Deep Rock Galactic Overclocks Tier List: S To C Rankings
Improve your DRG loadouts with this deep rock galactic overclocks tier list, featuring top picks, strategies, and expert breakdowns.
Apr 03, 202628 Shares432 Views
What You’ll Learn In This Tier List
- Which overclocks are strongest right now for Haz 5, Deep Dives, and general matchmaking
- How this tier list was ranked, including damage, utility, ammo economy, and ease of use
- Why some overclocks look amazing on paper but underperform in real missions
- Which picks are best for swarm clear, boss damage, solo play, and team utility
- How the current Season 06 environment changes the value of AoE, fear, and close-range control
- Which overclocks are worth chasing first if your Matrix Core luck is bad
Deep Rock Galacticgets dramatically better once overclocks enter the picture. A weapon that felt merely solid can suddenly become your panic button, your boss killer, or the thing that lets your class cover a weakness it normally has to respect.
How Tier List Was Ranked
This list is based on practical mission value, not only spreadsheet damage. Overclocks were judged by how consistently they perform in real runs, especially in high-pressure content. Overclocks unlock after your first promotion, so for most players this is an endgame progression choice rather than an early-game curiosity.
The ranking criteria:
- Damage efficiency - How much work an overclock gets done per resupply
- Crowd control - Swarm handling, fear, slow, freeze, and area denial
- Single-target pressure - How quickly it kills dangerous enemies
- Reliability - How easy it is to get value under stress
- Team synergy - How well it supports common co-op scenarios
- Season 06 relevance - How well it handles denser pressure, close packs, and current mission flow shaped by the latest seasonal content
Tier Definition
| Tier | Definition |
| S Tier | Meta-defining, broadly useful, and hard to replace |
| A Tier | Excellent and highly viable, but slightly more situational |
| B Tier | Good with the right build, mission, or player comfort |
| C Tier | Niche, inconsistent, or simply outclassed |
Quick Overclock Builds Tier Summary Table
| Tier | Overclock Builds |
| S Tier | Lead Storm, Rotary Overdrive, Neurotoxin Payload, Fat Boy, Executioner, Special Powder, AI Stability Engine, Sticky Fuel, Ice Spear |
| A Tier | Big Bertha, Mortar Rounds, Hyper Propellant, Double Barrel, Embedded Detonators, Tuned Cooler, Scorching Tide |
| B Tier | Carpet Bomber, RJ250 Compound, Shield Battery Booster, Snowball, Compact Feed Mechanism, EM Refire Booster |
| C Tier | Face Melter, Explosive Reload, Rocket Barrage, Sludge Blast |
Best Overclocks By Class (Top Pick For Each)
| Class | Overclocks |
| Gunner | Rotary Overdrive |
| Engineer | Fat Boy |
| Scout | Special Powder |
| Driller | Sticky Fuel |
S-Tier Overclocks Builds
These are the overclocks I’d recommend first to anyone trying to build stronger loadouts for high-hazard missions, Deep Dives, or just more consistent pub runs. They either solve major problems better than the competition or they bring so much value that it is hard to justify ranking them any lower.
1. Lead Storm
Lead Storm is still one of my favorite S-tier picks because it does one job exceptionally well: it erases big targets. When I bring it, I know I have one of the most reliable tools in the game for Dreadnought phases, Caretaker damage windows, Praetorians, Oppressors, and anything else that needs to die before it becomes a problem.
What keeps Lead Storm at the top for me is how simple and brutally effective it is. There is no gimmick to understand, and no niche setup required. If I can position well and keep firing, I get absurd single-target damage.
Why I rank it here:
- Elite sustained single-target DPS
- Excellent against bosses and armored enemies
- Useful in almost every mission type
What holds it back:
- The movement penalty punishes bad positioning
- It feels less forgiving when swarms close the gap
Lead Storm is not the overclock I pick when I want comfort. It is the one I pick when I want raw damage and trust myself not to get sloppy.
2. Rotary Overdrive
Rotary Overdrive is the overclock that really changed how I look at Minigun Gunner. Instead of treating heat like a punishment, it turns the whole overheat cycle into part of the build. That alone makes it feel far more modern than older “just hold left click” Minigun setups.
The reason it has become such a serious meta contender is the synergy with Aggressive Venting. Once that interaction clicks, the overclock starts to feel nasty in the best possible way. I can overheat intentionally, trigger the heat burst and fear effect, reset the immediate pressure around me, then get right back into firing without the usual downtime killing my rhythm.
Why I rank it here:
- Excellent close-range control with Aggressive Venting
- Turns overheating into an offensive tool
- Blends swarm defense with strong sustained damage
What holds it back:
- It burns through ammo if I fire carelessly
- It feels much weaker if I do not build around heat management
Lead Storm still wins if I only care about deleting bosses. Rotary Overdrive wins when I want the Minigun to feel more self-sufficient and chaotic in close quarters.
