Rankings · Provisional (demo build)
Echoes of Aincrad Weapon Tier List
All six weapon types from the demo, ranked by overall strength, safety and ceiling. Use it with the Build Planner to lock in your loadout.
One-Handed Sword
The safest, most flexible pick. Balanced damage and speed, pairs with a shield for reliable blocks and parries. Carries beginners and scales fine.
Rapier
Fast, accurate, high-crit — and unusually it keeps shield access. The best blend of offense and safety; a top duelist weapon.
Two-Handed Sword
Highest single-target burst in the demo. No shield and long recovery, but devastating against bosses if you learn the openings.
One-Handed Mace
Guard-breaks and staggers that disrupt tough enemies, with shield access. Slower swings hold it just below the A line.
Two-Handed Axe
Best-in-class crowd control with pulls and wide spins, but the slowest weapon and weaker single-target than the greatsword.
Dagger
Highest skill ceiling — relentless combos and mobility — but no shield, short reach and unforgiving timing. Great in expert hands.
At a glance
| Weapon | Tier | Shield | Speed | Power | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-Handed Sword | A | Yes | Medium | Medium | Beginners, flexible builds |
| Rapier | A | Yes | Fast | Low–Med | Crit duelists who want defense |
| Two-Handed Sword | A | No | Slow | Very High | Boss-focused burst |
| One-Handed Mace | B | Yes | Slow | High | Guard-break & control |
| Two-Handed Axe | B | No | Very Slow | Very High | Crowd control / AoE |
| Dagger | B | No | Very Fast | Low | Combo experts (high ceiling) |
Several outlets list possible extra weapon types (spear, katana, bow) from trailers/datamines; only these six are confirmed playable in the demo. We will add the rest if Bandai Namco confirms them.
Tier list FAQ
What is the best weapon in Echoes of Aincrad?
For most players the One-Handed Sword (safe, flexible, shield access) and the Rapier (fast, crit-heavy, still shield-capable) are the strongest all-round picks. The Two-Handed Sword tops single-target boss damage. These rankings are provisional and based on the demo.
Is this tier list final?
No. It is built from the demo and pre-launch footage. Sword-skill MODs, gear and later floors will shift balance — we update the list after the July 10, 2026 launch.
Which weapon is best for beginners?
The One-Handed Sword. Producer Yosuke Futami specifically recommended one-handed swords for beginners because they are balanced and pair with a shield. Daggers and two-handed axes are recommended for advanced players.