Best Weapons in Nier Automata for Every Combat Style
Nier Automata features a highly fluid combat system that allows players to mix and match various armaments to suit their personal gameplay preferences. Whether you prefer swift aerial acrobatics, heavy crushing blows, or a balanced tactical approach, choosing the correct weapon configuration is essential for maximizing your offensive capabilities. Understanding how different blade types interact across your light and heavy attack slots will help you dominate the machine lifeform threat.
Balanced and Agile All Rounder Setup
For players who value adaptability and fast response times, combining small swords offers an exceptionally reliable playstyle. The iconic Virtuous Contract serves as an incredible primary choice due to its high attack speed and passive holy blessings that increase your overall damage output when your health is full. This setup allows you to quickly shift between offensive combos and defensive evades without getting caught in long recovery animations.
To complement this swift approach, pairing your starter blade with the Ancient Overlord creates a devastating combination. This unique weapon grants a significant boost to your critical hit rate, making your standard attacks much more lethal during prolonged skirmishes. It provides a balanced flow that excels in both dense group encounters and singular boss engagements throughout your journey.
Heavy Impact and High Damage Output
If your combat preference leans toward brute force and staggering your opponents, investing in large swords will yield massive results. The Virtuous Treaty stands out as a premier heavy option, delivering sweeping strikes that can clear entire groups of enemies with a single motion. Its massive reach ensures that you can safely engage multiple targets while maintaining a commanding presence on the battlefield.
To maximize your burst damage, coupling a large sword with a secondary heavy armament like the Beastlord creates an unstoppable vanguard build. This style relies on careful timing and positioning, as the swing animations are notably slower than standard light weapons. However, the sheer staggering potential allows you to break enemy shields and interrupt aggressive machine attack patterns instantly.
High Mobility and Precision Combat
Players seeking a highly tactical and mobile experience will find great success by mastering spears and combat bracers. Spears offer the longest linear reach in the game, allowing you to execute precise thrusts and devastating counterattacks after a successful dodge. This keeps dangerous mechanical threats at a safe distance while you systematically dismantle their defenses.
When the distance closes, switching to heavy combat bracers like the Type-3 Fists allows for blindingly fast close-quarters combinations. This aggressive style rewards players who can consistently read enemy movements and execute rapid-fire strikes up close. Balancing long-range pokes with immediate martial arts pressure creates a dynamic flow that keeps your opponents perpetually off-balance.