Defeating enemies in Dark and Darker is not so easy: monsters have a lot of health and kill in a couple of hits, and competing players are unpredictable. For this reason, you must not only be careful, but also choose the most effective murder weapon for yourself. It depends a lot on your character class, and even more so on your play style.
We carefully studied the strengths and weaknesses of the entire arsenal in Dark and Darker and compiled a selection of the best representatives in their categories.
The best one-handed melee weapon
This category is distinguished by versatility and speed of attacks. And while one-handed weapons can’t boast high damage per hit, they can be combined with shields and some other equipment.
Flanged Mace – The most balanced one-handed weapon
It can be used not only by the Cleric, but also by the Fighter. The mace combo consists of 3 crushing hits. This weapon has a short range. The average damage per hit is 38. The mace slows movement by 25 units, and attack speed by 30%.
Balanced characteristics make this weapon simple and reliable.
Rapier (rapier) – fast dueling weapon
Available to Rogue and Ranger. Combo of 4 hits: thrust – slash – slash – slash. This weapon has a medium range. Average damage dealt per hit is 20. Rapier slows movement by 17 and attack speed by 20%.
Best tactic: hit and run. A full combo should only be done from the back.
Arming Sword (Romance Sword) – Fast sword with medium damage
Fighter and Ranger can equip. Combo of 3 hits: chopping – chopping – thrust. This weapon has a medium range. The average damage per hit is 31. The Roman sword slows movement by 20 units and attack speed by 25%.
The most balanced and versatile sword in the game.
Castillon Dagger (Castillonian dagger) – for stealth strikes
Suitable for Fighter (Fighter) and Rogue (Rogue). Combo of 3 quick hits: slash – slash – thrust. This weapon has a short range. Average damage per hit is 25. Castillon Dagger slows movement by 10 and attack speed by 10%.
A good weapon for stealth or self-defense.
Horsemans Ax (horseman’s ax) – the best one-handed ax in the game
Suitable for Barbarian and Fighter. The combo consists of 3 slashes. This weapon has a short range. The average damage per hit is 28. The rider’s ax slows movement by 30 units, and attack speed by 25%.
A good alternative to a Romanesque sword for a barbarian.
Rondel Dagger (dagger-roundel) – a dagger for self-defense of the Sorcerer
Suitable for Rogue and Wizard. The combo consists of 3 quick thrusts. This weapon has a short range. The average damage per hit is 23. The roundel dagger slows movement by 10 units and attack speed by 10%.
The only dagger available to the sorcerer.
Best shields in Dark and Darker
There are only 4 shields in the game so far: Buckler, Heater Shield, Round Shield and Pavise. The most reliable one-handed shield is the ecu. And besides him, it makes sense to use only pavese.
Heater Shield (ecu, triangular shield) – the most reliable shield in the game
The Ecu can be used by a Cleric or a Fighter. This type of shield absorbs an average of 35 damage. Slows movement by 15 units.
There are no larger one-handed shields in the game yet.
Pavise (paveza) – shelter for the shooter
Suitable for Ranger or Fighter. Such a shield absorbs an average of 55 damage. Slows movement by 65 units.
A two-handed shield that allows you to take cover between crossbow shots.
The best two-handed melee weapon
There are slightly fewer two-handed weapons in Dark and Darker than one-handed ones. It has high damage and good range, but slower attack speed. Below are the 3 most effective samples from this category.
Double Ax (double-sided ax) – maximum damage per hit
Suitable only for the Barbarian. The sword combo consists of 2 slashes. This weapon has a medium range. Average damage per hit is 58. A double-sided ax slows movement by 45 units and attack speed by 45%.
Sufficiently slow weapon – it’s worth hitting for sure.
Quarterstaff (combat staff) – a balanced weapon for attack and defense
Available to Barbarian, Cleric and Wizard. The staff combo consists of 4 bludgeoning hits. This weapon has a medium range. The average damage per hit is 50. The combat staff slows movement by 30 units, and attack speed by 30%.
A good alternative to a one-handed mace with a shield for the Barbarian and Sorcerer, because the staff can defend. The most balanced two-handed weapon in the game.
Spear (spear) – maximum attack range
Can only be used by Fighter. The spear combo consists of 3 hits – stab – stab – slash. This weapon has an ultra-long range. The average damage per hit is 41. The spear slows movement by 40 units, and attack speed by 35%.
Suitable for cleaning rooms from monsters from a safe distance.
The best bows and crossbows in Dark and Darker
The smallest weapon category in the game. For this reason, only 2 successful samples were identified.
Recurve Bow (recurve bow) – the most balanced bow in the game
Only the Ranger can use it. The shot is completed in 1.6 seconds. Average damage per hit is 36. Cooldown time is 2.7 seconds. A recurve bow slows movement by 40 points.
Average characteristics make this bow versatile.
Crossbow (crossbow) – the most balanced crossbow in the game
A simple crossbow, in addition to the Ranger (Ranger), can also be used by the Fighter (Fighter) and the Sorcerer (Wizard). The shot is completed in 3.5 seconds. The average damage per hit is 57. The cooldown takes 6 seconds. Crossbow slows movement by 50 units.
Do not confuse with Windlass Crossbow! This is a very slow winched crossbow with only slightly more damage (62 per hit on average). And besides, it is available only to the Ranger.
The best magic weapon
There are not so many magical weapons in Dark and Darker either. Below are the 3 most useful representatives.
Crystal Sword (crystal sword) – the only magic blade in the game
It can only be used by the Wizard. The sword combo consists of 3 hits: thrust – slash – slash. This weapon has a medium range. Average damage per hit is 27 (14 physical + 13 magic). The Crystal Sword slows your movement by 30 and your attack speed by 30%.
A rare sword that transforms the Sorcerer into a battlemage.
Crystal Ball (crystal ball) – frees one hand
Also available only to the Wizard. Unlike the spell book (Spellbook) is used with one hand. Although a character with a crystal ball moves a little slower, the ball slows down movement by 25 units versus 10 for the book.
Wizard Staff (magic staff) – can deal physical damage
A two-handed staff that can be used to strike from a distance if the magic runs out. The combination in this case will consist of 2 crushing blows. Slower to cast spells than other magical weapons – 35% casting slow (versus 25% for spellbook and crystal ball). But with it you can move a little faster than with a book – it slows down movement by 20 units (against 25 units for a book).
Not only the Wizard (Wizard), but also the Cleric (Cleric) can use the magic staff.
Perhaps for beginners, choosing the best weapon is not entirely relevant information. In the first hours in the labyrinth, something worthwhile rarely comes across and you have to use what you have. If this is true for you, bookmark the article for now (Ctrl + D) and return to it later. In the meantime, check out our Beginner’s Guide to Treasure Finders in Dark and Darker.
