Archived Weapons Guide Roblox (March 2026) Complete Stats, Crafting & Best

Updated by Rudra Sethi
November 13, 2025
Gaming Guides

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed staring at the 90+ weapons in Roblox Archived, wondering which ones deserve your precious Ahn and crafting materials, you’re not alone. After spending over 300 hours testing every single weapon in this Project Moon-inspired RPG, I’ve discovered that choosing the right weapon can literally mean the difference between dominating Grade 1 content and getting crushed by basic enemies.

Weapons aren’t just stat sticks in Archived – they’re the foundation of your entire combat identity. Whether you’re hunting for that legendary Reaper’s Blade from the Library bosses, crafting your first Workshop weapon, or trying to figure out why your current weapon feels weak, this comprehensive guide reveals everything you need to know about Archived’s complex weapon system.

Archived Weapons Overview

Weapons are the primary combat items in Archived that determine your damage output, attack speed, and overall effectiveness in both PvE dungeons and PvP battles. Unlike typical Roblox games where weapons are purely cosmetic or simple damage upgrades, Archived’s weapon system is deeply interconnected with your Grade level, Keypage loadout, and combat style.

Weapon Aspect	Details
Total Weapons	90+ unique weapons across all grades
Weapon Types	Slash, Pierce, Blunt (+ Special types)
Acquisition Methods	Contracts, Dungeons, Crafting, E.G.O events, NPC drops
Grade Requirements	Grade 0 (beginner) to Grade 8+ (endgame)
Equip Flexibility	Can equip weapons 2 grades below your current grade (50% damage penalty)
Damage Calculation	Base damage × Grade requirement × Damage type synergy

How Weapons Work in Archived?

Every weapon in Archived has four critical stats that determine its effectiveness. Understanding these stats is absolutely essential before you invest resources into any weapon:

Grade Requirement: The minimum Grade level needed to use the weapon at full effectiveness. You can equip weapons up to 2 grades below your current level, but your basic attack damage will drop by 50% – a significant penalty that makes under-leveled weapons viable only as stat sticks for their special abilities.

Base Damage: The raw damage number the weapon deals per basic attack (M1). This multiplies with your stat allocations and Keypage bonuses, making higher base damage weapons exponentially more powerful with proper builds.

Attack Duration: The time in seconds it takes to complete one full attack animation. Faster weapons (0.50-0.60s) allow more hits per second but usually have lower base damage, while slower weapons (0.70-0.80s) hit harder but leave you vulnerable longer.

Damage Type: The fundamental category (Slash, Pierce, or Blunt) that determines which Keypages boost your damage and which enemy defenses you bypass. This single stat can make a 6-damage weapon outperform an 8-damage weapon depending on your build.

Weapon Types and Best Options in Archived

Slash Weapons – Speed and Balance

Slash weapons represent the most versatile and beginner-friendly weapon category in Archived. If you want something you can easily craft and deal consistent damage with, slash weapons deliver the perfect balance of speed and power for close combat.

I personally recommend slash weapons for new players because they excel at teaching fundamental combat timing without punishing you with painfully slow attack speeds. The fast swings let you learn enemy patterns while still being able to dodge or parry when needed.

Best Slash Weapons by Grade:

Weapon Name	Damage	Grade	Attack Duration	How to Obtain
Sharp Greatsword	9 Slash	0	0.78s	Crafting (Everything Workshop)
Fused Blade of Ruined Mirror Worlds	10 Slash	1	0.72s	Dungeon drop (Mirror Dungeon)
Blade Lineage Chokuto	8 Slash	2	0.64s	Boss drop (Bamboo Hatted Kim)
Index Greatsword	9 Slash	4	0.73s	Index Syndicate exclusive
Advanced Zweihander	10 Slash	5	0.70s	Crafting (Tres Association)
Kurokumo Katana	7.5 Slash	6	0.58s	Kurokumo Syndicate questline

The Fused Blade of Ruined Mirror Worlds stands out as the single best slash weapon for Grades 1-3. With 10 base damage and a reasonable 0.72s attack speed, it outperforms nearly every weapon in its grade range. I’ve used this weapon to solo Grade 3 content that normally requires full teams.

For absolute beginners, the Sharp Greatsword is craftable immediately and provides excellent damage for a Grade 0 weapon. Don’t let the slow attack duration fool you – 9 damage at Grade 0 is massive, and you can craft it with basic materials from the Everything Workshop.