3. Neurotoxin Payload
Neurotoxin Payload remains one of the best swarm-control overclocks in the game, and I do not think that changes anytime soon. Every time I use it, I am reminded that killing enemies instantly is only one way to win in Deep Rock Galactic. Slowing them down, softening them up, and making the swarm easier to manage can be just as powerful.
What I love about this overclock is how much control it creates. It gives me time, space, and breathing room, and those three things are often what determine whether a run spirals into disaster or stabilizes. It is especially good in longer missions where ammo efficiency starts to matter more than flashy burst damage.
Why I rank it here:
- Excellent area pressure
- Amazing ammo economy
- Makes chaotic fights much easier to recover from
What holds it back:
- It can feel less satisfying if I want instant burst damage
- It is more about control than explosive finishing power
This is one of those overclocks that feels better the harder the game gets. The more dangerous the mission, the more I appreciate what Neurotoxin Payload does.
4. Fat Boy
Fat Boy still belongs near the top, but I think it deserves a more honest explanation than it usually gets. A lot of people talk about Fat Boy like it is just a giant meme nuke, but that undersells why it is actually strong. The blast is obviously incredible, but the real power is in how much space it controls after the shot lands.
When I run Fat Boy, I am not just killing a pack. I am reshaping the fight. I am shutting down an approach, buying time for a revive, or turning a bad defensive hold into a manageable one. Few overclocks in the game can swing a collapsing moment as hard as this one can.
Why I rank it here:
- Incredible wave-clearing potential
- Top-tier zone denial
- One of the best emergency reset tools in the game
What holds it back:
- Ammo is extremely limited
- A careless shot can waste huge value instantly
Fat Boy is one of the best examples of an overclock that rewards discipline. Used well, it feels game changing. Used poorly, it feels overrated.
5. Executioner
Executioner is one of the cleanest examples of a weapon overclock creating a true specialization. It gives the LOK-1 a much sharper identity and turns Engineer into a much better priority-target killer than many players expect.
I rate it so highly because it gives Engineer something incredibly valuable in harder content: reliable, focused damage on the enemies that actually matter most. If a dangerous target needs to disappear quickly, Executioner gives me that answer.
Why I rank it here:
- Excellent weak-point damage
- Strong against dangerous single targets
- Gives Engineer more depth than pure wave clear
What holds it back:
- Less flexible than swarm-focused options
- Punishes poor lock usage and bad target choice
If Fat Boy is the panic-button Engineer pick, Executioner is the “I want control over the most important enemy in the room” pick.
6. Special Powder
Special Powder is one of those overclocks that proves utility can be just as valuable as damage. I do not rank it this highly because it tops the scoreboard. I rank it this highly because it changes what Scout is capable of surviving.
Every time I use Special Powder, I feel less fragile. I can recover from mistakes, cut across caves faster, take riskier revive routes, and play more aggressively around terrain. That freedom matters more than raw numbers in a game where positioning decides so many fights.
Why I rank it here:
- Massively improves survivability
- Opens up better movement and recovery options
- Makes Scout feel even more flexible in difficult caves
What holds it back:
- I give up some pure damage value for movement utility
- It is strongest when I actively use the mobility, not passively equip it
This is one of the best overclocks in the game because it gives me more control over bad situations. That matters more than people think.
7. AI Stability Engine
AI Stability Engine is one of the most dependable all-around Scout overclocks I can run. It does not have the flashiest identity, but it is one of the easiest to trust. When I want a primary that feels clean, consistent, and useful in almost every situation, this is one of the first picks I think of.
It helps Scout do what Scout often needs to do best: hit important targets cleanly, stay effective at range, and avoid overcomplicating fights. In a game full of overclocks that ask for setup or risk, there is a lot of value in one that just works.
Why I rank it here:
- Accurate and easy to convert into real damage
- Excellent at range
- Dependable across almost every mission type
What holds it back:
- Less flashy than burst-focused alternatives
- Does not drastically change playstyle
I would not call AI Stability Engine the most exciting Scout overclock. I would call it one of the most trustworthy.
8. Sticky Fuel
Sticky Fuel stays near the top because terrain control wins missions. That sounds simple, but the longer I have played Deep Rock Galactic, the more I have come to value anything that lets me dictate where bugs can safely move.
Sticky Fuel turns ordinary cave space into a weapon. It lets me punish funnels, stall swarms, protect revives, and stretch my ammo much farther than a more direct-damage setup often can. In coordinated teams it feels incredible, but even in random lobbies it creates immediate value.
