In the final circles of a Ranked Match, SMGs and Shotguns get all the glory. But who gets you to the final circle? The Assault Rifle (AR). 70% of your fights in Free Fire happen at mid-to-long range. If you can’t spray down an enemy running across an open field in Purgatory, you will never reach Grandmaster.
But not all ARs are created equal. Some are “peahooters” (low damage), and some are absolute monsters that break Gloo Walls in seconds. With the introduction of the Upgrade Chip system, the meta has completely shifted. Is the AK47 still king? Is the SCAR finally good?
In this guide, we are ranking the Top 5 ARs for the current season, specifically for Ranked Mode (Full Map).
1. The Undisputed King: Groza (X-Version)
If you see a Super Airdrop (the one with yellow smoke), run to it. You are looking for the Groza.
- Why it wins: The Groza has the stability of an M4A1 and the damage of an AK47. It effectively has no weakness.
- The X-Factor: The “Groza-X” variant deals extra damage. It can melt a Level 3 Vest in about 5-6 bullets.
- Range: It has built-in high range, meaning your damage doesn’t drop off when shooting enemies 100 meters away.
Pro Tip: You don’t even need a foregrip. The gun is naturally stable. Focus on getting a Level 3 Muzzle to maximize that damage range.
2. The “Chip” Meta: SCAR-III (Level 3)
Two years ago, the SCAR was considered a “bot gun.” It was weak. But Garena introduced Upgrade Chips, and everything changed. A SCAR upgraded to Level 3 (The SCAR-III) is terrifying.
The “Silent Killer” Stat: The SCAR-III has an insane Rate of Fire buff. It shoots faster than almost any other AR. This makes it incredibly easy to drag for headshots because you pump out more bullets in less time.
Why Beginners Love It: It has very low recoil. Unlike the AK, your crosshair won’t fly up to the sky after 3 shots. You can hold the fire button down and spray comfortably.
3. The High Skill Beast: AK47
The AK47 is the hardest gun to master in Free Fire. If you just hold the fire button, the bullets will fly everywhere except at the enemy. This is called “Recoil Spread.”
So why use it? Because of the Headshot Damage. A single headshot with the AK deals massive damage, often knocking enemies with Level 2 helmets instantly.
How to Control AK Recoil (The Sit-Stand Trick)
If you are spraying with an AK and the bullets start missing:
- Stop shooting.
- Crouch (Sit).
- Stand up.
- Shoot again.
This entire sequence takes 0.5 seconds, but it resets the gun’s accuracy to 100%. Master this, and the AK is deadly.
4. The Armor Piercer: M14 (With Rage Core)
The M14 without an attachment is slow and useless. But if you find the M14 Rage Core attachment, it turns into a fully automatic machine gun.
- The Stat that matters: High Damage per bullet. It hits like a Marksman Rifle (Woodpecker/SVD) but shoots automatically.
- Weakness: Small magazine size. You will run out of ammo in a squad fight. Only use this in Solos or Duos.
5. The Marksman Hybrid: AC80
While technically a Marksman Rifle, many players use it in the AR slot. The AC80 has a unique passive ability: If you hit two consecutive shots, the second shot deals bonus damage.
This is perfect for “Two-Tap” players. Body shot -> Body shot -> Enemy Knocked. It defeats Level 4 vests easily because of this bonus damage mechanics.
The “Skin” Factor
We can’t ignore skins. If you have the Blue Flame Draco AK (Max Level), it becomes #1 instantly due to the Rate of Fire boost. If you have the Cupid SCAR, the SCAR becomes #1. However, based on base stats (no skins), the list above holds true.
Conclusion
My advice for this season? Hunt for Upgrade Chips. Land in areas with Vending Machines. Buy 3 chips and upgrade a SCAR or M4A1 to Level 3. It gives you the reliability you need to secure Booyahs. Leave the AK47 for the “highlight reel” players; we want consistency.