Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Use Bantam when your fights are close, you can make hip-fire work, and you need heavy-ammo pressure against ARC armor. Its eight-round cylinder, low accuracy, weak control and short range make it a poor choice for open ground or players who miss often. Pick Anvil for slower, harder-hitting deliberate shots; Venator for faster follow-ups and better reach; Burletta for a cheap light-ammo backup; and Hairpin for point-blank burst damage.
The comparison below uses the current Frozen Trail 2.0 context (published October 8, 2026) and reference database values. Those numbers are not independent time-to-kill tests or permanent tier rankings; inspect each weapon in the game after later balance patches.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What changed in Frozen Trail 2.0
Bantam is now the uncommon hand-cannon role in the current patch. Anvil moved from Green to Blue rarity because its previous combination of versatility and performance was outperforming weapons in and above its rarity. The update introduced Bantam as a more role-focused alternative rather than leaving Anvil as the default uncommon heavy sidearm.
That rarity change does not make Anvil universally worse. It signals a different job: Anvil rewards measured shots at longer distances, while Bantam is built around close-range pressure and a distinctive hip-fire option.
#1 Best Overall
Current sidearm stats at a glance
The following are reference database values for the current snapshot, not laboratory measurements. Damage is listed per shot, fire rate is the database value, and range is the database range value.
| Sidearm | Ammo | Action | Capacity | Damage | Fire rate | Range | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bantam | Heavy | Double-action | 8 | 24 | 23.3 | 32.4 | Close-range hip-fire and ARC pressure |
| Anvil | Heavy | Single-action | Not stated in the reference snapshot | 40 | 16.3 | 50.2 | Deliberate, longer-range hits |
| Venator | Medium | Semi-automatic | Not stated in the reference snapshot | 18 | 36.7 | 48.4 | Fast follow-up fire and reach |
| Burletta | Light | Semi-automatic | Not stated in the reference snapshot | 10 | 28 | 41.7 | Low-cost rapid backup |
| Hairpin | Light | Slide-action | Not stated in the reference snapshot | 20 | 9 | 38.6 | Very close-range burst damage |
Because the snapshot does not establish capacity for the other weapons, do not infer magazine size from the table. Likewise, the figures do not establish a universal winner: armor, hit location, player accuracy, range and later balance changes all affect the result.
Is Bantam better than Anvil?
Only when the fight favors Bantam’s strengths. Bantam fires more quickly than Anvil and has a double-action trigger, but its listed damage and range are much lower. Anvil’s 40 damage per shot and 50.2 range favor a player who can expose a target briefly, land a precise shot and reset before the opponent closes.
Choose Bantam when
- You expect rooms, alleys, stairwells or other engagements inside its effective range.
- You want heavy ammunition and strong ARC armor penetration in a sidearm slot.
- You can keep the reticle on a target while moving and exploit hip-fire without waiting to aim.
- You prefer several quicker attempts instead of staking the fight on a slow, high-damage shot.
Choose Anvil when
- Your route or squad role creates medium-range sightlines.
- You are comfortable waiting for a clean shot rather than spraying follow-ups.
- You need maximum damage per connected shot and can manage its slower 16.3 fire-rate value.
- You want a heavy-ammo sidearm that can contribute before an enemy reaches Bantam distance.
Anvil is not a direct upgrade to Bantam. It is a heavier, slower precision tool. Bantam is the hand cannon for forcing a close fight; Anvil is the hand cannon for controlling a longer lane.
Rank #2
- MLB The Show 26 Full Game on PlayStation 5
- Includes 5 The Show Packs
- NEW Road to Cooperstown & Expanded Amateur Years Career
- Build your ultimate fantasy team with a new Red Diamond rarity tier and World Baseball Classic player cards featuring elite game-changing players
- NEW Revamped Front Office Experience Play the nail-biting key matches and moments of your Franchise GM career with streamlined seasons and Custom Game Entry
Bantam vs. Venator
Venator is the more forgiving choice when range and repeated shots matter. Its 36.7 fire-rate value is substantially higher than Bantam’s 23.3, and its 48.4 range gives it more room to work. Medium ammunition also separates its economy from Bantam’s heavy rounds.
Why Bantam can still win up close
- Heavy ammunition gives each connected shot more pressure than Venator’s listed 18 damage.