Why I rank it here:
- Fantastic area denial
- Great ammo efficiency in swarm-heavy missions
- Makes fights easier for the whole team, not just me
What holds it back:
- Less direct and immediate than more aggressive flamethrower styles
- Requires better placement and patience to get full value
If I want Driller to feel stable, smart, and team-friendly, Sticky Fuel is still one of the strongest choices available.
9. Ice Spear
Ice Spear remains one of the best cryo overclocks because it adds something Cryo Cannon builds often appreciate: burst. Freeze is already one of the strongest support effects in the game, but Ice Spear lets me keep that utility while also gaining a much stronger answer to bigger threats.
That combination is what keeps it so relevant. I am not just controlling enemies. I am creating openings and then cashing them in myself. That makes the whole build feel more complete.
Why I rank it here:
- Combines freeze utility with real burst damage
- Gives Driller more range and finishing power
- Rewards smart timing and target choice
What holds it back:
- Higher skill requirement than simpler cryo options
- Easier to misuse if I panic or waste shots
Ice Spear feels like the kind of overclock that gets better the more I understand enemy priority and mission pacing.
A-Tier Overclocks Builds
These are overclocks I still consider very strong. The difference is that they tend to be a little more specialized, a little more demanding, or slightly less universal than the S-tier group.
10. Big Bertha
Big Bertha is still a very strong Autocannon option, especially when I want a heavier direct-damage feel instead of a control-oriented swarm setup. It makes the weapon hit harder and feel chunkier, which can be great against tougher enemies and in missions where I want more focused pressure.
The reason I keep it out of S-tier is simple: it does not control space the way Neurotoxin Payload does. It is great at what it does, but it is not as broadly dominant.
11. Mortar Rounds
Mortar Rounds has carved out a real place in the modern conversation. I think some players still underestimate it because it looks messy and a little gimmicky at first, but once I lean into its projectile-based chaos, it becomes clear there is real power here.
It shines when I want broader blast coverage and do not mind trading precision for sheer disruption. It is not the cleanest overclock, but it can absolutely put in work.
12. Hyper Propellant
Hyper Propellant is still one of the most satisfying Engineer overclocks in the game. When I run it, I know exactly what I am signing up for: less flexibility, far more single-target punishment.
It is the kind of overclock I like bringing when the team already has swarm control covered and I want my secondary to solve the “kill that thing immediately” problem.
13. Double Barrel
Double Barrel is one of the biggest glow-ups in the current meta. It absolutely should not be sitting near the bottom anymore. The improved shockwave and stronger point-blank identity give it a very real role now, especially if I want my Boomstick to double as an emergency anti-swarm tool.
What I like about it now is that it finally has a distinct reason to exist. It is not just a worse alternative to other Scout secondaries. It has its own lane.
Why I moved it up:
- The double-shot identity finally feels worth building around
- Excellent point-blank burst
- Much better panic-button value against swarm pressure
What keeps it out of S-tier:
- It still wants me to play close
- It is less flexible than safer ranged options
14. Embedded Detonators
Embedded Detonators is still one of Scout’s best burst-damage choices. If I want my secondary to handle larger enemies instead of movement or defensive utility, this is one of the most attractive options.
It is strong, but it asks for cleaner execution than more forgiving Scout tools. That is why I keep it in A-tier instead of pushing it higher.
15. Tuned Cooler
Tuned Cooler is one of those overclocks that does not need to be flashy to be good. Faster freeze application is a huge quality-of-life improvement, and in practice it makes Driller feel more stable, more responsive, and more team-friendly.
It is one of the best examples of an overclock that wins on consistency rather than spectacle.
16. Scorching Tide
Scorching Tide is the aggressive flamethrower option that deserves attention now. Compared with older “play closer and hope for the best” CRSPR setups, this one feel like it has a much clearer purpose. It gives Driller a burstier, more forceful offensive pattern without completely abandoning what makes the weapon solid in the first place.
If I want to play more aggressively without dropping straight into a weaker gimmick, this is the overclock I would rather use.
B-Tier Overclocks Builds
B-tier overclocks are not bad. Most of them are perfectly viable. The issue is that they need more specific builds, more favorable situations, or more personal comfort to compete with the best options.
17. Carpet Bomber
Carpet Bomber is still fun, and I think that matters. But once difficulty rises, raw splash alone is not always enough. I start feeling the lack of stronger priority damage, especially when fights get messy.
18. RJ250 Compound
RJ250 is one of the smartest utility picks in the game. Blast jumping changes movement, recovery, positioning, and route efficiency in ways that are hard to appreciate until I really learn it.
The reason I do not rank it higher is because the top Engineer options simply give more combat value more consistently. RJ250 is excellent utility, but it is not always the strongest fight-winning pick.
19. Shield Battery Booster
Shield Battery Booster is a classic high-upside, high-maintenance overclock. When things are going well, it feels great. When my shield is constantly breaking, the value falls off fast.
