The Metro 2039 weapons shown before launch include the Bastard, Kalash, Valve, Duplet, Shambler, Tikhar, Molotov cocktails, and pipe bombs. Pre-release demonstrations also contain a craftable pneumatic weapon, although the supplied material does not establish whether it is a new gun or a renamed Tikhar configuration.
Weapon customization is returning. Demonstrations show attachment changes in the field, upgrades at workbenches, and blueprints used in weapon progression. Exact statistics, unlock locations, recipes, attachment compatibility, and the final launch roster have not been published in the supplied material.
Revealed weapon list
| Category | Weapon | What has been shown | Pre-release limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submachine gun | Bastard | Side-loading and bottom-loading configurations, a drum magazine, a reflex sight, and incendiary ammunition | Final configurations and ammunition compatibility are unknown |
| Rifle | Kalash | Short AKS-74U-style and full-length AK-74M-style configurations | No damage, recoil, magazine, or upgrade values are confirmed |
| Rifle | Valve | A full-size bolt-action form and a drum-fed semi-automatic configuration | It is unclear whether these are attachments, separate variants, or progression states |
| Shotgun | Duplet | A conventional double-barrel configuration | Ammunition types and upgrade options are unknown |
| Shotgun | Shambler | Several configurations with different stocks, sights, muzzle parts, and operating details | Pre-release footage may represent different builds or attachment states |
| Pneumatic weapon | Tikhar or an unnamed new model | A scoped, laser-equipped, pump-operated weapon and another craftable pneumatic gun using recoverable drill-bit ammunition | The supplied sources use conflicting names, so a separate launch entry cannot be confirmed |
| Throwable | Molotov cocktail | A thrown bottle that ignites after leaving the Stranger's hand | Crafting cost, capacity, and damage are unknown |
| Throwable | Pipe bomb | A canister-style explosive with a lever and lit fuse | Crafting cost, fuse timing, and damage are unknown |
Pre-release promotional imagery shows a customized drum-fed Bastard configuration.
Bastard configurations
The Bastard is the most visibly configurable submachine gun in the available material. It appears with both side-mounted and vertically mounted magazines. Other footage shows a drum-fed version carrying a reflex sight, while promotional material places different configurations in the hands of Novoreich soldiers.
Incendiary rounds are also shown being fired from a Bastard. That confirms the ammunition effect in pre-release footage, but not whether every Bastard configuration accepts it or how players obtain it. Magazine capacities, fire-rate values, recoil statistics, and attachment penalties remain unknown.
The different feed orientations should therefore be treated as observed configurations rather than a complete upgrade tree. The supplied material does not explain whether players can rotate the feed system themselves, must find separate receivers, or acquire complete weapon variants.
Kalash and Valve rifles
The Kalash returns in both compact and full-length forms. The compact configuration resembles an AKS-74U, while the longer version resembles an AK-74M and has been shown with a distinctive stock. Pre-release footage also shows a reload animation and visible magazine state, but it provides no reliable numerical performance data.
The Valve has changed more substantially from its compact appearance in Metro Exodus. Metro 2039 material shows a full-size rifle with a straight-pull bolt action. The Stranger is seen using it with both a scope and iron sights, making it the clearest revealed option for deliberate ranged fire.
A second Valve configuration combines a drum magazine with a semi-automatic mechanism. It may represent an extensive upgrade, a separately assembled variant, or another weapon state prepared for the trailer. The available information does not resolve that distinction.
The full-size Valve configuration shown in pre-release Metro 2039 footage.
Duplet and Shambler shotguns
The Duplet is a conventional-looking double-barrel shotgun. Its appearance is less improvised than earlier versions, but the essential break-action layout remains recognizable. It is shown being fired at a large mutant in pre-release footage. No alternate barrel count, ammunition type, or confirmed upgrade path is supplied for Metro 2039.
