Since its release in 2017,NieR Automatahas inspired somewhat of a cult following, riding on the (very distantly related) coattails of the original NieR games. The announcement of NieR Replicant coming out in April of 2021 once again revived interest in NieR Automata – if fans ever lost it in the first place. One aspect of the game that players loved was the combination of weapons that they could swap in and out, use together or separately. Ultimately, these weapons became the basefor engaging and thrilling gameplay.
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Weapons are scattered, literally, all over the map inNieR Automata. It’s a challenge to find them all, but it’s a rewarding one. Each combination, with each character, leads to an intense fighting style that players can customize in so many ways. Finding them all might not be as tough as fans might think.
10Weapons Given At The Start Of The Game
Yoko Taro is one sly jokester but, at least in the case of NieR Automata, players start the game off with respectable weapons.When starting off the game as 2B, Virtuous Contract is the first sword that the player receives. It’s nothing too flashy, just a basic katana-style weapon.
This, combined with Bare Fists (which is exactly what it sounds like) are the first two weapons players have access to. When playing again as 9S, Cruel Oath is the initial sword that the player receives, instead of Virtuous Contract.
9Gimmicky (But Still Useful) Weapons
Throughout the game, that classic dark, morbid NieR humor shines through in nearly every aspectdespite its utterly tragic storyline. This is even true of some of the game’s weapons. Some might seem like gimmicks, but are still useful.
These weapons and their locations are as follows.
8Virtuous Weapons
The Virtuous weapons are arguably the best in the game. Though players receive one at the start (Virtuous Contract), the rest take some hunting in order to find. Virtuous Treaty, a large sword, can be found near the Goliath boss location in the Abandoned Factory. This is one of the easiest to find – others are trickier, and players can search for them as follows.
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7Machine Weapons
All of the machine weapons are incredibly easy to find. As their name implies, players can purchase them in Pascal’s Village.
These weapons are made from machine partsand include the following:
The Machine Heads are the only exception to the rule. Unlike the others, these must be purchased specifically from Pascal during Route C.
6The Best Weapon In The Game
Surprisingly, the best weapon in the game is not an offensive weapon at all. Rather, it’s a combat bracer. Demon’s Cry boosts attack speed and gives off a final finishing blow in the form of a shockwave when the player wields it.
Players can find this gem of an item in a treasure chest that’s located in the Amusement Park (follow the elevator down) by an inconspicuous stack of TVs. It does require hacking to obtain.
5Small Swords
Depending on the fighting style a player is seeking, NieR Automata brings many options to the table. Small swords are quick and effective, and players can find them as follows.
4Large Swords
Players both love and hateNieR Automata’s large swords. While powerful, their damage isn’t necessarily as high but they do well to stun, boost defense, and, in some cases, add speed. The weapons and their locations are as follows:
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3Spears
Spears are a nice mixed bag. Depending on the type of spear the player uses, they can expect anything from defense boosts to speed increases, and even stuns and critical hits.
2Combat Bracers
Combat Bracers are where things get fun and very specific. Each one has a secondary ability that’s entirely unique to the weapon itself. Every combat bracer not yet mentioned can be found as listed below.
1Bonus Tips For Weapon Pairings
The fun ofNieR Automata’s gameplay comes from the sheer number of combinations that the players can hold, as well as the epic visuals that accompany them. The best way to get a feel for weapons together is to think of them logically, such as using a large sword with a combat bracer or doubling up on Virtuous swords.
The characters also make a difference. 2B is a skilled sword-wielder and 9S is excellent with a lance,while A2 does exceptionally well with YoRHa-style weapons. When in doubt, swap them out and grind, grind, grind to make the most of the game!
