Dead Space Remake Weapons Guide#
Dead Space Remake offers 12 weapons with distinct styles. Each has a unique attack pattern, an ideal scenario and its own upgrade path. Understanding every weapon’s traits and switching flexibly to match the fight is the key to clearing higher difficulties.
Weapon Overview#
| Weapon | Type | Ammo Type | Chapter Obtained | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plasma Cutter | Pistol | Energy cells | Chapter 1 | The classic three-shot cutting tool, the all-rounder |
| Pulse Rifle | Rifle | Rifle ammo | Chapter 3 | High-rate-of-fire automatic, good for finishing kills |
| Force Gun | Shotgun | Energy spheres | Chapter 5 | High-damage close-range area attack |
| Line Gun | Heavy | Charged rounds | Chapter 4 | Devastating single-target damage, can charge |
| Plasma Saw | Special | Saw blades | Chapter 6 | Launches spinning saw blades, area control |
| Flamethrower | Special | Fuel | Chapter 8 | Sustained fire damage, great against groups |
| Line Racks | Rifle | Line racks | Chapter 7 | Fires a horizontal cutting line with strong penetration |
| Arc Welder | Special | Shock rounds | Chapter 10 | Chained shock damage, ideal against groups |
| Ripper | Shotgun | Energy spheres | Chapter 5 | Shares origins with the Force Gun, an alternate firing mode |
| Focus Gun | Trap type | Sticky bombs | Chapter 9 | Plants sticky bombs for area denial |
| Quake Gun | Heavy | Seismic rounds | Chapter 11 | Wide-area ground-shake attack |
| Upgraded Plasma Saw | Special | Enhanced blades | NG+ | The enhanced version unlocked in New Game+ |
Plasma Cutter#
Overview#
The Plasma Cutter is the most iconic weapon in the Dead Space series. It fires plasma in three directions and can precisely sever enemy limbs. As your first weapon, it stays useful for the entire game.
Ammo Consumption#
-
Single shot: 1 energy cell
-
Continuous fire: 3 energy cells
-
Reserve capacity: depends on weapon level
Pros and Cons#
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely ammo-efficient | Slow sustained fire |
| Flexible three-way aiming | Struggles against large packs |
| Usable the entire game | Limited per-shot damage |
| Huge upgrade potential | Demands precise aiming |
Upgrade Advice#
Prioritize damage and magazine capacity. Fire rate can come later. A fully upgraded Cutter is a devastating weapon.
Pulse Rifle#
Overview#
The Pulse Rifle is a high-rate-of-fire automatic weapon. Its small-caliber rounds deal modest per-shot damage, but the dense stream dumps enormous damage in a short window.
Ammo Consumption#
-
Single shot: 1 rifle round
-
Continuous fire: keeps firing until you release the trigger
-
Reserve capacity: high
Pros and Cons#
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely high rate of fire | Low per-shot damage |
| Fast consumption but ample resupply | Ammo burns fast |
| Great for finishing and suppression | Mediocre against bosses |
| Low recoil, easy to control | Limited long-range accuracy |
Special Ammo#
The Pulse Rifle’s secondary fire launches a small plasma bomb for area damage.
Force Gun#
Overview#
- Reserve capacity: medium
The Force Gun fires a shockwave that deals heavy damage to everything at close range and knocks enemies back. It is the best answer to being surrounded.
Ammo Consumption#
-
Single shot: 1 energy sphere
-
Continuous fire: rapid consecutive shots
-
Reserve capacity: medium
Pros and Cons#
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Massive close-range damage | Extremely short range |
| Effectively knocks enemies back | Heavy ammo drain |
| Area damage, great for pack fights | Useless against a single distant target |
| Can freeze enemies in one hit | Ammo resupply is rare |
Upgrade Advice#
Prioritize damage and blast radius. The Force Gun doesn’t need fire-rate upgrades — one or two shots usually clear any close-range threat.
Line Gun#
Overview#
The Line Gun fires charged ammunition that deals catastrophic single-target damage. A charged shot releases an even larger energy pulse.
Pros and Cons#
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extreme single-target damage | Very slow rate of fire |
| Shockingly powerful charged attack | Scarce ammo |
| Ideal for boss fights | Risky at point-blank range |
| Strong knockback | Movement restricted while charging |
Plasma Saw#
Overview#
The Plasma Saw launches spinning plasma blades that hover in the air for a while before dissipating. Enemies passing through the blade field take continuous damage.
