Key takeaways
- Optimizing loadouts with the best weapons is important in GTA Online PVP duels.
- Players should focus on earning the best weapons for different scenarios to defeat the opponents.
- Specific loadouts cater to different combat situations, such as 1v1, long-range, or vehicle takedowns.
Grand Theft Auto Online Known for its explosive lobbies. Los Santos is a hostile place, and mourners lurk around every corner. in GTA OnlineExperienced players learn the best ways to attack or defend against opposing players, but for less experienced players, learning the best tools for the job can be difficult. Still, for most gamers, a shootout with another player outweighs the thrill of battling the game's AI.

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GTA Online Since its launch in 2013 there have been many additions to its weapon collection. Each category has dozens of weapons to choose from, and some are perfect for specific situations. Players with properties with a weapon locker can customize their loadouts so that only the best weapons are displayed, and it is recommended that players do this so that they can get the best weapons faster. The last thing a player needs is to be clipped while cycling through dozens of weapons. Every second counts in PVP duels, so customizing the weapon wheel is a pro strategy for quickly swapping weapons. As a rule of thumb, these are the best weapon loadouts in each situation.
1 Stock weapon loadout
An Ammu-Nation loadout for those without access to Mk2 weapons
- Pistol slot: AP pistol
- SMG slot: MG
- Rifle slot: Special carbine
- Sniper slot: Marksman's Rifle
- Gun slot: assault rifle
- Throwing slot: Grenade
- Heavy slot: RPG
Some of the best weapons in Grand Theft Auto Online Players need access to a weapons workshop and bunker. This loadout is specifically intended for players who only have access to Ammu-Nation weapons and no access to Mk2 weapons or ammo types.
Some of the weapons in this loadout still require the player to level up, but this will be instant when running some relevant content. To rank faster, focus on weekly double money and XP events. Keep an eye out GTA Online Weekly events, because these are great time wasters when boredom sets in.
The AP pistol is a good automatic pistol that is accurate in most situations. The Marksman Rifle is a powerful sniper rifle for quick headshots, and the RPG and Grenade Launcher are heavy weapons ideal for any situation.
About the Mk2 weapon
: These are a special unlockable class of weapons that can be unlocked by owning an asset with a weapon workshop. It can be accessed within the Arcade, MOC, Avenger, Terrorbyte, or Bunker. Freakshop also has a free weapon workshop to upgrade weapons. Some Mk2 weapons can only be unlocked by researching the bunker. Mk2 weapons give players access to new deadly ammo types.
2 1V1 combat loadout
For those one-on-one challenges
- Pistol slot: Revolver Mk2
- SMG slot: Combat MG Mk2 with extended mag (regular ammo).
- Rifle slot: Special Carbine Mk2
- Sniper slot: Marksman's Rifle
- Gun slot: Pump Shotgun Mk2
- Throwing slot: Sticky Bomb
- Heavy slot: Homing Launcher
Players who actually want to play missions, run businesses, or customize their cars often find themselves on the opposite side of grief. It has some players GTA Online Lobbies who enjoy getting into sweaty 1v1 rivalries, and Rockstar encourages this with their built-in score system.
Honor is earned in lobbies, on the battlefield. Many times, players have shown strong skills to force Sorrows to move on to new goals. This starts with having the best loadout for the position.

