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NieR: Automata Guide: The Best Weapons listed, plus where to find all of them

by Chao Min Wu on 02 June, 2017

NieR: Automata's combat is an absolutely key part of the game, and part and parcel with that it features a wide array of weapons you can use. Several weapons in NieR: Automata are found in very hidden locations, each with its own set of abilities. Each weapon is very unique, and finding your favourite is key to maximising your experience with Automata.

This detailed guide will feature details on all the weapons that can be found in NieR: Automata, plus information on their special abilities and why you might want to use them or level them up - choose wisely! Combat is where Nier: Automata is at its best, so you definitely want to make the most of it.

As a word of warning, the final three weapons in the list might be delving too into spoiler territory for some, so don't read past the spoiler warning near the end of this guide if you are trying to avoid spoilers.

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Nier Automata Weapon List: Small Swords

Faith

  • Special Ability 1: Attack Speed Up - Increases the speed of attacks.
  • Special Ability 2: Bullet Absorb - Cutting through projectiles restores HP.
  • Description: A sword wielded by a loyal attendant.
  • Location: Treasure found in the "Soul Box" Tower in the Flooded City.

Iron Pipe

  • Special Ability 1: Critical+ - Adds a critical-hit effect.
  • Special Ability 2: High Stun - Adds a high probability of stunning enemies.
  • Description: A common iron pipe.
  • Location: Fishing in the Sewers.

Beastbane

  • Special Ability 1: Endurance Up - Increases defense.
  • Special Ability 2: Beast's Roar - Adds a beast effect to close-range attacks.
  • Description: A sword with the king of beasts as its motif.
  • Location: Purchase from the Resistance Camp.

Phoenix Dagger 

  • Special Ability 1: Attack Speed Up - Increases the speed of attacks.
  • Special Ability 2: Phoenix Flash - Chance of restoring HP when damaging enemies.
  • Description: A ritual item made from the plume of a phoenix.
  • Location: Treasure chest found underneath the bridge connecting the Shopping District and Forest Zone.

Ancient Overlord 

  • Special Ability 1: Critical+ - Adds a critical-hit effect.
  • Special Ability 2: Bullet Rupture - Adds a shock wave when striking enemy projectiles.
  • Description: A sword with a strange and comfortable aura.
  • Location: Purchase from the Resistance Camp.

Type-40 Sword

  • Special Ability 1: Stun Up - increases stun value dealt to enemies.
  • Special Ability 2: Energy Charge - Charges on standby. Increases attack for a limited time.
  • Description: The latest YoRHa model.
  • Location: Finish the "Find a Present" sidequest.

Type-3 Sword 

  • Special Ability 1: Endurance Up - Increases defense.
  • Special Ability 2: Finish Blast - Detonates the final hit of close-range combos.
  • Description: An outdated YoRHa model.
  • Location: Purchase from Devola or Popola.

Virtuous Contract

  • Special Ability 1: Attack Speed Up - Increases the speed of attacks.
  • Special Ability 2: Holy Blessing - Increase attack power when HP is full.
  • Description: A white blade used by a samurai of the east.
  • Location: 2B's initial weapon.

Cruel Oath

  • Special Ability 1: Attack Speed Up - Increases the speed of attacks.
  • Special Ability 2: Dark Impulse - Increase attack power when HP is 30% or less.
  • Description: A black blade used by warriors of the east.
  • Location: 9S's initial weapon.

YoRHa-Issue Blade

  • Special Ability 1: Discount - Grants a discount at Resistance shops.
  • Special Ability 2: Pod Charge - Lowers skill-gauge cooldown when attacking.
  • Description: A standard-issue YoRHa blade.
  • Location: Finish the "11B's Mementos" sidequest.

Machine Sword

  • Special Ability 1: Robot Discount - Grants a discount at machine shops.
  • Special Ability 2: Machine Brand - Does more damage as you defeat enemies. (Max: 500)
  • Description: A sword wielded by machine lifeforms.
  • Location: Purchase from Pascal's Village.

Engine Blade

  • Special Ability 1: Stun Up - Increases stun value dealt to enemies.
  • Special Ability 2: Shift Avoid - Changes damage value and your evade maneuver.
  • Description: A magicial blade used by a royal family.
  • Location: Hidden treasure located in the Abandoned Factory's underground area near the end of Route A.