Pros and Cons#
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong area-denial | Blades drain ammo while active |
| Can set traps | Risk of self-damage at close range |
| Fits hold-the-point tactics | Requires predicting enemy paths |
| Effective on large enemies | Ammo resupply isn’t generous |
Tactical Applications#
Flamethrower#
Overview#
The Flamethrower projects a continuous stream of superheated flame, damaging everything nearby. It is especially effective against packs of small necromorphs.
Pros and Cons#
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High sustained damage | Extremely short range |
| Burn effect adds extra damage | Fast ammo drain |
| Ignites enemies and drives off their pack | Mediocre against bosses |
| Simple and easy to use | You can catch fire yourself |
Line Racks#
Overview#
The Line Racks fire a horizontal plasma cutting line that pierces multiple targets. It is the “heavy version” of the Plasma Cutter.
Pros and Cons#
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong penetration, hits multiple targets | Slow rate of fire |
| Extremely high damage | Rare ammo |
| Horizontal cut suits limb targeting | Flat trajectory struggles against flying enemies |
| Secondary fire plants sticky bombs | Heavy recoil |
Arc Welder#
Overview#
The Arc Welder projects a chain of electricity that jumps between multiple enemies. It is the tool of choice against dense packs.
Pros and Cons#
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Chained damage hits multiple targets | Requires sustained aiming |
| Shock effect paralyzes enemies | Ammo burns extremely fast |
| Double effect on metal-floor enemies | Rare ammo resupply |
| Spectacular visuals | Effect decays with distance |
Focus Gun#
Overview#
The Focus Gun fires plasma bombs that stick to surfaces. They detonate automatically when enemies approach or pass by. It is a pure trap weapon.
Pros and Cons#
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Usable without aiming | Passive weapon, doesn’t attack on its own |
| Fits pre-set defensive positions | Weak against fast movers |
| Can place multiple bombs at once | Bombs have a detonation delay |
| Saves ammo and attention | Requires predicting enemy paths |
Quake Gun#
Overview#
The Quake Gun fires special rounds that generate ground tremors, damaging and unbalancing every enemy in range.
Pros and Cons#
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Massive AOE damage | Extremely rare ammo |
| Knocks enemies down | Very slow rate of fire |
| Bonus damage against bosses | The tremor can affect you too |
| Stunning visuals and sound | Poor for precise combat |
Weapon Selection Strategy#
By Scenario#
| Scenario | Recommended Weapons |
|---|---|
| General exploration | Plasma Cutter + Pulse Rifle |
| Boss fights | Line Gun + Plasma Cutter |
| Pack fights | Force Gun + Flamethrower |
| Narrow corridors | Plasma Saw + Line Racks |
| Zero-G combat | Plasma Cutter + Arc Welder |
| Defensive stands | Focus Gun + Plasma Saw |
Difficulty Advice#
| Difficulty | Suggested Strategy |
|---|---|
| Story mode | Any weapons work — just enjoy the game |
| Normal mode | Plasma Cutter as the backbone, 1-2 supporting weapons |
| Hard mode | Master 2-3 weapons precisely, upgrade judiciously |
| Impossible mode | Plasma Cutter plus one heavy weapon, extreme resource management |
Ammo Type Summary#
| Ammo | Matching Weapon | Resupply Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Energy cells | Plasma Cutter | Easy |
| Rifle rounds | Pulse Rifle | Easy |
| Energy spheres | Force Gun | Medium |
| Charged rounds | Line Gun | Hard |
| Saw blades | Plasma Saw | Medium |
| Fuel | Flamethrower | Medium |
| Line racks | Line Racks | Hard |
| Shock rounds | Arc Welder | Hard |
| Sticky bombs | Focus Gun | Medium |
| Seismic rounds | Quake Gun | Very hard |
Chapter Summary#
No single weapon does everything. The most effective strategy is switching weapons to match the fight and concentrating resources on the 2-3 weapons you use most. The Plasma Cutter is the mainstay from start to finish; everything else is picked around your style and the combat needs.
Related guides: Plasma Cutter guide | Upgrade system | Beginner’s guide
Related guides: Plasma Cutter walkthrough | Upgrade system | Beginner walkthrough