The world of Nier Automata is full of relics and absolutely stunning weapons to combine and cycle through as you endeavor through this game. Through hidden locations, missions, and discoveries, anyone who wants to 100% this title will put in the work. Any players looking for the best weapons to “become as gods”… well, we put together a list of the best weapons and when they show up in Nier Automata.

Key:

Hv = Heavy Attack

Lt = Light Attack

10. Virtuous Contract (Early Game)

White katana style blade with black and white hilt.

One of the first weapons available to this player in the game, this light weight single handed sword boasts a strong start straight out of the gate. In fact, it’s not uncommon for players to use this sword for the entirety of their play through. This weapon paired with Virtuous Treaty make an incredible combination. Having high attack speed, this sleek katana inspired blade leaves the player with a satisfying kill streak done in style. A great companion for another weapon with a stat boost, and an exceptional first weapon.

• High Attack Speed
• One of the strongest weapons in the game.
• Works as an excellent companion for weapons with stackable stats.

Where to find Virtuous Contract: 

• This is the player's default weapon. 

Watch this weapon in action here.

NieR Automata, Virtuous Treaty / Virtuous Contract Combo Moveset

Base Stats:

• ATK 150-180
• Hv 2 
• Lt 4

9. Virtuous Treaty (Early Game)

Long single edged blade attached to a shorter blade at the hilt.

An early discoverable weapon, Virtuous Treaty is described as a purer white blade, not yet sullied by a drop of blood. This large sword comes stacked with boosted attack speed and Holy Blessing.  Holy blessing increases damage dealt when the player’s health is full. A great strategic weapon to have in cyclable weapon sets.

• Holy Blessing - increases damage when the player's health is full.
• High attack speed.
• Stackable stats.

Where to find Virtuous Treaty: This weapon is made available to the player during the prologue, however, after the prologue is completed the player has to backtrack in order to recover the weapon. Return to the location where 9S and 2B fought the Goliath machine and detonated their boxes. Near 2B’s other body, you will find Virtuous Treaty standing on end in the open. Watch Virtuous Treaty and Virtuous Contract combo move sets here.

NieR Automata, Virtuous Treaty / Virtuous Contract Combo Moveset

Base Stats:

• ATK 300-330
• Hv 2 
• Lt 2

8. Type 3 Blade (Early Game) 

Large single sided blade with a chain hanging from the hilt. Menacing and seems to be made up of spare parts.

Found yourself surrounded by a mob of enemies? Fear not, the Type 3 Blade blasts your surrounding clearing a path mercilessly. The Type 3 Blade offers an endurance boost, which significantly increases a player’s defense. The two handed sword has a move entitled “Finish Blast” that creates an explosion as it finishes off its enemies. This beastly blade is a force to be reckoned with. Also worth noting, the description of this weapon and its counterpart, “Type 3 sword”, read as “An outdated YorHa model.” 

• Finish Blast- creates an explosion as it finishes off its enemies.
• Knocks back mobs of enemies
• Endurance boost increases player’s defense.

  Where to get the Type-3 Blade: This weapon is available in the Resistance Camp, purchased from Devola and Popola for 20,000G. Watch this weapon in action here.
 

Nier: Automata Route C - Type-3 Sword, Type-3 Blade Purchased via Popola at Resistance Camp. Start at 01:50.

Base stats:

• ATK 280-360
• Hv 1 
• Lt 1

7. Iron Pipe (Early Game)

Long iron pipe, like what would find underground or left behind in wreckage.

A weapon that needs to be discovered! Its damage output is varied, but it boasts the highest attack stats in the game. The Iron Pipe counts as a small sword, so this weapon can be paired with another weapon. Considered to be one of the top weapons in the game, its unassuming presentation packs a powerful punch. Pair this weapon with another Crit +weapon like Cypress stick and the damage output increases significantly.

High attack stat variable.

