The weapon tier comparison in Be The Final Boss is not a single ladder — it is a sliding scale that shifts with every wave range, every minion composition, and every skill tree allocation. A BOSS who clings to a single weapon through the entire reverse tower defense progression loses roughly 40% of the available damage output, while a BOSS who rotates weapons based on the wave composition reaches Wave 50 with full HP and a healthy coin wallet. This guide provides a tier comparison with DPS math, wave range recommendations, and the exact benchmarks that decide which weapon wins each phase of the game.
The reason tier comparisons are harder than they look is that Be The Final Boss balances weapons around damage type (single-target, multi-target, AOE) rather than raw damage per shot. A Tier 3 AOE weapon can outperform a Tier 5 single-target weapon against a clustered wave, while the Tier 5 single-target weapon dominates every boss fight. The "best" weapon is always wave-range specific, and the right answer for Wave 12 is different from the right answer for the Wave 25 boss, which is different from the right answer for Wave 50.
The Five-Tier Damage Multiplier Framework
Every weapon in Be The Final Boss scales through five tiers, and each tier roughly doubles the damage of the previous tier. The damage multipliers are not exactly 2x because the developers at Apparently Champions tuned each tier to feel meaningful, but the approximation is close enough for comparison purposes.
| Tier | Damage Multiplier | Cumulative vs Tier 1 | Coin Cost to Unlock | Coin Cost to Upgrade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 1.0x | 1.0x | 0 (free) | 0 |
| Tier 2 | 1.8x | 1.8x | 500 | 500 |
| Tier 3 | 3.2x | 5.76x | 1,500 | 1,500 |
| Tier 4 | 5.5x | 31.7x | 3,500 | 3,500 |
| Tier 5 | 9.0x | 285x | 8,000 | 8,000 |
The cumulative column tells the real story: a fully upgraded Tier 5 weapon deals 285x the damage of a Tier 1 weapon, while three Tier 2 weapons each deal only 1.8x the damage, for a total of 5.4x. The single-weapon focus is the most efficient coin-economy strategy because the cumulative damage scales non-linearly with tier.
Why Tier 5 Dominates Endgame
The Tier 5 damage multiplier is 9.0x the Tier 1 baseline, and the cumulative damage of a fully upgraded Tier 5 is roughly 285x the Tier 1 damage. This non-linear scaling is why Endless Mode clears past Wave 70 are almost impossible without a Tier 5 weapon. A BOSS with a Tier 4 weapon can survive Wave 60 but collapses around Wave 65 because the hero spawn rate outpaces the damage output. A BOSS with a Tier 5 weapon and the armor system from UPD2 can push to Wave 80 consistently.
Single-Target Weapon Comparison
Single-target weapons deal damage to one hero per shot, and they are the dominant damage type for boss fights and priority hero elimination. The single-target roster spans 7 weapons across all 5 tiers.
| Weapon | Tier | Damage Per Shot | DPS (with fire rate) | Best Wave Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cannon | 1 | 35 | 23 | 1-5 |
| Frostbite | 2 | 38 | 25 | 5-15 |
| Voidcleaver | 3 | 85 | 57 | 15-25 |
| Sniper Cannon | 3 | 75 | 50 | 15-25 |
| Voidcleaver Mk2 | 4 | 140 | 93 | 25-40 |
| Sovereign | 4 | 120 | 80 | 25-40 |
| Void Sovereign | 5 | 240 | 160 | 40+ |
| Annihilator | 5 | 200 | 133 | 40+ |
The Void Sovereign is the highest single-target DPS weapon in the game at 160 DPS, which is the deciding factor for the Wave 50 boss kill time. The Voidcleaver is the best Tier 3 single-target weapon and is the recommended choice for the Wave 25 boss because the Execute ability lets you burst during the enrage phase. The Annihilator trades some DPS for Lifesteal + Cleave, which makes it the best choice for solo Endless Mode runs where survivability matters.
Single-Target Weapon Damage Per Coin
The damage-per-coin ratio is the metric that decides which single-target weapon is the best coin economy investment. A weapon that costs 1,000 coins and deals 80 DPS has a ratio of 0.08 DPS per coin, while a weapon that costs 4,000 coins and deals 150 DPS has a ratio of 0.0375 DPS per coin. The Tier 3 weapons are the sweet spot for the Wave 25 boss preparation because they cost roughly 3,000 coins total and deal 50-57 DPS.
| Weapon | Total Coin Cost | DPS | DPS per 100 coins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannon | 0 | 23 | ∞ |
| Frostbite | 1,000 | 25 | 2.5 |
| Voidcleaver | 3,000 | 57 | 1.9 |
| Sniper Cannon | 3,000 | 50 | 1.7 |
| Voidcleaver Mk2 | 7,000 | 93 | 1.3 |
| Sovereign | 7,000 | 80 | 1.1 |
| Void Sovereign | 19,000 | 160 | 0.8 |
| Annihilator | 19,000 | 133 | 0.7 |
The damage-per-coin ratio peaks at Tier 2 and steadily declines as you move to higher tiers, because the higher tiers cost disproportionately more coins. This is why most BOSSes rush to Tier 3 (Voidcleaver) for the Wave 25 boss and then save coins for the Tier 4-5 transition.
