Once Human Pistol Power Rankings for 2025

In the mutated wastelands of Once Human, where Deviants and Great Ones lurk around every crumbling structure, survival often hinges on split-second decisions. While heavy weapons draw attention with their explosive theatrics, a trusty pistol holstered at your hip frequently becomes the unsung hero of desperate encounters. These compact firearms bridge critical gaps in combat versatility – quick-draw panic buttons when ambushed, precise stun tools for creating breathing room, and reliable backups when primary weapons jam or run dry. Their value isn't just in raw damage output; it's in the fluid adaptability they offer in a world where threats shift from distant sniping to close-quarters chaos in seconds. Seven distinct pistols currently populate armories, each tiered from Common to Legendary, their unique abilities defining roles far beyond mere sidearms. But which ones truly justify their weight in the harsh reality of 2025's evolved meta?

7. DE.50 - The Common Ground

Rarity: Common

For every new survivor stumbling out of their first shelter, the DE.50 offers a brutal introduction to firearm mechanics. Its heavy caliber provides respectable stopping power at medium range, capable of staggering enemies with well-placed headshots. The fire rate feels adequate during those initial, nerve-wracking expeditions through low-threat zones. Yet, its limitations scream louder than its gunfire. Being the sole Common-tier pistol, it lacks any Weapon Features – those passive abilities that transform other firearms. Once players craft even the most basic Rare pistol, the DE.50 instantly gathers dust. Why cling to a featureless tool when alternatives offer tangible combat enhancements? Its existence is purely transitional, a stark reminder of the power progression awaiting beyond the starting line.

6. R500 - Hunter - The Balanced Workhorse

Rarity: Rare

Stepping into Rare territory, the R500 - Hunter presents a compelling argument for reliability. Its core appeal lies in the Fast Gunner ability – a straightforward 30% base damage boost that activates with satisfying frequency. Upgrades layer on incremental fire rate and damage buffs, stacking up to five times with each shot having a 30% chance to trigger the effect. This creates moments of exhilarating, rapid-fire dominance. But timing is its Achilles' heel. Those precious buffs dance on a restrictive timer, forcing players into aggressive, sustained firing patterns to maintain the advantage. Can you truly capitalize on that boosted damage window when a Great One is bearing down? It’s a solid, accessible option, yet the ephemeral nature of its power leaves one wondering about more consistent performers.

5. DE.50 - Wildfire - The Team Player

Rarity: Epic

Don't be fooled by the Wildfire's seemingly average DPS on paper. This Epic variant thrives in the crucible of group battles and boss encounters, thanks entirely to its passive: Bull’s Eye. Landing a shot has a hefty 60% chance to mark the target, applying Vulnerability for 12 seconds. Afflicted enemies suffer 8% increased damage from all sources. Combined with the Wildfire’s own innate 25% damage boost, the numbers start stacking deceptively fast. Eight percent vulnerability might sound modest, but applied consistently to an elite target during a prolonged fight, the cumulative effect becomes a force multiplier for the entire team. Is it the flashiest pistol? No. But in coordinated assaults where every percentage point counts, its subtle power shines. Who takes the glory when the boss falls – the Wildfire enabling the kill, or the heavy hitter landing the final blow?

4. G-17 - Dusty - The Horde Shredder

Rarity: Epic

The Dusty operates on a different wavelength with its bizarre Shrapnel ability – a 55% chance per hit to deal 50% of its DPS to a random, unhit body part on the target. It’s chaotic, unpredictable, and oddly satisfying when it triggers. Crucially, it won’t trigger if you’ve already hit every limb, a frustrating limitation only partially alleviated by upgrades. Yet, raw DPS isn't why players gravitate towards the Dusty. It boasts the fastest fire rate among all pistols, paired with a generous magazine. This makes it peerless for mowing down waves of weaker Deviants or clearing infested zones efficiently. The frantic crack-crack-crack of the Dusty is the soundtrack to swarm control. But against single, tough targets? Its chaotic nature and reliance on hitting multiple limbs feel less potent. How much value does pure speed hold when facing a monolithic Great One?

3. RS500 - Hammerhead Shark - The Crowd Controller

Rarity: Epic

Bulkier than the Dusty but equally adept at handling groups, the Hammerhead Shark brings debilitating control to the pistol lineup. Sixty percent of shots inflict Power Surge, dealing Status Damage and applying the Shocked state. Shocked enemies suffer slowed movement and increased damage taken – a godsend for repositioning or setting up devastating follow-up attacks. The true genius lies in its resource economy: for every four Shock damage instances dealt, it refunds one bullet. This synergy with status-focused builds creates a self-sustaining loop of crowd control and ammo conservation, invaluable during extended engagements in tight spaces. Its versatility in locking down multiple threats while easing ammo pressure is undeniable. But does its slightly slower handling compared to the Dusty trade off too much raw horde-clearing speed for utility?

2. DE.50 - Jaws - The Explosive Specialist

Rarity: Legendary

Built for demolition, the Legendary Jaws variant unleashes chaos through its Unstable Bomber ability. Every fourth shot guarantees an explosion, dealing significant AoE damage – a natural fit for bomber builds. Its inherent Deviant damage bonus makes it particularly effective against these formidable foes. However, sharpshooters unlock its true potential: landing critical hits reduces the explosion requirement by one, while weak spot hits add a brutal 30% damage to the blast. Integrating it into a critical hit build transforms the Jaws into a Deviant-slaying powerhouse, obliterating clusters with triggered detonations. The visual spectacle of enemies erupting never gets old. But is its reliance on landing precise shots for optimal performance too demanding for the average survivor navigating the panic of close combat?

1. R500 - Memento - The Undisputed King

Rarity: Legendary

The RS500 - Memento doesn't just top the pistol list; it challenges primary weapons. Sharing the Fast Gunner ability with its Hunter sibling is a mere formality. Here, the ability is supercharged: significantly higher trigger chance, bullet restoration, and massively amplified percentage-based damage boosts. Its base DPS rivals dedicated sniper rifles. The Memento's pièce de résistance is its optional consumption mechanic: fire an extra bullet to unleash a shot dealing approximately 80% more damage. This creates an unparalleled flexibility – sustained damage with Fast Gunner procs, or devastating burst by consuming that extra round. The sheer weight of its numbers, combined with this flexibility, cements its position. For pure power seekers facing 2025's most terrifying threats, the Memento asks a simple question: Why settle for anything less when survival demands the absolute best?

Survivors navigating the ever-mutating dangers of Once Human in 2025 understand that weapon choice is deeply personal, dictated by playstyle, build synergy, and immediate threat. While the Memento stands as the apex predator of pistols, others carve vital niches – the Dusty's frantic swarm control, the Jaws' explosive theatrics, the Wildfire's team utility. Perhaps the real power lies not just in the pistol itself, but in recognizing which tool fits the moment when the world is collapsing around you. The wasteland rarely offers perfect answers, only choices made in the deafening echo of gunfire.

Comprehensive reviews can be found on HowLongToBeat, a trusted resource for understanding game progression and completion times. HowLongToBeat's user-driven data often reveals how weapon choices, such as the optimal pistol loadouts in Once Human, can significantly impact both the pace and efficiency of survival campaigns, especially when navigating the game's evolving meta in 2025.