I’ve been grinding Echoes of Aincrad pretty hard soon after the release, and testing out every weapon type across multiple characters, and let me tell you, the real meta is not what you’d expect just by looking at the stat sheets because some weapons look amazing but feel like garbage in actual combat and others seem underwhelming until you figure out the right build.
So here’s my no-BS take on every weapon in Echoes of Aincrad right now, based on my actual experience and what the community’s been saying. No fluff, just straight facts from someone who’s put in the hours.
The TL;DR Version (For The Impatient)
- S-Tier: Two-Handed Axes (Quakemaker, Annealed Sledgehammer) – absolutely busted for PvE
- A-Tier: Two-Handed Swords (Mithril Saber, Proto-Elucidator TS) – great balance of damage and mobility
- B-Tier: Swords with shield (Corundum Saber, Dust Devil) – solid all-rounders for beginners
- C-Tier: Rapiers (Piercing Epee, Valkyrie’s Sabre) – fast but damage feels meh
- D-Tier: Daggers (Corundum Dagger, Mithril Dagger) – way too situational, low damage ceiling
- F-Tier: Maces – just don’t, seriously
S-Tier: The Two-Handed Axe Chads
Okay, let’s be real. If you’re not running a two-handed axe right now, you’re either a hipster or you haven’t seen what these things can do.
The Quakemaker sits at a whopping 80 Attack. That’s the highest base damage in the entire game. And the Annealed Sledgehammer isn’t far behind at 75 Attack. But it’s not just about the numbers because these weapons have an AoE attack that absolutely shreds groups of mobs.
I remember the first time I used the Quakemaker in a dungeon. I walked into a room with like six enemies, charged up one heavy attack, and watched them all get deleted in a single swing. My jaw literally dropped. The grind to get it is real though, you’re looking at farming a ton of materials and Col.
The downside is that you’re slow. Like, really slow. You can’t use a shield, so you have to rely on rolling to dodge attacks. And if you mistime that roll against a boss? Yeah, you’re eating dirt. But honestly, the damage output more than makes up for it. If you’re running a strength build, this is your endgame weapon.
What the community’s saying: Over on the Echoes of Aincrad subreddit, people are calling the Quakemaker “the answer to every boss fight.” One player mentioned they were struggling with a floor boss for hours, switched to an axe build, and cleared it on their first try. The AoE is apparently a game-changer for the later floors where enemies swarm you.
A-Tier: Two-Handed Swords – The Sweet Spot
If two-handed axes are the pure damage option, two-handed swords are the balanced alternative that still packs a serious punch.
The Mithril Saber has 56 Attack with decent stat scaling, and the Proto-Elucidator TS sits at 50 Attack. These numbers aren’t as high as the axes, but what you lose in raw damage, you gain in attack speed and better stat distribution.
Here’s the thing about two-handed swords: they’re faster than axes but still hit hard enough to stagger enemies. The charged attacks are powerful without being painfully slow. I’ve been running the Mithril Saber on my main character for the past week, and it feels amazing. You can weave in dodges between attacks way more easily than with an axe, which makes boss fights way less stressful.
The Decapitator and Anneal Longsword are also solid options if you’re not quite at the endgame yet. They’re not going to blow your mind, but they’ll get the job done while you farm for better gear.
What the community’s saying: A lot of players on YouTube and Reddit recommend two-handed swords as the “newbie-friendly” option for people who want to do good damage without the punishing slowness of axes. One guide I watched called them “the most satisfying weapons to use” because of the mix of speed and power.
B-Tier: Swords and Shields – The Reliable Choice
Swords are what I’d call the “all-rounder” weapon class. They’re not the best at anything, but they’re not the worst at anything either.
The Corundum Saber and Dust Devil both sit at 55 Attack, which is respectable. And the Mithril Blade isn’t far behind at 45 Attack. But honestly, the real value of swords comes from being able to pair them with a shield.
Having a shield completely changes how you approach combat. You can block attacks instead of having to dodge everything, which is a lifesaver when you’re learning new enemy patterns. I’ve seen so many new players get frustrated with the game because they keep dying, and 90% of the time it’s because they’re running a weapon that doesn’t allow shields.
The Proto-Elucidator S is probably the best early-game sword you can get. It’s got decent stats and the requirements aren’t too punishing. If you’re just starting out and you don’t know what build you want to run yet, grab this and a shield and you’ll be fine.
What the community’s saying: Reddit threads about weapon choices often recommend swords for solo players because the shield gives you so much survivability. One player mentioned they beat a floor boss that had been killing them for days simply by switching to a sword and shield setup and actually blocking instead of trying to dodge everything.
C-Tier: Rapiers – Fast But… Meh?
Rapiers are supposed to be the “precision and countering” weapons. They’re fast, they chain multiple attacks, and they can counter enemies effectively. Sounds great on paper, right?
The problem is the damage. Even the Piercing Epee and Valkyrie’s Sabre only hit 38 Attack. That’s significantly lower than swords, and you’re still locked into using a shield if you want any defense.
I tried running a rapier build for about a week, and honestly? It felt like I was tickling enemies. Yes, I could get in a lot of hits quickly, but each hit did so little damage that it didn’t matter. Against bosses with high HP pools, I was spending way too long in each fight, which meant more opportunities to make a mistake and die.
The Proto-Elucidator R is probably the best rapier option at 38 Attack, but even then, you’re better off just using a sword. Rapiers need a serious buff to be competitive in the current meta.
What the community’s saying: Honestly? Nobody’s really talking about rapiers. That’s kind of the problem. They’re just not popular enough to have a strong community presence. The few discussions I’ve seen basically say “they’re okay but outclassed by everything else.”