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A popular 1v1 location is at Los Santos Airport. This location provides a good battlefield for short and long range warfare. When in a 1v1 here, the Marksman Rifle is great for making quick and accurate long-range shots, and it can carry more rounds than the Heavy Sniper Mk2.
In the pistol slot, the Revolver Mk2 provides the best effect for a pistol at close or medium range. Just be aware that it has a long reload time, so it's important to make those shots hit.
If a rifle is preferred, a special carbine will work. Special carbines can be purchased without access to any workshop. However, once the option becomes available to own a special carbine Mk2, this weapon should be the default choice for any situation. The Special Carbine Mk2 is the perfect blend of firepower and accuracy.
Once warfare progressed to throwable and heavy weapons, all chaos took over. Players can't go wrong in the slot throwing sticky bombs or grenades. For a heavy slot, a homing launcher or grenade launcher is perfect for one-on-ones. The homing launcher allows players to fire missiles faster than a normal RPG, as long as they don't actually lock onto something.
3 Long range strategic loadout
Ideal for long range lobby fights or PVP missions
- Pistol slot: AP pistol
- SMG slot: Combat MG Mk2 with extended mag (regular ammo).
- Rifle slot: Special Carbine Mk2 with drum mag
- Gun slot: assault rifle
- Sniper slot: Heavy Sniper Mk2
- Throwing slot: Proximity Mine
- Heavy slot: RPG
When facing more than one player in an objective-based scenario, a more strategic loadout is required. The Combat MG Mk2 is the best weapon in the SMG/LMG slot. With the extended mag, players can get up to 200 bullets in a single mag. Just remember to stick with original ammo, as Mk2 ammo reduces bullet capacity.
Similarly, a special carbine with a Mk2 with a drum magazine gives up to 100 bullets per slot, giving enough uptime to take out the opposing player. Only armor can protect opponents from a well-placed shot from a Heavy Sniper Mk2.
The assault shotgun is a beast. It is a fully automatic shotgun, with a longer range than a pump shotgun. While the pump shotgun is a good weapon in its own right, the assault shotgun is more practical when facing multiple opponents because it holds up to 32 rounds in a single mag.
Proximity mines are great when players need to camp in a specific location. Players can throw them where opponents are likely to hide, and surprise an unsuspecting player after throwing them.
Heavy slots are interchangeable and most of the time based on player preference. For long-range, players won't go wrong with an RPG. The grenade launcher can also come in handy when the opponent tries to escape the player in a vehicle.
4 Land and air vehicle takedown loadout
Loadout for players competing in vehicles
- Pistol slot: AP pistol
- SMG slot: Tactical SMG
- Rifle slot: Special Carbine Mk2
- Gun slot: Pump shotgun Mk2 with explosive rounds
- Sniper slot: Heavy sniper Mk2 with explosive rounds
- Throwing slot: Sticky Bomb
- Heavy slot: Railgun
For many years, the AP pistol was the best drive-by weapon in the game. That was it Rent San Andreas The update started in 2023, which brought the tactical SMG. The Tactical SMG now takes the crown as the best drive-by weapon in the game, but since the AP Pistol and the Tactical SMG use different slots, players can keep both in their loadouts. With the precision and fire rate of an AP pistol, infantrymen can easily clip the driver of a moving vehicle through the windshield.

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In high-speed chases, throwing a sticky bomb out the window and into a rival's car is a game changer. They can even be dropped into helicopters or planes if they dare to be low enough.
When players aren't behind the wheel, a pump shotgun Mk2 with explosive rounds can blow up a regular car in seconds. The Assault Shotgun is a perfect choice for players without access to a weapons workshop. Just beware of armored vehicles.
Likewise, the Heavy Sniper Mk2 with explosive rounds makes a devastating anti-aircraft weapon.
Again, the heavy slot is based on preference, but the railgun is a weapon that not enough players use, and it's a satisfying way to blast vehicles at a distance. An RPG is great against ground vehicles or aircraft. The Compact Grenade Launcher is a hidden gem that can be used while on a motorcycle or boat.
5 Best in Slot Loadout
The best weapons in each slot for PVP
- Climate slot: Stone hatchet
- Pistol slot: Revolver Mk2 with incendiary rounds
- SMG slot: Combat MG Mk2 with extended mag (regular ammo).
- Rifle slot: Special Carbine Mk2 with drum mag (regular ammo)
- Gun slot: assault rifle
- Sniper slot: Heavy Sniper Mk2 with explosive ammo and extended mag
- Throwing slot: Sticky Bomb
- Heavy slot: Homing Launcher
This loadout is well rounded for any situation. If, for whatever reason, players only want one weapon in each slot, this is the most optimized PVP loadout to go with.
Players will be able to swap between the Combat MG Mk2, Special Carbine Mk2 and Heavy Sniper Mk2 when fighting at long range. And when the action gets close, the Revolver Mk2 and Assault Shotgun will stop both opponents in their tracks. Remember to aim above the belt.
The Stone Hatchet is a special ax that players must find while searching for treasure. Unlocking this ax will give the player Trevor's rage ability after each kill. This ability temporarily deals more damage to players while taking less damage. This makes it the best melee weapon GTA Online period, so players must carry it with them at all times.
Sticky Bomb is ideal whether the player is on foot or behind the wheel. The homing launcher's rapid-fire rate makes it useful for medium-range targets, and its lock-on feature makes it great for those pesky aircraft targets. This loadout has everything you need to stop lobby grief.

- issued
- October 1, 2013
- developer(s)
- Rockstar Answers