This guide was created for both new players of the Metro series and experienced players looking to improve their weapon knowledge and overall individual skill in the game.

The information presented in the guide is based on my own gameplay experience, along with insights from official Metro sources.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments and I’ll respond as soon as possible. If you need a faster reply, you can contact me directly on my Steam profile.

I hope you enjoy the guide and don’t forget to rate it after reading!

The revolver is Artyom’s standard sidearm in postapocalyptic Moscow. It is a reliable and powerful weapon when used with precision. Against human enemies, a well-placed shot, especially to the head, can take them down with a single bullet. However, revolver ammunition is relatively scarce so avoid using it recklessly.

The price of the revolver varies depending on the station where you purchase it. For upgrades, I recommend equipping the stock and foregrip mod to improve stability. If you are playing in survival mode, consider adding a suppressor to stay stealthy. In spartan mode, the extended barrel is a better choice for increased damage and range.

Stock photos of the revolver.

This is the standard automatic weapon in the game, made from improvised parts salvaged from a Russian weapons depot. It is likely the one weapon you will stop using once you become more experienced with Metro 2033. Although it might be tempting to complete a few early levels with this underpowered firearm, Artyom will eventually get his hands on an AK (Kalash) after pushing through the first few stages.

If you decide to upgrade the Bastard Gun, a suppressor is the only essential attachment. You can stick with just the silencer for stealth gameplay, but if you have extra ammunition to spare, feel free to fully mod it (it does end up looking pretty cool).

Keep in mind that the reload animation is unusually long, which is one of its many drawbacks. That, along with its overall janky design, is why it earned the name "Bastard Gun." All things considered, it is a decent starter weapon, but nothing more.

Stock photos of the Bastard Gun.

This weapon is based on Mikhail Kalashnikov’s iconic design, which itself was inspired by the German Sturmgewehr 1943/44. Interestingly, the in-game reload animation shows Artyom handling it more like an AK-74. The Kalash is a reliable assault rifle equipped with a 30-round magazine and available in several variants.

In Metro 2033, the AK performs well at medium to long ranges and is also reasonably effective in close-quarters combat when firing in bursts or full auto. For upgrades, a suppressor is highly recommended. You can skip the sights unless you strongly prefer a scoped view, but the extended magazine is definitely worth adding.

Once you have the resources, consider switching to the Kalash 2012 which is a superior version in terms of performance.

Photos of the stock AK / Kalash.

The VSV, often referred to as the VSS in other video games is a silenced automatic combat rifle designed for stealth. It features a naturally suppressed firing mechanism and comes with a small 20 round magazine. Its main advantage is its extremely quiet report, making it a valuable tool for silent takedowns.

I recommend equipping it with a night vision (NV) scope to enhance its effectiveness in dark areas. The remaining upgrades are optional and can be customized to your preference.

That said, in terms of overall performance there is little reason to choose the VSV over a suppressed AK or Kalash 2012. The only compelling reason to use it is its unique design and aesthetic appeal.

Stock photos of the VSV.

The weapon you start with in the prologue mission is the Kalash 2012, a powerful and reliable assault rifle featuring a 40 round magazine. Several variants of this weapon exist, but the best one comes equipped with a suppressor and a scope, more than enough to carry you through the rest of the game.

Since it uses the same ammunition as the standard AK, there is little reason to stick with the older model once the Kalash 2012 becomes available. For upgrades, a suppressor and a reflex sight are highly recommended. The improved accuracy and stealth capabilities make it a worthwhile investment.

Stock photos of the Kalash 2012.

The double barrel shotgun is a decent starter weapon that works well against the Nosalis. While basic in design, it can be very effective at close range. I recommend upgrading it with the quad barrel attachment - not only does it look intimidating, but it also allows you to fire four shells in rapid succession.

If you are planning to ambush enemies, the Duplet variant is a solid choice. Otherwise, the Uboyneg may prove more practical in general combat situations.

Stock photos of the Duplet.

The autoshotgun is a reliable choice for dealing with mutants, especially in close quarters. While it delivers excellent stopping power at short range, its effectiveness drops off significantly at longer distances. This is the go - to shotgun for many players, featuring a 6 shell capacity and semi automatic fire.

