Choosing the right weapon in Echoes of Aincrad depends on your playstyle, your current Cardinal Ranking, and how you choose to allocate your Growth Points. With six distinct weapon types available upon reaching the Town of Beginnings, experimenting with different mods and stat adaptations is essential to maximizing your combat efficiency.

Weapon Tiers Explained

Weapons in Echoes of Aincrad are categorized into three tiers based on their base stats, unique mods, and how they scale with your ACV (Attribute Adaptation) points:

  • S-Tier: The most powerful options. These weapons feature superior mods that simplify combat, high base Attack stats, or optimal ACV scaling.
  • A-Tier: Highly reliable weapons. While slightly less powerful than S-Tier options, they are often easier to acquire and serve as excellent mainstays for most of the game.
  • B-Tier: Early-game gear. These are best used for immediate needs or as upgrade fodder once you find better equipment.

How to Upgrade Your Gear

You aren't stuck with your initial stats. As you progress through the main story and increase your Cardinal Ranking, you can visit the Smithy in any major town to upgrade your weapons. You can improve any weapon up to level 20 by combining it with rare materials and other weapons, which significantly increases its base Attack stat.

S-Tier Weapon Recommendations

If you are looking to optimize your build, aim for these top-performing weapons:

  • Okuvlig Ande (Sword): Features an S-rank for Dexterity and a mod that reduces SP costs for Sword Skills while increasing their damage.
  • Aerial Stinger (Rapier): Inflicts Freeze on enemies and restores SP when fighting frozen targets.
  • Cosmic Orbit (Dagger): Scales exceptionally well with high Agility, providing a massive boost to attack.
  • Brazen Edge (Mace): Boasts an A-rank Strength modifier, increasing your down rate and dealing bonus damage on every hit.
  • Anima Bringer (Two-Handed Sword): Provides an A-rank Dexterity boost and increases Sword Skill damage when your SP is above 50%.
  • Crushing Cascade (Two-Handed Axe): Ideal for boss encounters, this axe grants bonus damage stacks when fighting near downed enemies.

Managing Your Inventory

Don't discard weapons that fall out of your rotation. Because your partners in Echoes of Aincrad also rely on the weapons you collect, your retired gear makes for perfect hand-me-downs. Always keep a stock of leveled-up equipment to ensure your party remains combat-ready as you transition to higher-tier weapons.