Advanced Slash Weapon Strategy:

Slash weapons synergize perfectly with Keypages that boost Slash damage or provide bonus effects on rapid hits. The Mook Workshop (Grade 1, 7 Slash, 0.57s) becomes absolutely ridiculous when paired with Slash-boosting pages – I’ve seen DPS numbers that rival weapons 2-3 grades higher.

The Reverberation Scythe deserves special mention for its wide sweep attacks that hit multiple enemies, making it exceptional for dungeon farming and Night in the Backstreets events where crowd control matters more than single-target damage.

Pierce Weapons – Precision and Reach

If you prefer accuracy, control, and superior reach over raw damage, pierce weapons are your perfect match. These weapons deal focused, direct damage with longer range than most slash weapons, making them ideal for players who favor positioning and tactical play over aggressive rushing.

Pierce weapons excel at punishing enemy mistakes from safe distances. The extended reach means you can poke enemies during their attack recovery frames without putting yourself in danger – a critical advantage against high-damage bosses.

Best Pierce Weapons by Grade:

Weapon Name	Damage	Grade	Attack Duration	How to Obtain
Fixer’s Chainsaw	9 Pierce	0	0.75s	Crafting (Book required)
Allas Workshop	9 Pierce	1	0.57s	Crafting (Tres Association questline)
N Corp. Nail	7 Pierce	2	0.60s	N Corp dungeon drop
Cinq Rapier	6 Pierce	4	0.65s	Cinq Association exclusive
Liu Guan Dao	8 Pierce	7	0.56s	Liu Association exclusive
Whaling Harpoon	6.5 Pierce	8	0.65s	Crafting (requires rare materials)

The Allas Workshop absolutely dominates the Grade 1 pierce weapon category. With 9 base damage and an incredibly fast 0.57s attack duration, it matches weapons 2-3 grades higher in terms of DPS. Unlocking this requires completing Yuria’s questline to access Tres Association crafting, but it’s 100% worth the effort.

Ranga Workshop (Grade 0, 6 Pierce, 0.57s) serves as the go-to starter pierce weapon. It’s craftable with basic materials and provides excellent performance for its grade. I used this weapon all the way through Grade 2 content before upgrading.

Pierce Weapon Combat Tips:

Pierce weapons require slightly more positioning awareness than slash weapons. You want to stay at the maximum range where your thrusts connect but enemy attacks miss. Practice in low-stakes contracts before taking pierce weapons into permadeath dungeons.

The Eye Gouger (Grade 1, 5 Pierce, 0.60s) has lower base damage but applies consistent guard-break buildup, making it exceptional against heavily armored enemies like Shield Pawns and armored bosses. Don’t underestimate utility over raw damage.

Blunt Weapons – Impact and Power

Blunt weapons hit the hardest and swing the slowest, making them perfect for heavy attackers who prefer calculated, devastating strikes over rapid combos. If you love seeing massive damage numbers and don’t mind the slower attack speed, blunt weapons deliver unmatched burst damage.

These weapons excel at guard-breaking enemies and trading hits favorably. The high damage per hit means even if you take damage during your attack animation, you’re often winning the exchange mathematically.

Best Blunt Weapons by Grade:

Weapon Name	Damage	Grade	Attack Duration	How to Obtain
Greatsword	9 Blunt	0	0.78s	Skip Character Creation reward OR Crafting
Zelkova Workshop	8 Blunt	1	0.58s	Crafting (Tres Association)
Zwei Association Greatsword	7 Blunt	4	0.75s	Zwei Association exclusive
N Corp. Inquisitor Hammer	10 Blunt	5	0.80s	N Corp dungeon drop
R Corp. Staff	9 Blunt	5	0.70s	R Corp dungeon drop
Rosespanner Hammer	10 Blunt	7	0.67s	Crafting (requires Book + materials)

The N Corp. Inquisitor Hammer represents the absolute peak of blunt weapon damage with 10 base damage at Grade 5. Yes, the 0.80s attack duration is painfully slow, but when each hit deals this much damage, you need fewer hits to win fights. I’ve one-shot Grade 4 enemies with proper Keypage setups.

For beginners, the Greatsword you receive from skipping character creation is actually one of the best starter weapons in the game. With 9 Blunt damage at Grade 0, it outperforms 90% of early weapons and remains viable through Grade 2 content.

