Gears of War: E-Day Guide | All Weapons

Gears of War: E-Day brings back many of the series' iconic weapons while introducing several new additions designed around its updated combat system. From the close-range power of the Gnasher to the precision of the Longshot and the sustained fire of the Lancer, choosing the right weapon can make a major difference during both Campaign and multiplayer encounters.

E-Day also features different Lancer variants, heavy weapons, and several new Locust weapons that expand the arsenal beyond the familiar Gears loadout.

This guide covers all weapons in Gears of War: E-Day, including their weapon types and what each one is best used for.

All Weapons in Gears of War: E-Day

The main Gears of War: E-Day arsenal includes assault rifles, shotguns, precision weapons, sidearms, launchers, and several specialized weapons.

The core weapons include:

• Prototype Lancer
• Lancer Mk1
• Gnasher
• Hammerburst
• Ripper
• Longshot
• Breechshot
• Torque Bow
• Gut-Puncher
• Incinerator
• Snub Pistol
• Striga

There are also heavy and mounted weapons such as the Troika, Vulcan, and Gorehook.

Each weapon fills a different combat role, so building a loadout that can handle multiple engagement ranges is generally better than carrying weapons designed for the same situation.

Prototype Lancer

The Prototype Lancer is one of the most important weapons in E-Day and represents an early version of the iconic Chainsaw Lancer seen throughout the Gears series.

It functions as an all-purpose assault rifle capable of providing sustained fire at close and medium range. Its relatively high rate of fire and larger magazine make it a reliable option when dealing with groups of standard Locust enemies.

The defining feature is its chainsaw attachment, which gives the weapon a powerful close-range execution option.

Because of its versatility, the Prototype Lancer is one of the easiest weapons to incorporate into almost any loadout.

Lancer Mk1

The Lancer Mk1, also known as the Retro Lancer, trades some of the Prototype Lancer's handling for heavier close-range firepower.

Its stronger recoil makes sustained fire at longer distances more difficult, so controlled bursts are usually more effective when enemies are farther away.

The Lancer Mk1 also features a traditional blade bayonet rather than the chainsaw found on the Prototype Lancer.

Players who prefer aggressive rifle combat may find the Mk1 particularly effective, but you'll need to manage its recoil carefully.

Gnasher

The Gnasher is Gears of War's signature close-range shotgun.

E-Day's version carries six shells and uses an individual-shell reload system, allowing you to reload only as many rounds as you need before returning to the fight.

At close range, the Gnasher can deal devastating damage and is particularly effective against enemies that push toward your position.

Its biggest weakness is range. Pairing the Gnasher with a rifle or precision weapon gives you a much more balanced loadout.

Hammerburst

The Hammerburst is a burst-fire rifle designed for players who prefer accuracy over sustained automatic fire.

It fires controlled bursts, which makes it effective at medium range, especially when you can consistently keep your shots on target.

Unlike weapons that encourage holding down the trigger, the Hammerburst rewards deliberate aiming and careful positioning.

It can be a strong alternative to the Lancer when you want better control over longer sightlines.

Ripper

The Ripper is a light machine gun built around sustained fire.

Its larger-volume firepower makes it useful when dealing with groups of enemies or maintaining pressure on a position. However, weapons in this category are generally less suited to quick, precision-focused engagements.

The Ripper is particularly useful when you need to keep enemies pinned down or deal consistent damage during larger battles.

Longshot

The Longshot is E-Day's dedicated sniper rifle and one of the strongest options for long-range combat.

It excels at eliminating enemies before they can close the distance, particularly when you have a clear line of sight from an elevated or protected position.

The Longshot rewards accuracy, so take your time and prioritize important targets rather than wasting ammunition on enemies that can easily be handled with your primary rifle.

Pair it with a close- or medium-range weapon so you aren't left vulnerable when enemies push your position.

Breechshot

The Breechshot fills the gap between a standard rifle and a dedicated sniper weapon.

It is a precision-focused marksman weapon capable of dealing heavy damage with accurate shots. Unlike the Longshot, it is better suited to players who want precision fire without committing entirely to long-range sniping.

The Breechshot also features an axe that can be used for brutal close-range executions.

Its versatility makes it a useful choice for players who enjoy precision weapons but still want some close-range utility.

Torque Bow

The Torque Bow returns as one of the most recognizable Locust weapons.

Instead of firing conventional ammunition, the Torque Bow launches explosive projectiles that can deal massive damage when used correctly.

Timing and accuracy are important because the weapon isn't designed for sustained fire. Save your shots for dangerous enemies or situations where its explosive damage can have the greatest impact.

