Players are given a choice of 194 weapons of various types, each differing in appearance, level, characteristics, and requirements. Navigating through this vast array can be quite challenging. The entire gameplay depends on the right choice of weapon; the better the weapon, the easier it is to defeat mobs and bosses. In this guide, we will determine how to choose the most suitable weapon and where to find it in the early stages of the game.

Weapon Characteristics

Each weapon, be it a sword or an axe, has its own stats, bonuses, and other indicators:

Level: The weapon's level indicates how upgraded it is. You can increase this stat at the blacksmith, using a certain amount of energy and materials.

Type: Indicates the category to which the equipped item belongs. There are a total of 16 different types in the game: axes, bows, catalysts, crossbows, daggers, fists, flails, grand axes, grand hammers, grand swords, hammers, long swords, polearms, short swords, spears, and ammunition.

Weight: Each item has its weight. The higher it is, the slower the hero moves and the quicker they become fatigued. Characters with low strength and endurance won't be able to handle heavy weapons.

Rune Slots: Weapons can gain a buff from an inserted rune. The item has an indicator that determines the possibility of enhancing it.

Scaling: Weapons scale with the upgrade of a specific characteristic. For example, by improving agility, a weapon with a similar stat will deal more damage. The same result can be achieved by leveling up strength, radiance, and inferno. Scaling is represented by letters from A to E.

You can increase the stat responsible for applying debuffs to enemies, known as "Status Buildup." There are six states: smite, bleed, burn, ignite, frostbite, and poison. Typically, a weapon applies only one debuff, but more powerful items can apply multiple.

Attack Power: Determines the damage inflicted by the weapon. It can be physical, holy, fire, or wither. Some weapons can deal multiple types of damage simultaneously. In such cases, two numbers will be displayed in the stats, the first being the primary type, and the second being the secondary type.

Block Protection: In addition to dealing damage, a weapon can also provide protection against incoming damage. Blocking is calculated in percentages and protects against physical, holy, fire, wither, and constant damage.

As mentioned earlier, each weapon requires a certain number of characteristic upgrade points (Requirements). For example, the Beast Axe requires 15 agility and scales with the upgrade of this stat.

Best Weapons for Each Characteristic

At the beginning of the game, you can find good weapons that will make your journey easier.

Strength-Based Weapons

Faithful Bludgeon. A two-handed hammer that requires a strength stat of 28. Deals 168 units of physical damage and inflicts burn on enemies. Provides better protection against physical and fire damage. You can find it under the Skyrest Bridge. From the Vestige of Chabui in the Sanctuary, descend the road downwards, where you will find an elevator that takes you up. Use the stairs and cross the bridge. Go to the end, and on the right platform, you'll find the weapon. Enter the shadow world and climb onto the platform.

Crimson Rector Sword. A one-and-a-half-handed sword that requires 19 strength. Deals 130 units of physical damage and provides 38% protection against incoming damage from regular attacks. Does not apply debuffs to enemies. You can find it not far from the location of the Skyrest Gate key. From where you picked up the Faithful Bludgeon, walk along the bone bridge. Activate the next part of the bridge with the Soulfly spell. Move forward until you reach a fountain. Defeat the enemy and take the sword.

Thorned Crimson Rector Sword. Similar to the one-and-a-half-handed sword, it requires 19 strength. Deals 121 damage and causes bleeding in enemies. In the Pilgrim's Perch location, find the Vestige of Blind Agatha. Go to the top of the location, enter the shadow world, and discover the sword on the large outstretched hand of the statue.

Proselyte Sword. A one-and-a-half-handed sword. Requires 19 strength to use. Deals 124 damage, half of which is physical, and half is fire damage. Inflicts burns on enemies. It has three rune slots for strength and inferno runes. Considered one of the best swords for the early stages of the game. It may drop with a certain chance after killing a Proselyte mob, which looks like a skeleton warrior in a red cloak.

Pale Butcher's Blade. A two-handed sword. Requires 25 strength and 20 agility to use. Deals 155 damage, with 118 being physical and 37 being wither damage. You can find it by following the game's storyline in the Forsaken Fen location. From the Vestige of Valade's location, cross the bridge. The sword will be in one of the huts next to which there is a Swamp Undead. Be careful; inside the hut, you will encounter a Shuja Warrior.

