Weapons Guide
Echoes of Aincrad has six weapon types: Sword and Shield, Two-Handed Axe, Dagger, Rapier, Two-Handed Sword, and Mace. Defeating enemies earns Weapon Exp and unlocks Sword Skills (max 3 equipped at a time). Weapons can be switched in Town of Beginnings. No tier ranking, best-weapon, or damage/speed/role comparison is confirmed by official sources.
Six Weapon Types
Sword and Shield
Official weapon type
Two-Handed Axe
Official weapon type
Dagger
Official weapon type
Rapier
Official weapon type
Two-Handed Sword
Official weapon type
Mace
Official weapon type
See the All Weapon Types page for the canonical list with source references. That page is the authoritative list; this page explains the system and how to test weapons in the demo.
What Is Confirmed vs. What Is NOT Confirmed
| Attribute | Official confirmation |
|---|---|
| Six weapon types exist | CONFIRMED |
| Max 3 Sword Skills equipped at once | CONFIRMED |
| Weapon Exp earned by defeating enemies | CONFIRMED |
| Sword Skills unlock through weapon use | CONFIRMED |
| Weapons switchable in Town of Beginnings | CONFIRMED |
| Weapon damage, attack speed, or DPS values | NOT_CONFIRMED |
| Weapon role (tank, DPS, support, etc.) | NOT_CONFIRMED |
| Best weapon or tier ranking | NOT_CONFIRMED |
| Stat-to-weapon mapping | NOT_CONFIRMED |
| Weapon proficiency ceiling beyond demo's level 3 | NOT_CONFIRMED |
Beginner Weapon Test Plan
The demo's Weapon Proficiency cap of level 3 per type prevents fully unlocking any weapon's Sword Skill tree. Use this plan to develop personal observations rather than relying on unverified community rankings.
How to use the demo to test weapons
Play through the demo using each of the six weapon types for at least one mission. Focus on the basic attack rhythm and how the weapon feels, not on final conclusions.
Take notes on which Sword Skills appear at each Proficiency level for each weapon type. This gives you a personal data set that is more reliable than community tier lists.
Use the Town of Beginnings hub to switch weapons between quests. This is confirmed to work in the demo and the full game.
The demo's level 15 and Proficiency 3 caps are partial limits. Full-game Proficiency ceilings are NOT_CONFIRMED. Observations from the demo are starting points, not final verdicts.
Weapon Switching
Weapons can be changed between quests while in the Town of Beginnings. The official source confirms this is possible but does not describe gameplay implications of switching — such as optimal timing, recommended weapon pairings, or stat-dependent considerations.
See the Build System for how EX-MOD customisations and Growth Points interact with weapon choice.
Sword Skills
Defeating enemies with a weapon type earns Weapon Exp and unlocks Sword Skills for that type. Up to three Sword Skills can be equipped at a time. How Sword Skill pools change when switching weapon types, and whether individual Sword Skills have stat or weapon-type dependencies, is not described in the official source.
Frequently Asked Questions
What weapons are in Echoes of Aincrad?
Six: Sword and Shield, Two-Handed Axe, Dagger, Rapier, Two-Handed Sword, and Mace. See the All Weapon Types page for the canonical list.
How do Sword Skills work?
Defeating enemies with a weapon type earns Weapon Exp and unlocks Sword Skills for that type. Up to three Sword Skills can be equipped at once. The official source does not confirm which stats affect which Sword Skills.
Which weapon is the best?
No official source ranks weapons. No best-weapon, tier list, or role assignment (tank, DPS, support) is confirmed. Use the demo to develop your own feel for each weapon's attack rhythm.
Can I switch weapons in the demo?
Yes. Weapons can be switched in Town of Beginnings between quests. This is confirmed in the demo and the full game.
How many Sword Skills can I equip?
Up to three Sword Skills can be equipped at a time. The official source does not confirm whether all unlocked skills can be viewed or whether some are gated.