Cypress Stick 

  • Special Ability 1: Critical+ - Adds a critical-hit effect.
  • Special Ability 2: Hero Sigil - Changes damage values and treasure chests.
  • Description: A stick made of cypress wood.
  • Location: Hidden treasure near the Forest Castle Gate. Requires jumping on multiple pillars to reach it.

Nier Automata Weapon List: Large Swords

Iron Will

  • Special Ability 1: Endurance Up - Increases defense.
  • Special Ability 2: Steel Spine - Decreases chance of staggering from attacks.
  • Description: A colossal iron blade.
  • Location: Found in the Flooded City area by using the Scanner program.

Fang of the Twins

  • Special Ability 1: Critical+ - Adds a critical-hit effect.
  • Special Ability 2: Bullet Rupture - Adds a shock wave when striking enemy projectiles.
  • Description: A colossal axe offered unto the gods.
  • Location: Treasure chest found in the Desert Complex area up a set of stairs.

Beastlord

  • Special Ability 1: Endurance Up - Increases defense.
  • Special Ability 2: Beast's Roar - Adds a beast effect to close-range attacks.
  • Description: A great sword shaped after the king of beasts.
  • Location: Purchase from the Resistance Camp.

Phoenix Sword 

  • Special Ability 1: Attack Speed Up - Increases the speed of attacks.
  • Special Ability 2: Phoenix Flash - Chance of restoring HP when damaging enemies.
  • Description: A greatsword made from the plume of a phoenix.
  • Location: Treasure chest found on the roof of the building when you first land on Earth. (Hacking skill required)

Type-40 Blade

  • Special Ability 1: Stun Up - increases stun value dealt to enemies.
  • Special Ability 2: Energy Charge - Charges on standby. Increases attack for a limited time.
  • Description: The latest YoRHa model.
  • Location: Finish the "Data Analysis Freak 2" sidequest.

Type-3 Blade 

  • Special Ability 1: Endurance Up - Increases defense.
  • Special Ability 2: Finish Blast - Detonates the final hit of close-range combos.
  • Description: An outdated YoRHa model.
  • Location: Purchase from Devola or Popola.

Virtuous Treaty

  • Special Ability 1: Attack Speed Up - Increases the speed of attacks.
  • Special Ability 2: Holy Blessing - Increase attack power when HP is full.
  • Description: A white katana kept by a samurai of the east.
  • Location: Found in the Abandoned Factory entrance where you fought the Goliath for the first time.

Cruel Blood Oath 

  • Special Ability 1: Attack Speed Up - Increases the speed of attacks.
  • Special Ability 2: Dark Impulse - Increase attack power when HP is 30% or less.
  • Description: A black katana kept by warrior monks of the east.
  • Location: Hidden in the underground area of the Desert Zone. Requires Hacking skill to access the area.

Machine Axe

  • Special Ability 1: Robot Discount - Grants a discount at machine shops.
  • Special Ability 2: Machine Brand - Does more damage as you defeat enemies. (Max: 500)
  • Description: A axe used by machine lifeforms.
  • Location: Purchase from Pascal's Village.
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Nier Automata Weapon List: Spears

Phoenix Lance 

  • Special Ability 1: Attack Speed Up - Increases the speed of attacks.
  • Special Ability 2: Phoenix Flash - Chance of restoring HP when damaging enemies.
  • Description: A spear made from the plume of a phoenix.
  • Location: Found around the Desert Zone's center. Requires the Scanner program.

Beastcurse 

  • Special Ability 1: Endurance Up - Increases defense.
  • Special Ability 2: Beast's Roar - Adds a beast effect to close-range attacks.
  • Description: A spear with the king of beasts as its motif.
  • Location: Treasure found at the top floor of the Forest Castle. (Hacking skill required)

Dragoon Lance 

  • Special Ability 1: Endurance Up - Increases defense.
  • Special Ability 2: Dragon Wings - Increases power of mid-air attacks.
  • Description: Symbol of the bond between a lord and an old dragon.
  • Location: Treasure hidden in the Forest Zone. Located inside a cave below the ravine.

Spear of the Usurper 

  • Special Ability 1:  Critical+ - Adds a critical-hit effect.
  • Special Ability 2:  Turncoat - Chance to subjugate foes when attacking them.
  • Description: A spear used by a prince's double to murder his liege.
  • Location: Finish the "Heritage of the Past" sidequest.