Blunt Weapon Mastery:

Blunt weapons require perfect timing. You can’t button-mash and expect results – each swing must be deliberate and land during enemy vulnerability windows. Practice parrying enemy attacks, then immediately counter-attacking during their recovery frames.

The Steam Gauntlet (Grade 0, 7 Blunt, 0.54s) breaks the mold with relatively fast attacks for a blunt weapon while maintaining respectable damage. It drops from the Steam Machine boss and serves as an excellent transition weapon while farming for higher-tier options.

Multicrack Charged Blades (Grade 6, 9 Blunt, 0.74s) offers unique charged attack mechanics that deal massive damage when fully charged. Learning the charge timing transforms this weapon from good to absolutely devastating.

Archived Weapons Tier List 2026

Based on extensive testing across all content types – dungeons, bosses, PvP, and Night in the Backstreets events – here’s the definitive tier list for Archived weapons updated for March 2026:

S-Tier Weapons (Best in Game)

These weapons dominate their grade brackets and remain competitive even 2-3 grades above their requirements:

Weapon	Type	Grade	Why S-Tier
Reaper’s Blade	Slash	5	Massive cleave attacks, crowd control, extremely high burst damage potential
Solemn Lament Pistols	Pierce (Gun)	5	Best ranged weapon, exceptional mobility, consistent stagger buildup
Thundering Pole	Pierce	6	Superior reach, guard-break pressure, multiple strong debuffs
Nine Children of the Dragon	Slash	5	Fast combo strings, high DPS, excellent mobility and dash mechanics
Dimension Shredder	Hybrid	7	Bypasses all defenses, powerful stuns, multiple debuff types
Blade Lineage Chokuto	Slash	2	Lightning-fast attacks, incredible sustained DPS for its grade
Durandal	Slash	1	Balanced AoE/defense, strong defense break, very high DPS
Advanced Zweihander	Slash	5	Massive AoE damage, wide coverage, high payoff on trades
Fused Blade of Ruined Mirror Worlds	Slash	1	Unique burst windows, excellent mix-ups, multiple debuff application
Eye Gouger	Pierce	1	Guard-breaking thrusts, superior spacing control, fast stance-break

Reaper’s Blade stands as the undisputed king of Archived weapons. I’ve personally used it to solo Act 5 Library content that normally requires coordinated teams. The wide cleave attacks clear entire groups while the debuff application keeps enemies under constant pressure.

The Solemn Lament Pistols revolutionized ranged combat by allowing constant repositioning while maintaining offensive pressure. Unlike other guns that root you in place, these pistols let you kite even the most aggressive enemies.

A-Tier Weapons (Excellent Choices)

Slightly below S-tier but still exceptional weapons that excel in specific scenarios or builds:

Golden Ecstacy, Smile Hammer, Beak Bat, Scythe of Mimicry, Flaring Brand, Fell Bullet Rifle, Blind Obsession Anchor, The Crying Children, Reverberation Scythe, Unsealed Hardblood Lance, Knuckles of Discipline, Pointillist’s Brush, Zelkova Workshop, Wheel’s Industry, Mook Workshop, Crystal Atelier, Stigma Workshop Gauntlets, Steam Gauntlet, Sweeper Hooks

The Steam Gauntlet deserves special recognition as the best easily-obtainable weapon for new players. It drops from the Steam Machine boss (high drop rate) and provides excellent close-range damage with minimal investment.

Mook Workshop serves as the perfect progression weapon for Grades 1-3. Low requirements, flexible usage, and solid all-around performance make it the weapon I recommend most often to intermediate players.

B-Tier Weapons (Situational but Viable)

Good weapons that work well in specific builds or situations but aren’t optimal choices for general play:

Libe & Hessen, Frost Glaive, Mimicry Blade, Lamp, Farmwatch Scythe, Regret Hammer, Ebony Stem, Blue Star Orb, N Corp. Nail, N Corp. Mittelhammer, N Corp. Inquisitor Hammer, L’Heure du Loup, Hardblood weapons series, Middle Toujou, Index Greatsword, Old Boys Workshop, Atelier Logic, Allas Workshop, Rosespanner Crusher, Leaflet Workshop Steamgun, Cinq Rapier

Many B-tier weapons are race-locked (Hardblood series) or association-exclusive, which limits their accessibility. However, if you meet the requirements, several offer unique mechanics worth exploring.

