Runner's Compact

The Runner's Compact is the standard-issue sidearm that every Runner begins each deployment carrying. It is deliberately underpowered — a C-tier weapon that establishes the baseline from which all other weapons are improvements. Its 28 damage, 28-meter effective range, and single mod slot make it a genuine last-resort weapon rather than a competitive choice. Every experienced runner replaces it as soon as viable alternatives are looted or purchased.

Strategic Notes

The Runner's Compact's value is not in its stats but in its reliability as a backup when everything else fails. It uses light rounds, which are among the most common ammo types found in loot, meaning the Compact will rarely run dry even in the worst scenarios. Think of it as a guaranteed floor on your combat capability — a reminder that no matter how badly a run goes, you are never truly unarmed.