The weapons in Red Dead Redemption 2 fall into broad classes. The first are the standard weapons that players receive in the course of the game or can buy from a gunsmith or at a fence. There are also rare and unique versions of these standard weapons that can be found only at special locations through treasure hunts, by shooting down gunslingers, or by completing special side missions. Lastly, there are special weapons, such as the double-action revolver and the stone hatchet, which can be unlocked by pre-ordering Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2) or by playing Rockstar's GTA V.

This list of worthless weapons that everyone uses consists only of standard weapons that players can obtain either by receiving them during the course of the game or by purchasing them. We list these worthless weapons alongside others that are way better alternatives. Our list of worthless weapons also includes standard weapons that we found disappointing and that should be replaced as soon as possible.

However, no weapon in RDR2 is really absolutely worthless. Some weapons are listed as worthless because they are of very limited or restricted utility, which means that they are effectively useless in most situations. Other standard weapons are listed as worthless because they are much weaker than others. We also included weapons that are weak in stats that are relevant for assessing how lethal they are as weapons, because, in most cases, you want to dispatch adversaries as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

With that said, here are the 10 Worthless Weapons Everyone Uses In Red Dead Redemption 2 (And 11 That Are Way Better).

Worthless: Hunting Knife

Though you start the game with only your fists, you also acquire a hunting knife. In Red Dead Redemption 2, you can use your hunting knife for melee combat and for hunting and skinning animals. You can also use your hunting knife for stealth attack, and to free hogtied NPCs for a reward. Unlike your fists, you can equip your hunting knife on horseback.

While the hunting knife is more effective than using your fists, as it adds a slight advantage in close-quarters melee, it is hardly enough to see you through the perils of the game. Although you can use the hunting knife to fend off attackers, its power and range are so limited that it is best to use your hunting knife exclusively for skinning and cutting animals for fur and meat.

Way Better: Machete

The machete is the obvious the best melee weapon replacement for your unreliable hunting knife in Red Dead Redemption 2. When next you find yourself in a close-quarters fight where brutal and savage hacking power is what you need, don’t hesitate to put aside you hunting knife and unsheathe your machete.

It is more dangerous and reliable than the hunting knife in combat. Its longer, sturdier, stronger, and sharper blade does greater damage and has better reach. One swing is enough to silently bring down any enemy no matter how sturdy or determined they may be. It also has the added advantage of stealth. You can obtain this trusty, no-nonsense weapon from all fences for only $10 after you complete the mission "Dear Uncle Tacitus".

Worthless: Throwing Knife

Throwing knives are small blades with handles designed to be balanced in the hand and thrown at enemies. Throwing knives work best in one-on-one situations and it is best to aim for the head because they are less effective when aimed at the chest.

Like the hunting knife, throwing knives are best-suited for stealth attacks and infiltration, as they're most effective at taking down enemies at close-to-medium range. However, their lack of accuracy makes them ineffective weapons. You can retrieve the throwing knife after using it, but you can also carry more than one throwing knife. Players can unlock throwing knives during Chapter 2's "Paying a Social Call" mission, or buy them from fences.

Way Better: Tomahawk

The tomahawk is a way better melee weapon than fists, hunting knives, or throwing knives in Red Dead Redemption 2. If you ever get into a fight, the tomahawk is a reliable weapon to use. The tomahawk inflicts considerable damage for a melee weapon. It is brutally effective compared to fists and other knives.

You can use it to take down enemies by hacking at them at close range or by throwing it. One single hurl is usually enough to end an adversary. You can also use the Deadeye system to improve your targeting. However, you must pick it up again if you want to keep it. The tomahawk can be purchased from all fences and the trapper after you have complete the mission "Americans at Rest".

Worthless: Poison Throwing Knives

Many players have struggled to justify the inclusion of poison throwing knives in Red Dead Redemption 2 because, in many cases, they don't appear to add to the lethality of standard throwing knives. However, they can be useful for hunting bigger animals and fending off wild beasts, such as bears, which often retreat after they are hit and  away soon afterwards.

Players can craft poison throwing knives by applying Oleander Sage to the standard throwing knife, or by buying a poison throwing knife pamphlet, which gives instructions on how to craft one. However, given the limited range and power of Poison Throwing Knives, players might as well invest the effort put into finding eagle feathers or Oleander Sage into crafting more effective weapons.

Way Better: Bow

The bow is a way better alternative to throwing knives and poison throwing knives in Red Dead Redemption 2. Players are provided with the bow in the game's prologue, during "The Aftermath of Genesis" mission. The bow is a very useful weapon for hunting and it is suitable for stealth attacks, as it gives you the ability to shoot arrows with reasonable accuracy at medium range. It is especially useful in situations during missions when guns would be too noisy.

However, the major disadvantage of the bow is the slow fire rate. To make the bow even more effective, you may craft more dangerous versions of the standard arrow, including improved arrow, fire arrow, poison arrow, and dynamite arrow, after buying a guide at the fence.

Worthless: Molotov Cocktail or Fire Bottle

Molotov cocktails (or fire bottles) are improvised incendiary weapons that can be thrown at targets so that they can be engulfed and burned by bursts of flames. Fire bottles can be crafted or purchased at all fences after you complete Chapter 3's "The Fine Joys of Tobacco" mission. They can be crafted using animal fat and moonshine.

Many players have expressed disappointment about Red Dead Redemption 2's Molotov cocktails or fire bottles due to their low damage, limited range, and unreliable accuracy. It is a very difficult and frustrating exercise to use Molotov cocktails to take out enemies, especially when they are dispersed.

Way Better: Dynamite

You won't need to carry a weapon as worthless as the Molotov cocktail (or fire bottle) after you have obtained dynamite, which sits at the top of the list of damaging weapons in Red Dead Redemption 2. Unlike the Molotov cocktail, dynamite is very effective for liquidating groups of adversaries at once.

Designed for blasting rocks and clearing major obstructions, dynamite can also be used for blasting open safes and bank vaults. Also, if you just can't get enough of things that go boom, you can craft an even more devastating version of regular dynamite using animal fat, regular dynamite, and high-velocity cartridge. You can purchase dynamite from gunsmiths and from all fences after you have completed the RDR2 mission "Who the Hell is Leviticus Cornwall?"

Worthless: Cattleman Revolver

The Cattleman Revolver is available to players from the start of Red Dead Redemption 2. You can also buy it at any gunsmith. It is more powerful than most of the other weapons available at the start of the game.

However, it doesn't provide very much damage and has an unsatisfactory range. If you are unable to get a head shot, you will often need multiple shots to take down an enemy. The only positive aspect of the six-shooter is its reasonable fire rate. However, its poor accuracy works against your ability to use the fire rate effectively in combat. You can also dual-wield the gun to improve its effectiveness.

Way Better: Schofield Revolver

There is a good reason why the Schofield Revolver is the most popular of the three available to players. It is the best sidearm you can get in Red Dead Redemption 2 that offers an optimal combination of high damage and accuracy. However, it has an unimpressive fire rate and mediocre reload speed. Thankfully, though, you can overcome these disadvantages by dual-wielding the weapon.

You can get rid of your Cattlemen Revolver as soon as you obtain the Schofield Revolver. The Schofield Revolver can be purchased at all gunsmiths after you have completed mission "Blessed are the Meek?"

You can also obtain one by robbing the doctor’s shop in Valentine. Peep through the back window before you go inside and then force the doctor to take you to the room where he keeps the gun. You can get a second one at $84 for dual-wielding.