Weapon Types Explained — Guns, Grenades & Combat Roles

Which weapon types exist in Resonance of Fate?

The game groups combat tools into three leveled families plus support cases:

There is no assault rifle class in official descriptions (Wikipedia combat summary, RPG Land weapon chapter). Fan wikis label SMGs as “machine guns”; in-game items use names like SMG-05 and PDW-XN series (Giant Bomb weapon list).

Each hero has two equip slots. Valid loadouts include handgun + machine gun, dual handguns, dual machine guns, gun + case, or gun + grenades (RPG Land).

How do scratch and direct damage map to weapon types?

The tutorial screen above states the loop plainly: machine guns paint scratch (blue); handguns apply direct (green) and convert existing scratch. Scratch that sits too long can heal—speed matters more than raw per-shot numbers early on.

Direct-only kills on weak targets remain possible with handguns (Ludo guide + Erickdesu Steam guide). Bosses and shielded parts usually need scratch first.

For combat flow beyond weapons, read scratch vs direct damage and the battle system hub.

Handguns — stats, range, and when to fire

Handguns lean toward gauge break skills as their charge bonuses level up (in-game Tips 6: Weapons and Leveling Up tutorial). Grounded handgun shots target the body part you face; they do not randomize across all shields like airborne fire.

Named handguns differ by base stats—examples from Giant Bomb / Fandom tables include 1191.45 Auto (starter), B-N84, SG-B226, and late Golden variants in Neverland. The chassis name matters less than custom parts you socket (weapon customization guide).

Machine guns — scratch pressure, RoF, and skills

Machine guns trade killing power for volume of scratch. Skills such as Full Scratch (Fandom SMG section) push entire gauges blue faster than handguns could. They cannot finish unless a direct-damage partner converts.

Starter SMG-05 goes to Zephyr in the Prologue; heavier PDW-XN lines unlock later (Giant Bomb). Weight often blocks dual MG setups on Leanne until levels and lighter parts accrue.

Grenades and thrown weapons — ammo, elements, status

Grenades occupy a weapon slot or a grenade box case. They consume individual grenade items crafted or bought through the Tinkerer (threetimes §07 Tinkerer). Throwing uses the same charge meter as guns; higher thrown level increases possible charge tiers (RPG Land).

Erickdesu notes grenades can stun, scratch, or deal direct depending on element—similar flexibility to special ammunition but with per-throw inventory cost. Status payloads (fire, ice, shock, poison, oil) overlap with accessory resistances listed in threetimes §09 Status Changes.

Because grenades share the thrown XP track, rotating them on a third character prevents stagnation even if that character mainly shoots guns.

Support cases — not weapons, but they compete for slots

Cases add weight. threetimes’ early SMG build shows Leanne cannot keep a case and a heavy MG until stats rise.

How does leveling split across weapon types?

Character display level = handgun + machine gun + thrown levels (Tips 6 + Steam guide). XP comes from damage dealt with that weapon:

• Direct hits grant XP to the part or body struck.
• Scratch grants XP when later converted, not when it fades unused (Steam guide + threetimes leveling notes).

Rotate weapons instead of maxing one track—total level raises HP and weight limit, gating customize grids.

Quick pick chart by situation

Resonance of Fate weapon and damage tutorials — YouTube

Resonance of Fate weapon and damage tutorials

Sources

• Wikipedia — Resonance of Fate combat section
• RPG Land — Battle system Part 1 — weapons and damage
• Ludo — Direct & Scratch Damage guide
• Erickdesu — Basic Beginner guide (Steam)
• threetimes — GameFAQs walkthrough — customization stat lines
• Giant Bomb — Resonance of Fate weapon lists
• Footage frames: Xorbius — Resonance Of Fate 4K/HD Edition (PC) 4K Tutorials (YouTube, video ID eA6D7sVDh3I)

Last verified: 2026-10-31