With theNieR: Replicantremake,Yoko Tarofans are finally able to experience the original NieR story with modern graphics and mechanics. Even now, it’s a unique experience withfew games like it. The combat now resembles NieR: Automata’s, letting you stay mobile as you launch a combination of physical and magical attacks. For the latter, you have a whole arsenal of weapons at your disposal.
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Small swords are small and light, usually, but have lower range and damage. Spears are the midpoint weapon class, giving you range and power. Greatswords sacrifice your speed for the ability to deal greater damage in a single blow. Each requires upgrades, so choose wisely where to spend your resources.
10Ancient Overlord
Ancient Overlord is a small sword that places speed over damage. Over the course of its upgrade path, it retains a very lightweight while increasing its damage and magic regeneration. While these numbers don’t approach the highest in its class, it’s a good mix if you favor sorcery.
High speed means more hits, and you generate magic every time you strike an enemy. On higher difficulties where damage can knock you out in just one or two hits, fighting from a distance is safest. Ancient Overlord lets you get in, regenerate your magic, and get out as quickly as possible.
9Labyrinth’s Song
This heavy greatsword is your reward for completing the side quest “Disturbing the Sleep of Kings.” Starting out, the Labyrinth’s song isn’t all that special. Its damage is lesser than other greatswords around the early levels, and its weight keeps it slow.
But when you reach its final upgrade, the sword’s power unlocks, and it surpasses its peers in both damage and magic regeneration. With the exception of additional weapons added to the game through the remake, the Labyrinth’s song gains the highest stats of all large swords. It’s perfect for endgame content, but its weak stats before then make it hard to use prior.
8Phoenix Sword
The Phoenix Sword is the largest weapon of the Phoenix set, and it’s one you’ll find near the end of your first run in NieR. Located in the Shadow Lord’s castle, it’s one weapon you either have to make a trip back to town to upgrade immediately or save for subsequent runs. It’s a decent greatsword that’s the most well-rounded of its class.
Its moderate weight makes it a faster option than its peers, while still reaching the high damage numbers you expect. Among greatswords it is tied with many, as a magic regeneration of 50% is common for the class. It is easier to upgrade than most since its components, while rare, can be found all around the world.
7Beastbain
Beastbain is a great upgrade for NieR’s early game. While playing through the first part of NieR, you can only use small swords, and upgrading them past a certain point is impossible, which is why you’re going to want Beastbain.
As a small sword, it’s heavier than most others, but it also has better damage and magic regeneration. Even when you start part two, where its role can be filled with greatswords, it still has better stats than other swords if you’re willing to forego your speed. It’s probably not the weapon you’ll use all game, but since it’s available early, and anywhere there’s a blacksmith, it can carry you to the point where you have more options.
6Spear Of The Usurper
The Spear Of The Usurper is a great weapon for the second half of NieR. It’s only at that point you may use large swords and spears, and the usurper’s spear is both easy to acquire and reliable. You can purchase it for nearly 22,000 gold.
This spear is great for most of the game, since its speed never dips below moderate, and it has decent magic regeneration. It’s also very easy to upgrade since its components, while rare, can be found in a variety of areas. You’ll get them just by following where the story takes you. At max level, other spears outpace it, but for a long time until that point, it will serve you well.
5Phoenix Dagger
Part of the Phoenix set, the Phoenix Dagger’s high speed and magic regeneration make it perfect for builds focusing on magic. You can find it in the seafront city, where it’s sold for a pricy 32,000. Its weight and damage are both middling among short swords.
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Its upgrades aren’t too hard to come by either. Most of the ingredients you need can be purchased, but you’ll have to hope for luck as you gather them from seafront harvest points. If you’re playing as a mage, this is a great tool for it, but if you’re looking for something more physical, there are better options.
4Kaine’s Sword
Kaine’s Sword is your reward for completing all the game’s story content and achieving ending E. All you need to do is listen to “A Parting Greeting” and you’ll find her sword near her shack. Without a doubt, it is the strongest weapon in the game.
Its damage is maxed out at 999 right at level one. Its upgrades go towards giving it magic regeneration up to 100%. It’s an extremely heavy weapon, but one hit is really all you need. As strong as it is, by the time you get it, you’ve already beaten the game, so while it’s great, you’ve already conquered the challenges that Kaine’s sword would have helped you beat.
3Fool’s Lament
Fool’s Lament is a greatsword you can only acquire in the challenge area called “The Diary.” This area is filled with stronger shades meant to challenge your prowess, and the rewards for success are the Fool’s weapons. Fool’s Lament is the Greatsword with the highest damage and magic regeneration of all greatswords.
To get it you have to beat the third level of Diary’s second door. A challenge, but well worth it since not much can survive taking hits from this sword. Upgrading Fool’s Lament to its highest level is another challenge since damascus steel is hard to find.
2Virtuous Treaty
NieR: Automata fans will recognize this sword as 2B’s greatsword from her game. It appears in NieR: Replicant as part of the 4 Yorha DLC. Once you’ve downloaded it, Virtuous Treaty is added to your inventory alongside two other weapons.
Virtuous Treaty is unique among greatswords for two reasons: it actually gets lighter as you upgrade it, and it has no magic regeneration whatsoever. At max level, Virtuous Treaty is considered very light, something only common to small swords. While your magic suffers, the speed at which you can use Virtuous Treaty’s high damage means you won’t need to cast a spell anyway. If you want to play as a swordsman, there’sno better bladethan this.
1Phoenix Spear
The Phoenix Spear is a great weapon from the moment it falls into your hands. Of all weapons, it boasts the highest non-upgraded damage. Not all weapons are made equal in NieR: Replicant and this Spear will be better at level one, than fully upgraded.
When it reaches level four, the Phoenix Spear has the highest damage of all spears, except ones from DLC additions. Even with high damage you don’t compromise your spell regeneration, as it has a strong 80%. While other spears get heavier as you upgrade, the Phoenix Spear remains very manageable with moderate weight.
