Best Nier: Automata Weapons That You Should Use

In Nier: Automata, there are more than 25 weapons. Each weapon is different in its own way and offers a total of two unique abilities. However, not all of them are going to help you conquer the world of Nier. Therefore today, we are going to list down a number of Nier: Automata’s best weapons to help you select the right ones for your journey. 

Here’s a quick look at the comparison between the Best Nier: Automata Weapons:

Nier: Automata Best Weapons

In our list, we are going to mention a total of 17 weapons. Keep in mind that the list will be based on our personal preferences. Since the choice varies from player to player, you might find some other weapons better than these ones. We are also going to mention the upgrade requirements for each weapon along with its attack value. 

Type 3 Sword

We’ll begin our list of the best weapons in Nier: Automata with the Type-3 sword. Now, I know what you’re thinking; the Type-3 sword is a small sword, and there are better options available than it. However, what some of you don’t know is that this sword is one of the best weapons to use in the game because of its abilities. 

Its first ability, called Endurance Up increases the defense of the user, thus allowing you to stay longer in combat. Its second ability, on the other hand, is called Finish Blast that creates an explosion at the end of a combo. Therefore, as you can judge yourself, the Type-3 sword is a weapon that can help you survive longer while allowing you to deliver a powerful blow at the end of a combo. 

How to get it: You can buy it from Devola and Popola. 

Cypress Stick

Next up, we have the Cypress Stick. While this weapon may look like an ordinary little stick, it isn’t. The weapon has a 60 – 80 attack value in its initial level, which will later increase as you level up. As for its abilities, they are called Critical+ and Hero Sigil. 

Critical+ becomes available at the second level of the weapon. As its name suggests, it increases the critical rate. As for Hero Sigil, it is a cosmetic-based ability that becomes available at level 4. When unlocked, it will change the way chests look. However, the best part about the Cypress Stick is that it can be combined with the Iron Pipe, a weapon we’ll mention later in the list, to make it even stronger. In the combined form, the weapon does increased damage and the critical chance becomes even higher. 

How to get it: While playing as 2B, you will need to reach an area that comes before the bridge of the castle. All you need to do is find a chest in this area that will have the Cypress Stick inside it. 

Emil Heads

Emil Heads is yet another odd addition, but one of its abilities has earned it a spot on our list. During the game, you meet a character called Emil. This weapon is based on the head of this very character. It offers two abilities, Stun Up and Insanity. 

At level 2, you’ll unlock Stun Up, an ability that will provide you the luxury to deal some extra stun damage to enemies. While this may sound simple and all, it is something that can help you easily stagger them. As for the second ability, it isn’t of any use considering you’ll get to hear Emil talk each time you attack thanks to it. Other than that, the Insanity ability has no use. You’ll either enjoy having conversations with Emil or get irritated by them. Just like you, we’re also wondering what the developers were thinking while adding this ability. 

How to get it: The Emil Heads will be given to you as a reward for winning the Emil boss fight.

Ancient Overlord

Ancient Overlord is a weapon with an interesting back story. Legend says that its first owner was a warlord who killed his people by using this sword with the hope of achieving eternal life. Well, that didn’t work, and you can now use this sword to defeat your own enemies. 

The weapon’s first ability becomes available at level 2 and it’s the same as Cypress Stick’s ability; Critical+. It will increase the critical chance of the weapon, something that will help you take down powerful enemies quickly. As for its second ability that becomes available at level 4, it’s called Bullet Rupture. Thanks to it, you’ll be able to send out a powerful shockwave towards your targets whenever you hit a projectile. 

How to get it: You can buy it from the weapon’s dealer at the Resistance Camp for 15,000 G. 

Phoenix Big Sword

The Phoneix Big Sword is the first large sword we’ll be mentioning in our Nier: Automata best weapons list. The thing which I love about this weapon is that even on level 1, its attack value sits anywhere between 270-340. And when fully upgraded, you can expect this number to cross 1000+. 

In Nier: Automata, you must be quick against your enemies. Otherwise, you’ll get eliminated before you know it. As for the Phoneix Big Sword, it has an ability called ATK Speed Up that increases the attack speed, something that will help you perform attacks more quickly and smoothly. Furthermore, at level 4, the Phoneix Big Sword will grant you some HP whenever you will hit an enemy all thanks to its Phoenix Flash ability. This might not always work, but the chances are always high.  

How to get it: While playing as 9S in the City Ruins, go straight to the wall and then look right when you reach the end. You’ll come across a chest that you were unable to open before while playing as 2B. However, with 9S, you can open it to acquire the Phoenix Big Sword. 

Type-3 Blade

We talked about the Type-3 Sword at the beginning of our list, and we’ll now get to the better and more powerful variant of it; the Type-3 Blade. While the Sword was a small one and didn’t deal a lot of damage, the Type-3 Blade is the complete opposite of it. It’s big, it does a lot of damage, and it offers some amazing abilities. Even just by looking at it, you can easily tell that this blade was designed to take down powerful opponents. The best part about the weapon is that you can acquire it during the early stages of the game. 