It is particularly effective against Nosalises and Watchmen, making it ideal for the tight, claustrophobic tunnels of the metro. As for upgrades, I recommend customizing the weapon based on your preferred play style to get the most out of it.

Stock photos of the Uboyneg / Shambler.

The Tihar is a pneumatic weapon available in both scoped and unscoped versions. Be sure to buy the scoped version for better accuracy. Its air reservoir can be overcharged to temporarily increase shot damage and improve projectile stability, giving the rounds flatter flight for a short time.

Despite the hissing noise during operation, it will not compromise Artyom’s stealth. If the sound becomes distracting, simply switch to another weapon and then back to the Tihar to reset it. Functionally, it serves as a cheaper alternative to the Helsing, though it deals significantly less damage.

If you enjoy pneumatic weapons, the Tihar is a solid option. Personally, I would sell it, but if you're looking for a quiet and affordable weapon this one is surprisingly decent.

Stock photos of the Tihar.

The Helsing is another pneumatic weapon, functioning as a harpoon gun that fires reusable spears. Like the Tihar, it can be overcharged to deliver powerful damage. However, it’s important to remember that spear ammunition is extremely rare, on par with military rounds so you should avoid wasting shots.

While the Helsing is decent, it isn’t the best weapon in the game. Personally, I would sell it and invest in something more effective.

Stock photos of the Helsing.

The Abzats is a makeshift firearm and a fearsome addition to Artyom’s arsenal. It is the most powerful non-explosive weapon in both Metro 2033 and Last Light in terms of concentrated damage. Derived from a cut-down DShK 12.7mm machine gun, it has been re-chambered and re-bored to fire shotgun shells and completely redesigned to be wielded by a single user.

This large shotgun gives off the impression of a “demon slayer”, it’s a great choice if you enjoy shotguns. When you wield it, you'll feel like an armored tank.

Stock photo of the Abzats.

The Hellbreath, also known as the Volt Driver in Metro 2033 is a metro-made, man-portable electromagnetic accelerator that uses the Lorentz effect to fire metal projectiles at extremely high velocities. In real-world terms, it functions similarly to a railgun. The Hellbreath is considered the electrical counterpart to the Tihar.

Miller is the only NPC who uses the Hellbreath, starting in the D6 chapter. Hellbreath becomes available to Artyom in the Ranger Pack DLC for Metro 2033, which is available for free on Steam. It is a very powerful weapon, capable of devastating enemies.

Stock photos of the Hellbreath.

This weapon offers high damage and a fast rate of fire, but it lacks accuracy. While it can make you look intimidating in combat, I personally don’t use it.

Stock photos of the Bigun.

The Flamethrower is a gaseous propellant-based weapon created from scrap by the Metro dwellers after the Great War of 2013. On numerous occasions, it has proven to be more effective in protecting survivors than any conventional weapon. Flamethrowers are highly revered for their offensive and defensive capabilities, as well as their psychological impact on enemies.

In the narrow tunnels of the Metro, the Flamethrower is frighteningly effective against both human and mutant opponents. There is a stationary version used to defend the stations and another version that Artyom can acquire during the Dark Star level, which can be used until the end of the game. This weapon is highly effective against all types of Metro creatures.

Stock photo of the Flamethrower.

The throwing knife is a cheap and effective tool for silently eliminating human targets. A well-aimed throw to the head will instantly kill most enemies. Additionally, throwing knives can be recovered making them ideal for short-range assassinations.

It's generally not worth buying throwing knives unless you have a surplus of military rounds. Fortunately, most stashes and caches will reward you with free throwing knives, so you won’t need to spend precious resources on them.

Stock photos of Throwing Knife.

Artyom carries his personal knife throughout the entire game. In addition to its basic function, the knife proves invaluable in getting Artyom out of numerous life-threatening situations. In close combat, it has saved his life on several occasions.

On normal and easy difficulties the knife can be particularly useful when fighting alongside NPCs.

Stock photo of the Knife.