Dead Island 2 has a lot of different weapons to find, some dropped randomly by enemies and others found in locked safes. Each is categorized into one of eight specific weapon types or weapon profiles. Although they all provide their own benefits and it’s entirely up to the player to use what they find the most fun, some are more necessary than others. This is our list of the five best weapon types in Dead Island 2.

Maiming – Best Dead Island 2 Weapon Profiles

A Maiming weapon is an absolute must for your inventory. True to their name, maiming zombies is a cinch with these thanks to the weapon profile bonus dealing critical hits to limbs. Stamina will also be regained whenever the limbs come flying off, meaning you can dish out more heavy swings.

Getting rid of a zombie’s limbs is a fantastic way to make them more manageable. This strategy works wonders with Runners as they lose their namesake quality when they’re missing legs. It works on the Apex zombies too since a Crusher isn’t as scary when you’ve lopped off one of their meaty arms. Maiming also becomes a more relevant mechanic starting with the latter half of the story, so it’s always beneficial to carry a weapon suited for it.

Some weapons that fall into this category include:

• Axes
• Cleavers
• Mace
• Machete
• Shovel

Bulldozer – Best Dead Island 2 Weapon Types

Getting swarmed by a horde is a common occurrence in Hell-A and nothing is more useful in those situations than a Bulldozer weapon. Every Heavy Attack performed with these results in a critical hit and depletes a zombie’s stability more.

The primary use for these will be to clear out crowds and give you space, no matter if they’re naturally formed hordes or those summoned by a Screamer. You can send all nearby zombies to the floor with a few swings or even a well-placed throw. Aside from the crowds, the additional stability damage will place an Apex zombie in a vulnerable position quickly too.

Some weapons that fall into this category include:

• Bats
• Club
• Large Hammers

Tactical Weapon Profile

Ranged weapons are some of the best weapons in Dead Island 2, as they have a huge impact once they’re introduced, and none are as adaptable as those with the Tactical profile. Blocking or dodging attacks will provide boosts to movement and reload speed as well as make every shot for the following few seconds a critical hit.

It should go without saying that the optimal way of using any ranged weapon is from afar. Although a Tactical weapon can certainly be used in that manner, it can be even more effective up-close thanks to its bonuses. Keep your aim steady and you can thin out a horde easily.

Some weapons that fall into this category include:

• Assault Shotgun
• Pistols

Best Dead Island 2 Weapons: Demolition

The Demolition weapon profile can be just as versatile as the Tactical profile but with a lot more power behind it. All shots made against a vulnerable zombie will be a critical hit and your toughness (defense) will be boosted while reloading.

Those looking for a bit more tanky play style will enjoy these. Shotguns are perfect against groups and revolvers can be used from a safer distance away. Either one will eviscerate normal zombies and bring any Apex zombies to their knees. Thanks to their high effectiveness against vulnerable enemies, they can also be brought out to finish what your other weapons have started.

Some weapons that fall into this category include:

• Most Shotguns
• Revolvers

Sharpshooter Weapon Profile

Rounding out the list of the best Dead Island 2 weapons is the one-of-a-kind Sharpshooter weapon profile. Long-range is the preference with damage increasing when aiming down sights and critical hits being awarded to any head or limb shots.

Whether you’re picking off zombies from afar or you just put a lot of space between yourself and a Crusher, a Sharpshooter is your best option for long-distance damage. The obvious caveats are that they’re not nearly as helpful at close range and that they have a slow fire rate, but they more than make up for it with their power.

Some weapons that fall into this category include:

• Sporting Rifle
• Peggy (Curtis’ Rifle)

If you want your inventory to be supported by the best weapon types in Dead Island 2, just remember to keep these in your inventory. Experimenting with everything is a part of the fun, though, and some weapons work better depending on your character, so make sure to check out our guide on which slayer to choose as well.