Nier Automata: Best Weapons

Set in a post-apocalyptic world, NieR: Automata aims to document the story of two androids as they journey to rid the lands of the machines that plague them. On their venture, 2B and 9S are faced with terrifying foes who seek to govern the now vast wasteland in which they dwell.

To combat their opposing forces, 2B and 9S must acquire the appropriate weapons. There are some extremely powerful weapons scattered throughout the world of NieR: Automata, but some are significantly better than others. The game's upgrade system also allows the player to upgrade once seemingly powerless weapons into objects of great strength. Here are the best to pick from.

Updated October 7th, 2022 by Justin Flynn: Those who never got the chance to experience NieR: Automata due to lacking the necessary console now finally have the chance to play it on the Nintendo Switch. Not only does the port offer fans of the game the chance to replay the classic on a handheld device, but it also features several new additions for both new and old players to enjoy. The game still packs a powerful punch, however, so players will need to obtain some seriously powerful weapons if they wish to make it to the credits.

Cypress Stick

The Cypress Stick is a deceptively difficult weapon to obtain due to how well it's hidden, but it's arguably one of NieR: Automata's best weapons. To find the chest it rests in; the player will need to venture to the Forest Kingdom and search the area just in front of the bridge to the castle. 2B will need to jump atop the fallen pillar nearest to the area's exit and jump atop the still-standing structure before hopping through three archways. The final archway houses a chest containing the elusive stick, and though it may take multiple tries to obtain due to both the platforming and 2B's blindfold, it's definitely worth it.

The Cypress Stick is perhaps the least intimidating weapon present in NieR: Automata but features some truly unique tricks. When fully maxed out, the Cypress Stick will grant the player two abilities known as Critical + and Hero Sigil. Critical + improves the player's chance to deal higher damage, while Hero Sigil will change some of NieR: Automata's visual elements. It deals a surprising 228 - 304 points of damage when fully enhanced. Though it's certainly not the strongest of swords the player can obtain, its Critical + ability has the potential to turn the tides on a losing battle.

Upgrade Materials

5 Severed Cables
3 Pristine Cables
2 Gold Ores
2 Machine Arms
1 Moldavite

Type-3 Blade

The Type-3 Blade is arguably one of the most unusually designed swords available in all of NieR: Automata. Though the blade is relatively small in terms of length, its surprising width is sure to make up for it. Those wishing to unleash their inner Cloud Strife will find great enjoyment in wielding this destruction-bringer.

It can be purchased from Devola and Popala at the Resistance Camp for a total of 20,000G. It may seem a bit overpriced at first glance, but its max damage output of 1064 - 1368 is more than enough to entice potential buyers into purchasing it. If this isn't enough to sway the player, perhaps the sword's unique abilities will. Fully enhancing the Type-3 Blade will unlock the Endurance Up and Finish Blast abilities, two hugely beneficial skills that can often mean the difference between life and death. Endurance Up increases the character's defense, while Finish Blast improves the chance of the blade exploding on impact.

Upgrade Materials

5 Rusty Bolts
3 New Bolts
2 Gold Ores
2 Machine Torsos
1 Meteorite

Iron Pipe

Unlike most of the weapons in NieR: Automata, the Iron Pipe is one of the most unusual. Prior to coming into possession of it, the player will have gained experience in wielding a variety of intimidating steel blades to vanquish their foes, so the need for a pipe seems somewhat redundant. It can be found while traversing the sewer system between the City Ruins and the Flooded City, making it one of the easiest weapons to find throughout all of NieR: Automata.

The Iron Pipe can deal some truly astonishing high levels of damage, but it isn't the most reliable weapon in NieR: Automata. When fully customized, it deals an unusual 114 - 836 points of damage. It's not guaranteed to perform well in combat because of these digits, making it seem like more of a wildcard than an actual means of combat. To make up for its unpredictable nature, it features an extremely powerful ability. The High Stun ability improves the wielder's chances of stunning its enemies. This effect can be extremely helpful in situations where the player finds themselves needing room to breathe, making it one of NieR: Automata's best weapons.

Upgrade Materials

10,000G
5 Small Gears
3 Large Gears
2 Gold Ores
2 Machine Arms
1 Moldavite

Virtuous Contract

As 2B's primary weapon from the beginning of the game, most players will likely assume it to be one of the weakest swords available. This assumption isn't entirely wrong, as there are several better options available at this point in the game, but completely discarding the Virtuous Contract in favor of something else isn't the wisest of choices. When fully maxed out, the Virtuous Contract can deal a devastating 570 - 684 points of damage, making it a huge benefit for the more challenging combat scenarios scattered throughout NieR: Automata.

What makes this particular weapon stand out from the rest is the fact it doesn't require any effort to obtain. 2B begins the NieR: Automata wielding it, and though it deals some satisfactory damage at the start, maximizing its potential requires a bit more effort. One of the Virtuous Contract's best features sees the wielder's damage output is increased by 20% when their HP is full. This is thanks to the sword's Holy Blessing ability, but it isn't the sword's only selling point. Its ATK Speed Up ability increases the speed at which physical attacks are delivered, making it a must-have in 2B's arsenal.

