The pre-quel Gears of War: E-Day re-introduces the series with a fresh campaign and a host of new weapon attachments. These mods let players fine-tune guns to match personal tactics, whether you favour razor-sharp accuracy or raw stopping power. Below you’ll find a weapon-by-weapon rundown of the most effective upgrades, plus exact map locations where they can be collected.
Optimising the Lancer Mk1
The starter Lancer Mk1 suffers from a wobble-prone aim, but its damage remains respectable. The basic Police Receiver mod smooths the crosshair at the cost of a small damage dip, turning the rifle into a reliable mid-range tool. If you prefer to keep full damage, hunt for the Cover Brace in Act 2 Chapter 2 – it drops after you complete the Vanguard side-quest in the car shop. Pair it with a Forged Barrel found later in the same chapter across from the Kalona Hotel to lock in accuracy without sacrificing firepower.
Transforming the Gnasher
For the close-quarters Gnasher the Bayonet attachment is a game-changer. It grants a rapid melee strike that lines up perfectly for a point-blank shotgun blast, often eliminating a grunt in a single hit. You earn the Bayonet by finishing the “Trapped Family” side-quest, marked on the map above. Complement it with armor-related mods such as Proximity Reload and Proximity Regen and keep the starter Auto-Pouch handy to ensure your shotgun is never empty when you need it.
Prototype Lancer and long-range precision
The Prototype Lancer shines when fired from behind cover. Grab the Cover Brace inside a shipping container at the COG base in Act 2 Chapter 2; it tightens shot spread while you crouch behind obstacles. Later, in Act 3 Chapter 2, the Precision Rifling Barrel appears near a supply cache, boosting both accuracy and critical damage – the perfect combo for sniper-style engagements.
Versatile Breechshot builds
The Breechshot trades one-shot lethality for a four-bullet burst, making it adaptable at range. Equip it with a Combat Scope (Act 2 Chapter 2, construction-site alcove) to toggle between 1× and 2.5× zoom, granting quick target acquisition. For extra reach, the Precision Long Barrel – a reward from the same “Trapped Family” quest – increases range and steadiness. If you favor perfect-reload headshots, seek out Hardened Ammo in a hardcase near the Bank of Tyrus, also in Act 2 Chapter 2.
Longshot focused upgrades
The classic Longshot benefits immensely from the Precision Long Barrel located left of the minimart after the Whiskey Squad encounter in Act 2 Chapter 2. It raises critical damage and stabilises aim. Early in Act 3 Chapter 2, you’ll pass a Tactical Scope that offers 2×-4.5× magnification, perfect for sniping from tunnels. Later, a hardcase on the southwest helipad of Act 4 Chapter 3 supplies the optional Sniper Scope for even tighter zoom.
Hammerburst endurance options
The sustained-fire Hammerburst becomes a battlefield staple with a Cover Brace found after the tank-warehouse skirmish in Act 2 Chapter 5. To extend its magazine, hunt for the Huge Magazine inside the bank vault of Act 2 Chapter 2; it sacrifices a bit of aim and reload speed but lets you lay down continuous damage at distance.
Specialist weapons: Incinerator and Gutpuncher
The new Incinerator acts like a slower Gnasher with a short charge before firing. The Cylinder Choke – located near the Reserve Bank statue in Act 3 Chapter 2 – narrows range but widens spread, perfect for clearing clusters. Pair it with the Auto Cannister (found after exiting a tunnel in Act 2 Chapter 3) to auto-reload while stowed.
The Gutpuncher offers limited mod choices early on, but the Concussion Rounds mod—though briefly mentioned—adds a stunning effect that can disrupt enemy formations. Keep an eye out for it in later chapters if you favour crowd control.
By matching each weapon with its optimal attachments and knowing precisely where to retrieve them, you can craft a loadout that feels tailor-made for your preferred combat style. Whether you prioritize pinpoint accuracy, raw damage, or rapid reloads, the mods listed above cover every play-through scenario in Gears of War: E-Day.