The Shambler appears in several forms. One uses an AK-like stock and pistol grip, while other material shows different rear assemblies, sights, and muzzle parts. Its action also varies between pre-release scenes: some footage shows a more enclosed rotating-bolt design, while another configuration retains the exposed toggle-style mechanism associated with earlier games.
These differences may demonstrate the customization system, footage from different development builds, or both. They should not yet be interpreted as separate weapons. The Shambler is also shown firing rapidly during an action sequence, but the supplied material does not confirm its final fire modes or ammunition consumption.
A side view highlights the Shambler's receiver, stock, and pistol grip.
Pneumatic weapons and recoverable ammunition
A scoped and laser-equipped Tikhar is visible in promotional material. The Stranger operates its pump, reinforcing that pressure management remains part of the weapon's presentation. Another image appears to show a more advanced electromagnetic configuration, but its final upgrade name and availability are unverified.
Early demonstrations also describe a craftable pneumatic weapon using multiple ammunition types. One demonstrated version fires drill bits that can be recovered from defeated enemies. This could make careful shot placement and ammunition recovery valuable when supplies are limited, but no recovery rate, crafting recipe, pressure value, or damage figure is available.
The weapon's name is inconsistent across the supplied transcripts, appearing in forms resembling Shatun, Shatoon, and Shayon. Other material identifies comparable footage as the Tikhar. Until an authoritative name or final in-game menu is available, treating it as a distinct confirmed weapon would overstate the evidence.
Molotov cocktails and pipe bombs
Two throwables are clearly identifiable. The Molotov cocktail returns as an incendiary option. The Stranger throws the bottle unlit, and it ignites after leaving his hand in the shown sequence.
The pipe bomb also returns with a revised canister, lever, and visible fuse. It is shown being thrown at human enemies. The footage confirms the throwable's presence, not its blast radius, fuse duration, carrying limit, or crafting ingredients.
Early demo accounts also mention crafting grenades and Molotov cocktails from scavenged resources. They do not provide a complete throwable inventory or verified recipes, so additional explosive types should not be added to the roster yet.
Weapon customization and blueprints
Metro 2039 retains in-field attachment changes. Demonstrations show the Stranger using a backpack to exchange major parts such as barrels, stocks, and sights. This suggests that players will not always need to return to a permanent workshop for routine reconfiguration.
Workbenches still matter. Early players report using them to improve weapons, while footage shows blueprints associated with parts and upgrades. Scavenged crafting supplies feed into this progression, but the supplied material does not identify individual blueprint locations or list which components each blueprint unlocks.
The safest pre-launch distinction is:
- The backpack supports at least some attachment changes in the field.
- Workbenches support weapon upgrades in the demonstrated build.
- Blueprints contribute to crafting or weapon progression.
- Barrels, stocks, and sights are explicitly shown or described as swappable parts.
- Complete attachment trees, costs, prerequisites, and compatibility rules remain unknown.
A sponsored early-preview player also reported that enemies could notice an active visible laser in darkness. This is useful evidence that attachments may affect stealth as well as aiming, but it comes from a pre-release build and may change before launch.
Ammo and loadout planning before launch
The demonstrated weapon range supports several combat roles without establishing a definitive best weapon. The Bastard and compact Kalash configurations provide automatic-fire options. The full-length Kalash and Valve cover more deliberate rifle use. The Duplet and Shambler supply close-range shotgun choices, while pneumatic weapons emphasize pressure, crafting, and specialized ammunition.
One previewer reported carrying four selectable weapons in the demonstrated mission. Because the supplied material does not show a final inventory rule, that number should not be treated as a confirmed game-wide loadout limit.
Military-grade ammunition also appeared in an early demo cache and was described as both usable ammunition and currency. That economy may make firing valuable rounds a direct resource decision. However, its final exchange value, supported weapons, and availability are not established.
For now, build planning should focus on demonstrated roles rather than numerical rankings. There is not enough verified information to publish a best-weapons tier list, optimal attachment setup, upgrade route, or ammunition-efficiency calculation. Those answers require the launch build or authoritative final-system documentation.