C-Tier Weapons (Below Average)

Weapons that struggle to compete even within their own grade brackets:

Sunshower Umbrella, Smiling Mass, Sanguine Desire Greataxe, Red Eyes Blade, Blooming Staff, R Corp. weapons, Yesterday’s Promise, Great Hardblood Scissorblades, various Hardblood weapons, Kurokumo Gilded Katana, Blade Lineage Katana, various Association weapons

D-Tier Weapons (Avoid Unless Necessary)

Beginner weapons and severely underperforming options that should be replaced immediately:

Roseate Desire, 4th Match Blade, Rabbit Rifle, various starter Hardblood weapons, Soldato Rifle, Kurokumo Katana, Dieci Association Kata, Seven Association Longsword, Liu Martial Arts, Dagger

The Dagger (5 Slash, Grade 0, 0.57s) exists purely as a starter weapon. Despite the fast attack speed, the abysmal 5 base damage makes it the worst weapon to keep beyond the first hour of gameplay.

How to Get Weapons in Archived?

Contracts and Quests

Contracts from the Office Contractor in Sentenza represent your primary source of early weapons. These contract-specific weapons usually drop upon quest completion:

Grade 0-2 Contracts: Basic craftable weapons and workshop blueprints
Grade 3-4 Contracts: Mid-tier weapons and association-specific drops
Grade 5+ Contracts: High-end weapons and rare boss-specific drops

Pro Strategy: Always complete contracts within your grade range rather than attempting higher contracts. The death penalty in Archived is severe, and losing your character means losing all progress.

Dungeon Boss Drops

Major dungeons provide the most powerful weapons in Archived. Each boss has specific weapon drops with varying rarities:

The Refraction Railway:

Skin Prophet → Workshop part blueprints
Primal Factory → N Corp. weapons
Sign of Roses → Hana Association weapons
WARP Corp. Engineer (secret) → WARP Corp. weapons series
Kromer → High-tier crafting materials

The Library Bosses:

The Black Silence → EGO weapons and pages
Red Mist → Legendary grade weapons
Roland → General Works floor exclusive drops
Gebura → Language floor exclusive drops

I’ve farmed The Black Silence over 50 times for the EGO weapon drops. The fight is brutal but absolutely worth it for the game-changing weapons he can drop.

Crafting Weapons

Crafting represents the most reliable method to obtain specific weapons you want. Two crafting systems exist in Archived:

Everything Workshop (Available from start):

Basic Grade 0-1 weapons
Requires common materials: Scrap Metal, Wiring, Handles, Books
Limited selection but essential for early progression

Tres Association Workshop (Requires Yuria’s Questline):

High-grade weapons (Grade 1-8)
Advanced materials: Fragments of Silence, Workshop Cores, specialized parts
Unlock by completing 5-step questline for Yuria in HamHamPangPang Cafe

Yuria’s Questline (Essential for Advanced Crafting):

Accept job from Yuria at HamHamPangPang Cafe
Collect 10 Fabrics + Shipment Slip from Carnival Tailor (Junkyard)
Gather 35 Ammo Boxes (buy from Vincent in Backstreets or Railway Merchant)
Deliver coffee from Darius Restaurant without taking damage
Pay 5,000,000 Ahn + 5 Books

This questline takes 3-5 hours but unlocks weapons that would otherwise require dozens of boss kills. I highly recommend completing it before Grade 3.

E.G.O Events

E.G.O events occur randomly and provide unique weapons with special properties. These limited-time events offer weapons unavailable through normal gameplay:

Monitor event announcements in the official Discord
E.G.O weapons often have hybrid damage types or unique mechanics
Event weapons range from Common to Mythic rarity

NPC Enemy Drops

Random NPC enemies can drop weapons, though drop rates are significantly lower than bosses:

Night in the Backstreets enemies → Random common/uncommon weapons
Elite enemies (golden glow) → Increased drop rates, better weapons
Named NPCs → Guaranteed drops specific to that NPC

Farm efficient routes through high-density enemy areas during Night events for best results. I’ve found the Underground Station area particularly profitable for weapon farming.

