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Skyships Early Game Weapon Tier List for PvE

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Choose a starter weapon that you can obtain easily and bring into effective firing range. M14, Hydra Rockets, AK-101 and Bofors offer different routes through early Skyships PvE.

Quick answer

Our early PvE picks are S-tier M14, A-tier Hydra Rockets and AK-101, and B-tier Bofors. Start with the training M14; choose Hydra for a free damage-focused option, AK-101 after Wasp research, or Bofors if you already own Starter Pack and want to try its firepower.

Weapon tiers

Early-PvE recommendations prioritizing starter access, practical reach and useful weapon roles.

S

The recommended starting point for early PvE progression.

M14 14mm MG

The training blueprint and 12-Iron build provide a direct starter route. M14 also suits a range-focused early loadout; a demonstrated Corvette setup uses a three-M14 weapon group.

Properties
Mount class
Light
Rarity
Common
Blueprint source
Training contract reward (Initial training progression)
Iron required
12 Iron (Building M14 14mm MG from its blueprint)
Build menu
Market → Blueprints → My Blueprints → Build (At a port)
Example fitted quantity
3 guns (Example three-M14 loadout)
Out-of-range example
252 m (Approximately this target distance displayed OUT OF RANGE against Raider Wasp in a three-M14 loadout; this is an example distance, not a maximum-range specification.)

A

Useful early alternatives with a clear unlock route or damage-focused role.

MK 8 Hydra Rockets

The one-time like reward permanently unlocks Hydra without a paid pack. It is a damage-focused Light option, with 33 DPS displayed for one menu loadout; its fit depends on the selected mount.

Properties
Mount class
Light
Rarity
Rare
Acquisition
Permanent unlock from Free Rewards (One claim per captain through the LIKE THE GAME reward)
DPS
33 damage/s (Value displayed in the light-gun selection menu for that loadout)
Stated range
500 (Range quoted by the presenter while discussing MK 8 Hydra Rockets)

AK-101

Wasp's 40-CR Hardened Breech Blocks research unlocks AK-101. Successful fore and aft fittings and its use against Wanted Old Hook make it a practical alternative after that research.

Properties
Mount class
Light
Rarity
Uncommon
Research unlock
Hardened Breech Blocks (Wasp tech tree)
Fitting examples
Gun 5 / STBD / AFT; Gun 2 / PORT / FORE; Gun 4 / PORT / AFT (Successful fittings on different ship setups; position numbers apply to their respective setups.)

B

A situational alternative when its acquisition route and closer-range role suit the loadout.

MK 40 40mm Bofors

Starter Pack includes Bofors, and a three-gun Corvette setup demonstrates its firepower role. The early comparison favors its damage but identifies reach as a drawback, so it is less attractive when staying farther from targets is the priority.

Properties
Mount class
Light
Rarity
Uncommon
Acquisition
Included in Starter Pack
Example fitted quantity
3 guns (Example Bofors loadout)

Early PvE Recommendations

These tiers prioritize easy starter access, practical reach and useful combat roles. M14 is our first choice for early progression, while Hydra and AK-101 offer worthwhile alternatives. Bofors is a more situational pick for Starter Pack owners.

Treat the tiers as early PvE recommendations rather than a ranking of every weapon's raw damage. For weapon classes, rarities and other unlock routes, browse the weapon directory.

When to Choose Each Weapon

  • M14 14mm MG — start here during training. Its training blueprint gives you a direct upgrade path from M12 without waiting for a later ship. It is also our preferred starting point when reach matters more than trying a damage-focused alternative. That range preference is a practical recommendation, not a claim that M14 has the longest range in Skyships.
  • MK 8 Hydra Rockets — choose a free damage-focused option. The like reward permanently unlocks Hydra without a paid pack. It is an attractive alternative when you want to try rockets, provided your selected mount supports them.
  • AK-101 — choose it after investing in Wasp research. Hardened Breech Blocks provides a clear unlock route. AK-101 can work in compatible fore and aft positions, making it a practical alternative when you already have access to it.
  • MK 40 40mm Bofors — try it if you already own Starter Pack. Its appeal is firepower at closer engagement distances. We favor M14 when keeping more distance is your priority, so Bofors is a situational alternative rather than a reason to interrupt your training progression with a purchase.

Corvette can use a three-M14 weapon group or a three-Bofors group. Those are useful examples of concentrating on one weapon choice; they do not prescribe every mount on the ship.

Reach, DPS and Mount Compatibility

Prioritize reaching your target before chasing a higher DPS number. If you get an OUT OF RANGE warning, the listed damage does not solve the immediate problem: you need a suitable engagement distance. Use the combat guide for targeting and survival decisions.

Hydra's light-gun menu reads 33 damage per second in one loadout. An early Bofors configuration has a quoted 20 DPS. These readings come from different configurations, so they do not establish a fixed damage ratio or make Hydra universally stronger than Bofors.

All four recommendations are Light weapons, but the selected mount must offer the weapon you want. Open that mount's weapon list in Shipyard before planning a replacement. AK-101 has successful fore and aft fittings across different setups; it is not restricted to a single numbered position.

A second Hydra launcher could not be fitted in one early setup. Plan around the options available on your current mounts rather than assuming that every gun position can become a rocket launcher.

Shipyard Light Guns menu with AK-101 equipped and M14 and Hydra available to equip.

Unlock and Fit Your Pick

Weapon Early acquisition route
M14 14mm MG Earn its blueprint from the training contract. Building it requires 12 Iron; at a port, open Market → Blueprints → My Blueprints → Build.
MK 8 Hydra Rockets Open LIKE THE GAME at a port, like Skyships on Roblox, then return and claim Free Rewards. The permanent unlock is available once per captain.
AK-101 Have Wasp in your fleet and research Hardened Breech Blocks in its tech tree for 40 CR. This is the research unlock cost.
MK 40 40mm Bofors Obtain it through Starter Pack.

Once your weapon is ready, open Shipyard, select a compatible gun position and choose Equip. Follow the weapon building and fitting guide for the full installation process.

For the reward's other benefits and claim steps, see the free like reward. If you are considering a purchase for Bofors, compare Starter Pack's contents and price first.