{
  "updated_at": "2026-05-09T21:32:00+10:00",
  "verification_note": "Weapon names are sourced from Destructoid's May 2026 class and weapon tier list. Numeric stats are local testing estimates for guide comparison, not official developer values.",
  "sources": [
    "https://www.destructoid.com/survive-zombie-arena-tier-list/",
    "https://www.survivezombiearena.wiki/weapons/Survive-Zombie-Arena-weapons"
  ],
  "weapons": [
    {"slug":"arctic-striker","name":"Arctic Striker","tier":"S","unlock_slot":"Final slot","damage":96,"ammo":30,"fire_rate_rps":7.4,"reload_sec":2.4,"range":"long","role":"freeze control","ttk_basic_zombie_sec":0.35,"ttk_brute_sec":1.4,"ammo_cost_per_kill":1.7,"source":"Destructoid"},
    {"slug":"gumdrop-blaster","name":"Gumdrop Blaster","tier":"S","unlock_slot":"Final slot","damage":82,"ammo":40,"fire_rate_rps":8.2,"reload_sec":2.7,"range":"mid","role":"slow and crowd control","ttk_basic_zombie_sec":0.38,"ttk_brute_sec":1.5,"ammo_cost_per_kill":2.1,"source":"Destructoid"},
    {"slug":"flamethrower","name":"Flamethrower","tier":"A","unlock_slot":"late","damage":34,"ammo":180,"fire_rate_rps":18,"reload_sec":4.8,"range":"close","role":"pack burn","ttk_basic_zombie_sec":0.42,"ttk_brute_sec":1.9,"ammo_cost_per_kill":5.2,"source":"Destructoid"},
    {"slug":"minigun","name":"Minigun","tier":"A","unlock_slot":"free-to-play late","damage":28,"ammo":240,"fire_rate_rps":19,"reload_sec":5.6,"range":"mid","role":"sustained lane clear","ttk_basic_zombie_sec":0.46,"ttk_brute_sec":1.7,"ammo_cost_per_kill":4.4,"source":"Destructoid"},
    {"slug":"heavy-rifle","name":"Heavy Rifle","tier":"A","unlock_slot":"late","damage":74,"ammo":24,"fire_rate_rps":5.2,"reload_sec":2.5,"range":"long","role":"elite focus fire","ttk_basic_zombie_sec":0.44,"ttk_brute_sec":1.8,"ammo_cost_per_kill":1.6,"source":"Destructoid"},
    {"slug":"inferno-minigun","name":"Inferno Minigun","tier":"B","unlock_slot":"premium","damage":31,"ammo":240,"fire_rate_rps":20,"reload_sec":5.8,"range":"mid","role":"premium burn pressure","ttk_basic_zombie_sec":0.43,"ttk_brute_sec":1.6,"ammo_cost_per_kill":4.7,"source":"Destructoid"},
    {"slug":"lava-gatling","name":"Lava Gatling","tier":"B","unlock_slot":"premium","damage":35,"ammo":220,"fire_rate_rps":17,"reload_sec":5.9,"range":"mid","role":"premium sustained fire","ttk_basic_zombie_sec":0.47,"ttk_brute_sec":1.9,"ammo_cost_per_kill":4.8,"source":"Destructoid"},
    {"slug":"handgun","name":"Handgun","tier":"C","unlock_slot":"starter route","damage":24,"ammo":12,"fire_rate_rps":3.5,"reload_sec":1.5,"range":"mid","role":"starter economy","ttk_basic_zombie_sec":0.9,"ttk_brute_sec":4.8,"ammo_cost_per_kill":3.0,"source":"Community progression references"},
    {"slug":"shotgun","name":"Shotgun","tier":"B","unlock_slot":"early route","damage":130,"ammo":6,"fire_rate_rps":1.15,"reload_sec":2.8,"range":"close","role":"early wave burst","ttk_basic_zombie_sec":0.7,"ttk_brute_sec":2.9,"ammo_cost_per_kill":1.3,"source":"Community progression references"},
    {"slug":"rifle","name":"Rifle","tier":"B","unlock_slot":"mid route","damage":45,"ammo":30,"fire_rate_rps":6.4,"reload_sec":2.1,"range":"long","role":"mid-wave transition","ttk_basic_zombie_sec":0.55,"ttk_brute_sec":2.2,"ammo_cost_per_kill":2.0,"source":"Community progression references"}
  ]
}