Its first ability is called Endurance Up and as its name suggests, it increases the defense of the user. In other words, this ability will make it difficult for your enemies to take you down and will help you stay longer in the combat. The second ability, on the other hand, is called Finish Blast. After you perform a successful combo, the ability will create an explosion at the end of it. 

How to get it: You can buy it for 20,000 G from Devola and Popola at the Resistance Camp. 

Faith

Faith is yet another weapon in our Nier: Automata best weapons list that is incredibly fast. In fact, it is one of the quickest weapons in the game. And we all know how such weapons can help you take down enemies quickly. However, while it has a big plus to it, there’s a huge disadvantage too. Compared to the other weapons present in the game, Faith deals relatively less damage. However, since you’ll be able to land your attacks quickly, this won’t be a problem for you.

The first ability Faith offers is called ATK Speed Up and it increases the already high attack speed of the weapon. As for the second ability, it’s called Bullet Absorb and it grants the user some HP whenever they hit a projectile. This means that you won’t have to worry about healing yourself again and again while using this weapon. 

How to get it: During your visit to the Flooded City: Soul Box, you’ll encounter an elevator in Route C. There, you will come across two chests and one of them will contain Faith. 

Angel’s Folly

The Angel’s Folly has been designed in such a way that they resemble the “holy wings of angels.” I guess the name already gave it away, but oh well. As for the weapon itself, many think of it as something that is always useful against taking down a large group of enemies. This is mainly because of the kind of abilities it offers.

At first, we have the usual ATK Speed Up ability that becomes available at level 2 and increases the attack speed of the weapon. However, its second ability called Angel’s Mercy is something that makes it one of the most unique weapons in the entire game. When unlocked, the ability will restore your health after you will take down an enemy by using the weapon. This will solve most of your problems as you won’t have to worry about healing yourself ever again. 

How to get it: You can get it from Emil’s shop. 

Iron Pipe

Just like the Cypress Stick, the Iron Pipe is yet another mention in our list that you might find odd. Because by looking at it, you’ll think of it as a regular rusty Iron Pipe that someone left behind on purpose. However, this is not the case at all as the Iron Pipe is one of the best weapons to use in Nier: Automata. In fact, even though the weapon is far from resembling a blade, it is considered as a “small sword” in the game. 

The Iron Pipe’s first ability is Critical+ and it provides the user with an increased chance of landing a critical strike on his enemy. Its second ability is High Stun, something that gives you the luxury of stunning your enemies. However, this ability will only grant you a “chance” of stunning the targets. Thanks to both of these abilities, you can deliver powerful blows to your opponents with some added effects. If you want to transform the Iron Pipe into something more powerful, then you always have the option to combine it with the Cypress Stick. 

How to get it: To acquire the Iron Pipe, you will need to fish between the City Ruins and the Abandoned Amusement Park. 

Engine Blade

The Engine Blade is regarded as a blade that was once used by “a royal family.” Although it looks like something that deals a lot of damage, its base damage is fairly low. Well, at least it’s not better than most of the weapons present on our list. Despite this, the Engine Blade can still help you bag in a lot of kills thanks to its abilities. 

The Engine Blade has Stun Up as its first ability, through which you can stun your targets and trap them for a couple of seconds. This provides you with enough time to land a powerful blow on them. As for its second ability, it’s called Shift Avoid and it will transform your dodge ability into the dodge ability of Noctis from Final Fantasy XV. While the ability is purely cosmetic-based, it is a nice touch to the weapon, especially for Final Fantasy fans. 

How to get it: The Engine Blade can be found in a large room while you’re escaping after descending to the Abandoned Factory. This room will contain two chests, and one of them (the unlocked one) will have the Engine Blade inside it. 

Cruel Oath

The Cruel Oath is yet another sword on our Nier: Automata best weapons list. While it might not look as big as the Type-3 Blade, it is still a powerful weapon and something that can prove to be useful against strong foes. The thing which most players love about it is its color scheme, but that isn’t something that will have an effect on the monsters. For that purpose, we have its abilities.

Similar to the level 2 abilities of some of the above-mentioned weapons, the Curel Oath also offers ATK Speed Up as one of its abilities. This will increase the speed of your attacks and help you take down enemies quickly. Its Dark Impulse ability, on the other hand, becomes available at level 4. Thanks to it, whenever your health will fall below 30%, the damage of your attacks will increase. This means that it won’t let you die without putting on a great show. 

How to get it: The default weapon for 9S. 

Virtuous Dignity

Virtuous Dignity is easily one of the best-looking weapons in the entire game. Because of its spear-like shape, it offers a great melee range. For those who are wondering what this means, an increased melee range will let you hit your enemies from a safe distance. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about getting close to your targets to take them down. 

