Are you tired of getting wiped out at wave 50 because your weapons just can’t keep up with the zombie hordes? I’ve been there too. After spending countless hours testing every upgrade strategy in 100 Waves Later, I’m ready to share everything you need to know about weapon upgrades that will transform you from wave-clearing newbie to survival expert.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the exact upgrade system, reveal which weapons are worth your precious Scrap, and share pro strategies that most players don’t discover until they’ve already wasted thousands of resources on dead-end upgrades.
Quick Overview: Weapon Upgrade System at a Glance
| Aspect | Details | Priority Level |
|---|---|---|
| Upgrade Location | Game Menu → Weapons → Upgrade Weapon | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Best Weapons to Upgrade | Plasma Shotgun, Auto Shotgun, Gatling Laser | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Currency | Scrap (earned from waves, codes, mystery boxes) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Upgrade Limit | Varies by weapon type (most can be upgraded 3-5 times) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Best Class for Upgrades | Wastelander (extra weapon slot + ammo) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Understanding the Weapon Upgrade System
Where to Find the Upgrade Menu
The upgrade system in 100 Waves Later is surprisingly straightforward once you know where to look. Here’s exactly how to access it:
- Open the game menu – Look for the menu button (usually in the top-left corner)
- Navigate to the Weapons section – This is where all your owned weapons are displayed
- Select “Upgrade Weapon” – This opens the upgrade interface
- Choose your weapon – Pick any weapon you own and want to improve
- Click Upgrade and confirm – Your weapon stats will increase instantly
Pro Tip: Use the Z key for quick access to your currently equipped weapon. This saves precious seconds during intense waves when you need to upgrade mid-game.
Which Weapons Can Be Upgraded?
Not every weapon in 100 Waves Later can be upgraded, but most primary weapons are eligible. Here’s what you can upgrade:
✅ Upgradeable Weapons:
- Pistols (though I don’t recommend upgrading these)
- Heavy guns like Desert Eagle
- All shotgun variants
- Laser weapons (Plasma Laser, Gatling Laser)
- Most rifles
- All melee weapons
❌ Non-upgradeable Items:
- Some special event weapons
- Certain starter weapons
- Weapons already at maximum upgrade level
How to tell if a weapon can be upgraded: If you see the “Upgrade” button when you select the weapon, it’s eligible. If the button is grayed out or missing, you’ve either maxed it out or it can’t be upgraded.
Step-by-Step Weapon Upgrade Process
The Basic Upgrade Flow
Let me break down exactly how upgrading works in practice:
- Access the upgrade menu (as described above)
- Select your target weapon from your inventory
- Check the upgrade cost – displayed in Scrap
- Click “Upgrade” to see the stat improvements
- Confirm the upgrade – your weapon stats increase immediately
- Test your upgraded weapon in the next wave
Understanding Upgrade Costs and Scaling
Weapon upgrades aren’t free, and costs scale significantly with each level:
| Upgrade Level | Cost Range | Stat Improvement |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 500-2,000 Scrap | 15-25% damage increase |
| Level 2 | 2,000-8,000 Scrap | 20-30% damage increase |
| Level 3 | 8,000-20,000 Scrap | 25-35% damage increase |
| Level 4 | 20,000-50,000 Scrap | 30-40% damage increase |
| Level 5 | 50,000+ Scrap | 35-50% damage increase |
Important Note: These costs vary by weapon type. High-tier weapons like the Plasma Shotgun cost more to upgrade but provide better returns on investment.
