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Official ARC Raiders weapons artwork for the Venator guide

Weapon guide

ARC Raiders Venator Guide

The Venator is a precision pistol, not a sniper rifle: a high-performing sidearm that rewards headshots, paced accuracy and a loadout capable of carrying its corrected weight.

Updated August 11, 2026 Official sources cited Community guide
8Base damage
2xHeadshot multiplier
MediumAmmo
5Weight

Venator Overview

Official Update 1.3.0 explicitly compares Venator weight with other pistols, correcting it from 2 to 5. That same update lowered the fire-rate bonus gained through upgrades to 13, 26 and 40 percent. Update 1.17.0 then reduced base damage from 9 to 8 and the headshot multiplier from 2.5 to 2 because the weapon remained one of the game's highest performers in PvP.

The Venator still rewards precision. Its identity is a high-value sidearm with strong headshot expression, not the bolt-action sniper role described by older community pages.

Damage, Fire Rate & Ammo

The numeric fields above use official balance notes for patch-sensitive damage, headshot, fire-rate or weight values. Ammo category is an in-game reference; magazine size and attachment effects should be checked on the current tooltip because the public official site does not maintain a complete static stat table.

Balance reference: Patch Notes 1.3.0. Official values can change after this guide's review date.

Best Build & Skills

Best build direction: Conditioning support with flexible Mobility. Weight management and the ability to reset after a precision trade matter more than trying to turn the Venator into a spray weapon.

  • Loaded Arms: directly supports the encumbrance cost of an equipped weapon.
  • Used To The Weight: helps offset the movement pressure of a defensive setup.
  • Fight Or Flight: restores stamina after damage during a contested angle.
  • Marathon Runner: preserves stamina while rotating to a better precision lane.
  • Broad Shoulders: adds inventory margin for ammunition, utility and extracted loot.
Plan these skillsCompare weapons

How to Unlock Venator

Official Expedition material has listed a Venator Blueprint as a reward, showing that blueprint access can be tied to time-specific progression. Because event and Workshop availability can rotate, confirm the current acquisition path in game rather than relying on an old fixed unlock claim.

Best Venator Loadout

Precision slotVenator used for paced head-level shots and fast angle punishment.
PrimaryA forgiving automatic weapon that covers sustained pressure and missed precision shots.
Reset toolSmoke, cover utility or healing to survive the gap between precision opportunities.

How to Use Venator

  1. Pre-aim likely head height and let the target enter a prepared angle.
  2. Pace shots rather than treating upgrade fire-rate bonuses as permission to empty the weapon.
  3. Switch to the primary weapon when the fight becomes a sustained close-range trade.
  4. Budget for weight: the official correction to 5 makes the sidearm a real loadout decision.

Venator FAQ

Is the Venator a sniper rifle?

No. Official Update 1.3.0 identifies its class context by comparing its corrected weight with other pistols. Older community pages calling it a bolt-action sniper are outdated.

What are the current Venator damage values?

Official Update 1.17.0 set base damage to 8 and the headshot multiplier to 2x.

How much does the Venator weigh?

Official Update 1.3.0 increased and corrected Venator weight from 2 to 5.

Official Sources

Official facts are cited directly. Build and loadout sections are community recommendations derived from those roles and the site's skill data.