• Critical +
• Pairable with other weapons for a stack stat boost.
• Damage output varies, but when it successfully delivers it is impressive. Each level increases the highest attack power, leaning towards 836 at level 5.

Where to find the Iron Pipe: Located slightly north of the Resistance camp, there is a manhole that leads to the sewers. Once you initially get into the water, begin fishing. Check out the Iron Pipe taking on machines here.

NieR:Automata best weapon? Iron pipe. Start at 00:19.

Base stats:

• ATK 30-220

6. Cypress Stick (Mid Game)

Similar to a baseball bat, the stick is wrapped in fabric where the handle is.

This weapon has Critical + and high stun abilities, which are stackable with your other light sword of your choosing. In terms of weapon combinations, the Cypress Stick is excellent when wanting to keep the ability for quick light attacks in succession. This comes down to play style and if speed fits into your strategic planning.

• Critical + to increase the possibility of a critical hit.
• High ability to stun enemies.
• Pairs well with the Virtuous Contract for a combination of greater critical hit percentage and stun capabilities.

Where to find the Cypress Stick: Navigate to the gate that connects the forest zone to Pascal’s Village. Locate the pillar that has been knocked down, climb up and execute a series of jumps from pillar to pillar. Continue until you encounter the last archway. When you reach it, there will be a chest that holds the Cypress Stick. Watch it in combat here paired with the Hero Sigil.

NieR:Automata - Lv. 4 Cypress Stick -- Hero Sigil. Start at 00:10.

Base Stat:

• ATK 60-80

5. Devil’s Cry (Mid Game) 

Gauntlet resembles a devil's head, with thick black horns circling each side.

A weapon with that name is assuredly going to be menacing, right? If you’re ever surrounded by a mob, Demon’s Cry comes with the ability Devil’s Hatred. This ability creates a shockwave once the player defeats an enemy, blowing away mobs of enemies. This gauntlet style weapon also boosts ATK speed. As you progress through the game, it increasingly becomes more common to encounter mobs of enemies. Particularly towards the mid  to late game, this weapon will be an effective companion during these trying times.

• Devil’s Hatred - creates a shockwave when an enemy is defeated, knocking mobs of enemies back.
• Boosted Attack speed.

How to get Devil’s Cry: The weapon can be found in a treasure chest at the Amusement Park stage. Simply take the elevator down, which is located by a stack of conspicuously placed televisions. Check out A2 using these gauntlets.

NieR:Automata: Demon Cry Combo

Base Stat:

• ATK 100-180

4. Type 4O Sword (Mid Game) 

Resembling the remnants of a gun, the blade extends from an intricate handle. the handle uses hand guards.

One could technically classify this weapon as having a status effect on its enemies. Utilizing electricity, this weapon can build its attack power as it waits on standby. Once you attack, the energy is released. Upon returning to standby, the charge builds up again. Great in areas with long corridors with enemies stationed at particular locations towards the ends. This allows the player to strategically get a strong first strike and potentially stun the foe, possibly even switching to another weapon set in the cycle. Stun is always a great contender to have in the cycle.

• Stun Up
• Energy Charge
• Able to temporarily immobilize an enemy.

How to get 4O-Sword: After encountering A2, you have the option to report to Pascal about her. After which, you will be given a side quest by 6O to repair a terminal. Once this quest is complete, 2B can request a favor; this will trigger a second side quest. The second side quest requires the 2B to take a photo of a flower and send it back to 6O. 6O will reward 2B with the Type 4O sword upon its completion. Watch it in action here.

NieR Automata - Type-40 Sword

Base Stats:

• ATK 170-180
• Combo Lt 5 
• Combo Hv 3

3. Engine Blade (Late Game)

Intricately designed, the gun blade has an engine handle and a long blade that has beautiful designs along its edge. Worthy of royalty.

This sword has a recognizable design for JRPG fans, and its abilities do not disappoint either. An homage to Noctis’ Final Fantasy XV weapon, this sword allows 2B to use the dodge mechanics that mimic that of FFXV’s protagonist. If you’re familiar with the weapon, it will certainly feel like a treat playing with it.

