RPK

The **RPK** is a light machine gun in BlastGen. It appears in the original and remastered version of the first BlastGen game and appears in BlastGen: Zero Ops.

## BlastGen and BlastGen: Revitalized

### Campaign

The RPK is the main light machine gun used by Russian Mercs, the Hell’s Redeemers, and the Russian Army. It always comes equipped with a drum magazine. The RPK is stronger than the M249 SAW used by allies but suffers from a slightly lower ammo capacity.

### Multiplayer

The RPK is the second light machine gun unlocked. The RPK is more mobile than other LMGs but has a small magazine size and a rather slow fire rate. The RPK deals 40 damage per shot, which translates to a 3 shot kill, or a 2 shot kill if aiming for the head. Damage falloff occurs at roughly 70 meters, resulting in a 4 shot or 5 shot kill at longer ranges. The RPK suffers from very high recoil, most of it coming from the sides, however it can be managed rather easily. The key advantage of the RPK is the faster mobility, allowing the player to move at 90% of default movement speed, which is almost the same as an assault rifle, and has faster strafing speed and aim down sight movement speed. The reload speed of the RPK is rather quick, at 2.8 seconds, which is nearly the same as the Stoner 63, a similar weapon. However, the main weakness of the RPK is its low ammo capacity, at just 40 rounds, and many of the other light machine guns have larger ammo capacities than the RPK. The RPK fires at about 636 RPM, which is slow, but still average, and considering the smaller magazine size, the RPK tends not to chew through ammo quickly than other weapons.

The RPK has access to the standard assortment of attachments. As the iron sights are slightly bulky, optics are a good help. The Foregrip remedies the sideways recoil, which is essential in controlling the weapon. The Suppressor is not a good fit on the RPK, as it cuts down on its 3 shot kill range, but is good for stealth players who don’t mind the range penalty. Rapid Fire increases the fire rate to about 763 RPM, which allows the RPK to take less time to kill than other LMGs, but adds more recoil. Extended Mags increases the magazine size to 75 rounds, which allows the player to fire the RPK for much longer periods of time, at the cost of a slightly slower reload speed. Due to the RPK’s slower fire rate, the RPK doesn’t consume ammo too much, but is an option. The RPK is an overall useful weapon, but is offset by its smaller magazine. Nevertheless, the RPK makes for a good weapon to use early on in lower levels.

### Zombies

The RPK is one of two light machine guns available in Zombies, the other being the Stoner 63. Compared to the Stoner 63, the RPK deals more damage, dealing 160 damage per shot, able to dispose of zombies with just one or two shots until Round 20, where it becomes a 3-4 shot kill. Without upgrades, the RPK is a hassle to use, frequently needing to be reloaded due to its small magazine size. However, the higher damage makes it worth it in the long run. When upgraded, it becomes the **Bear Hugger**, boosting the damage to a mind numbing 280 and increasing its magazine size to 75 rounds, killing zombies with just two shots.. In addition, it gains a unique damage boost, increasing damage dealt with the weapon by 5% the more kills the player gets, up to a maximum of 30%, making this weapon incredibly good for headshots, which will put down a zombie in one hit until about Round 40. The RPK’s upgraded version is an extremely powerful weapon and should never be underestimated.

## BlastGen: Zero Ops

The RPK reappears in BlastGen: Zero Ops as the **RPK-74**, with a whole new look based off of the RPK-74M, the modernized variant of the RPK.

### Campaign

The RPK-74 is a common LMG in the Campaign, being frequently used by enemies. It sports a wide variety of attachments, which can range from a Kobra sight to an ACOG. It is very powerful, being able to one shot kill most enemies.

### Multiplayer

The RPK-74 retains a similar role as it did in BlastGen, being a lightweight machine gun with a smaller ammo capacity. Unlike the previous incarnation, the RPK-74 has significantly less recoil and is easily controllable at any range. It also has a slightly slower fire rate of 606 RPM, which makes it kill less faster than other weapons, but is average for its class. It also sports a small magazine size of 40 rounds, which is smaller than the other light machine guns on offer, but its slower fire rate makes it consume ammo rather slowly. The only weakness of the RPK-74 is its slower TTK, which is significantly slower than most submachine guns or assault rifles. Optics are not necessary but can make the RPK-74 even more accurate. Stocks and grip attachments aren’t necessary either, as the recoil is relatively low as it is. Due to its impressive stats, the RPK-74 is good even without attachments. It is unlocked fairly early, and is one of the earliest weapons in the game that can 3 shot kill at any range.

### Expiration

The RPK-74 appears in Expiration as an obtainable gun. It is usually found with a Reflex sight, a Foregrip or a Suppressor. It always comes with attachments. It retains its 3 shot kill damage profile but has a slightly lower range. It is a good weapon for players in an overwatch role, but the M249 SAW is always better, largely due to its bigger magazine.

## Trivia

### BlastGen: Revitalized

* The RPK was named RPD in the beta before it was given its correct name.
* A glitch existed in the beta where all LMGs had infinite range, making the RPK a three shot kill at all ranges. This was patched later on.
* The RPK shares a tactical reload animation with the AK-47, albeit slightly slower.

### BlastGen: Zero Ops

* The RPK-74 is the only weapon in Expiration that retains its damage profile in standard game modes, as most other weapons have their damage profiles nerfed a little bit.
* The RPK-74 has a secret 2.5x headshot multiplier that allows it to one shot kill to the head. This is also shared with the FAL.