Multi-Target Weapon Comparison
Multi-target weapons deal damage to multiple heroes in a line or chain, and they are the dominant damage type for clustered waves and AOE-heavy compositions. The multi-target roster spans 3 weapons.
| Weapon | Tier | Damage Per Target | Max Targets | Effective DPS | Best Wave Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stormbringer | 2 | 28 | 4 | 112 (clustered) | 5-15 |
| Arclight | 3 | 38 | 5 | 190 (clustered) | 15-25 |
| Arclight upgrade | 4 | 55 | 6 | 330 (clustered) | 25-40 |
| Tempest | 5 | 90 | 8 | 720 (clustered) | 40+ |
The Tempest is the highest multi-target DPS weapon in the game at 720 effective DPS against clustered waves, which is the deciding factor for Endless Mode pushing past Wave 70. The Stormbringer is the best Tier 2 multi-target weapon and is the recommended choice for the Wave 6-15 mid-game because the chain lightning handles clustered waves without requiring manual targeting.
Multi-Target vs Single-Target at Different Wave Compositions
The damage type that wins depends on the wave composition. Clustered waves (where heroes spawn in groups of 3+) favor multi-target weapons. Spread waves (where heroes spawn individually) favor single-target weapons. The transition happens around Wave 16, when the first AOE heroes appear and clustered waves become common.
| Wave Range | Cluster Density | Single-Target DPS | Multi-Target DPS | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-5 | 20% | 23 (Cannon) | N/A | Single-target |
| 6-10 | 35% | 25 (Frostbite) | 112 (Stormbringer) | Multi-target |
| 11-15 | 45% | 25 (Frostbite) | 112 (Stormbringer) | Multi-target |
| 16-20 | 60% | 57 (Voidcleaver) | 190 (Arclight) | Multi-target |
| 21-25 | 70% | 57 (Voidcleaver) | 190 (Arclight) | Multi-target |
| 26-40 | 65% | 93 (Voidcleaver Mk2) | 330 (Arclight T4) | Multi-target |
| 40+ | 75% | 160 (Void Sovereign) | 720 (Tempest) | Multi-target |
The table shows that multi-target weapons win from Wave 6 onward in nearly every wave range. The exception is Wave 1-5 where the cluster density is too low for multi-target to capitalize, and the boss fights (Wave 25, Wave 50) where single-target burst wins because the boss is a single target.
AOE Weapon Comparison
AOE weapons deal damage to every hero in a radius, and they are the dominant damage type for highly clustered waves and Wave 50 boss spawns. The AOE roster spans 4 weapons.
| Weapon | Tier | Damage Per Target | Radius | Effective DPS | Best Wave Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zapper | 1 | 12 | 2 tiles | 60 (clustered) | 1-5 |
| Pyroclast | 3 | 45 | 2 tiles | 180 (clustered) | 15-25 |
| Meteor | 4 | 80 | 3 tiles | 480 (clustered) | 25-40 |
| Cataclysm | 5 | 180 | 4 tiles | 1,260 (clustered) | 40+ |
The Cataclysm is the highest AOE DPS weapon in the game at 1,260 effective DPS against clustered waves. The Meteor is the best Tier 4 AOE weapon and is the recommended choice for the Wave 50 boss because the boss spawns double the regular heroes. The Pyroclast is the best Tier 3 AOE weapon and is the recommended choice for Wave 16-20 when the first AOE heroes appear.
AOE Weapon Radius Scaling
The AOE radius scales non-linearly with tier. The Zapper has a 2-tile radius, the Pyroclast has a 2-tile radius (with Burn DoT), the Meteor has a 3-tile radius, and the Cataclysm has a 4-tile radius. The radius difference between Meteor and Cataclysm is +33%, but the damage difference is +125%, which means the Cataclysm is roughly 3.5x more effective in the same cluster size. The radius scaling is what makes Cataclysm the Endless Mode meta choice past Wave 70.
Boss Fight Weapon Comparison
Boss fights reward single-target burst, and the right weapon for each boss is different. The Wave 25 boss has 12,000 HP (28,000 in 6-player), the Wave 50 boss has 28,000 HP (72,000 in 6-player), and the enrage phase of both demands burst damage in a tight window.
| Boss | HP | AOE Pulse Rate | Enrage Pulse | Best Weapon | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wave 25 boss | 12,000 | Every 8 sec | Every 4 sec | Voidcleaver | Execute bursts during enrage |
| Wave 50 boss | 28,000 | Every 6 sec | Every 3 sec | Meteor | AOE handles doubled regular heroes |
| Endless Mode | Scaling | Scaling | Scaling | Tempest | Multi-target + AOE handles all archetypes |
The Voidcleaver is the best weapon for the Wave 25 boss because the Execute ability lets you burst during the enrage phase. The Meteor is the best weapon for the Wave 50 boss because the doubled regular hero spawns demand AOE handling. The Tempest is the best weapon for Endless Mode because the multi-target + AOE combination handles all hero archetypes.
