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11 Overview
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33 Crimson Desert features over a dozen weapon types, each with a unique moveset, strengths, and weaknesses. This guide ranks the best individual weapons within each category based on their attack power, special effects, Abyss Core socket count, and overall usefulness. Weapons can be obtained from vendors, boss drops, quest rewards, and treasure chests throughout Pywel. All weapons can be refined at a blacksmith to increase their stats.
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66 Weapon Type Rankings
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88 Before diving into individual weapons, here is how each weapon type compares overall based on community consensus and testing.
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1111 TierWeapon TypeStrengthsS+Bare-HandedUniversal combo extender and finisher; synergizes with every weapon typeSGreatswordMassive damage, wide attack arcs, strong against both single targets and groupsSSpearOne of the fastest weapons; great reach and knockdown crowd controlSPistolFast shooting, innate dodge mechanic, extends juggle combosSBowStealth eliminations, mid-fight distance creation, various projectile typesASwordBest all-round weapon; easiest to learn; works with both offensive and defensive stylesARapierBest mobile weapon; built-in counterattack and riposte for high damageAHand CannonOnly AoE gun; explodes enemy crowds in single shotsBAxeHighest single-hit damage; strong AoE but very slowBHammerBest weapon for crowd control; relies on charged attacksBRifleLong-range single-target focus; high damage but slow reloadCMaceOne-handed, slower than sword; best paired with shield for defense
1212 Best Swords (One-Handed)
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1414 Swords are the most versatile weapon type in Crimson Desert. They work with both offensive and defensive playstyles, pair naturally with shields, and are the easiest weapon to learn. Their main limitation is crowd-fighting, where two-handed weapons have an advantage.
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1616 WeaponATKATK SpdCRITHow to ObtainNotesFated Shadow2500Chapter 9, in the room behind the Goyen boss arenaHighest base ATK of any one-handed swordIgnir Sword20 (up to 45)00Defeat Ludvig in Chapter 7 ("Time to Face Justice")Five Abyss Core sockets; best sword for customizationMelted Ambition17+20Quest reward / vendorHigh ATK with excellent attack speedFallen Kingdom's Sword1600Exploration / quest rewardSolid mid-game upgradeTauria Curved Sword15+10Vendors / explorationGood for dual-wielding; Crow's Pursuit Abyss GearSword of the Lord13+20Defeat Kailok in Chapter 2ATK Spd +2 makes it great for dual-wielding; Wind Slash Abyss GearSword of the Wolf1200Starting weapon for KliffServiceable through early chapters
1717 Best Greatswords (Two-Handed)
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1919 Greatswords cover wide attack arcs, hit extremely hard, and have less wind-up than you would expect from a weapon this size. They perform equally well against single targets and groups. The Greatsword is available to both Kliff and Damiane.
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2121 WeaponATKATK SpdCRITHow to ObtainNotesVessel of Dark Pursuit21+10Late-game quest / explorationHighest ATK greatsword with attack speed bonusAbsolute Justice Greatsword2000Quest rewardHigh raw damage; endgame optionHwando190+1Waterfall cave near Reed Devil boss areaTwo-handed katana; pre-loaded Abyss ArtifactsRhett's Longsword150+1Early-game vendor / explorationAccessible early; strong for combo-chain buildsBalton Longsword1400Vendor purchaseBudget option for early chapters
2222 Best Spears
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2424 Spears are among the fastest and most well-rounded dedicated weapons in the game. Their reach provides safety, and their knockdown moves give genuine crowd control value. Spears are excellent secondary weapons for punishing staggered enemies.
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2626 WeaponATKATK SpdCRITHow to ObtainNotesMedium Staglord Banner Pike2400Boss drop / quest rewardHighest ATK of any spear in the gameSpear of Righteousness18+20Quest reward / explorationHigh ATK with excellent attack speedLambert Halberd180+3Boss drop / explorationHighest CRIT of any two-handed weaponTommaso Guard's Dagger-Tipped Spear16+1+1Tommaso regionBalanced ATK, speed, and critWarspike Spear1400Vendor purchase / explorationAccessible early; solid secondary weapon
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2828 Best Axes
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3030 Axes deliver the highest single-hit damage in the game and provide strong AoE, but they are very slow and punishing if you mistime your swings. Axes perform particularly well in Oongka's hands due to his inherent stagger bonuses on heavy attacks.
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3333 WeaponATKATK SpdCRITHow to ObtainNotesHellhounds' Chopping Axe190+2Boss dropHighest ATK among great axes; CRIT +2Silverwolf Axe18+1+1Exploration / vendorOne-handed axe; excellent for dual-wieldingBekker Greataxe1400Vendor purchaseBudget two-handed option for early gameGilliam Axe140+1Vendor purchaseOne-handed option with critical rate bonusBekker Axe140+1Underbridge area (two can be found near the path after the Prologue)Earliest dual-wield axes available
3434 Best Hammers
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3636 Hammers are setup weapons rather than pure damage dealers. Their charged attacks launch enemies into the air and clear space around you, making them excellent for starting combos or creating breathing room. They have surprisingly low raw damage for their weight, but their crowd control is unmatched.