It's particularly useful when dealing with tougher targets rather than standard enemies that can be eliminated with regular ammunition.

Gut-Puncher

The Gut-Puncher is one of E-Day's more specialized heavy-hitting weapons.

This launcher is designed to deliver powerful explosive attacks, making it useful against grouped enemies and tougher Locust units.

Because weapons like the Gut-Puncher aren't built around unlimited sustained fire, ammunition should be used carefully.

Avoid wasting its firepower on weak enemies when a standard rifle or shotgun can handle the same job.

Incinerator

The Incinerator is a Locust shotgun that combines close-range firepower with incendiary damage.

It is especially useful against groups of enemies at short range, where its fire-based attacks can help control an area and deal significant damage.

Like the Gnasher, you'll need to get relatively close to make the most of the weapon.

The Incinerator can be particularly valuable in Horde Siege, where groups of enemies frequently push toward defensive positions.

Snub Pistol

The Snub Pistol is a dependable sidearm that gives you another option when your primary weapon isn't ideal for the situation.

It lacks the raw stopping power of heavier weapons but is useful for finishing weakened enemies or conserving primary ammunition.

Don't underestimate the value of your sidearm. Switching to the Snub can sometimes be faster and safer than attempting a reload while an enemy is already attacking.

Striga

The Striga is another sidearm available in E-Day, but unlike the conventional Snub, it functions as a charge-based pistol.

Its firing behavior gives it a different role from a standard backup weapon and rewards players who learn when to charge and release their shots.

The Striga can deliver impressive damage for a sidearm, making it worth experimenting with if you prefer something more specialized than the Snub.

Heavy Weapons

E-Day also features several heavy or mounted weapons that aren't treated exactly like the standard weapons you carry throughout normal combat.

 

These include:

• Troika – A mounted machine gun capable of delivering sustained fire.
• Vulcan – A high-rate-of-fire heavy weapon designed to overwhelm enemies with continuous fire.
• Gorehook – A powerful heavy weapon suited to close- and medium-range engagements.

Heavy weapons can provide tremendous firepower, but their handling and availability make them more situational than standard rifles and shotguns.

Save them for encounters where that additional damage will actually make a difference.

Which Weapons Should You Carry?

There's no single loadout that works perfectly for every encounter.

A reliable setup should ideally give you options at multiple ranges. For example, pairing the Prototype Lancer with the Gnasher gives you a dependable rifle for general combat and a powerful shotgun when enemies get close.

Alternatively, combining a close-range weapon with the Longshot or Breechshot gives you more control over distant enemies.

When choosing weapons, consider:

• Engagement range
• Available ammunition
• Enemy types
• Close-range protection
• Upcoming heavy enemies
• Your preferred playstyle

Don't be afraid to swap weapons as encounters change. A weapon that's excellent in an open battlefield may be much less useful inside a tight corridor.

Final Thoughts

Gears of War: E-Day offers a varied arsenal combining returning favorites such as the Gnasher, Longshot, Hammerburst, and Torque Bow with newer weapons including the Ripper, Gut-Puncher, Incinerator, and Striga.

The Prototype Lancer remains an excellent general-purpose option, while weapons such as the Gnasher and Longshot specialize in close- and long-range combat, respectively. Heavy weapons provide additional firepower when normal equipment isn't enough.

Experiment with different combinations and build your loadout around the type of encounter you're facing rather than relying on the same weapons throughout the entire game.

FAQ

Q. How many weapons are in Gears of War: E-Day?

A. The main arsenal contains 12 core weapons, including rifles, shotguns, precision weapons, launchers, and sidearms. E-Day also features additional heavy and mounted weapons such as the Troika, Vulcan, and Gorehook.

Q. Is the Lancer in Gears of War: E-Day?

A. Yes. E-Day features the Lancer Mk1 as well as the Prototype Lancer equipped with the iconic chainsaw attachment.

Q. What is the best close-range weapon in Gears of War: E-Day?

A. The Gnasher is one of the strongest dedicated close-range choices thanks to its high shotgun damage. The Incinerator is another powerful option for close-range encounters.

Q. What is the best long-range weapon?

A. The Longshot is the dedicated sniper rifle and is ideal for long-range precision shots. The Breechshot is another strong choice if you want a marksman weapon with more versatility.

Q. Are there new weapons in Gears of War: E-Day?

A. Yes. Alongside returning Gears weapons, E-Day introduces new additions such as the Ripper, Gut-Puncher, Incinerator, and Striga.