Assault Rifle

Assault Rifle
Lore/Real Name	ARK-103
Based on	AK-103 AK-104
Tier	II
Weapon Slot	Primary
Weapon Type	Fully-automatic Rifle
Prestige Weapon Version	✗
DLC Weapon Version	✓
Challenge Coins Version	✗

The Assault Rifle, also known as the ARK-103, is a Tier II primary weapon in World War Z.

For classes in Co-op Campaign, the Gunslinger and Exterminator classes can start with one, but only if a specific perk is activated. For classes in Multiplayer, it is the default starting primary weapon of the Support. The Trapper and Specialist classes can also start with one, but only if a specific perk is activated.

Overview

The Assault Rifle is a fully automatic weapon. Offering both range and damage, the Assault Rifle is a well-balanced weapon against both swarms and individual targets. Its high recoil and spread from automatic fire can be controlled by firing it in short bursts to ensure more rounds hit their mark. However, this can go fully ignored when facing an incoming wave of zekes as almost every bullet is guaranteed to hit something against a large, advancing target.

A suppressor upgrade to make the gun silent can be unlocked at level 5. The cosmetic suppressor add-on is available for all branches of the skin collection.

Unique Versions

Lobo Weapon (DLC)

An Assault Rifle with a unique design and high stats was included as part of World War Z's pre-order bonus and the subsequent "Lobo Weapon Pack" DLC. Since the Horde Mode XL update (released on January 24, 2023), this modification is purely cosmetic and does have any custom stats affecting the weapon's performance. This version of the Assault Rifle can be equipped regardless of the weapon's current level.

Special Operations Forces (DLC)

Another Assault Rifle with a unique design and high stats was included as part of the "Special Operations Forces Pack" DLC. After the Horde Mode XL update, this version of the Assault Rifle has also become a skin with no custom stats. It can be equipped regardless of the weapon's current level.

Weapon Stats

Early levels

Level 1–Level 4 stats
Level	Power	Accuracy	Handling	Fire Rate	Max Penetration	Magazine capacity	Max Carried Ammo
1	4	6	5	6	1	40	240
2	5	7	5	6	1	40	240
3	6	7	5	6	1	50	300
4	7	8	5	6	1	50	300

Base stats after level 5

Power	Accuracy	Handling	Fire Rate	Max Penetration	Magazine capacity	Max Carried Ammo
7	8	5	6	1	50	300

Perks

Unique perks

Name	Effects	Available at weapon level	Unlock conditions
Perfectionist	+20% Accuracy and +20% Handling while you have max health	6	3 documents for Moscow 2: Key to the City
Advanced User	Using equipment reloads this weapon	6	500
Extra Patch	Self-healing with a Medkit restores 10% more missing health (base: 70%)	12	100
Death Mark	+30% Damage to marked special zombies	11	100

Common perks

Name	Effects	Available at weapon level	Unlock conditions
Extended Mag	+5 Magazine capacity	8	500
Custom Rounds II	+2 Accuracy, -15% Damage	8	500
Ergonomics I	+1 Handling, +10% Damage	9	500
Ergonomics II	+2 Handling, -10% Reloading speed	10	Kamchatka 2 (On The Grid) completed on Extreme difficulty
Power	+15% Damage	13	500
Veteran I	+15% Reloading speed. The reloading speed bonus is stackable but can't be higher than 50%.	14	1 document for Moscow 1: A Sign From Above
Ammo Pouches	+10% Max ammo for this weapon	15	500

Weapon Progression

Unlock requirements by level

Level-up requirements
Level	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
XP	200	350	550	750	750	800	800
	150	500	750	1000	1000	1250	1250
Level	9	10	11	12	13	14	15
XP	850	850	900	900	950	950	1000
	1500	1500	1750	1750	2000	2000	2000

Design

The Assault Rifle variants on the main branch of skins are based on the AK-103. The weapon's actual name, the ARK-103, references that specific model.

The Assault Rifle variants on the alternate branch of skins are based on the AK-104. The weapon features a shorter barrel and replaces the fixed folding stock with a skeleton folding stock. Oddly, the gas block remains the same as the one seen on the versions on the main branch.

As with all customizable weapons, subsequent versions include a multitude of accessories to visually represent a different style. Attachments on the Assault Rifle include scopes accommodated by a receiver cover, extended magazines, laser aiming devices, flashlights, suppressors, and foregrips. As later versions of the Assault Rifle are unlocked, rail systems are installed to accommodate the inclusion of the attachments. The grip and selector switch are replaced while an oversized knurled charging handle is placed over the existing one. Specific to the main branch of skins, the fixed folding stock is also eventually replaced with a telescoping folding stock with an adjustable cheek riser.

The Lobo Weapon version of the Assault Rifle is based on the default version. Strangely, it lacks the 50-round extended magazine seen on most versions of the Assault Rifle and yet is somehow able to carry just as many rounds without it.

The Special Operations Forces version of the Assault Rifle is based on the fifth version on the alternate branch of skins. However, the skeleton folding stock is replaced with a Zenitco PT-1 telescoping folding stock with the adjustable cheek riser seen on some of the versions on the main branch of upgrades, the laser aiming device has been moved further forward on the rail, and an EOTech holographic sight with a flip-to-side magnifier has replaced the usual scope on the receiver cover. The Special Operations Forces version also has a desert tan paint job that covers the entire rifle.

Gallery

Default Assault Rifle

Level 1

Assault Rifle (Main Branch)

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Assault Rifle (Alternate Branch)

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Assault Rifle (Unique Versions)

Lobo Weapon Version

Special Operations Forces Version

Legacy

Before the Horde Mode XL update (released on January 24, 2023) that redesigned the game's weapon system, the Assault Rifle's progression model looked as follows.

Legacy stats & level-up model
Level	Icon	Power	Accuracy	Handling	Fire Rate	Max Penetration	Magazine	Carried Ammo Capacity	Silencer Upgrade
1		4	5	7	6	1	40	240	✗
Main Branch
2		5	6	7	6	1	40	240	✗
3		6	8	7	6	1	50	300	✗
4		7	8	8	6	1	50	300	✗
5		7	8	8	6	1	50	300	✓
Alternate Branch
2		5	5	7	6	1	40	240	✗
3		6	6	8	6	1	50	300	✗
4		6	6	9	6	1	50	300	✗
5		6	6	9	6	1	50	300	✓
Unique Versions
Lobo Weapon (DLC)		6	7	8	6	1	50	300	✗
Special Operations Forces (DLC)		6	7	8	6	1	50	300	✓