What is the Equalizer and How Does It Work?

The Equalizer is a legendary, special beam rifle that uses Energy Clips as ammo. It has a 50-round magazine, a fire rate of 33.33 rounds per second, and high stability (84.6) compared to similar weapons. Its ARC armor penetration is very strong, making it effective against armored targets.

In practice, this means the Equalizer can mow down groups of enemies quickly without worrying about reloads too often. However, it does have some weight to it (14.0 units), which slightly affects agility and movement. Players often find it feels heavier than standard rifles, so positioning and timing become important during combat.

A key limitation to remember: the Equalizer cannot be upgraded, so you won’t be able to modify its base stats through attachments or mods. This makes your gameplay style more about positioning and ammo management rather than weapon customization.


What Are the Best Equalizer Settings for Players?

Unlike customizable weapons, the Equalizer’s “settings” are mostly in how you use it rather than in adjustable stats. Here’s how to optimize it in practice:

  1. Fire Mode Management

    • Fully automatic fire is the only mode, so avoid holding down the trigger unnecessarily. The weapon’s energy clip can drain quickly. Use controlled bursts for medium-range targets to maintain accuracy.

  2. Positioning and Movement

    • With agility at 44.6, you won’t be sprinting as fast as lighter weapons. Always combine shooting with strategic cover. Standing still may improve accuracy due to the high stability, but leaves you vulnerable.

  3. Target Prioritization

    • The Equalizer excels against ARC-armored enemies. Focus on taking down high-priority armored targets first, then move on to groups of lighter enemies.

  4. Ammo Management

    • Each Energy Clip can fire 50 rounds. Carry extra clips and be mindful of your firing rhythm. In team scenarios, coordinate to avoid wasting ammo on low-priority targets.

In short, the “settings” for the Equalizer are about controlled use, positioning, and prioritizing targets rather than adjusting in-game sliders.


How Do I Obtain the Equalizer?

The Equalizer requires crafting from a blueprint. Here’s the basic breakdown:

  • Ingredients:

    • 3 × Magnetic Accelerator

    • 3 × Complex Gun Parts

    • 1 × Queen Reactor

  • Requirements:

    • Gunsmith level 3

    • Learned Equalizer blueprint

In practice, players usually collect these components over several runs. Some players also sell blueprints ARC Raiders to other players, which can speed up the acquisition process if you have excess resources.


How Should I Repair the Equalizer?

Even though the Equalizer is durable, it will eventually degrade with use. The repair costs are straightforward:

  • Repair cost per session:

    • 2 × Magnetic Accelerators

    • 1 × Complex Gun Parts

  • Durability restored: +50

Most experienced players repair the weapon in batches instead of after every skirmish. This saves materials while keeping the weapon combat-ready.


Should I Recycle or Salvage the Equalizer?

When you no longer need the Equalizer, either for inventory management or switching to another weapon, you have two options:

  1. Recycling

    • Returns 2 × Magnetic Accelerators and 1 × Complex Gun Parts.

    • This is the best route if you want to reclaim most of your crafting materials.

  2. Salvaging

    • Returns 1 × Magnetic Accelerator.

    • Good for a smaller return when you just need a minor resource boost.

In practice, recycling is the preferred choice for high-value weapons like the Equalizer, especially if you plan to craft another legendary weapon later.


Tips from Experienced Players

Here are some practical notes that come from repeated use in real gameplay:

  • Avoid excessive firing in open areas. The beam is powerful, but the weapon’s weight and recoil make you an easier target.

  • Pair with mobility boosters or support teammates. The Equalizer works best when someone else handles crowd control or flanking.

  • Monitor ammo closely in long runs. Fully automatic fire can empty a clip in seconds if you’re not careful.

  • Balance your loadout. Since the Equalizer can’t be upgraded, pairing it with a lightweight weapon can help maintain agility.

The Equalizer is a high-capacity, fully automatic beam rifle that shines in armored combat. While it can’t be upgraded, knowing how to manage ammo, positioning, and target priority will make it one of the most effective weapons in your arsenal.

Remember, its performance is largely determined by how you use it, not in-game adjustments. Keep these settings in mind:

  • Controlled bursts over constant fire

  • Focus on armored targets first

  • Manage movement and positioning to compensate for weight

  • Repair and recycle wisely to maintain resources

For players who are patient with blueprint collection and careful with ammo, the Equalizer is a reliable weapon that can dominate difficult encounters.

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