D-Tier: Daggers – The Solo Player’s Nightmare
Daggers are supposed to be the “swift, full-offense” weapons. They have ranged attacks and quick multiple attacks. But here’s the thing, you can’t use a shield with them. So you’re a glass cannon without the cannon part.
The Corundum Dagger tops out at 31 Attack. The Mithril Dagger is 28 Attack. These numbers are just sad. You’re doing less damage than a sword while having none of the defensive options.
I tried daggers for a bit, thinking the speed would make up for the low damage. It doesn’t. You’re constantly dodging, never dealing enough damage, and one mistake means you’re dead. The ranged attack sounds cool, but the damage is so low that you’re better off just closing the distance and swinging.
The Assassin’s Knife and Ambusher are slightly better with some INT scaling, but even then, they’re niche weapons for very specific builds. Unless you’re going for some weird agility-based crit build, just stay away.
What the community’s saying: The Echoes of Aincrad subreddit has some threads where people try to justify dagger builds, but even they admit it’s “hard mode.” One player described it as “playing the game on nightmare difficulty for no reason.” The consensus seems to be that daggers need a buff or a rework to be viable.
F-Tier: Maces – Why Do These Exist?
Look, I’m going to be honest with you. Maces are the worst weapon class in the game right now. I don’t know who designed these or what they were thinking, but they’re just bad.
The Quakemaker (axe) has 80 Attack. The Big Bopper (mace) has 55 Attack. That’s the same as the Corundum Saber, but with way worse stat scaling and slower attack speed.
Maces are supposed to be for breaking enemy defense and staggering. But in practice, the two-handed weapons do that better while also dealing more damage. The Wild Edge and Iron Hatchet are in the 50-55 Attack range, which is fine for early game, but they fall off hard once you hit the mid floors.
The only redeeming quality is that maces can be paired with shields, which gives you some defensive options. But honestly, if you want to use a shield, just use a sword. You’ll do more damage and have better scaling.
What the community’s saying: There’s basically no discussion about maces because nobody uses them. I found one thread where someone asked if maces were viable, and the responses were basically “lol no” and “just use an axe.” They’re a meme weapon at this point.
The Proto-Elucidator Variants: What’s The Deal?
You might have noticed that there are Proto-Elucidator variants for almost every weapon type. These are basically the “starter plus” weapons, better than the basic stuff but not quite endgame.
The Proto-Elucidator TS (two-handed sword) at 50 Attack is actually pretty solid. The Proto-Elucidator TA (two-handed axe) at 60 Attack is even better. But the Proto-Elucidator S (sword) at 45 Attack is just okay, and the Proto-Elucidator R (rapier) at 38 Attack is underwhelming.
If you’re early game and you see a Proto-Elucidator variant in the blacksmith, grab the two-handed version if you can. The sword version is fine for beginners, but don’t waste your materials on the rapier or dagger versions.
How To Actually Get These Weapons
Alright, so you’ve decided what weapon you want. Now how do you actually get it?
The blacksmith is your main source for all weapons. You’ll need Col and crafting materials. The grind is real, especially for the higher-tier weapons like the Quakemaker and Mithril Saber.
Here’s my advice: don’t waste your materials on low-tier weapons. Save up for the good stuff. The Bronze and Steel weapons are barely better than starter gear, and you’ll replace them quickly anyway.
Also, pay attention to the stat requirements. Weapons have different scaling for STR, AGI, DEX, and INT. If you’re running a strength build, you want weapons that scale well with STR. If you’re going agility, look for AGI scaling. Don’t waste your time on a weapon that doesn’t match your build.
Pick Based On Your Playstyle
Here’s the bottom line:
- Two-handed axes are the best for pure damage. If you want to delete enemies and you’re confident in your dodging, this is your pick.
- Two-handed swords are the balanced option. Good damage, decent speed, and you can actually dodge attacks without wanting to cry.
- Swords with shields are for beginners and people who value survivability over damage.
- Rapiers and daggers are for masochists who want to play the game on hard mode.
- Maces are just… don’t.
I’ve tested all of these extensively, and I keep coming back to two-handed axes for PvE content. The damage output is just too good to pass up. But if you’re new to the game, start with a sword and shield setup while you learn the mechanics, then transition to two-handed weapons once you’re comfortable.
And whatever you do, don’t waste your Col on maces. Seriously. Learn from my mistakes.
FAQ
Q: What’s the best weapon for beginners?
A: Sword and shield, hands down. The Proto-Elucidator S is a great starter option. The shield gives you so much survivability while you’re learning enemy patterns.
Q: Are two-handed axes really that good?
A: Yes. The Quakemaker has 80 Attack and an AoE attack. It’s absolutely busted for PvE content. The only downside is you can’t use a shield, so you have to be good at dodging.
Q: What about rapiers? Are they viable?
A: Honestly? Not really. The damage is too low compared to other options. If you really want to use one, the Piercing Epee or Valkyrie’s Sabre are your best bets, but you’ll struggle in later floors.
Q: How do I get the Quakemaker?
A: You need to grind Col and materials and buy it from the blacksmith. It’s expensive and requires high-level materials, so expect to put in some serious hours.
Q: Is the Proto-Elucidator worth it?
A: The two-handed versions (TS and TA) are definitely worth it. The sword version is decent for beginners. Skip the rapier and dagger versions.
Q: What stats should I focus on for each weapon type?
A: Two-handed axes and maces scale best with STR. Two-handed swords and regular swords are more balanced. Rapiers and daggers want AGI and DEX. Check the stat requirements before you buy.
Q: Can I use a shield with any weapon?
A: No. Shields only work with swords, rapiers, and maces. Two-handed weapons and daggers can’t use shields.
Q: What’s the best weapon for boss fights?
A: Two-handed axes for raw damage, or two-handed swords if you want more mobility. The Quakemaker is probably the best boss-killer in the game right now.
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