Best Weapons to Upgrade: Meta Tier List
Based on my extensive testing and the current meta as of June 2026, here’s how weapons rank for upgrade priority:
S-Tier: Must-Upgrade Weapons
🔥 Plasma Shotgun
- Why upgrade: Absolutely dominates in late-game waves
- Upgrade priority: Highest – upgrade this to max ASAP
- Best for: Solo runs, team support, boss killing
- Synergy: Works perfectly with Wastelander class
🔥 Auto Shotgun
- Why upgrade: Excellent for wave clearing with high fire rate
- Upgrade priority: Very high – carries you through mid-game
- Best for: Early to mid-game progression
- Synergy: Great with Soldier class bonuses
A-Tier: Strong Upgrade Candidates
⚡ Gatling Laser
- Why upgrade: Consistent damage with good ammo efficiency
- Upgrade priority: High – excellent for long runs
- Best for: Players who prefer sustained damage
- Synergy: Pairs well with Pathfinder Super Skills
⚡ Plasma Laser
- Why upgrade: Great single-target damage for bosses
- Upgrade priority: High – invest after shotguns
- Best for: Boss-focused builds
- Synergy: Works with any class that boosts damage
⚡ Sniper
- Why upgrade: Incredible pierce damage with proper positioning
- Upgrade priority: Medium-high – situational but powerful
- Best for: Players with good aim and positioning
- Synergy: Benefits from headshot bonuses
B-Tier: Situational Upgrades
🗡️ Greatsword
- Why upgrade: Best melee option for dedicated builds
- Upgrade priority: Medium – only for melee specialists
- Best for: Boxer class mains
- Synergy: Essential for melee-focused builds
🗡️ Plasma Sword
- Why upgrade: Solid melee alternative to Greatsword
- Upgrade priority: Medium – good secondary melee weapon
- Best for: Hybrid ranged/melee builds
- Synergy: Works with Juggernaut for tanky melee
C-Tier: Avoid Upgrading
❌ Pistols
- Why avoid: Weakest weapon class in the game
- Upgrade priority: Skip entirely
- Better alternative: Save Scrap for shotguns or lasers
- Note: Even Sharpshooter class can’t make pistols viable late-game
Advanced Upgrade Strategies
The “One Weapon” Strategy
One of the biggest mistakes I see new players make is spreading their Scrap across multiple weapons. Here’s why focusing on one main weapon is superior:
Benefits of Single-Weapon Focus:
- Faster progression through waves
- More efficient Scrap usage
- Better muscle memory with your chosen weapon
- Easier to optimize perks and Super Skills
- Consistent damage output
Implementation:
- Choose your primary weapon (I recommend starting with Auto Shotgun)
- Upgrade it to at least Level 3 before considering other weapons
- Use your secondary weapon slot for utility/situational weapons
- Only upgrade a second weapon after your main is maxed
Class Synergy with Weapon Upgrades
Your class choice dramatically affects how effective your weapon upgrades become. Here’s how to optimize this synergy:
Wastelander + Weapon Upgrades:
- Level 1 perk (+1 hotbar slot) lets you carry 3 upgraded weapons
- Level 2 perk (+25% ammo) maximizes upgraded weapon effectiveness
- Level 3 perk (double skill upgrades) accelerates your power scaling
Pathfinder + Weapon Upgrades:
- Super Skill focus means upgraded weapons benefit more from skill bonuses
- Boss wave guarantees ensure your upgraded weapons shine when it matters most
- Scaling potential makes upgraded weapons exponentially better over time
Engineer + Weapon Upgrades:
- Turret support gives you breathing room to maximize upgraded weapon usage
- Free damage from turret lets you focus on weapon upgrades
- Beginner-friendly combination for learning upgrade priorities
Resource Management for Upgrades
Smart Scrap management is crucial for successful weapon upgrading. Here’s my proven system:
Scrap Allocation Priority:
- Class unlock (if you don’t have Wastelander/Pathfinder)
- Primary weapon upgrades (Level 1-3)
- Essential perks/Super Skills
- Secondary weapon upgrades (after primary is Level 3+)
- Utility items and consumables
Scrap Farming Tips:
- Redeem active codes (currently XMAS and LAUNCH for free Scrap)
- Focus on survival over speed – longer waves = more Scrap
- Team up with friends for easier wave clearing
- Use Scavenger class if you’re specifically farming Scrap
- Check mystery boxes when they appear
Common Upgrade Mistakes to Avoid
After helping dozens of players optimize their upgrade strategies, I’ve identified these common pitfalls:
❌ Upgrading Too Many Weapons
Spreading Scrap across multiple weapons leaves you with several mediocre weapons instead of one powerhouse. Focus on one primary weapon first.
❌ Ignoring Class Synergy
Upgrading weapons without considering your class is like putting racing tires on a family car. Your class determines how effective upgrades become.
❌ Upgrading Pistols
I can’t stress this enough: pistols are not viable in late-game waves, even when fully upgraded. Save your Scrap.
