Starfield | Top 10 Unique Pistol To Collect

Playing Starfield, you’ll be introduced to a slew of uniquely named weapons that act as an improvement over the standard variant of weaponry. These special weapons make up a majority of the better equipment in the game, but even they have a list of the best. In terms of the handgun section of the weaponry lists, ballistic pistols have some of the most unique items available. To that end, each one of the specialty weapons is meant to fit a certain playstyle or to match a character’s strong suits. However, while each might be explicitly powerful, they all have their perspective weaknesses to even them out. 

Looking at all of them, the best ten are a mixture of those you can unlock early in the game and those who come later on in the game. Some of them can easily be purchased from local vendors, while others will require you to embark on certain quests or kill special non-playable characters. Keeping that in mind, we’ll be keeping this list to weapons that deal ballistic damage using traditional ammunition types. Some of them will come from the old world while others are a more modern take on the pistols used. Additionally, this list will include both blowback pistols and revolvers.

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Ace Sidearm

Ace Sidearm is the first of the best unique pistols to collect because it’s not just a machine pistol, it’s also great against humans. Due to its anti-personal perk, this sidestar pistol can take down spacers, pirates, and law enforcement who get too cocky. Ace Sidearms can be bought at Jemison Merchantile in New Atlantis, unlike some of the more difficult weapons on this list. It’ll cost you just under ten thousand credits, which is a small price to pay for this weapon. 

This weapon is great for killing humanoids, so it’s great for bounty quests and pirates. Plus, it’s easy to stock up on ammunition, making it perfect for any economic gunslinger. Additionally, the Ace Sidearm deals more damage at a higher rate of fire and is more accurate than the standard sidestar. Keeping that in mind, you’ll be able to easily dispatch any sentient humanoid who tries to take you out. The only issue with this weapon is that against any other enemy type its just a slightly improved sidestar pistol.

Ace Sidearm

Street Sweeper

When talking about unique weapons that will be available via quests, the Steet Sweeper is one of those unique items. As a machine pistol, this unique version of the Kraken can be acquired by doing the Striker Gang questline in Neon City. After you’ve completed the Showdown, this will be the reward you receive. As a potent weapon that not only puts a lot of lead down range but also has the lacerate perk. This means that this weapon will randomly apply the bleed ability to your opponent for a limited time. Since bleed will affect most enemy types except robots, this makes the street sweeper one of the best choices early on.

The Street Sweeper has almost the same stats as a standard Kraken pistol, just better accuracy and a bigger magazine. Even though it has relatively low damage per shot, it has an insane rate of fire. Sadly, the Street Sweeper has an extremely limited range, which is only slightly better than some shotguns. That being said, the weapon features a built-in suppressor that allows the player to sneak up on unsuspecting targets. This means you may be able to dispatch your enemies before they even have a chance to respond. Given the fact that each shot can inflict bleed which stacks, this results in an extremely powerful unique handgun. 

Street Sweeper

Radburn

Next on our list, the Radburn is a unique variant of the Eon pistol that not only has a double-sided effect but can easily carry you into the late game. You can acquire the Radburn pistol by searching inside the blue TAU containers while doing the Grunt Work quest for the U.C. Afterwards you’ll be greeted by a friendly neighborhood terrormorph for you to test your newfound pistol on. Radburn has the Radioactive special effect which not only demoralizes your enemies but also deals additional energy damage per shot. This means you’ll not only force your enemies to retreat from you but kill them quicker than you would with the previous options on this list. 

Unfortunately, the Radburn only deals slightly more damage than the standard Eon pistol; making up for this with the ability to cause enemies to retreat. Its magazine size, fire rate, and accuracy remain the same which limits the weapon compared to others on this list. Despite that, the Radburn is good against all kinds of enemies, unlike those with more specialized perks. Because you can get this weapon so early, you’ve got a better chance of making it work. With a very common ammunition type, it’s easy to keep fed and ready to dispatch your enemies.

Radburn

The Zapper

Next up in terms of effectiveness is a slightly more specialized weapon known as The Zapper. It’s one of the best ways to use the .27 caliber round against robots since it’s a special version of the rattler pistol. Zapper gets its name from its special ability to deal tesla damage that slows nearby enemies. In terms of acquiring The Zapper, you can simply purchase it from the Rowland Arms shop in Akila City. This weapon will run you just over eight thousand credits but could be considered well worth the credits early on. 

Being a unique version of the rattler pistol, it transfers the normal revolving cylinder for a magazine system and greatly lengthens the weapon. Despite this, The Zapper has a range that is distinctively worse than most shotguns. That being said, if anything were to get too close, you could easily dispatch them with this unique weapon. This weapon deals about the same amount of damage as a standard rattler, but it has more ammunition and fires faster. The Zapper is perfect for stopping melee opponents or aliens who get too close. 

The Zapper

Momento Mori

A unique version of the sidestar known as Momento Mori is the best use of the .27 caliber round. As one of the hardest weapons to get, you’ll need to give Lieutenant Toft fifteen of the twenty evidence pieces. Once you’re done, make sure to exhaust all of her dialogue options so she can tell you about her past. If you don’t do this before you side with the crimson fleet, you’ll miss this weapon. 