Coming to its abilities, Virtuous Dignity also offers the ATK Speed Up ability that increases the speed of its attacks. Furthermore, at level 4, you can unlock its Holy Blessing ability that will increase the value of your attack. However, this will only happen when your health is full. Otherwise, you will be able to rely only on its first ability. Overall, the weapon is amazing and its great melee range is something that makes it one of the best weapons to use in Nier: Automata. 

How to get it: 

Virtuous Contract

Virtuous Contract is the first weapon every Nier: Automata player gets the chance to try as it’s the starting weapon of the game. Whether you like it or not, you’ll have to begin the game with this weapon and even perform your first few kills with it. However, this shouldn’t worry you considering the Virtuous Contract isn’t a regular plain sword. Its strength can be seen from the fact that many players think of it as something that can help you finish the game.

Just like the previous weapon on our list, Virtuous Contract also has the ATK Speed Up and the Holy Blessing ability to offer. The first one will increase the speed of your attacks, while the second one will increase the power of your attacks but only when you’re full on health. Overall, the Virtuous Contract is a weapon that won’t let you down when you need it. You can fully trust it to take down powerful foes. 

How to get it: This is the starting weapon of the game, you get this by default. 

Spear of the Usurper

Just like the Virtuous Dignity, the Spear of the Usurper also offers a great attack range. This is something that can help you land attacks on your targets while staying at a safe distance. However, the thing which makes it one of the best weapons to use in Nier: Automata isn’t its range, but are its abilities. 

At first, we have Critical+ that becomes available at level 2. It increases the critical rate of the weapon and can help you land powerful blows on the enemy. Then, at level 4, you’ll unlock an ability called Turncoat, which for me is one of the most useful abilities in Nier: Automata. The ability will turn the enemies you attack with this weapon into allies, and they will then fight for you with all their might. What’s better than seeing your enemies turning against each other?

How to get it: You get the Spear of the Usurper as a reward for completing the Heritage of the Past. 

Type-40 Blade

The Type-40 Blade is yet another badass-looking weapon on our list that is designed to take down powerful enemies. The most interesting thing about the weapon is that it offers one of the highest base damage in the entire game. This alone is a big reason for you to choose this weapon. 

Coming to its abilities, the Type-40 Blade has Stun Up as its first ability that unlocks at level 2. This ability will help you stun your enemies more easily. At level 4, the weapon offers its second ability called Energy Charge which will increase the damage of your next attacks. However, in order to charge the weapon, you will have to prevent using it for a couple of seconds. When fully charged, a blue light will appear on the weapon and you can then use it to deliver powerful blows. 

How to get it: You get Type-40 Blade as a reward for completing the Data Analysis Freak 2. 

Demon’s Cry

Demon’s Cry is yet another weapon on our Nier: Automata best weapons list that is loved by almost every player. Now, before using this weapon, you must know that its base damage is relatively low compared to the other weapons on our list. However, the reason why we’re mentioning it as the second-best weapon to use in the game is its abilities. 

At first, we have the ATK Speed Up ability that will let you land more attacks on your target in less time. Then, we have Devil’s Hatred ability which you’ll unlock at level 4. This ability will send out a powerful shockwave after you kill an enemy. These two abilities make Demon’s Cry the best weapon to use against a large group of enemies. This is mainly because thanks to the shockwave, you’ll be able to deal damage to the surrounding enemies as well after taking down your target. Therefore, if you’re looking for a weapon that has an amazing attack speed, can take down large groups quickly, and looks lethal, then you should definitely opt for the Demon’s Cry. 

How to get it: You will need to make your way to the underground portion of the Amusement Park. After you defeat the boss that you will encounter there, simply go down the stairs, turn left, take the lift, and then make your way to the end. There, you’ll come across a Locked Chest which will have the Demon’s Cry inside it. 

Virtuous Treaty

Virtuous Treaty is easily the best weapon in Nier: Automata. This is because first, it can be acquired during the early stages of the game and you won’t have to go to extreme lengths to get your hands on it. Second, this weapon is powerful enough to help you take down enemies that will appear at the start and even at the end of the game. In other words, you won’t feel like replacing this weapon with some other one because it won’t disappoint you. 

Just like its siblings, the Virtuous Contract and Virtuous Dignity, this variant offers the same set of abilities. The first one is ATK Speed Up through which you can increase the speed of your attacks. The second ability is Holy Blessing which will increase your attack power, but only when your HP is full. The attack value of the Virtuous Treaty also crosses 1000+ when fully upgraded. 

How to get it: You can find the Virtuous Treaty near your corpse after you return from Earth from The Bunker. 

This was all regarding our Neir: Automata best weapons guide. Before you leave, make sure to check out the best weapons in Resident Evil Village and the best Dying Light weapons as well.