Tier Transition Benchmarks
The transition between tiers happens at specific wave milestones, and each transition resets your optimal weapon choice. The benchmarks are:
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Tier 1 → Tier 2 at Wave 5 — Stormbringer unlocks, replace Blaster
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Tier 2 → Tier 3 at Wave 15 — Voidcleaver unlocks, replace Stormbringer
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Tier 3 → Tier 4 at Wave 25 — Voidcleaver Mk2 unlocks, replace Voidcleaver
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Tier 4 → Tier 5 at Wave 40 — Tempest unlocks, replace Voidcleaver Mk2
Tier Transition Discipline Rules
The discipline rules for tier transitions are:
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Unlock the next tier weapon at the wave milestone, do not delay
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Upgrade the new tier to max before the next milestone
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Do not split coins between the old tier and new tier weapons
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Sell back the old tier weapon only after the new tier is fully upgraded
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Keep the upgrade path consistent (Blaster → Stormbringer → Voidcleaver → Voidcleaver Mk2 → Tempest)
Best Weapon by Wave Range
The right weapon for each wave range depends on the dominant hero archetype and the boss presence. The table below summarizes the recommended weapon for every wave band.
| Wave Range | Recommended Weapon | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 | Cannon or Blaster | Tier 1 starter, no boss |
| 6-10 | Stormbringer | Multi-target handles first ranged heroes |
| 11-15 | Frostbite | Slow handles stun heroes |
| 16-20 | Arclight | Multi-target + Slow handles AOE heroes |
| 21-25 | Voidcleaver | Execute preps for Wave 25 boss |
| 25 (boss) | Voidcleaver | Execute bursts enrage |
| 26-40 | Voidcleaver Mk2 | Lifesteal + Execute for sustain |
| 40-49 | Arclight T4 or Meteor | Cluster handling |
| 50 (boss) | Meteor | AOE handles doubled spawns |
| 51+ (Endless) | Tempest or Cataclysm | Multi-target + AOE |
The wave range recommendations assume you are following the standard skill tree path detailed in the Skill Trees Overview. BOSSes who deviate from the path may need to adjust the wave ranges, particularly past Wave 40 where the skill tree allocation interacts heavily with the weapon choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest DPS weapon in Be The Final Boss?
The Tempest is the highest DPS weapon in the game at 720 effective DPS against clustered waves, which makes it the strongest weapon for Endless Mode pushing past Wave 70. For single-target, the Void Sovereign is the highest at 160 DPS, which makes it the strongest weapon for boss fights. The choice between Tempest and Void Sovereign depends on your wave composition and your role in a 6-player server.
Which weapon tier has the best damage per coin in Be The Final Boss?
Tier 2 has the best damage-per-coin ratio at 2.5 DPS per 100 coins, followed by Tier 3 at 1.9 DPS per 100 coins. The ratio steadily declines as you move to higher tiers because the higher tiers cost disproportionately more coins. Most BOSSes rush to Tier 3 (Voidcleaver) for the Wave 25 boss preparation because it offers the best balance of cost and damage.
Should I switch weapons mid-run in Be The Final Boss?
Yes, but only at specific wave transitions. The recommended switches are Stormbringer at Wave 6, Frostbite at Wave 11 (or stay on Stormbringer), Arclight at Wave 16, Voidcleaver at Wave 21, and the Tier 4-5 weapons at Wave 25 and Wave 40. Switching more frequently wastes ammo and disrupts your combat rhythm. The exception is when a wave composition demands a specific counter, such as switching to Frostbite when the Berserker archetype appears.
Is the Annihilator better than the Void Sovereign in Be The Final Boss?
The Void Sovereign deals more single-target DPS (160 vs 133), but the Annihilator has Lifesteal + Cleave, which makes it more survivable. For solo Endless Mode runs, the Annihilator is the better choice because the Lifesteal compensates for the lack of team healing. For coordinated 6-player boss damage, the Void Sovereign is the better choice because the higher DPS shaves time off the boss kill.
What is the cheapest viable weapon setup for Wave 25 in Be The Final Boss?
The cheapest viable setup for Wave 25 is Stormbringer (Tier 2) + Arclight (Tier 3), which costs roughly 2,000 coins total. The Stormbringer handles the mid-game clustered waves, and the Arclight handles the late-game AOE heroes. This setup is weaker than a fully upgraded Voidcleaver + Meteor (which costs 7,000+ coins), but it is sufficient for BOSSes who are still building their skill tree and cannot afford the higher tiers.