LOADING WEAPONS...
DOSSIERCANTO
SMG / Full Auto / 5 KG
TTK
nulls
vs Light, body
SHOTS TO KILL
17
body, Light
HEADSHOT
2.5x
17.5 dmg
FIRE RATE
—
shots/sec T4
MAGAZINE
25
rounds T4
// PVP ANALYSIS
The first medium-ammo SMG in Arc Raiders. 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. If the damage and fire rate numbers hold up, this reshapes budget loadouts: Canto alone might replace the Stitcher + Ferro combo.
// THE MATH
Stats pending in-game verification. Medium ammo on an SMG is unprecedented — the ARC penetration tier will determine whether this is a meta-shifter or a sidegrade. If it matches Rattler-level pen (Moderate) with Stitcher-level fire rate, it's the best value weapon in the game.
// 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 appears to be a random world drop — it can be found in lootable containers, as drops from ARC enemies, or in random locations across any map in the Rust Belt. There is no confirmed specific source or map condition required.
The Canto can also be crafted once you have the Blueprint. Crafting requires Assessor Matrix components, which drop from looting the ARC Assessor during Close Scrutiny ARC Operations.
Crafting cost: Pending verification Vendor availability: Check Tian Wen and Celeste after finding the Blueprint
TIER IV / ALL SHIELD TYPES
BODY TTK
HEAD TTK
SHOTS TO KILL
No Shield
—
—
15 / 6
BODY / HEAD
Light
—
—
17 / 7
BODY / HEAD
Medium
—
—
19 / 8
BODY / HEAD
Heavy
—
—
21 / 9
BODY / HEAD
Threat Assessment
CANTO WINS AGAINST
Fastest weapon — nothing slower
LOSES TO
Slowest weapon — nothing faster
IS IT WORTH UPGRADING?
TIER I
FR: —
MAG: 25
RLD: —
TTK: —
TIER II
FR: —
MAG: 25
RLD: —
TTK: —
TIER III
FR: —
MAG: 25
RLD: —
TTK: —
TIER IV
FR: —
MAG: 25
RLD: —
TTK: —
WORTH IT
PRICES, CRAFTING
DAMAGE
7
per shot
WEIGHT
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.