// weapon comparison
Handgun vs Rocket III
Ranged weapons · pre-hardmode tier
Handgun
Ranged
winner · higher DPS
DPS with crit: 108
DPS without crit: 104
Rocket III
Ranged
DPS with crit: 0.0
DPS without crit: 0.0
The verdict
With crit factored in, Handgun puts out 108.2 DPS against 0.0 for Rocket III. Base hits are Handgun 26 vs Rocket III 65, so the gap comes as much from attack speed and crit as from raw damage.
For crowd control, Rocket III hits with more knockback (6 vs 3), keeping enemies at range while you reposition.
Both are Ranged weapons, so the same armor set and class accessories buff either one — you can swap between them without rebuilding your loadout.
Stat-by-stat
computed| Stat | Handgun | Rocket III |
|---|---|---|
| Damage | 26 | 65 |
| Use time | 15 ticks | 0 ticks |
| Crit chance | 4% | 4% |
| Knockback | 3 | 6 |
| Defense | 0 | 0 |
| Mana cost | 0 | 0 |
| Shoot speed | 10 | 0 |
| Sells for | — | — |
When to use which
open DPS calculator →Pick Handgun if…
- Pure DPS matters most — Handgun wins by 108 DPS.
Pick Rocket III if…
- You want higher raw damage per hit (65 vs 26).
Frequently asked
Which deals more DPS: Handgun or Rocket III? +
Handgun averages 108.2 DPS with crit. Rocket III averages 0.0 DPS with crit. Handgun is ahead by 108.2 DPS.
Is Handgun or Rocket III faster to use? +
Both share the same 15-tick use time, so neither is faster to swing.
Do Handgun and Rocket III use the same class build? +
Yes — both are Ranged weapons and share the same armor and accessory bonuses.
Are Handgun and Rocket III from the same progression tier? +
Yes — both belong to the pre-hardmode tier.