Video games news, releases, esports and culture — all the biggest gaming stories in one place.
Echoes of Aincrad weapons tier list: Best ones to use
Destructoid staff writer Arka Sarkar has published a tier list ranking the weapon types available in Echoes of Aincrad, a game inspired by Sword Art Online. The guide is intended to help players decide which weapon to main, though the author stresses that the game can be cleared with any of the six weapon types and that none is genuinely "bad".
The ranking uses three tiers based on power and ease of use. S-tier holds the Two-Handed Axe (particularly strong with the mid-game Iron Scythe variant and its Sprint Attack MOD) and Swords (a well-rounded, beginner-friendly option that can pair with a shield). A-tier covers Maces (high damage, Strength-focused, shield-compatible), Rapiers (speed and mobility, requiring heavy Agility investment) and Daggers (fast Agility-based damage but very short range and no shield). B-tier contains the Two-Handed Sword, which offers heavy damage but is slow, cumbersome and demands precision.
In short
- Two-Handed Axe and Swords rank top (S-tier) in Echoes of Aincrad.
- Maces, Rapiers and Daggers sit in A-tier; Two-Handed Sword in B-tier.
- Any of the six weapons can clear the game.
Explained simply
Echoes of Aincrad is a game inspired by Sword Art Online, a popular anime and light novel series set in a virtual reality world where players battle using various weapons. Weapon selection shapes how players progress through the game, affecting their combat abilities and playstyle.
A tier list is a ranking system used to categorise game elements from best to worst. Players often use tier lists when learning a new game to work out which options are strongest and easiest to use.
Destructoid, a gaming website, has published a ranking of the weapons available in Echoes of Aincrad to help players choose which to specialise in. The guide's author emphasises that all six weapon types can be used successfully throughout the entire game.