❌ Forgetting Ammo Management
Upgraded weapons deal more damage but can burn through ammo faster. Always consider ammo capacity and reload speed.
❌ Neglecting Super Skills
Weapon upgrades are only half the equation. Super Skills often provide bigger power spikes than weapon upgrades.
Pro Tips for Maximum Upgrade Effectiveness
Early Game (Waves 1-30)
- Focus on: Auto Shotgun upgrades to Level 2-3
- Class recommendation: Engineer (free turret) or Soldier (damage bonus)
- Strategy: Survive and farm Scrap for class unlocks
Mid Game (Waves 31-70)
- Focus on: Transition to Plasma Shotgun, upgrade to Level 3+
- Class recommendation: Wastelander for extra weapon slot
- Strategy: Start optimizing your build with specific Super Skills
Late Game (Waves 71-100)
- Focus on: Max out your primary weapon, consider secondary weapon
- Class recommendation: Pathfinder for Super Skill scaling
- Strategy: Perfect your positioning and wave management
Advanced Techniques
Weapon Switching Mastery:
- Learn when to switch between upgraded weapons
- Use upgraded weapons for specific enemy types
- Practice quick switching during intense waves
Upgrade Timing:
- Upgrade between waves, never during combat
- Plan upgrades around boss waves
- Keep some Scrap reserved for emergency upgrades
Team Coordination:
- Communicate weapon choices with teammates
- Cover different weapon types in team composition
- Share upgrade resources when beneficial
Troubleshooting Common Issues
“My Upgraded Weapon Still Feels Weak”
This usually means one of three things:
- You’re upgrading the wrong weapon type (pistols, weak rifles)
- Your class doesn’t synergize with the weapon
- You need better Super Skills to complement the weapon
Solution: Switch to shotguns or lasers, unlock Wastelander/Pathfinder class, and focus on damage-boosting Super Skills.
“Running Out of Ammo with Upgraded Weapons”
Upgraded weapons can burn through ammo faster because you’re killing more enemies.
Solutions:
- Use Wastelander class for +25% ammo
- Prioritize ammo-related Super Skills
- Carry a backup weapon with different ammo type
- Improve your accuracy to waste fewer shots
“Can’t Afford Upgrades”
Scrap management is crucial for progression.
Solutions:
- Redeem codes XMAS and LAUNCH immediately
- Play with friends for easier Scrap farming
- Use Scavenger class temporarily for farming
- Focus on survival over speed in early waves
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best weapon to upgrade first?
The Auto Shotgun is the best starting weapon to upgrade. It’s affordable, effective through mid-game, and transitions well to the Plasma Shotgun later.
How many times can I upgrade a weapon?
Most weapons can be upgraded 3-5 times, depending on their tier. Higher-tier weapons typically have more upgrade levels available.
Should I upgrade melee weapons?
Only if you’re playing a dedicated melee build with Boxer class. For most players, focusing on ranged weapons is more effective.
Do weapon upgrades carry over between runs?
Yes, weapon upgrades are permanent. Once you upgrade a weapon, it stays upgraded for all future runs.
What’s the most cost-effective upgrade strategy?
Focus on upgrading one primary weapon to Level 3 before spending Scrap on anything else. This gives you the best damage-per-Scrap ratio.
Can I upgrade weapons in the middle of a wave?
Technically yes, but I strongly recommend against it. Upgrade between waves when you have time to plan and no immediate threats.
Do different weapons have different upgrade costs?
Yes, higher-tier weapons like the Plasma Shotgun cost significantly more to upgrade than basic weapons, but they also provide better stat increases.
Conclusion
Weapon upgrades are the foundation of success in 100 Waves Later, but they’re only one piece of the puzzle. The key is combining smart upgrade choices with the right class, Super Skills, and teamwork.
Remember these golden rules:
- Focus on one primary weapon before diversifying
- Choose shotguns or lasers over pistols and weak rifles
- Synergize with your class – Wastelander and Pathfinder are top-tier
- Manage Scrap wisely – prioritize upgrades over cosmetic items
- Practice with your upgraded weapons to maximize their potential
The difference between a player who upgrades strategically and one who doesn’t is often the difference between getting wiped at wave 50 and conquering all 100 waves. Start with the Auto Shotgun, work toward the Plasma Shotgun, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations.
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