Waking up in a bunker with no memory and no weapons? Not exactly an ideal start in Atomfall. Cumberland is a rough place, and some of the locals are more interested in relieving you of your life than offering a warm welcome. That’s why your first priority should be arming yourself ASAP. My guide will walk you through five of the best weapons you can get early in Atomfall. These aren’t just any weapons, they’re the ones that will make survival a whole lot easier until you can get your hands on better firepower. Stick around to the end for a special tip on how to make these weapons even deadlier!
Best 5 Weapons to Get Early
To help you stay alive and gain the upper hand early on, I’ve put together a list of the best weapons you can find in the first few hours of gameplay. These weapons will give you a fighting chance against the dangers lurking in Atomfall’s wasteland! Also, as a beginner, you might want to check out my complete starter guide in Atomfall, which includes helpful tips to get you started!
Lemington Shotgun (Slatten Dale – Immediate Pickup)
For this first must-visit loot spot, you’ll find a shotgun super early in the game. It’s located in Slattendale territory, one of the first areas you explore.
- As soon as you leave the bunker, follow the footpath to the left.
- There will be a small house on your left (Right in front of Nat, the guy playing a guitar), head inside.
- Once inside, go around the corner to find a box with supplies. Climb on top of it.
- Look to your right, you’ll see a small window. Vault through it.
- Inside, you’ll find some ammunition, loot, and a dead body.
- Loot the body to pick up the Lemington Shotgun.
- Unlock the door to your right to exit the house.

Terrier .22 Rifle (Slatten Dale – Long-Range Option)
This rifle is perfect for long-range engagements, so it’s a great pickup early in the game. You can find it in Slatten Dale near a watermill, in coordinates: 26.9 E, 74.5 N.
- Head towards Slatten Dale the abandoned houses, just outside Wyndham.
- Look for a broken-down truck on the road, then find the watermill to your left.
- Go to the back of the watermill and look for a crawl space under the boards.
- Crawl inside, but be careful, there’s a tripwire and a nail board trap.
- Hug the right wall to avoid the tripwire.
- Once past the traps, search the far corner of the room.
- Pick up the Terrier .22 Rifle and some ammo.

NOTE: The only downside from this weapon is that it’s rusty, for that, you can check out our guide on how to upgrade guns in Atomfall, so you can make it pristine if you want!
Heavy Survival Knife (Best Early Melee Option)
If you’re looking for a solid melee weapon early on, the Heavy Survival Knife is a must-have. Head to coordinates 36.3 E, 71.8 N in Slatten Dale, near the river at the bottom of the map. Start at the top of the waterfalls. Jump down carefully, and on the third level, you’ll spot a cave entrance.
Step inside, keep an eye out for rare materials, and make your way to the crate on the left side of the pit (you don’t have to jump down). Crack it open, and you’ve got yourself a Heavy Survival Knife. This blade hits hard and fast, making it an excellent backup when ammo runs low. Trust me, it’ll save your skin more times than you’d expect!


Modifed JM-3
You can find it in Secluded Cave, Skethermoor (41.2 E, 79.4 N). In the large open area, take a left and squeeze through a narrow gap, you’ll find it near a fallen body. It can also drop from enemies or appear in random loot spots throughout the cave. It’s a powerful weapon you can pick up fairly early in the game, with high damage and accuracy, especially a very high fire rate.

Mk. VI Revolver (Slatten Dale – High Damage Option)
In the early moments of the game, retrace your steps back to a crash site near the starting area in Slatten Dale: 27.6 E, 71.3 N. You’ll find a crashed helicopter surrounded by a few enemies, either fight them off or sneak past them. Inside the wreckage, search Private Daget’s body to retrieve a coded message and, more importantly, Agravaine’s Lockbox Key.

With the key in hand, track its location using the coded message, it will mark a general area on your map. Before heading straight for the lockbox, take a small detour to a hidden treasure behind a waterfall nearby. Run through the waterfall to reveal a secret lootable area—grab ammo, herbs, and other valuable items.

With the Lockbox key in hand, track the location down by following the coded message—it will lead you to the Railyards in Slatten Dale: 28.5 E, 76.8 N. Once you reach the area, look for a crawl space. Yep, you’ll need to get down and squeeze through. Crawl under and the to the left side of the room, you’ll see the lootbox. Pop that lockbox open, and inside you’ll find:
- Sticky Bomb Recipe – This will definitely come in handy later.
- MK.VI Revolver – A solid sidearm that packs a punch.

Wrap-Up
These five weapons will give you a solid start in Atomfall, allowing you to take on enemies and explore the world without constantly fearing for your life. Whether you prefer up-close combat with the Lemington Shotgun, long-range sniping with the Terrier .22, or the all-around power of the Bullpup Assault Rifle, you’ll be well-equipped for survival. Make sure to manage your ammo wisely and avoid unnecessary fights, combat isn’t always the best option in Atomfall. Stay safe out there!