• Dodge mechanics that mimic Noctis’ from FFXV.
• Stun Up
• Top damage reaches a range of 608-760.

How to get the Engine Blade:  Return to the abandoned machine factory with Pascal. Fight two machines with spider-like legs, and exit the room to the left. Go up the stairs where explosive enemies make their way toward you. Instead of going all the way up, you will stop at a platform. Turn the left and begin jumping across platforms until you reach a room with 3 chests inside. Forewarning, there is an ambush before you can open the chests, further consisting of explosive enemies. The chest to the left contains the Engine Blade. Watch 2B use Noctis’ skills here.
 

NieR: Automata Engine Blade Gameplay (Final Fantasy XV Noctis Weapon)

Base Stat:

• ATK 160 - 200
• Lt 5
• Hv 3

2. Spear of the Usurper (Late Game) 

Golden guilded long spear. It looks quite old, with an additional point at the bottom end of the pole.

An impressive golden gilded spear that comes with the stackable Crit + capability. While that is not particularly unique, what makes this weapon especially worth procuring is its Turncoat ability. Turncoat has the chance to change an enemy to an ally, which can be quite helpful in a mob enemy situation.

• Critical + increases odds of a critical hit.
• Turncoat- the chance to change an enemy into an ally.

Where to find Spear of the Usurper: Complete Heritage of the Past side quest. This quest takes place in the desert locale on your map. Here you will find a resistance researcher. Speak to the researcher and they will give you the quest to explore the desert, instructing you to return it to them in order to be rewarded. Using Pod’s sonar location ability, you will find a list of items that each need to be returned to the researcher. Each relic collected gives hints to a civilization that the player may be familiar with if they played Nier Replicant. Once the player has completed item recon, the researcher awards the player with the Spear of the Usurper. Watch the spear being used here by 9S.

Spear of the Usurper is OP! | Flooded City DLC (S Rank Arena w/9S) - NieR: Automata

Base Stat:

• ATK 220-270
• Lt 4
• Hv 2

1. Emil Heads (Late Game) 

A beloved moon shaped head with a irremoveable grin. It's eyes are statically positioned with tiny holes for nostrils. Yoko Taro is often seen cosplaying with this head.

Emil is a character with a rich history in the Taro universe, it wouldn’t be right to ignore this integral character. Hailing from Nier Replicant, Emil is a readily powerful character known for his destructive ability and kind heart. You will have to defeat him in order to gain his power. He comes with the unique ability, Insanity, which drives the player insane, once this combat bracer reaches level 4. Prior to that, it only has the elevated ability to stun.

• Insanity - player goes insane
• Stun ability from level 1.

How to get the Emil Head Weapon: After meeting Emil again and buying items from his shop, he will inform you of where he lives. Think deep underground, but DEEPER. Locate the large hole in the city, where you have fought Eve. Locate an elevator and take it to the bottom floor. Keep following deep into a cavern, of which leads to a location reminiscent  once again of a location from Nier Replicant. Pod will announce that this is where Emil lives. Procure a mask for yourself. Then return to the camp and hack the chest that was previously unable to be opened. Inside will be an Emil Head that the player can wear. Return to Emil’s home. This triggers the notion from Emil that there is a bandit in his sacred space and initiates a secret level 99 boss battle. Upon his defeat, you will earn the weapon Emil Heads. Watch these weapons in action HERE.

NieR:Automata Emil Heads (lvl. 4)

Base stat:

• ATK 120-150
• Lt 5 
• Hv 2

    Regardless of what kind of player you are, there is a weapon for just about any playstyle. Nier Automata offers a variety of combinations and stat stacking that would suit a player who wants to be precautious, aggressive, or play with the OG equipment. Though we did not give you details on where to find these weapons, we hope that this peaks your interest in partaking in the journey to find them. Happy gaming!