The best weapon is the Laser Cannon
The Laser Cannon is the strongest weapon for raw damage in Survive a Million Monkeys, reaching a listed 700 DPS. Faster damage helps clear approaching monkeys before they surround you, but its 250,000-Gem price makes it a long-term purchase. While saving, the default Tier 4 Minigun and the Tier 3 SCAR give you strong alternatives.
The right purchase depends on where your runs usually fall apart. Buying an endgame unlock has limited immediate value if you consistently lose before reaching its weapon tier.
Keep these three choices in mind:
- Best overall damage: Laser Cannon. Its 700 DPS leads the weapon roster.
- Best Tier 4 option without a Gem unlock: Minigun. It delivers 605 DPS once you reach that tier during a match.
- Best Tier 3 damage: SCAR. Its 525 DPS costs 90,000 Gems and substantially improves on the default Burst Rifle.
DPS means damage per second. It provides a useful comparison, but your actual results also depend on landing attacks, staying alive, and reaching the required tier. Choose an upgrade that improves the difficult part of your runs.
Understand Gems, Cash, and weapon tiers
Weapon progression uses two separate currencies. Gems unlock weapons in the hub, while Cash lets you progress through weapon tiers during a match. Purchasing a weapon with Gems does not let you start every run carrying a Tier 4 gun.
Every match begins at Tier 1. As you defeat monkeys and collect Cash, you can move into higher tiers and access the weapons available there. The default weapons are the Pistol, Shotgun, Burst Rifle, and Minigun for Tiers 1 through 4 respectively.
You can also spend Gems on individual weapon upgrades in the hub. That creates a choice between improving something you already use and saving for another unlock. The DPS figures below are comparison values, not a promise that every upgraded loadout will display identical numbers.
A practical buying plan is:
- Complete the tutorial to obtain the Pow Pow.
- Identify your difficult tier. Notice whether you lose during the opening, middle, or late waves.
- Buy one useful improvement for that stage instead of collecting every available weapon.
- Save toward the SCAR if Tier 3 needs more damage.
- Use the default Minigun at Tier 4 while building your Laser Cannon fund.
The P90, AK-47, and Longshot are optional purchases along that route. You do not need all three before buying the SCAR.
Keep early weapon spending under control
Tier 1: use the tutorial reward first
Tier 1 weapons handle the opening waves. Since you replace them as the match progresses, expensive purchases here can delay upgrades that matter later.
| Weapon | Listed DPS | Acquisition |
|---|---|---|
| Pistol | 45 | Default |
| Revolver | 75 | 12,500 Gems |
| Shorty | 80 | 5,000 Gems |
| Bayonet | 83.3 | 2,500 Gems |
| Pow Pow | 87.5 | Tutorial reward |
| Deagle | 116.7 | 45,000 Gems |
| Dead Man's Hand | 200 | Gunslinger Bundle |
The Pow Pow is the sensible starting recommendation for a player conserving Gems. Its 87.5 DPS exceeds the Pistol, Revolver, Shorty, and Bayonet without requiring a Gem purchase. Finish the tutorial before spending currency on a replacement starter.
The Dead Man's Hand leads Tier 1 at 200 DPS, but requires the Gunslinger Bundle. It is an early-stage advantage rather than a requirement for reaching a strong endgame loadout.
The Deagle improves starting damage, although 45,000 Gems is a substantial commitment. That same amount buys the Tier 3 AK-47. These purchases help at different moments, so choose based on whether your opening waves actually need the investment.
Tier 2: buy the P90 when this stage stops your runs
| Weapon | Listed DPS | Acquisition |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun | 100 | Default |
| El Scorpio | 160 | 15,000 Gems |
| SMG | 180 | 25,000 Gems |
| P90 | 325 | 50,000 Gems |
The P90 offers the highest Tier 2 DPS, comfortably ahead of the SMG. If the default Shotgun leaves you struggling before you can afford the next in-match tier, this is the strongest damage upgrade available at that stage.
However, its 50,000-Gem price competes directly with the Longshot. Buy the P90 when better Tier 2 damage would help you survive consistently. If you already pass this stage comfortably, putting those Gems toward Tier 3 is more useful.
