Weapon Tier List
All weapon types ranked by damage output, speed, range, skill synergy, and overall combat effectiveness.
The 1.0.5 Rebalance Changed the Meta
Bandai Namco shipped the first major balance patch since launch on August 7, 2026. Its stated goal is to make every weapon type viable — and it does so by speeding up and strengthening a long list of Sword Skills while raising enemy pressure on the lower difficulties. If you built around the launch-day assumption that the One-Handed Sword is the only safe pick, it is time to re-evaluate.
▲ Buffed hardest
- Two-Handed Swords (Greatsword) — Cascade, Piercing Blast, Backlash, Blade Torrent, Brave Leep, Cyclone, Vertical Buster all sped up.
- Two-Handed Axes (Battle Axe) — Roaring Jolt, Whirlwind, Fierce Shock, Chain Angler, Volcano, Rockfang, Gravity all buffed.
- Swords / Daggers / Maces — individual skill buffs (Horizontal Square; Single Shoot, Kaynine, Rapid Bite, Fad Edge, Spiral Riser; Riot Smash, Double Cleave, Tri-Horn Medley, Spiritfall, Clashbang).
▼ Nerfed / toned down
- Daggers — Strike Rain and Hornet Swarm damage/ATK correction cut.
- Maces — Absorbing Strike down-adjusted.
- Unique MODs — Sword Barrier (Dress Swords) barrier value cut + cooldown extended; Supreme Shooter (Mournflower) throw damage multiplier reduced.
- Argo — Analyze support SP gain & bonus damage trimmed.
Difficulty: Story, Normal and Hard now field higher enemy HP/attack and more spawns, closing the gap to Very Hard. Safe Areas and partner modes matter more than ever. Full change log on the patch notes page.
How This Weapon Tier List Is Ranked
The overall tier weighs damage, speed, range, defensive safety, Sword Skill synergy, and performance across regular encounters and bosses. A lower overall tier can still be the best choice for a specialized build, so use the scenario picks below alongside the general ranking.
Best Weapons by Scenario
One-Handed Sword
TSThe iconic weapon of the Black Swordsman. Balanced stats with fast swing speed and versatile sword skills. Excellent for all-round combat.
Greatsword
TSMassive blade that trades speed for devastating power. Each hit staggers enemies and breaks guard. High stamina cost but unmatched burst damage.
Shield
TSOff-hand defensive tool that enables blocking and parrying. Not a primary weapon but essential for survival-focused builds. Combines with one-handed weapons.
Rapier
TALightning-fast thrusting weapon with pinpoint accuracy. Lowest damage per hit but highest attack speed and critical rate. The Flash's weapon of choice.
Spear
TALong-reaching polearm with thrust and sweeping attacks. Excellent crowd control and the longest melee range. Sustained damage over burst.
Dagger
TATwin blades for rapid close-quarters combat. Highest attack speed in the game with excellent mobility. Punishes relentlessly but requires precision.
Katana
TAElegant curved blade with sheath-based combat style. Combines quick draw attacks with flowing combat arts. High skill ceiling with exceptional payoff.
Scythe
TAA long-handled curved blade that blends reach with wide, sweeping power. Its arcing swings hit multiple enemies at once and can drain enemy HP over time. Slower than a Spear but with a far larger cleave radius, making it a strong pick for crowd control and lifesteal-focused builds.
Battle Axe
TBHeavy axe with armor-shredding capability. Slower than greatsword but deals bonus damage to armored enemies. Good for sustained pressure.
Mace
TBBlunt weapon that excels against shielded enemies and skeletal foes. Stun chance on hit. Slower but safer than swords with guard capability.
Bow
TBRanged weapon for picking off enemies from safety. Limited ammo per encounter. Excellent for pulling enemies and exploiting weak points from distance.
Best Weapon in Echoes of Aincrad
The #1 best weapon in Echoes of Aincrad is the One-Handed Sword for most players. It is S-tier because it works with a Shield, has forgiving speed, and supports both beginner survival and advanced Sword Skill rotations. If you only care about raw boss damage, the Greatsword is the strongest S-tier alternative.
Notes
- ·S-tier dominates most scenarios. Greatsword for bosses, One-Handed Sword for general use.
- ·A-tier excels in specific situations — Rapier for crit builds, Spear for crowd control.
- ·Shield is ranked S-tier because it enables survival builds essential for Death Game Mode.
Common Questions
What is the best weapon in Echoes of Aincrad?
The One-Handed Sword is the #1 all-rounder — S-tier with balanced stats that works with any build. For raw damage, the Greatsword (also S-tier) hits hardest per hit. Katana and Rapier are strong A-tier picks for skilled players.
What are the best weapons in Echoes of Aincrad?
The best weapons are One-Handed Sword and Greatsword in S-tier. Katana, Rapier, Spear, Dagger, and Scythe are strong A-tier choices when your build supports their playstyle.
Did the Ver.1.0.5 patch change the best weapon?
Yes. Released August 7, 2026, Ver.1.0.5 speeds up and strengthens Sword Skills across Two-Handed Swords, Two-Handed Axes, Swords, Daggers and Maces. Two-Handed weapons in particular jumped in viability, so the old 'One-Handed Sword only' meta is no longer accurate — diversify your loadout.
What did Ver.1.0.5 buff and nerf?
Buffed hardest: Two-Handed Swords and Two-Handed Axes (multiple skills each), plus individual Sword, Dagger and Mace skills. Nerfed: Dagger Strike Rain and Hornet Swarm, Mace Absorbing Strike, the Sword Barrier and Supreme Shooter unique MODs, and Argo's Analyze support. Story, Normal and Hard difficulty was also raised.
What is the best weapon for beginners?
One-Handed Sword. Balanced stats, forgiving speed, works with any build.
Which weapon deals the highest damage?
Greatsword has the highest base damage (150). Rapier can exceed it in sustained DPS through critical hits.
Is Shield worth using?
Yes, especially in Death Game Mode. Enables perfect blocks and guard breaks.
Build your weapon
Compare every weapon in detail, then plan your stats around it.