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3838 WeaponATKATK SpdCRITHow to ObtainNotesBonepit Greathammer200+1Bonepit areaHighest ATK among hammers; two-handedBekker Greathammer1700Vendor purchaseSolid mid-game optionArlem Warhammer1400Vendor purchaseTwo-handed; accessible earlyBalton Hammer110+1Vendor purchaseOne-handed hammer; pairs with shield
3939 Best Rapiers
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4141 Rapiers are the most mobile weapon type in Crimson Desert. They have a built-in counterattack and riposte mechanic that deals massive damage when timed correctly, but they require precise inputs. Rapiers are primarily used by Damiane.
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4343 WeaponATKATK SpdHow to ObtainNotesGrace Rapier12+1Vendor / explorationHigher ATK; good for dual-wieldingGrace Rapier (variant)11+1Vendor / explorationAlternative stat distributionWhite Wind Rapier10+2Damiane's starting weaponFastest attack speed; Swift I Abyss Gear
4444 Best Bows
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4646 Bows allow stealth eliminations and mid-fight distance creation. They support various projectile types with different effects (fire, poison, etc.), making them versatile both in and out of combat. Bows rank S-tier overall thanks to their utility.
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4848 WeaponATKATK SpdCRITHow to ObtainNotesBekker Bow100+1Vendor purchaseCRIT bonus for increased headshot damageGrey Wolf Bow10+10Kliff's starting bowATK Spd bonus; accessible upgrade paths
4949 Best Pistols and Ranged Firearms
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5252 Pistols are fast-shooting ranged weapons with an innate dodge mechanic, making them excellent for maintaining pressure while staying safe. Hand Cannons are the only AoE gun type, capable of destroying groups in single shots. Rifles offer the highest per-shot damage at extreme range but suffer from very long reload times.
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5555 WeaponTypeATKCRITHow to ObtainNotesOrc BlasterArm Cannon220Oongka's starting cannonHighest ranged ATK; explosive AoE projectilesSpencer PistolPistol130Damiane's starting pistolATK Spd +2; pairs with Focused Shot skill for burst damageRhinard CannonHand Cannon13+1Vendor purchase / explorationAoE explosive damage; pairs well with axes and hammers
5656 Best Daggers
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5858 Daggers are primarily stealth tools used for assassinations and targeting weak points at close range. They cannot be used in open combat as a primary weapon but are valuable for clearing camps silently before a fight begins.
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6060 WeaponATKCRITHow to ObtainNotesGoblin King's Treasure Dagger14+5Boss dropHighest CRIT of any one-handed weapon; stealth specialistPailunese Riteblade12+5Pailune regionHigh CRIT; effective for stealth eliminationsBekker Dagger10+5Vendor purchaseBudget option with high critical rate
6161 Best Shields
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6363 Shields are defensive equipment that enable blocking and counter-attacks. They pair with one-handed swords and maces. The best shields balance raw defense with Abyss Core sockets and attack speed bonuses.
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6565 ShieldDEFOther StatsHow to ObtainNotesLifsoth Large Shield12 (up to 35)2 Abyss Core socketsWitch's House in Hernand (second floor balcony)Best shield in the game; massive defense scalingStaglord's Shield6ATK Spd +2Quest rewardBest attack speed bonus among shieldsShield of Betrayal6NoneExploration / questSolid raw defenseDemenissian Gold-Plated Shield6Mvmt Spd +2; Fortification I, Aegis IDamiane's shieldGood defensive Abyss Gears pre-loaded
6666 General Weapon Tips
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6868 Weapons can be refined at any blacksmith to increase their base stats. Prioritize refining your main weapon before spending silver on new gear.Abyss Core sockets are often more valuable than raw ATK. A weapon with five sockets (like the Ignir Sword) can outperform a higher-ATK weapon with fewer sockets once fully slotted.Weapons scale differently depending on the character. The Great Axe performs better on Oongka than Kliff due to Oongka's inherent stagger bonuses.Carry a ranged weapon at all times. Even melee-focused builds benefit from having a bow or pistol for pulling enemies, stealth kills, and dealing damage during dangerous boss phases.Unarmed (bare-handed) combat functions as a combo extender and finisher that synergizes with every weapon type. It ranks S+ tier because of how it enhances other weapons rather than replacing them.Dual-wielding requires two one-handed weapons of the same or compatible type. You can dual-wield swords, axes, rapiers, or mix weapons like a sword and axe.