El Scorpio and the SMG offer cheaper improvements, but purchasing both means spending 40,000 Gems before considering the P90. Avoid treating every weapon as a mandatory step.
Make the SCAR your main Tier 3 goal
Tier 3 contains several meaningful improvements over its default weapon. This is where saving your early Gems can produce a much larger damage increase.
| Weapon | Listed DPS | Acquisition |
|---|---|---|
| Burst Rifle | 185.5 | Default |
| Katana | 250 | 90,000 Gems |
| AK-47 | 379.5 | 45,000 Gems |
| Longshot | 400 | 50,000 Gems |
| SCAR | 525 | 90,000 Gems |
The SCAR has the highest listed DPS in Tier 3. At 525 DPS, it delivers more than twice the Burst Rifle's output. Its 90,000-Gem cost is significant, but it gives you a strong weapon before you reach Tier 4.
For a smaller budget, the AK-47 costs half as much and raises damage to 379.5 DPS. The Longshot adds another 20.5 DPS for 5,000 additional Gems. Either can serve as your main Tier 3 purchase while you save for something more expensive.
Choose one of these approaches:
- Save directly for the SCAR if the default Burst Rifle gets you through enough runs.
- Buy the AK-47 if you need a substantial improvement at the lower price.
- Choose the Longshot if you want its sniper-style option and can afford the extra Gems.
The Katana costs the same as the SCAR but lists only 250 DPS. A preference for melee combat may justify choosing it, but it is a weaker purchase when your main goal is increasing damage. Do not assume equal prices mean equal performance.
Compare Tier 4 purchases against the free Minigun
The Minigun sets a strong baseline for every Tier 4 purchase. Because it is the default weapon for this tier, an expensive alternative needs to offer something you value beyond simply being an unlock.
| Weapon | Listed DPS | Acquisition |
|---|---|---|
| RPG | 480 | Premium purchase |
| Grenade Launcher | 525 | 450,000 Gems |
| Minigun | 605 | Default |
| Laser Cannon | 700 | 250,000 Gems |
The Laser Cannon adds 95 listed DPS over the Minigun, an increase of about 16%. It is the highest-damage option, but the Minigun remains a capable choice throughout the saving process. You can work toward the Laser Cannon without first buying another Tier 4 weapon.
The Grenade Launcher costs 200,000 Gems more than the Laser Cannon while listing 175 less DPS. Its explosive attacks may appeal to a particular playstyle, but its price is difficult to justify when comparing raw damage alone.
The RPG also falls below the default Minigun on listed DPS. Premium acquisition does not make it the strongest weapon. If damage is your main concern, compare the numbers before spending.
For most players, the efficient endgame plan is to reach Tier 4 with the Minigun and save for the Laser Cannon. Keep enough attention on earlier stages, though: a stronger Tier 4 unlock cannot solve a run that ends while you are still using Tier 2 equipment.
FAQ
What is the best survive a million monkeys weapon?
The Laser Cannon has the highest listed damage at 700 DPS. It costs 250,000 Gems to unlock and belongs to Tier 4. The Minigun, at 605 DPS, is the strongest default weapon and the main alternative while saving.
What is the best weapon for a new player?
Start with the Pow Pow from the tutorial. Its 87.5 DPS beats several paid Tier 1 alternatives, letting you preserve Gems for later purchases. Your next unlock should address whichever stage you struggle to survive.
Should I buy the SCAR or save for the Laser Cannon?
Buy the SCAR first if Tier 3 damage is limiting your runs. Save for the Laser Cannon if you already reach Tier 4 reliably and want to improve on the Minigun. The SCAR costs 90,000 Gems, compared with 250,000 for the Laser Cannon.
Is the Grenade Launcher stronger than the SCAR?
They both list 525 DPS, despite occupying different weapon tiers. The Grenade Launcher costs 450,000 Gems, while the SCAR costs 90,000. Their attack styles differ, but the Grenade Launcher does not offer higher listed DPS.
Can I use the Minigun without spending Gems?
Yes. The Minigun is the default Tier 4 weapon, so it requires no Gem unlock. You still need to progress to Tier 4 using Cash during the match. “Default” describes its availability within that tier, not your starting equipment.