Choosing your weapon is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in Echoes of Aincrad. Unlike many RPGs where different weapons only change your attack animations, each weapon in Echoes of Aincrad appears to offer a unique combat style with its own strengths, weaknesses, and Sword Skills.
Based on the gameplay footage released so far, players will have access to six weapon types at launch:
- One-Handed Sword
- Dagger
- Rapier
- One-Handed Mace
- Two-Handed Sword
- Two-Handed Axe
Whether you prefer fast attacks, powerful strikes, defensive play, or crowd control, there’s likely a weapon that fits your preferred playstyle. Here’s a closer look at what we know so far.
Rapier
The Rapier appears to be a fast and agile weapon designed for players who enjoy quick attacks and constant movement.
One interesting detail shown in the gameplay footage is that the Rapier can be used alongside a shield. This gives players access to additional defensive options while still maintaining a quick and aggressive fighting style. For players who like balancing offense and defense, this could make the Rapier a very attractive choice.
Its attack animations are noticeably faster than those of larger weapons, allowing players to strike quickly and reposition before enemies can respond. While it may not hit as hard as heavier weapons, its speed could make up for that by creating more opportunities to attack safely.
From the footage, the Rapier feels like it sits somewhere between the Dagger and the One-Handed Sword.
Compared to the One-Handed Sword, it appears faster but potentially deals less damage per hit. Compared to the Dagger, it seems slightly slower but capable of delivering stronger attacks.
Players who enjoy fast-paced combat without becoming completely fragile may find the Rapier to be one of the most versatile options available.
Best For:
- Agile players
- Balanced offense and defense
- Fast attack chains
- Players who want to use a shield
Potential Drawbacks:
- Lower damage than heavy weapons
- May require precise timing and positioning
Two-Handed Sword
The Two-Handed Sword looks like a weapon built around power and commitment.
Unlike shield-based weapons, the Two-Handed Sword focuses entirely on offense. Its attacks are slower, but each strike appears capable of dealing significant damage. The gameplay footage showed large sweeping attacks, heavy Sword Skills, and powerful finishing blows that could potentially stagger enemies.
One particularly interesting mechanic shown during combat was a charging attack sequence. While it’s not completely clear how it works, the footage suggests that players may be able to continue charging powerful attacks even while taking hits. Whether this is a special skill, temporary armor effect, or weapon mechanic remains unknown.
If that mechanic is confirmed, it could allow Two-Handed Sword users to absorb pressure and continue delivering devastating attacks.
The biggest concern with this weapon is its slower speed. In difficult encounters, especially against aggressive enemies or bosses, long attack animations could leave players vulnerable if they commit at the wrong moment.
However, players willing to learn enemy attack patterns may be rewarded with some of the highest damage potential in the game.
Best For:
- Players who enjoy heavy-hitting weapons
- High damage builds
- Aggressive combat styles
- Boss-focused gameplay
Potential Drawbacks:
- Slow attack speed
- Longer recovery animations
- Higher risk during difficult fights
Two-Handed Axe
If the Two-Handed Sword focuses on raw damage, the Two-Handed Axe appears to focus on battlefield control.
The gameplay footage showcased several abilities that affected multiple enemies at once. Some attacks pulled enemies together, while others created large area-of-effect attacks capable of damaging entire groups.
This immediately makes the weapon stand out as one of the strongest options for handling multiple enemies.
Several Sword Skills demonstrated impressive crowd-control potential. One ability appeared to pull enemies toward the player, while another created a wide spinning attack that could hit multiple targets at once.
For players who enjoy clearing groups of enemies quickly, the Two-Handed Axe could become a favorite weapon.
The tradeoff may come during boss battles or single-target encounters. Since many of its showcased abilities seem focused on area damage, players may wonder whether its damage output against individual enemies can keep up with weapons like the Two-Handed Sword.
Of course, we’ve only seen a small portion of the weapon’s full moveset, so additional skills may help cover that weakness.
Best For:
- Fighting groups of enemies
- Crowd control
- Area damage
- Farming and exploration
Potential Drawbacks:
- May struggle against single targets
- Slow attack speed
- Less defensive utility
Which Weapon Looks Best So Far?
While every weapon shown so far has its strengths, each one seems designed for a different type of player.
The Rapier offers speed and flexibility while maintaining access to defensive options.
The Two-Handed Sword focuses on delivering massive damage through slower but more impactful attacks.
The Two-Handed Axe appears to specialize in controlling groups of enemies and dominating crowded battlefields.
There doesn’t appear to be a clear “best” weapon yet. Instead, Echoes of Aincrad seems to encourage players to choose the weapon that best matches their preferred combat style.
If you enjoy quick reactions and mobility, the Rapier may be the perfect fit. If you prefer overwhelming enemies with powerful strikes, the Two-Handed Sword looks incredibly promising. Meanwhile, players who enjoy crowd control and large-scale combat may find themselves drawn toward the Two-Handed Axe.
The latest weapon showcase has given players a much better idea of how combat will feel in Echoes of Aincrad. Each weapon appears to have its own identity rather than simply acting as a cosmetic variation of another.
While we’ll need hands-on experience to fully understand their strengths and weaknesses, the early footage suggests that weapon choice will have a significant impact on how players approach exploration, boss fights, and general combat.
For now, the Rapier stands out for its speed and balance, the Two-Handed Sword impresses with its raw power, and the Two-Handed Axe looks like a monster when dealing with large groups of enemies.
As more gameplay footage becomes available, it’ll be interesting to see which weapon ultimately becomes the most popular among players venturing into Aincrad.