Momento Mori has three special effects which makes it one of the best weapons you can carry around under the caliber. First, you’ll be given the crippling effect which deals thirty percent more damage to the target’s limbs. As enemies’ health goes down, the weapon demoralizes them and makes them retreat. It’s a much better sidestar, so it’s a must-have collectible if you find it. To get this pistol, you have to complete the quest before siding with the Crimson Fleet. 

Momento Mori

Sir Livingstone’s Pistol

Another unique option on this list, Sir Livingstone’s Pistol is a special version of the old earth handgun. Being a modified M1911 with an extended magazine and a much tighter barrel; this weapon sports no unique bonuses. You can only acquire Sir Livingstone’s Pistol if you have the Kid Stuff trait, which gives you access to a pair of loving parents. Once you have this, complete One Small Step and your parents will give you this after visiting them. This handgun acts as a direct upgrade to the standard model of the pistol and holds up relatively well in combat.

Dealing more damage, having a higher magazine capacity, and slightly better range; this weapon can make the most out of the modern space combat you’ll deal with. Sir Livingstone’s Pistol can service you better than most of the options previously mentioned on this list. You’ll have a hard time keeping this handgun happy and healthy because .45 Caliber ACP munition is extremely rare. Besides that, it’s a slightly worse version of the next item on our list, but it’s still worth collecting despite being free. 

Sir Livingstone’s Pistol

Vampire’s Sidearm

Vampire’s Sidearm is a weapon that not only requires you to jump through a boatload of hoops but does so as a proper reward for completing them. Being located in Subsection Seven of the MAST building in New Atlantis, there’s a lot to be said about it. Once acquired, it has one of the most potent abilities in Starfield, that of Med Theft. All human opponents will drop med packs upon death, so you can stay in the fight a little longer. You can easily get into the end levels of the game with Vampire’s Sidearm, a unique version of the old Earth handgun. 

Compared to the standard variant of the weapon, Vampire’s Sidearm deals more damage, has more bullets per magazine, and slightly better rates of fire. However, what makes this weapon stand out is the simple addition of a suppressor. The player can make sneak attacks on opponents to reduce ammunition consumption and increase the chances of getting a med-pack. You can take down any human enemy with the right skill set and stealth. Finally, since it’s part of the vampire set, you can easily farm a profit from med packs by collecting on bounties. 

Vampire’s Sidearm

Unfair Advantage

This third best weapon is aptly named the Unfair Advantage; based on the Razorback revolver, it’s one of the best pistols. You can only get this weapon by siding with the Crimson Fleet and killing Commander Kibwe Ikande. You’ll need to complete the Eye of the Storm questline to unlock the next unique pistol on our list. When you get it, you’ll have a weapon that does natural fire damage and radioactive damage too. Radioactivity causes damage to targets as well as demoralizes them similar to the Radburn pistol. 

Unfair Advantage is a highly modified razorback revolver that exceeds the standard variation in every way possible. Dealing more damage, having better range, better recoil; and an additional damage type it easily outclasses the regular version. Not to mention the weight has been reduced, and the fire rate increased to supplement this weapon’s heightened abilities. It’s one of the best weapons you can get, but you have to kill one of the best non-playable characters. Aside from that, 7.5mm Whitehot ammunition is the bane of ammunition types to collect because it’s rare and expensive. 

Unfair Advantage

Keelhauler

Being one of my favorite weapons on this list, the Keelhauler is the unique variant of the mugshot pistol handed out by Delgado after finishing the Echoes of the Past faction quest. By helping the Crimson Fleet out, this weapon makes itself a great reward as it hosts three powerful upgrades. The first special effect it has is staggering, which will send opponents off balance when shot. After this, it has berserker, and frenzy which allows you to deal more damage the less armor you have. Frenzy implies that you will be able to force an enemy to agro into a state of madness to attack anyone around them. 

Magshots like this deal more base damage, have a higher rate of fire and are generally more accurate. This weapon has a few downsides, like expensive ammunition, a limited range, and a low magazine rate. Keelhaulers are revolvers that combine Gaussian technology and cool aesthetics, as the red design makes them stand out. Only one item is better for shipboarding and other piracy missions than this weapon. Therefore, the Keelhauler is perfect for any gunslinger looking to make a name for themselves. 

Keelhauler

The Mutineer

Finally, the best weapon of any unique handgun is by far The Mutineer by a landslide. Besides having the most powerful damage, this magshot deals extra damage to all enemies in space. If you have the Space-Adept effect, you’ll get 30% more damage in outer space, and 15% less damage on planets. Due to this, the Mutineer is by far the best weapon for piracy, boarding ships, and anything else in space. Despite this, even with the loss of damage on a planet, its sheer output is enough to drop most opponents. 

Acquiring the Multineer is done by looting Vladimir’s Villa during the Into The Unknown story quest. Here you’ll have to travel down to the lower levels and bypass a lock. Once done, you’ll be able to collect this powerful Gaussian revolver on the desk inside the room. This looks like a standard mugshot, but it can do a lot of damage. The Mutineer has more than any other weapon on this list, and its fire rate is just about as high. For any gunslinging build, this is the best revolver you could find in Starfield.

The Mutineer is the best unique handgun you can get damage wise with its devastating physical effects.

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