Agility-Based Weapons

Fist of Insight. Requires 10 agility and deals 67 physical damage. Has a high attack speed and inflicts burns on enemies. It has three slots for inferno runes. It is the best melee weapon for the early game. You can purchase this weapon from Damarose the Marked in the Pilgrim's Nest location.

Kukjin's Sword. Requires 9 strength and 12 agility. Deals 69 physical damage and applies poison and bleeding debuffs to enemies. You can obtain this weapon by rescuing Kukjin from petrification. You'll need to defeat her to obtain the sword. She can be found in a cave near Valad's remains.

Hallowed Praise. A short one-handed sword that requires 12 agility. It deals 69 physical and 19 holy damage and inflicts the bloodflow effect on enemies. It can be found in the Pilgrim's Nest location. After defeating Scourged Sister Delyth, go through the wooden platforms to an area with hanging structures. You'll find a body with the sword stuck in it.

Radiance-Based Weapons

Orian Preacher Hammer. Requires 10 strength and 13 radiance points. Deals 47 physical and 47 holy damage without applying any debuffs. It is the starting weapon of the Orian Preacher and can be found in the Fitzroy Gorge location.

Inferno-Based Weapons

Raw Mangler Axe. Requires 13 inferno points to use. It deals 88 damage, half of which is physical and half is fire damage. It also inflicts the burn effect on enemies. You can obtain it from the Ram Mangler mob in the Abandoned Redcopse location.

It can also drop with a certain chance from enemies in the Upper Walrath and Sunless Skein locations. The axe is sold by Damarose the Marked for 600 energy.

Rusty Cutter. A short sword that requires 11 strength and 11 inferno. It deals 42 physical and 42 fire damage. You can find it near the Skyrest Bridge, across from the Pieta battle arena. It will be lying in one of the corners where mobs are fighting.

Weapons Dropped by Bosses

Pieta's Sword. A short sword that requires 25 radiance points. It deals 69 holy damage and has a crushing property. After defeating the boss Pieta, She of Blessed Renewal, you can purchase her sword from Molhu in the Skyrest Bridge area.

Hushed Saint's Halberd. Requires 19 strength and 16 agility. It deals 107 physical damage and applies poison to enemies. You can purchase it from Molhu after defeating the boss.

Ranged Weapons

Hallowed Bow. Requires 8 strength and 13 agility. It deals 77 physical, 29 holy, 29 fire, and 29 withering damage. In the Pilgrim's Nest, go deep into the location from the Scourged Sister Delyth battle area until you see platforms. Climb the ladder up and enter a cave. Inside, there will be a door that you can open with the Pilgrim's Nest key. Go through the cave and come out the other side. Enter the shadow world, and two bone slopes will appear in front of you. Choose the one leading downwards. Jump onto the platform below to find the bow.

Catalysts

Wilmarc's Catalyst. Requires 18 radiance points. Enhances magic and weapons with this stat. Can be found in the Abandoned Path location, behind Kukjin. Free her from petrification (or defeat her) and take the catalyst. You can free her using radiant healing spells or throwing items with a holy effect.

Searing Accusation. Requires 18 inferno points and enhances weapons and magic with this stat. It can be found in the Skyrest Bridge location. In the area where you fought the shadow tumors, activate a platform. Jump onto it and turn around; you'll find a target to hit. Turn again and destroy another target. This will open a path to a ladder. Climb it to a hall, then use another ladder and continue upwards. Hit the last target above you and collect the dropped catalyst.

Weapons Requiring the Pilgrim's Nest Key

Purchase the Pilgrim's Nest key from Stomund in the Skyrest Bridge location.

Hammer of Holy Agony. Requires 13 strength and 13 radiance points. It deals 43 physical and 43 holy damage and inflicts bleeding on enemies. From where you picked up the Brawn Ring, go to the gates and open them. From the Shadow Flower, go straight, climb the slope, exit through the door, and defeat the pilgrim. Another one will come to help, and you'll need to defeat them as well. Enter the shadow world, cross a thin wooden beam to find the hammer.

Bloody Glory. Requires 20 strength and 32 radiance points. It deals 70 physical and 70 holy damage and applies a significant amount of bleeding to enemies. In the Belled Rise area, head right through the door to access the Path of Devotion. Turn right and defeat the Pureblade mob. Climb the stairs to the top. At the summit, defeat three Radian Hounds, Ardent Penitent, and Marksman. Go even higher, and in the left corner, you'll find the sword.