That inconsistency keeps it in B-tier for me.
20. Snowball
Snowball still has good moments, especially in organized teams where a burst freeze can be immediately converted into damage. The problem is that it does not feel as efficient or as generally useful as the best cryo picks over time.
21. Compact Feed Mechanism
Compact Feed Mechanism is comfortable, practical, and easy to use. That is also the problem. It feels solid without ever really feeling game changing.
There is nothing wrong with it. It just does not stand out anymore.
22. EM Refire Booster
EM Refire Booster can feel much stronger than its ranking suggests if I fully commit to an electrical setup. That is why I would not call it weak. I would call it conditional. In the right build it pops off. Outside of that, it is merely good.
C-Tier Overclocks Builds
These are the overclocks I struggle to recommend as general-purpose picks. They can still work, and in the right hands some of them can be fun, but I would not tell most players to prioritize them.
23. Face Melter
Face Melter sounds stronger than it often performs. Pushing the flamethrower toward a more reckless direct-damage style sounds appealing, but in practice I usually get more value from setups that let me control space and stretch ammo better.
That is why it falls behind the better Driller options.
24. Explosive Reload
Explosive Reload is stylish, but I think that is where a lot of its appeal ends. In harder content, I want my overclocks to solve problems quickly and cleanly. This one too often feels fiddly when I need reliability.
25. Rocket Barrage
Rocket Barrage is a better modern mention than the outdated Hurricane overclock, but I still do not think it deserves a high ranking. Losing too much of the weapon’s guided flexibility for closer-range spam just does not feel like a worthwhile trade in most missions.
26. Sludge Blast
Sludge Blast can be fun and punchy, but it is much harder for me to recommend as an all-purpose option. It is one of those overclocks that can absolutely work without ever feeling like the smartest use of the slot.
See also: Best Jewel Games On Steam
How Engineer Overclocks Are Structured
Engineer stands out more than most classes once you start unlocking overclocks, and a big reason is how his loadout is structured.
He has:
- 3 Primary weapons
- 3 Secondary weapons
Each of these has its own pool of overclocks, which means Engineer ends up with one of the most flexible build systems in the game.
Primary Weapons (Engineer)
Warthog Auto 210
- Close-range burst and shotgun builds
- Strong with aggressive or defensive setups
Stubby Voltaic SMG
- Focuses on electricity and crowd control
- Works well with status-based builds
LOK-1 Smart Rifle
- Lock-on targeting system
- Best for precision and weak-point builds (Executioner shines here)
Secondary Weapons (Engineer)
Deepcore PGL (Grenade Launcher)
- Heavy AoE damage
- Home of Fat Boy and Hyper Propellant
Breach Cutter
- Line-based damage with incredible swarm clear
- Very strong in tight caves
Shard Diffractor
- Sustained beam damage
- Excellent for bossing and consistent DPS
FAQs About Deep Rock Galactic Overclocks Tier List
How Many Overclocks Does Engineer Have In DRG?
Engineer has 3 primaries and 3 secondaries, and each weapon has its own overclock pool. That is a big reason the class feels so deep once I start experimenting with builds.
How Long Does It Take To Get All Overclocks In DRG?
It is a long-term grind. I would think in terms of months, not days. Since overclocks come through Matrix Core progression after promotion, the actual pace depends on how consistently I keep up with weekly content and forging.
Is Engineer Good In Deep Rock Galactic?
Yes, absolutely. Engineer remains one of the strongest and most versatile classes in the game. Between turrets, strong secondaries, area denial, and excellent overclock scaling, the class has tools for almost every situation.
Are Overclocks Random?
Yes. I cannot directly target-farm every overclock in a perfect order from the start. The system is built around Matrix Cores, so collecting them is more about steady long-term progression than forcing one exact drop.
Which Overclocks Should I Unlock First In Deep Rock Galactic?
Focus on overclocks that give consistent value across missions. Strong early picks include Lead Storm, Neurotoxin Payload, Executioner, Special Powder, and Sticky Fuel since they are reliable, impactful, and easy to use.
Final Thoughts
Not every S-tier overclock is going to feel right, and that’s fine. Some of the best builds only make sense once you’ve actually used them in a few rough missions.
Use this list as a starting point, not a rulebook. Test things out, adjust your loadout, and stick with what makes your runs feel more controlled and less chaotic.
Jump to
What You’ll Learn In This Tier List
How Tier List Was Ranked
Tier Definition
Quick Overclock Builds Tier Summary Table
Best Overclocks By Class (Top Pick For Each)
S-Tier Overclocks Builds
A-Tier Overclocks Builds
B-Tier Overclocks Builds
C-Tier Overclocks Builds
How Engineer Overclocks Are Structured
FAQs About Deep Rock Galactic Overclocks Tier List
Final Thoughts
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