Best Stealth Weapons in Starfield, Ranked

I'm always on the lookout for a new weapon to add to my collection in Starfield, and of course, I'm going to want the very best weapons to battle with. If you're playing a stealthy character, however, you can't just pick up any weapon they find; you'll need the right weapon to match your build. There are so many weapons out there with different rarities and types, but I've put together a list of some of the best stealth weapons, ranked from worst to best.

Starfield Best Stealth Weapons Ranked List

Not every weapon can be found in an exact location. Some of them you'll come across by chance, while others can be purchased from a shop. These are some types of weapons you'll want to keep an eye out for, and some special ones you're definitely going to want to collect from missions or shops ASAP:

10. Assassin's Solstice

The Solstice is a weapon of particular taste. Although I wouldn't rank it as one of the most powerful weapons, the Assassin's Solstice can be particularly useful if you plan to specialize in the Lasers combat skill. With its stealth lasers, you'll stay quiet and undetected while dealing some moderate damage.

9. Assassin's Grendel

If you want a faster fire rate while still catering to a stealth build, the Assassin's Grendel is a better choice for you. It might not deal as much damage per shot, but you'll get more bullets out at once while still drawing less attention than an unsuppressed weapon.

8. Assassin's Pacifier

You're more of a shotgun-type player but don't want to alert the whole enemy army? The Assassin's Pacifier is a great choice for shotgunners who want to stay quiet while packing a big punch. It may be slow, but if your shots hit unexpecting enemies, you'll deal some major damage and won't have to worry about following up.

Related: Best Ship Weapons in Starfield

7. Supressed Coachman

The Suppressed Coachman is another great choice for shotgun players, just slightly better than the Pacifier. The Coachman can deal more damage per shot than the Pacifier and at a faster fire rate. The only downside is that the accuracy is just slightly less, meaning this will perform better up close and personal.

6. Instigating Combat Knife

Speaking of up close and personal, I would suggest trying a melee weapon instead of a gun. These weapons are already quiet and, with the right stats, they can be just as deadly. Look for melee weapons like combat knives that have the Instigating trait. This trait will make the weapon deal more damage to opponents with full health, meaning you can sneak up behind them and potentially one-shot them. I would also suggest building your melee skill at the same time to maximize the potential properly.

5. Markman's AA-99

This Markman's AA-99 is another great weapon choice if you're just starting to fine-tune your stealth abilities, as you can track it down and purchase it at any time. You'll find it at the Centurian Arsenal in New Atlantis. This is a rare rifle with suppression, a short scope with a stabilizing barrel, and a special Hitman perk. The Hitman perk will increase your damage while aiming, and thanks to the scope, you'll be able to do some at a decent range.

4. Assassin's Beowulf

If you're really looking to deal damage from afar without your enemies even realizing it, I recommend using a sniper rifle. The Assasin's Beowulf is a suppressed sniper with a medium scope and armor-piercing rounds. You'll be able to effectively hit your opponents through their armor and really deal some worthwhile damage, especially if further upgraded.

Related: Starfield stealth sniper build guide

3. Suppressed XM-2311

One of the best possible stealth weapons you can use is the Suppressed XM-2311 pistol. This handgun has a high fire rate but also pierces through armor, allowing you to hit fast and hard like a true hitman. You can earn one by completing the "First Contact" questline outside of the system Porrima.

2. Elegance

The Elegance is another special weapon that I recommend tracking down for your stealth build as soon as possible. You can purchase this pistol at Rowland Arms in Akila City if you have the money, and it will be well worth it. This rare pistol is high-powered, piercing, and silent as ever. It comes with an especially useful trait: Shattering. It can pierce through even the strongest of armor, and with its high power, you'll be sure to one-shot your unexpecting opponents at close to medium range.

1. Despondent Assassin

One of the best stealth weapons I've encountered is the Despondent Assassin. You can acquire This unique weapon for completing the "Defensive Measures" and "False Positives" questline in Akila City. This sniper/hunting rifle is equipped with two particularly useful traits for stealth plays: Hitman and Anti-Personnel. These traits will help you do more damage while aiming and when shooting at human NPCs. With its range and heavy power, you'll be sure to one-shot your opponents from afar without them even knowing you are there.

These are just a few of the best weapons I've come across for stealth. Of course, you'll want to keep an eye out for better rarities equipped with even more perks and traits that make them excel even more. The most important thing is to make sure they are suppressed so you don't alert enemies when fighting. You'll come across some of these weapons while exploring and completing quests or in different weapon shops, so always keep your eyes peeled.

Looking for more Pro Game Guides Starfield content? Check out our guides on Best Weapons for Companions in Starfield or How to swap weapons in Starfield!