Upgrade Materials

5 Severed Cables
3 Pristine Cables
2 Memory Alloys
2 Machine Arms
1 Moldavite

Angel’s Folly

Obtaining the Angel's Folly bracers requires the player to trust Emil, the eccentric shopkeeper who roams the areas outside the Resistance Camp. Emil will spawn in three different locations where he will attempt to sell his wares, but each area will see him selling a different selection of items. If Emil doesn't initially appear outside the Resistance Camp, the player should use the nearby vending machine to travel away from the camp before promptly returning. If he doesn't spawn, repeat the process until he does.

The Angel's Folly can only be purchased from Emil outside the camp, so the player must ensure they have amassed the appropriate funds to buy it. It will also only appear if the player has received the "Wayyy Bored" message from the shopkeeper himself. Costing 25,000G, these bracers are more than worth their retail value due to their whopping 570-627 points of attack damage. The Angel's Mercy ability it provides will also partially heal the wielder when an enemy is defeated with it, but only after its core strength is unlocked.

Upgrade Materials

25,000G
5 Stripped Screws
3 Pristine Screws
2 Memory Alloys
2 Machine Heads
1 Meteorite

Demon's Cry

While playing as 9S during the second part of the narrative, the player will be able to unlock the once sealed chests scattered across the world. 9S's hacking abilities permit him to do this, thus allowing him to find some much-needed swords to include in his arsenal. Upon journeying to the ruins below the Amusement Park, 9S will stumble upon a chest that requires a hacker to open it. Inside lies one of NieR: Automata's best weapons and possibly the most efficient means of decimating large groups of enemies: the Demon's Cry.

The Demon's Cry is a bafflingly powerful weapon prior to upgrading it, but its true strength reveals itself once it is fully powered. Defeating an enemy with it equipped will produce a shockwave that damages surrounding enemies, making it a great means of crowd control. This, accompanied by its speed, makes it one of the most sought-after weapons in the game, capable of inflicting 380-684 points of damage.

Upgrade Materials

2 Gold Ores
5 Small Gears
3 Large Gears
2 Machine Heads
1 Meteorite

Faith

After completing the game for the second time, 9S will eventually be tasked with navigating the harrowing corridors of the Flooded City's Soul Box. He must enter three of these towering structures if he hopes to gain access to the Tower, a mysterious facility that recently sprouted from beneath the crater outside the Resistance Camp. Though each Soul Box poses severe challenges that only 9S can conquer, only one will reward the player with Faith, a simple katana that harbors surprising power.

Upon reaching the second floor of the Soul Box, 9S will pass a singular chest containing Faith on his way to the next elevator. Faith comes with an ability that negates the power of incoming projectiles. Though there are several better weapons available at this point in the game, the player should make sure to equip Faith for the game's final bosses due to this ability.

Bullet Absorb permits 9S to cut through projectiles as a means of restoring his health. Boasting a humble 608-722 attack points, Faith is must-have for those seeking to swiftly slash their way to the story's climax.

Upgrade Materials

5 Rusty Bolts
3 New Bolts
2 Machine Arms
2 Gold Ores
1 Meteorite

Spear Of The Usurper

Obtaining the Spear of the Usurper requires the player to complete the Heritage of the Past side quest, wherein 2B is tasked with collecting ancient artifacts that allude to the desert city of Facade. Upon retrieving all of these items, the researcher at the Resistance Camp will reward the player with the Spear of the Usurper, a terrifyingly powerful weapon that houses a fascinating trick up its sleeve.

When fully upgraded, the spear will have 836-1026 points of attack damage, alongside a unique ability. The Turncoat ability has a chance to alter an enemy's allegiances upon being attacked with this weapon. Though the chance of inflicting this mind control is somewhat slim, it is incredibly beneficial when it works, particularly in dire situations. It's one of the best weapons in NieR: Automata, thanks to its special ability, making it a necessity for those who plan on facing the NieR: Automata's more dangerous foes.

Upgrade Materials

5 Rusty Bolts
3 New Bolts
2 Gold Ores
2 Machine Legs
1 Moldavite

Virtuous Treaty

2B will find the Virtuous Treaty during the game's opening segment. She will lose access to this iconic blade upon completing the prologue, but she can reclaim it by visiting the entrance of the Abandoned Factory where she previously fought the Goliath known as Engels. The blade will be seen standing upright where the player bested this foe, so it is not difficult to relocate. Once this sword has been obtained, the player should inspect the body lying nearby to reacquire the items 2B lost during the game's introduction.

Once upgraded, the Virtuous Treaty becomes one of the most powerful weapons in the game, boasting 1140-1254 points of attack damage. The player can seek this weapon out immediately upon returning to Earth, so it is recommended they prioritize doing so above all else, as its baffling strength makes it one of the best weapons in NieR: Automata.

Upgrade Materials

5 Severed Cables
3 Pristine Cables
2 Machine Torsos
2 Memory Alloys
1 Moldavite

Type-4O Blade

Playing as 9S permits the player to complete an array of side quests available only to him. Upon completing the Data Analyst Freak 2 quest, Operator 21O will gift 9s with the Type-4O Blade, an immensely powerful and heavy sword that provides the wielder with two handy abilities. Similar to Cloud's Buster Sword in both shape and size, this overly large blade is a great weapon to obtain during 9S's story.

Fully enhancing this weapon gifts 9S with the Stun Up and Energy Charge abilities, with the latter being far more beneficial. Allowing 9S to passively charge his weapon, the Energy Charge serves to improve the pacing of more arduous combat situations. Unlocking the full potential of the Type-4O Blade will allow this monstrous weapon to deal a shocking 1216-1254 points of damage on all who stand in the 9S's way.