The Hard Target Sniper Rifle is one of the best guns to eliminate targets from a distance in Starfield.
All of that power comes at a cost, as you’ll need to spend a hefty amount of credits to get your hands on one, or simply hope you’ll find it as you explore the game’s vast galaxy.
Below we go over all of the Hard Target’s stats and how to get your hands on this powerful Sniper Rifle.
How to Get the Hard Target in Starfield
To get the Hard Target Sniper Rifle in Starfield, you have to be at least level 30 and can either buy it from a vendor for 20,000 credits or pick it up as loot while exploring.
As a late-game weapon, you’ll only encounter the Hard Target when you reach level 30 in Starfield.
Once you’re level 30, the Hard Target may appear in the following vendors:
- Centaurian Arsenal, New Atlantis
- Located on planet Jemison in the Alpha Centauri System
- Neon Tactical, Neon
- Located on planet Volii in the Volii system
- Rowland Arms, Akila City
- Located on planet Akila in the Cheyenne System
- UC Exchange, Cydonia
- Located on planet Mars in the Sol System
Just make sure you have saved enough to afford its massive asking price of 20,000 credits!
You can also find the Hard Target by looting chests and defeated human enemies in Starfield. You are more likely to find it from Pirate, Spacer, and Ecliptic enemies, as they have a higher chance to wield and drop Ballistic weapons.
Do note finding the Hard Target as loot may take some time as this is based on random chance.
Starfield Hard Target Weapon stats
The Hard Target is one of the best Sniper Rifles and ballistic weapons in the game. It has a high damage output and a huge range for taking out targets at a distance.
Here are its base stats:
| Damage | 139 Phys |
| Fire Rate | 25 |
| Range | 100 |
| Accuracy | 74.2% |
| Mag | 5 |
| Ammo | .50 Caliber |
This is just its base version – its damage will increase as you find different versions with increased weapon tiers and rarities. Check out our guide on weapon tiers and rarities to help get your head around it.
The Hard Target also has up to seven modification slots to increase its power and handling even further.
Magsniper vs Hard Target – Which is Better?
The Magsniper Sniper Rifle is better than the Hard Target in Starfield. This is because of its increased fire rate and absurdly high damage output after fully charging a shot.
On paper, the Magsniper does a vastly higher amount of damage than the Hard Target. It also has a slightly higher fire rate and increased accuracy:
| Damage | 268 Phys |
| Fire Rate | 17 |
| Range | 100 |
| Accuracy | 86.1% |
| Mag | 12 |
| Ammo | 6.5mm MI |
However, players on Reddit have been quick to come to the Hard Target’s defense. This Reddit user is convinced the Hard Target deals more damage than the Magsniper, despite having lower base stats:
On the other hand, this Reddit user seems to believe that the Magsniper is vastly superior due to the Hard Target’s “recoil swing”:
Either way, there’s a Sniper Rifle in Starfield that is sure to suit your needs! For more powerful weaponry, check out our guide on the best weapons in Starfield.
