Revision - weapon tier list - Crimson Desert Wiki

This page summarizes the community-verified weapon tier list for the Windrose Early Access launch build. Tier placements reflect cleared boss content, sustained damage profiles, and build flexibility rather than peak burst alone. Every weapon listed below is craftable or obtainable in the live game; data-mined weapons not yet usable in normal play are excluded.

Tiers are not a substitute for build matching. The S-tier weapons all carry their own playstyle constraints and stat requirements; an A-tier weapon that fits a player's existing build will usually outperform an S-tier weapon that forces a build pivot. Use the table below as a starting point, then cross-reference with the Class Builds page for the build framework that anchors each weapon.

S Tier

Windrose ship-to-ship cannon broadside in open ocean

S-tier weapons are the boss-clearing benchmarks. Each one has a build that scales reliably from mid-game into the High Priestess endgame and offers a unique mechanic that makes other weapons in its class feel comparatively limited.

Weapon	Class	Scaling	Why It Sits S Tier
Rapier of a Thousand Cuts	Rapier	Precision	Five-stack Bleed application that ticks 25 damage per stack per second. Epic perk restores Temporal Health when bleeding enemies die. Anchors the strongest sustained-DPS build in the launch game.
Drake's Double-Barreled Pistol	Pistol	Precision	Two-shot burst applies Vulnerability, which raises all damage taken by the target by 15 percent. Pairs with every melee S-tier weapon and amplifies group damage in co-op.
Plague Halberd	Halberd	Strength	Plague Echoes stacking mechanic feeds a special attack that restores 35 percent max health on Epic. The single best one-button sustain weapon in the game.

A Tier

A-tier weapons hold their own against S-tier picks but require either better build matching or a more specific encounter context to outperform.

Weapon	Class	Scaling	Strengths
Reliable Musket	Musket	Precision	Faster reload than other muskets and a 20 percent Critical Damage bonus at Epic. Backbone of the Marksman build.
Soul Eater	Greatsword	Agility (with Vitality at Epic)	F-key drains health from nearby enemies on a two-minute cooldown. The Vitality scaling at Epic makes it the cleanest tank-DPS hybrid in the launch build.
Rapier of Devastation	Rapier	Agility	Plague mark stacking that restores health on consumption. An alternate top-tier Rapier when a build wants Agility scaling instead of Precision.
Dragon's Breath	Blunderbuss	Agility	60 percent chance per hit to trigger a fire explosion around the target. Devastating against grouped enemies and pirate camps.

B Tier

B-tier weapons are reliable picks that anchor their respective builds without standing out. They are excellent purchases for early- and mid-game progression but tend to be replaced by A or S options before the final biome.

Weapon	Class	Scaling	Notes
Reliable Pistol	Pistol	Precision	Three-shot magazine; bonus damage against pirates makes it a strong pirate-camp clearing tool.
Plague Pistol	Pistol	Precision	40 percent damage-as-health refund on hit. Excellent on the High Priestess pustule phase and any sustained ranged engagement.
Cutlass	Saber	Agility	Take Aim stacking with reduced stamina cost per swing. Pairs naturally with firearm hybrids.
Sturdy Rapier	Rapier	Precision	Extended Perfect Block window plus 20 percent Critical Damage. The defensive Rapier pick.
Arboris Saber	Saber	Agility	Plague Echoes stacking. Health-conversion gameplay rewards aggressive play.
Bonebreaker	Club	Strength	Damage scales with stamina pool size. Strong synergy with high-Endurance Crusher builds.

C Tier

C-tier weapons are situational picks. Most have a clear niche, but they rarely outperform a B-tier alternative outside that niche.

Weapon	Class	Notes
Reliable Blunderbuss	Blunderbuss	Knockdown chance and reduced gunpowder consumption. Crowd-control utility, low ceiling.
Infantry Musket	Musket	Accurate while moving but the slow reload limits sustained DPS.
Sturdy Mace / Sturdy Saber / Sturdy Halberd	Various	Reliable mid-game crafted weapons. Replaced by A and S options before the High Priestess.

Tier-Independent Picks

A few launch-build weapons sit outside the tier conversation because they fill specific roles rather than competing on raw DPS:

Stalwart Greatsword - tied to the Dueling Greatsword Perfect-Block playstyle. Exceptional in player hands that reliably parry, average otherwise.
Captain's Greatsword - story-tied weapon with limited scaling but strong flavor for narrative-focused players.
Captains Greatsword alternates and other story weapons - generally B-tier in raw output but high-value during specific quests.

How Tier Lists Should Be Read

Tier placement is a starting heuristic, not a recommendation to pivot away from a working build. Stat scaling matters: a B-tier Strength weapon will outperform an S-tier Precision weapon for a Crusher build with no Precision investment. Likewise, weapon rarity (Rare versus Epic ascension) often matters more than tier; a Rare Plague Halberd still outperforms an unascended A-tier alternative. Use the table to inform crafting priorities and farm targets, not to abandon a build mid-progression.

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