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Rapier of a Thousand Cuts
April 15, 2026 at 04:42 PM
Audit correction: the kill-transfer bleed perk is ASCENDED EPIC ONLY, not base Rare. Clarified scaling grade differs between Rare (C) and Epic (B). Both perks documented separately.
The Rapier of a Thousand Cuts is a rapier in Windrose that applies stacking bleed damage. It is one of the best starter-island weapons in the demo and Early Access, rewarded by a buried treasure quest that is accessible within the first few hours of play. An ascended Epic version unlocks a second perk that transfers bleed stacks between enemies on kill.
Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
Rarity | Rare |
Damage type | Pierce |
Scaling attribute | Precision |
Scaling grade (Rare) | C (community-reported) |
Base ATK | 100 |
Max upgraded ATK | 240 |
Base damage | 120 Pierce |
Ascending the Rare version at a Weaponsmith Station using Tumbaga Ingots promotes the weapon to Epic rarity. The ascended version has slightly different base damage and a higher scaling grade, plus the kill-transfer perk (see below). Community databases list the Epic version with B-grade Precision scaling and 125 Pierce damage. Numbers may vary between patches; confirm in the in-game item card.
The Rare version applies a Bleeding stack on every successful hit. Bleeding stacks up to 5 times, and each stack deals 40 damage per second per stack (at 5 stacks, 200 DPS on top of weapon damage). This is the base Rare perk and functions without ascension.
Ascending to Epic at the Weaponsmith Station (using Tumbaga Ingots from Blackbeard Treasure Maps) adds a second perk: when a target dies while bleeding, any remaining Bleeding stacks transfer to the nearest enemy. This turns the Rapier into a chain-kill weapon: clear one target and the accumulated stacks cascade to the next, which makes it particularly devastating against packs of weaker enemies.
The kill-transfer perk is EPIC-ONLY. The base Rare version does not have this effect. Plan for ascension if you want the chain-clear behavior.
Complete the Fifteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest buried treasure quest on the starting island. The trigger is a Traveller's Camp that contains a note or diary on the ground. Reading the note directs you to dig under a dead white tree with a red rag tied around the trunk. Crafting a Shovel first (3 Copper Ingots + 10 Wood at the Workbench) is required to access Dig mode, which is why most players do not find this weapon until after they have unlocked Copper Ingots and the Smelting Furnace pipeline.
The Rapier of a Thousand Cuts rewards a Fencer talent-branch build invested in Precision and Agility. The Fencer talents Agile (dash stamina reduction) and Surgical Cuts (+3-9% one-handed crit) amplify its hit-and-retreat playstyle. Stack a Precision food buff before engagements to maximize per-hit damage and accelerate bleed applications. At the Epic tier, the kill-transfer perk dramatically expands the weapon's effectiveness in Pirate Camp clears and group fights.
Community weapon tier lists consistently place the Rapier of a Thousand Cuts in S-tier for its rarity and availability. Once acquired at Rare, it remains relevant deep into mid-game because the bleed scaling does not cap out on a single target. Once ascended to Epic, the kill-transfer mechanic keeps it valuable in group fights even at late-game tiers.
Weapons - weapon categories
Combat - combat mechanics
Buried Treasure - treasure hunt system
Upgrade System - ascension to Epic
Bleeding - status effect detail
Fifteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest - source quest