- Strong ARC armor penetration gives Bantam a specific advantage against armored ARC targets.
- Hip-fire lets you keep movement and weapon readiness during a sudden close encounter.
Why Venator is safer at distance
- The longer listed range makes misses less punishing when targets are farther away.
- Semi-automatic follow-ups let you correct aim rapidly after a near miss.
- Its faster rhythm is useful when an opponent is strafing or appears only briefly.
Pick Venator if your primary weapon leaves you needing a reliable medium-range finisher. Pick Bantam if your plan is to close distance, fight around cover and exploit armor penetration before the opponent can create separation.
Where Burletta and Hairpin fit
Burletta: the practical light-ammo backup
Burletta deals 10 listed damage, has a 28 fire-rate value and reaches 41.7. It does not offer Bantam’s heavy-ammo impact or stated ARC penetration, but light ammunition can make it a sensible reserve weapon when you want rapid semi-automatic shots without spending heavy rounds. It is the least specialized option in this group: useful for finishing, emergency defense and players who value a forgiving stream of bullets over a single high-pressure hit.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchHairpin: point-blank burst
Hairpin uses light ammunition and has a slide-action mechanism. Its listed 20 damage is respectable for a light sidearm, but its 9 fire-rate value means missed shots are costly. Treat it as a very close-range burst tool: surprise an enemy, connect quickly, then switch weapons or break contact. It is not a substitute for Venator’s sustained follow-up fire or Bantam’s armor-focused role.
Rank #3
- Only at Amazon Limited Edition Content - The Rogue Infiltrator Character Pack includes cosmetics for Kay and Nix.
- Discover a galaxy of opportunity. Explore distinct locations with bustling cities and cantinas. Race across sprawling outdoor landscapes on your speeder. Each location brings new adventures, unique challenges, and enticing rewards if you’re willing to take the risk.
- Experience an original scoundrel story. Live the high-stakes lifestyle of an outlaw. Turn any situation to your advantage with Nix by your side: fight with your blaster, overcome enemies with stealth and gadgets, or find the right moments to distract enemies and gain the upper hand.
- Embark on high-stakes missions. Take on high-risk, high-reward missions from the galaxy’s crime syndicates. Steal valuable goods, infiltrate secret locations, and outwit enemies as one of the galaxy’s most wanted. Every choice you make influences your ever-changing reputation.
- Jump into the pilot seat. Pilot your ship, the Trailblazer, as you engage in thrilling dogfights with the Empire and other foes. Find the right opportunities to chase, evade, and attack to get the upper hand.
How to choose by engagement range
| Expected fight | Most suitable pick | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Point-blank ambush | Hairpin or Bantam | Hairpin offers burst damage; Bantam combines close-range pressure with faster double-action shots. |
| Close interior fight against ARC | Bantam | Heavy ammo, strong ARC armor penetration and hip-fire utility align with the situation. |
| Mixed indoor and outdoor route | Venator | Its 48.4 range and 36.7 fire-rate value tolerate changing distances. |
| Long lane or careful peek | Anvil | Its 50.2 range and 40 damage favor deliberate precision. |
| Low-cost emergency backup | Burletta | Light ammunition and semi-automatic fire make it a practical reserve. |
Using Bantam effectively
1. Build around the range you actually expect
Do not select Bantam because a menu number looks powerful and then take fights across open terrain. Plan routes through cover, doorways, wreckage and corners where its 32.4 range is less of a liability. If your squad is holding a distant angle, Anvil or Venator will contribute sooner.
2. Treat hip-fire as a deliberate mechanic
Bantam’s unusual value is its hip-fire capability. Keep your crosshair at likely chest height before turning a corner, move laterally rather than standing still, and fire as soon as an enemy enters the close-range pocket. Hip-fire is most useful when aiming would cost the fraction of a second needed to survive; it is not a reason to ignore positioning.
3. Use cover to control the eight-round cylinder
Eight rounds are enough for a short encounter but leave little room for panic shots. Fire in controlled attempts, duck behind cover before reloading when possible, and avoid entering a second fight with a nearly empty cylinder. The capacity also makes every miss more expensive than it would be with a faster, higher-capacity-feeling backup.
