The Kettle isn't the gun you pick because it looks scary on paper. You take it because it's cheap, light, and ready to work when your stash is looking a bit thin. For players still building up gear, materials, and ARC Raiders BluePrints, this little SMG gives you a way to stay dangerous without risking your best kit. It fires in full auto, uses Light Ammo, and feels at home when you're pushing through tight rooms, stairwells, and broken cover. You won't melt heavy ARC units with it, but against softer targets, or players who let you get close, it can do the job just fine.
What the Kettle Actually Offers
The Kettle comes with 100 durability, a 20-round magazine, and fully automatic fire. Its damage sits at 7, with a fire rate of 45.3, range of 42.1, stability of 45.3, agility of 73.8, and stealth of 19. Those numbers tell you a lot before you even pull the trigger. It's quick in the hands, easy to move with, and better suited to short fights than long, drawn-out duels. The weak point is obvious too. Its ARC armor penetration is very weak, so don't expect it to punch through tougher machines like a proper anti-armor weapon would.
How It Feels During a Run
You'll notice pretty fast that the Kettle rewards confidence, but not mindless spraying. The magazine is small enough that a bad burst can leave you reloading at the worst possible time. Short, controlled bursts feel better than holding the trigger forever. Up close, the recoil is manageable once you've used it a few times, though new players may need a run or two to get comfortable. It's not quiet either, so if your plan is to sneak around and avoid attention, this probably isn't the cleanest choice. It's more of a "move, shoot, reposition" kind of weapon.
Crafting and Cost
One big reason people keep coming back to the Kettle is how easy it is to replace. You can buy it from Tian Wen for $2400, which is reasonable compared with weapons that hurt a lot more to lose. If you'd rather craft it, the recipe is simple: 8 Metal Parts and 4 Rubber Parts. You only need Gunsmith Level 1 and Workbench Level 1, and there's no blueprint requirement. That makes it a handy backup gun after a rough extraction, especially when you don't want to burn through better equipment just to get back into action.
Best Ways to Use It
The Kettle works best in early and mid-game runs, budget loadouts, and routes where you expect close-range fights. Interiors suit it well. So do flanks, quick pushes, and messy fights where enemies don't have much time to react. Try pairing it with gear that helps you survive after the first burst, because you may need to reload or break line of sight. If you're heading into areas packed with armored ARC units, bring something else or carry a backup option. The Kettle can finish weakened targets, but it shouldn't be your main answer to hard armor.
Final Thoughts
The Kettle is a practical weapon, not a luxury pick. That's what makes it useful. It lets you play fast, take fights, and recover from losses without feeling like you've thrown away half your stash. Players saving resources or choosing when to buy ARC Coins will often get good value from keeping a few Kettles ready for lower-risk runs. Respect its limits, stay close, don't waste bullets, and it'll carry more fights than its modest stats might suggest.