Type-40 Lance 

  • Special Ability 1: Stun Up - increases stun value dealt to enemies.
  • Special Ability 2: Energy Charge - Charges on standby. Increases attack for a time.
  • Description: The latest YoRHa model.
  • Location: Finish the "YoRHa Betrayers" sidequest.

Type-3 Lance 

  • Special Ability 1: Endurance Up - Increases defense.
  • Special Ability 2: Finish Blast - Detonates the final hit of close-range combos.
  • Description: An outdated YoRHa model.
  • Location: Treasure chest in the Flooded City. Found on top of a broken building far away from the other broken buildings.

Virtuous Dignity 

  • Special Ability 1: Attack Speed Up - Increases the speed of attacks.
  • Special Ability 2: Holy Blessing - Increase attack power when HP is full.
  • Description: A white spear used by a samurai of the east.
  • Location: Secret area by the Amusement Park's entrance. Find another ladder in the Sewers past the Amusement Park's exit.

Cruel Arrogance 

  • Special Ability 1: Attack Speed Up - Increases the speed of attacks.
  • Special Ability 2: Dark Impulse - Increase attack power when HP is 30% or less.
  • Description: A black spear used by warriors monks of the east.
  • Location: Found in the Abandoned Factory's underground area. Located in the cult area on top of the conveyor belt. Requires Hacking skill to access the gate.

Machine Spear

  • Special Ability 1: Robot Discount - Grants a discount at machine shops.
  • Special Ability 2: Machine Brand - Does more damage as you defeat enemies. (Max 500.)
  • Description: A spear used by machine lifeforms.
  • Location: Purchase from Pascal's Village.

Nier Automata Weapon List: Combat Bracers

Bare Fists 

  • Description: Unarmed.
  • Location: Default Weapon

Demon's Cry

  • Special Ability 1: Attack Speed Up - Increases the speed of attacks.
  • Special Ability 2: Devil's Hatred - Adds a shock wave when finishing off enemies.
  • Description: Weapons shaped after a demon's profane wings.
  • Location: Go down the elevator in Amusement Park's castle. Its treasure chest is located by a stack of TVs. (Hacking skill required)

Type-40 Fists

  • Special Ability 1: Stun Up - increases stun value dealt to enemies.
  • Special Ability 2: Energy Charge - Charges on standby. Increases attack for a time.
  • Description: The latest YoRHa model.
  • Location: Treasure chest hidden next to the save point in the Resistance Camp. (Hacking skill required)

Virtuous Grief

  • Special Ability 1: Attack Speed Up - Increases the speed of attacks.
  • Special Ability 2: Holy Blessing - Increase attack power when HP is full.
  • Description: Weapons made of white armor from the east.
  • Location: Hidden shrine in the Forest Zone. Located slightly southwest of the save point on the hill by the top of the river.

Cruel Lament

  • Special Ability 1: Attack Speed Up - Increases the speed of attacks.
  • Special Ability 2: Dark Impulse - Increase attack power when HP is 30% or less.
  • Description: Weapons made of black armor from the east.
  • Location: Upgrade a weapon to Level 4. 

Machine Heads 

  • Special Ability 1: Robot Discount - Grants a discount at machine shops.
  • Special Ability 2: Machine Brand - Does more damage as you defeat enemies. (Max: 500)
  • Description: Weapons made from machine lifeform's head.
  • Location: Purchase from Pascal near the end of Route C.

The final three weapons enter spoiler territory, so don't read past this point if you are trying to stay clear of spoilers!

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Type-3 Fists

  • Special Ability 1: Endurance Up - Increases defense.
  • Special Ability 2: Finish Blast - Detonates the final hit of close-range combos.
  • Description: An outdated YoRHa model.
  • Location: Purchase from Emil. (Emil must be near the Resistance Camp to sell this.)

Angel's Folly

  • Special Ability 1: Attack Speed Up - Increases the speed of attacks.
  • Special Ability 2: Angel's Mercy - Restores HP when finishing off enemies.
  • Description: Weapons shaped after an angel's holy wings.
  • Location: Purchase from Emil (Emil must be near the Resistance Camp to sell this.)

Emil Heads 

  • Special Ability 1: Stun Up - increases stun value dealt to enemies.
  • Special Ability 2: Insanity - Swing these weapons to hear Emil's voice.
  • Description: Unique weapons shaped on Emil's head.
  • Location: Find Emil's hideout, steal Emil's Mask from his hideout, and then speak to Emil. Return to his hideout and steal his treasure chest. (Hacking Required)