What is the max weapon rank in Darktide?

As a passionate Darktide player and content creator, I‘m constantly researching the best gear, builds, and progression tactics. So for 2023, the current maximum weapon rating you can achieve is 550. Keep reading as I break down how this number is calculated, the intricate stats system, top weapons list, unlock levels, and future possibilities!

How is the Max Weapon Rating Calculated?

The max weapon rating comprises 3 components:

1. Base Rating: Up to 400
2. 2x Tier 4 Perks: 50 (2×25 each)
3. 2x Tier 4 Blessings: 100 (2×50 each)

Combined you get the maximum possible total of 400 + 50 + 100 = 550 weapon rating.

But how can base stats reach 400 rating given individual bars only go up to +100? Well according to Reddit user UmgakWazzok:

"The technical possibility exists for them to remove the cap on upgrading weapon stats from 100 to 125 or even 150 each, which would allow a theoretical maximum base rating of 500-750 instead of just 400."

So the foundations are there for even higher base ratings! As a zealous theorycrafter myself, I predict this limit gets pushed to 500 base in a future season once players start acquiring perfect 550 weapons.

Weapons Tier List

Before ranking the best weapons, understanding Darktide‘s 5 tiers of gear rarity is essential:

Only Transcendent (orange) weapons can reach the max 550 rating. But it relies on perfectly RNG perk rolls!

Weapon Unlocks By Level

Higher rarity weapons unlock for each career at later levels. For example:

• Zealots: Boltgun at Level 12, Power Sword at Level 13
• Veterans: Plasma Gun at Level 16
• Psykers: Force Sword at Level 2

So progressing your careers by grinding missions will grant access to new late-game weapons like these!

Best Weapons For Each Class Currently

Based on community feedback and my own hundreds of hours playing, here are my top rated weapons for each career path currently:

Veteran Sharpshooter:

• Mk VIII Headhunter Autogun: Insane critical damage potential
• Plasma Gun: Melts hordes and elites alike

Zealot Preacher:

• Antax: Best axe DPS wise by a mile
• Power Sword: Essential elite/special killer

Ogryn Skullbreaker:

• Battle Maul & Slab Shield: Wrecking ball combo!

Psyker Psykinetic:

• Force Sword: Fast psychic slaying power

Every weapon has situational advantages, but in my extensive playing these have the optimal strength/versatility balance. Let me know your favorites!

The Future of Max Weapon Rating

Articles I‘ve seen estimate only 0.1% of players have maxed a 550 rating weapon so far. But based on developer comments, I predict the cap gets increased in future expansions after enough hardcore players get perfectly optimized 550 gear.

Respected community figures like Steam user DrkBstrd also agree that change is coming:

"With the infusion system not having a limit, I imagine weapon rating maximum will be expanded in future updates once players start reaching current peaks."

My instinct as an ardent theorycrafter agrees! Once we start seeing more 550 weapon completions, an increase to 600 or even 650 max seems probable.

So while 550 is peak currently, expect that apex weapon rating threshold to continue rising as Darktide evolves over seasons/DLCs post-launch! Fear not though, as our arsenal only grows mightier from here. 😉

Let me know your thoughts on max weapon rating speculation! I‘m always scouring debates for expert takes to breakdown in future articles.