the C-788.

These are the top Size 4 weapons.

Takeaway: Deadbolt IV is the Size 4 meta pick; C-788 is no longer the default answer.

↖ Best Size 4 Choice: Deadbolt IV

Use Deadbolt IV for serious bounty work.

It has strong DPS, a better firing rhythm than C-788, and more practical pressure during moving fights. Alpha looks good on a spreadsheet. Deadbolt IV kills better in the field.

↖ Best Size 4 Laser: M6A

Use M6A if you want energy sustain.

It feels much better in 4.10 than it did in 4.9. It sits close to Deadbolt IV in real bounty use, but Deadbolt IV still feels punchier.

↖ Why C-788 Drops

The C-788 still hits hard, but it no longer feels like the best Size 4 weapon.

Here is the catch: listed stats do not always match combat feel. In live fights, the C-788 can feel slower and less reliable than its numbers imply.

↖ Omnisky XII Is Viable Again

Use Omnisky XII if you want a non-M-series laser option.

It is not overpowered anymore, but it is usable. For energy-focused pilots, that matters.

↖ Size 5 Weapons: Deadbolt V Wins Hard

The pain point: Size 5 pilots overthink the top slot.

The strategy: mount Deadbolt V unless you specifically need energy sustain. It is the clearest winner in Patch 4.10.

Here is the Size 5 weapon ranking.

Takeaway: Deadbolt V is the best Size 5 weapon in Star Citizen 4.10.

↖ Best Size 5 Choice: Deadbolt V

Mount Deadbolt V if you want the fastest, most reliable bounty performance.

It hits hard, penetrates well, and wins by feel, not just stats. Deadbolt V is the cleanest top pick in the entire list.

↖ M7A vs Omnisky XV

Use M7A if your ship has enough power and you want strong shield pressure.

Use Omnisky XV if you want higher fire rate and better penetration feel. It is closer to M7A than the numbers suggest, but it asks more from your power plant.

↖ Why AD5B Makes the List

Use AD5B if you already have weapons that break armor.

It is more fun and more effective than Attrition V in aggressive ballistic builds. Do not rely on it as your only solution against heavy armor.

↖ Best Weapons by Pilot Type

The pain point: copying a weapon ranking without matching your ship and playstyle creates bad builds.

The strategy: pick the weapon family that solves your actual combat problem.

Use this table to build faster.

Takeaway: Deadbolts are the strongest default, but your ship's power, ammo tolerance, and target type decide the final build.

↖ Best Loadout Logic for 4.10

The pain point: pilots mount four identical guns and call it a build.

The strategy: assign every weapon a job. You need shield pressure, armor cracking, hull cleanup, and enough sustain to finish the contract.

↖ Fast Bounty Clear Setup

Use this if you want faster kills and do not mind rearming.

Execution:

1. Put Deadbolts on your largest hardpoints.

2. Use missiles or lasers to help drop shields.

3. Let Deadbolts punch through armor.

4. Add Tarantulas or fast-firing support guns for cleanup.

5. Rearm before chaining harder contracts.

Result: faster kills, fewer drawn-out fights, better bounty efficiency.

↖ No-Rearm Sustain Setup

Use this if you hate ammo trips.

Execution:

1. Mount M-series laser cannons or Omniskys.

2. Upgrade or manage power carefully.

3. Keep your firing rhythm controlled.

4. Use missiles for burst damage.

5. Stay disciplined on target selection.

Result: longer sessions with less downtime, but slower heavy-target kills.

↖ Starter Ship Sniper Setup

Use this if your ship is fragile.

Execution:

1. Mount Sledge mass drivers.

2. Keep distance.

3. Kill small ships before they close.

4. Avoid PvP.

5. Upgrade when bounty difficulty rises.

Result: safer early-game PvE with lower repair risk.

↖ Star Citizen 4.10 Weapons FAQ

↖ What is the best overall ship weapon in Star Citizen 4.10?

The Deadbolt series is the best overall weapon family in 4.10. Deadbolt III, Deadbolt IV, and Deadbolt V stand out because they deliver strong penetration and faster real combat kills.

↖ What is the best Size 5 weapon in Star Citizen 4.10?

Deadbolt V is the best Size 5 weapon. It beats the field in practical bounty performance and should be your first pick unless you specifically need laser sustain.

↖ Are laser cannons still good in Patch 4.10?

Yes. M4A, M5A, M6A, and M7A are strong if you want no-rearm combat. They are easier to run than ballistics, but they can feel slower against armored targets.

↖ Is the C-788 still worth using?

Yes, but it is no longer the best Size 4 pick. C-788 still has strong alpha, but Deadbolt IV performs better in practical combat due to its fire rate, DPS feel, and reliability.

↖ Final Verdict: Mount Deadbolts First

For serious bounty work in Star Citizen 4.10, we mount Deadbolts first. Deadbolt III, IV, and V are the strongest core picks, and Deadbolt V is the most dominant weapon in the current list.

Use M-series lasers if you hate rearming. Use Sledge mass drivers if you need safe PvE sniping. Use Tarantulas only when another weapon can crack shields and armor first.

Do not build from alpha damage alone. Test time-to-kill after shields drop, watch how each weapon handles armor, and tune your loadout around what actually deletes targets in live combat.