Recommended Free Tools
4. Reserve heavy ammunition for the jobs it solves
Bantam’s heavy rounds are valuable because they combine damage pressure with strong ARC armor penetration. Do not waste the weapon’s defining advantage on distant speculative shots. If a target is outside reliable Bantam range, reposition or use your primary weapon rather than turning heavy ammunition into low-probability chip damage.
5. Know when to stop chasing
Low accuracy, low control and limited range are not problems you can solve by firing faster. If an enemy backs into open space, disengage, switch weapons or let a teammate take the longer angle. Bantam is strongest when you dictate the distance, not when you follow an opponent into theirs.
Armor, damage and missed-shot tolerance
Bantam is particularly attractive against ARC because its penetration is described as strong. That does not mean every shot is automatically superior: the database values do not provide armor-specific damage, hit-location multipliers or time-to-kill results. Use the penetration advantage as a reason to bring Bantam into an ARC-heavy route, then verify actual behavior in the current game build.
The weapon’s low accuracy and control reduce its tolerance for missed shots. Anvil is also unforgiving, but in a different way: its slow fire rate makes a miss delay the next opportunity. Venator is the easiest of these choices for rapid correction because it combines the highest listed fire-rate value with long reach. Burletta offers a lower-damage version of that rapid-backup idea. Hairpin has meaningful burst potential but the slowest listed fire rate, so a failed opening shot can end the opportunity.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →A simple pre-deployment decision process
- Identify the dominant distance. Mostly rooms and corners points toward Bantam or Hairpin; mixed and outdoor distances point toward Venator; planned long peeks point toward Anvil.
- Check the target mix. Frequent ARC armor encounters favor Bantam’s penetration. Raider-heavy fights where movement and repeated corrections matter favor Venator or Burletta.
- Choose your ammunition budget. Heavy ammo supports Bantam or Anvil; medium supports Venator; light supports Burletta or Hairpin. Bring the sidearm whose ammunition you can realistically replenish.
- Match the trigger to your aim. Confident precision players can exploit Anvil. Players who need rapid corrections should consider Venator. Players comfortable fighting while moving can gain the most from Bantam’s hip-fire.
- Recheck the inspection panel. Balance updates can change damage, fire rate, range, rarity or handling. Treat the current in-game values as authoritative for the build you are playing.
Common mistakes and fixes
Using Bantam as a pocket rifle
Symptom: shots fall off or feel inconsistent across open ground. Fix: shorten the engagement with cover, or select Venator or Anvil before deployment.
Best Value
![Assassin's Creed Shadows [PlayStation 5]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51cgBmgsqGL._SL160_.jpg)
- Experience an epic, historical action adventure in feudal Japan and become a deadly Shinobi assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open game world in chaotic times
- Sneak as a Naoe to not be discovered, use your agility to confuse your opponents and stretch down your opponents with deadly precision and power as a Yasuke
- Use information as weapons and build your own spy network to have eyes and ears everywhere and find your targets easier and recruit new allies on the go with unique skills to help you with your missions
- Create a fully customizable hideaway for your growing Shinobi league, where you train recruits, craft new equipment and interact with important characters; set the room layout, decoration and accessories yourself
Holding the trigger through every close fight
Symptom: the cylinder is empty before the opponent is down. Fix: fire only when the reticle is on target, strafe between shots and reload behind cover.
Ignoring ammunition scarcity
Symptom: the sidearm is powerful on paper but unavailable when needed. Fix: choose the ammo family your route and squad can sustain; Burletta can be the better practical backup when heavy rounds are limited.
Assuming rarity decides the matchup
Symptom: Anvil is dismissed because it is Blue while Bantam is the uncommon hand cannon. Fix: select by distance, target and handling. Rarity communicates the current progression context, not a universal win condition.
Best sidearm by player preference
- Close-range aggressor: Bantam.
- Patient precision shooter: Anvil.
- Fast follow-up specialist: Venator.
- Ammo-conscious generalist: Burletta.
- Ambush player who commits to point-blank fights: Hairpin.
For most teams, the best answer is not one permanent sidearm tier list. It is the weapon that covers the distance your primary weapon cannot, uses ammunition you can sustain and matches how accurately you shoot under pressure. Bantam earns its slot when that gap is close-range ARC fighting and hip-fire mobility; outside that niche, one of the alternatives is usually more efficient.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
