LOADING WEAPONS...
DOSSIERCANTO
SMG / Fully-Automatic / 6.5 KG
TTK
1.9s
vs Light, body
SHOTS TO KILL
19
body, Light
HEADSHOT
NONE
no bonus
FIRE RATE
9.45/s
shots/sec T4
MAGAZINE
18
rounds T4
// PVP ANALYSIS
The first medium-ammo SMG in Arc Raiders. Confirmed T1: 6.5 damage, 10.91 rounds/sec, 18-round mag. Body TTK vs Light Shield at T1 is 1.65s (19 shots). The Canto fills a gap that didn't exist before — CQC spray with actual ARC penetration. Every other SMG runs Light ammo with Very Weak ARC pen, forcing you to carry a separate weapon for machines. The Canto eliminates that tax. Medium ammo means Moderate ARC penetration at SMG fire rates.
// THE MATH
6.5 damage, 10.91 rounds/sec T1, 18-round mag. 19 STK vs Light Shield with an 18-round magazine means every Light Shield kill requires a reload. Extended mag is essential. Headshot multiplier still unconfirmed (KILLMATH data: 2.5x, community sheet: 1.75x) — headshot TTK values remain tentative until in-game test resolves the conflict.
// TIER PROGRESSION
Rare rarity means Tiers I-IV are available. Check Tier I→IV fire rate scaling — if it follows Stitcher pattern (~30% improvement), the Tier IV version could be exceptional.
// WEAPON COMPARISONS
vs Stitcher
Same class, different ammo pool. The Stitcher runs Light ammo (Very Weak ARC pen). The Canto runs Medium ammo (likely Moderate ARC pen). If the Canto's damage-per-shot is close to the Stitcher's 6.5, it obsoletes the Stitcher + Ferro loadout by handling both Raiders and ARC in one weapon. The key question: is the fire rate comparable?
vs Bobcat
The Bobcat is the premium SMG with Light ammo. The Canto is Rare with Medium ammo. If damage is similar, the Canto offers better ARC utility at a fraction of the cost. The Bobcat's advantage would be headshot TTK if its 2.0x HS multiplier exceeds the Canto's.
vs Rattler
Both use Medium ammo. The Rattler is an Assault Rifle (full auto, 9 damage). The Canto is an SMG (full auto). Different engagement profiles: Rattler for mid-range, Canto for CQC. They share an ammo pool — running both means double medium ammo consumption.
// PVE SHOTS TO KILL
Medium ammo gives the Canto actual ARC penetration. Unlike the Stitcher (Very Weak), the Canto should strip ARC armor at a reasonable rate. Test against Sentinels, Leapers, and Bastions to determine PvE viability. If it handles ARC effectively at SMG fire rates, it becomes the best budget PvE+PvP hybrid weapon.
// VERDICT
The Canto is potentially the most important weapon addition since launch. Not because of raw stats — we don't have those yet — but because of what it represents: an SMG with real ARC penetration. If the numbers are even close to competitive with the Stitcher, budget loadouts change overnight. One weapon instead of two. Medium ammo instead of Light + Heavy. Check back for full KILLMATH analysis once stats are verified.
// HOW TO GET THE CANTO
The Canto Blueprint drops from First Wave Raider Caches during the Hurricane map condition. First Wave Raider Caches only spawn during Hurricanes. The Blueprint is a rare drop — multiple Hurricane runs may be needed. It can also appear in weapon cases and random containers across all maps, but Hurricane caches have the best blueprint spawn rates.
Crafting cost (confirmed): - 2x Advanced Mechanical Components - 5x Magnets - 3x Medium Gun Parts - Requires Weapon Bench Level 3
Total crafting value at Tier I: ~7,000 coins. Blueprint itself sells for 5,000 coins if you don't intend to craft.
// MATCHUPS
See how Canto performs head-to-head against every weapon in Arc Raiders.
TIER IV / ALL SHIELD TYPES
BODY TTK
HEAD TTK
SHOTS TO KILL
No Shield
1.59s
—
16 / —
BODY / HEAD
Light
1.9s
—
19 / —
BODY / HEAD
Medium
2.01s
—
20 / —
BODY / HEAD
Heavy
2.33s
—
23 / —
BODY / HEAD
Threat Assessment
IS IT WORTH UPGRADING?
TIER I
FR: 10.91/s
MAG: 18
RLD: —
TTK: 1.65s
TIER II
FR: 9.45/s
MAG: 18
RLD: —
TTK: 1.9s
TIER III
FR: 9.45/s
MAG: 18
RLD: —
TTK: 1.9s
TIER IV
FR: 9.45/s
MAG: 18
RLD: —
TTK: 1.9s
WORTH IT
Tier I to IV cuts TTK from 1.65s to 1.9s (-15% faster). The biggest jump is I to II (-15% improvement).
PRICES, CRAFTING
DAMAGE
6.5
per shot
WEIGHT
6.5 KG
inventory weight
HOW TO GET THIS WEAPON
LOOT (ALL MAPS)
Found in weapon caches and secured rooms across all maps. Tier scales with area difficulty.
MODS & PAIRINGS
Mod Slots (4)
MUZZLE—
UNDERBARREL—
LIGHT MAG—
STOCK—
BALANCE CHANGES
No recorded balance changes. Canto has been stable across all patches.