The equipment system in Fable (2026) encompasses melee weapons, ranged weapons, magic abilities, and character armor. Equipment choices directly affect the style-weaving combat system, determining which attacks are available and how they perform. The game has a "vast arsenal" of options, according to the Steam store page, and equipment is one of the primary ways players define their hero's identity.
Melee Weapons
Melee weapons are the backbone of close-quarters combat. Each weapon type has distinct characteristics affecting speed, damage, reach, and stagger potential. The Developer Direct described melee options as ranging from "super precise" to "blunt force," giving players a wide spectrum of fighting styles.
Weapon Type | Speed | Damage | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
Swords | Moderate | Moderate | Balanced all-rounder, good for beginners |
Axes | Moderate | High | Strong chopping strikes, good stagger |
Hammers | Slow | Very High | Devastating single hits, heavy stagger |
Maces | Moderate | Moderate-High | Blunt force, effective against armored foes |
Cleavers | Fast | Moderate | Quick slashing combos, aggressive style |
Weapon selection is not permanent. Players can carry multiple weapons and switch between them as situations demand. A hammer might be ideal for a single troll, while a faster sword works better against a swarm of Hobbes.
Ranged Weapons
Ranged weapons allow players to engage enemies from a distance and are a core component of style weaving. Confirmed ranged weapon types include:
Weapon Type | Characteristics |
|---|---|
Crossbows | High damage per shot, slower rate of fire, good for opening engagements |
Longbows | Faster rate of fire, better at sustained ranged pressure |
Ranged attacks weave into melee combos naturally. You might stagger an enemy with a sword strike, step back, fire a crossbow bolt, and close in again. The system is designed so that ranged weapons are a tool within the combat system, not a separate playstyle.
Magic Equipment
While specific magic equipment details have not been fully revealed, magic in Fable functions as a third combat style alongside melee and ranged. Spells range from direct damage (fireballs) to crowd control, and they integrate seamlessly with physical weapons through style weaving. How magic is equipped and upgraded will likely follow a progression system tied to the hero's development.
Visual Transformation
One of Fable's signature features is how equipment and player choices visually transform the hero. Confirmed visual changes include:
Feature | Description |
|---|---|
Angel halos | Appear on heroes who consistently perform good deeds |
Devil horns | Grow on heroes who pursue evil actions |
Scars | Accumulate from combat, marking the hero's battle history |
Glowing veins | Appear as the hero's power grows. This reflects magical ability |
These visual transformations are not purely cosmetic. They tie into the reputation system and affect how NPCs react to you. A hero with devil horns and scars will get different reactions from villagers than one with an angel halo. This means equipment and moral choices combine to create a hero whose appearance tells a story.
Character Appearance and Gear
Beyond stat-affecting equipment, the game includes character customization options that affect the hero's visual presentation:
Clothing and armor with distinct visual styles
Hairstyles that can be changed throughout the game
Tattoos applied at specific locations
Skin tone and facial feature selection
Progression and Upgrades
The equipment progression system has not been fully detailed in pre-release materials. What is known is that the game features multiple builds enabled by different weapon and ability combinations. The style-weaving system means progression is less about finding a single powerful weapon and more about assembling a versatile loadout.
Previous Fable games used gold and experience to upgrade weapons and abilities. The 2026 reboot is expected to follow a similar model, with economic systems (jobs, property, trading) providing the currency for equipment purchases and upgrades.
Equipment and Build Identity
Equipment defines your hero's build identity in both gameplay and narrative terms. A hero carrying a massive hammer, wearing heavy armor, and sporting battle scars tells a different story than one wielding a precise sword, dressed lightly, and bearing magical glowing veins. The game is designed so that "you can be the hero you want to be in every sense," as game director Ralph Fulton stated.
This philosophy extends to how equipment interacts with the rest of the game. Your gear affects NPC perceptions, combat effectiveness, and the visual story of your hero. A heavily armed hero might intimidate merchants into lower prices, while a scholarly-looking mage might be welcomed by academics and scholars.