DERELIKT Weapons List: Locations, Ammo and Ranking
Every weapon in DERELIKT with where to get it, ammo type and the honest ranking, from the crowbar to the grenade launcher and laser rifle.
DERELIKT's arsenal is smaller than its PS1 inspirations and more intentional. There are nine weapons, four of them optional, and the game's ammo economy pushes you toward the shotgun and the rifle while keeping the pistol relevant longer than expected.
The list below only includes weapons that exist in the retail build. The demo's cut weapons and the Sentinel Arm's status are handled separately at the bottom.
The crowbar is not a damage weapon. It opens damaged vent covers, silently kills patrolling crew and solves two puzzle objects. The game never marks it as a tool, so it is easy to drop for inventory space.
Ammo is the real constraint, and the inventory guide→ explains how many cells a full stack takes.
The full weapon list
| Weapon | Type | Ammo | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crowbar | Melee | None | Starting weapon |
| PB-12 pistol | Sidearm | 12-round magazine | Chief, Level 1 Armory |
| Worm V.1 | Organic sidearm | None | Preston Goffart trade, Level 1 |
| Standard-Issue AOC shotgun | Shotgun | Shells | Armory cage, Level 5 |
| R4-21 assault rifle | Rifle | Rifle rounds | Derelict campsite, Level 3 |
| Grenade launcher | Explosive | Grenades | Mid-campaign, optional |
| Laser rifle | Energy | Cells | Late campaign, optional |
| Satchel charges | Explosive | Charges | Optional, puzzle use |
| Frying pan | Melee | None | Kitchen, Level 6 |
The grenade launcher, laser rifle and satchel charges are optional pickups. The game does not gate anything behind them, but the grenade launcher makes the Squidbull and the reactor escape significantly easier.
Where each weapon comes from
Crowbar
You start with it. The crowbar is the only weapon that never runs out of ammo, and it is the answer to locked doors, damaged vents and unaware sentries. A crowbar takedown from behind is silent and does more damage than a pistol round.
PB-12 pistol
The Chief issues the pistol in the Level 1 Armory, but he does not give you ammunition. The first box is on the Armory desk, next to the Firepower Magazine. The pistol holds 12 rounds; the gun quiz answer is the same number, which is how the game teaches you.
The pistol stays useful through the surface section because it one-shots Rock Worms and its ammo is common. It falls off in Central Security, where the sentries' armour absorbs it.
Worm V.1
Preston Goffart trades the Worm V.1 for a can of Space Pop. The can is in the vending machine above the Armory.
The Worm is a living weapon: it fires a short-range burst, does not use pistol ammo and regenerates between fights. It is the best early answer to Abominations and the reason to do the vending machine before the elevator.
Standard-Issue AOC shotgun
The shotgun is in the Armory cage on Level 5. The cage opens after you restore power at the control room terminal.
It is the game's best general-purpose weapon: two shells kill an Abomination, one shell at point blank kills a Worm, and it staggers Proxies. Its weakness is range, which is why the rifle stays in the rotation.
The gun quiz calls it the PL-SI, which is its designation, not its name.
R4-21 assault rifle
The rifle is on the central crate at the derelict campsite on the Anomaly Surface. It is the first weapon that can kill an Empty Proxy, and the level is designed around picking it up.
Its body is polycarbonate, per the Firepower Magazine and the gun quiz. It fires in bursts, has a large magazine and enough recoil to matter at long range.
Grenade launcher
The grenade launcher is an optional mid-campaign pickup and the source of This is my Boomstick (25.5%). It fires arcing grenades that bounce once and explode on a short fuse.
Use it on grouped Abominations and on the Squidbull's second phase. Do not use it in corridors; the bounce will kill you.
Laser rifle
The laser rifle appears late and uses energy cells. It has no travel time and hits instantly, which makes it the most accurate weapon in the game. Its ammo is rare enough that it is a boss weapon, not a general-purpose one.
Satchel charges
Satchels are placed, not thrown. They stick to surfaces and detonate on a trigger. They are required for at least one optional route and useful for clearing nests without exposing yourself.
Frying pan
The frying pan is in the Living Quarters kitchen and is a puzzle item before it is a weapon. It can be equipped as melee; it is worse than the crowbar in every stat except the hit sound.
Ranking for a first playthrough
| Rank | Weapon | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Assault rifle | Only reliable Proxy answer, good ammo pool |
| 2 | Shotgun | Best close-range damage, cheap shells |
| 3 | Pistol | One-shots worms, common ammo, never useless |
| 4 | Worm V.1 | Free damage, no ammo cost |
| 5 | Grenade launcher | Boss and crowd tool, risky indoors |
| 6 | Crowbar | Silent takedowns, no ammo |
| 7 | Laser rifle | Accurate but ammo-starved |
| 8 | Satchel charges | Situational |
| 9 | Frying pan | A joke with a hitbox |
The Sentinel Arm
"The Special" order (17.6%) is awarded for constructing the Sentinel Arm, an upgrade rather than a separate weapon. It attaches to the sidearm and changes its firing mode. The construction happens at the hub bench and requires the parts found in the labs.
The Sentinel Arm is not required for any ending, but it makes the pistol viable in the late game.
FAQ
What is the best weapon in DERELIKT? The assault rifle, because the Proxies are the game's hardest normal enemy and the rifle is the only efficient answer.
Can I miss the shotgun? Yes, if you do not open the armory cage before leaving Central Security.
Is the laser rifle worth it? For the final boss, yes. For general play, the ammo is too rare.
How many weapons are there? Nine, including melee and the frying pan.
Noisy Pixel's review is the best public source for the weapon roster, including the satchel charges and the laser rifle that the store page never mentions.
Sources and further reading
The pages below are the sources this guide checks against. The store page and the developer's post are primary; the reviews are secondary and are used for enemy names, weapon names and the state of the game at launch.
- DERELIKT on Steam ↗ — the store page, system requirements and the 27-achievement list.
- Visuwyg's announcement post ↗ — the developer's own description of the outpost and the PS1 rendering work.
- Noisy Pixel's DERELIKT review ↗ — 8/10, and the source for several enemy and weapon names used above.
Official source: Visuwyg — DERELIKT announcement post ↗, 8 September 2025.
"grafted onto an anomalous derelict asteroid in orbit around Saturn" — Visuwyg, DERELIKT announcement post, 2025