Weapon Stats and Build Synergies

Understanding Damage Calculation

Weapon damage in Archived uses a complex formula that multiplies base weapon damage with multiple factors:

Final Damage = Base Weapon Damage × Grade Modifier × Damage Type Bonus × Keypage Multipliers × Status Effect Modifiers

Grade Modifier:

At-grade weapon: 100% damage
1 grade below: 75% damage
2 grades below: 50% damage
3+ grades below: Cannot equip

Damage Type Bonuses:

Matching Keypage damage type: +15-30% depending on page rarity
Opposing damage type: No bonus
Hybrid builds: Can stack multiple bonuses

Best Weapon-Keypage Combinations

Maximizing your weapon’s potential requires matching it with complementary Keypages. Here are my proven combinations:

For Slash Weapons:

Liu Association Pages (Wrath-focused) + any fast slash weapon = Combo-heavy sustained DPS
Kurokumo Pages (critical-focused) + Kurokumo Katana = Massive burst damage
Shi Pages (counter-focused) + Blade Lineage weapons = Perfect parry-punish gameplay

For Pierce Weapons:

Cinq Association Pages (thrust bonus) + Cinq Rapier = Superior single-target damage
Liu Pages (penetration bonus) + Liu Guan Dao = Guard-break specialist
N Corp Pages (debuff-focused) + N Corp. Nail = Status effect stacking

For Blunt Weapons:

Zwei Pages (defense + power) + Zwei Greatsword = Tanky bruiser build
Dieci Pages (guard-break) + N Corp. Inquisitor Hammer = Shield-breaking specialist
R Corp Pages (stamina sustain) + R Corp. Staff = Extended combat viability

Hybrid Builds:

The Dimension Shredder uniquely benefits from both physical AND magical damage Keypages simultaneously. Stack Pride and Wrath pages for absolutely ridiculous damage output that ignores enemy defenses.

Guns like Solemn Lament Pistols scale with both Pierce and specific gun-focused pages. The Hana Association provides gun-specific bonuses that double these weapons’ effectiveness.

Weapon Upgrade Path Strategies

Grade 0-2 (Early Game)

Recommended Progression:

Start with Skip Character Creation → Get Greatsword (9 Blunt)
Complete first Office Contractor contracts → Farm 50,000 Ahn
Craft Sharp Greatsword OR Ranga Workshop depending on preferred type
Farm contracts until Grade 2
Obtain Blade Lineage Chokuto from Bamboo Hatted Kim boss

Alternative path: Complete Yuria’s questline immediately (takes 3-5 hours but unlocks Tres crafting much earlier).

Grade 3-4 (Mid Game)

Critical Transition Period:

Join Association OR Syndicate for exclusive weapons
Begin Library floor attempts for EGO weapons
Farm Refraction Railway for WARP Corp. weapons
Save minimum 2,000,000 Ahn for high-tier purchases
Focus on obtaining 1-2 S-tier or A-tier weapons in your preferred damage type

This is where weapons become extremely expensive. Prioritize ONE good weapon over multiple mediocre ones. I made the mistake of spreading resources thin and regretted it.

Grade 5+ (End Game)

Optimization Phase:

Hunt specific S-tier weapons (Reaper’s Blade, Solemn Lament, Thundering Pole)
Complete all Library Acts for legendary drops
Farm E.G.O events for mythic weapons
Build multiple weapons for different combat scenarios
Experiment with exotic builds using lower-tier weapons with unique mechanics

At this stage, weapon choice matters less than mastery. I’ve seen Grade 1 players with optimized Durandal builds defeat Grade 5 players using Reaper’s Blade simply through superior combat knowledge.

Special Weapon Categories

Association-Exclusive Weapons

Certain weapons can only be obtained by joining specific Associations. These weapons often synergize perfectly with that Association’s Keypages:

Hana Association:

Hana Pistol, Hana Rifle
Gun-focused weapons with flower petal effects
Best for ranged combat specialists

Liu Association:

Liu Martial Arts, Liu Guan Dao
Wrath-focused weapons with fire effects
Excellent combo potential

Seven Association:

Seven Longsword
Intelligence-scaling weapons
Technical combos and status manipulation

Shi Association:

Shi Katana
Counter-focused weapons
Fast, precise strikes

Cinq Association:

Cinq Rapier
Thrust-specialized weapons
Superior single-target damage

Dieci Association:

Dieci Key, Dieci Kata
Guard-break specialists
Close-quarters combat

Zwei Association:

Zwei Greatsword
Defensive powerhouses
High damage with sustain

Syndicate-Exclusive Weapons

Syndicate members gain access to different weapon pools focusing on debuffs and status effects:

Index Syndicate:

Index Cleaver, Index Greatsword
Heavy hitting slash weapons
Strong guard-break potential

Kurokumo Syndicate:

Kurokumo Katanas (multiple variants)
Critical-focused weapons
Quick draw mechanics

Middle Syndicate:

Middle Toujou
Debuff application specialists
Team support weapons

E.G.O Weapons

E.G.O weapons represent the pinnacle of Archived’s weapon system – limited-time drops from special events with unique mechanics unavailable elsewhere:

Hybrid damage types that ignore traditional damage calculations
Special transformation mechanics that change combat options mid-fight
Passive abilities that trigger automatically during combat
Visual effects that distinguish them from standard weapons

E.G.O weapons typically require Enkephalin (special event currency) or defeating powerful E.G.O manifestation bosses. Monitor the official Discord for E.G.O event announcements.

Gun Weapons

Guns in Archived function differently from melee weapons with both melee (M1) and ranged (CTRL + M2) attack modes:

Key Differences:

Require ammunition to use ranged attacks
Can inflict any damage type (Slash/Pierce/Blunt) depending on gun
Both melee and ranged attack options
Superior positioning flexibility

Best Gun Weapons:

Solemn Lament Pistols (S-tier, Grade 5)
Fell Bullet Rifle (A-tier, Grade 4)
Full-Stop Automatic (B-tier, Grade 5)
Leaflet Workshop Steamgun (B-tier, Grade 3)

Guns excel in PvP and boss fights where maintaining distance is crucial. The ammo requirement means you’ll need to manage ammunition boxes (purchasable from Vincent in Backstreets).

Advanced Weapon Mechanics

Guard Break System

Every weapon contributes to guard break buildup when hitting shielded enemies. Higher damage weapons and specific weapon types break guards faster:

Blunt weapons: +30% guard break efficiency
Pierce weapons: +15% guard break efficiency
Slash weapons: Normal guard break efficiency

Weapons like N Corp. Inquisitor Hammer and Dieci Association Key specialize in guard breaking, making them essential against heavily defended enemies.

Stagger Mechanics

Landing consecutive hits with faster weapons builds stagger faster than slower, harder-hitting weapons:

Fast weapons (0.50-0.60s): 3-5 hits to stagger
Medium weapons (0.61-0.70s): 5-7 hits to stagger
Slow weapons (0.71-0.80s): 7-10 hits to stagger

Staggered enemies take increased damage and cannot block or parry. Build teams around coordinated stagger timings for maximum damage windows.

Debuff Application

Certain weapons apply debuffs (Burn, Bleed, Rupture, Paralysis) based on their design:

Burn Debuffs: Lamp, Flaring Brand, Liu weapons Bleed Debuffs: Sharp weapons, sawing weapons Rupture Debuffs: Heavy impact weapons Paralysis Debuffs: Electric/lightning weapons

Stack debuff-applying weapons with debuff-focused Keypages for exponential damage over time.

Weapon Farming Efficiency Guide

Best Locations for Weapon Farming

For Common Materials (Scrap Metal, Wiring, Handles):

Backstreets random enemies → 2-5 materials per kill
Junkyard area → Higher material drop rates
Night in the Backstreets → 3x material drop rate

For Rare Materials (Fragments, Workshop Cores, WARP Cores):

Refraction Railway bosses → Guaranteed drops
Library bosses → High-tier materials
E.G.O events → Event-exclusive materials

For Weapon Drops:

Farm bosses with confirmed drop tables (check Trello)
Night events with elite enemy spawns
Association/Syndicate-specific dungeons

Farming Routes and Strategies

Efficient Night Farming Route:

Start at Underground Station (dense enemy spawns)
Progress through Backstreets main road
Clear Junkyard elite enemies
Check Tower of Gloom for special spawns
Return to station and repeat

This route takes 15-20 minutes per cycle and generates 50,000-100,000 Ahn plus 10-15 weapon drops per hour.

Boss Farming Priority:

Steam Machine (easy, high drop rate for Steam Gauntlet)
Bamboo Hatted Kim (Blade Lineage Chokuto)
Skin Prophet (workshop materials)
The Black Silence (E.G.O weapons)

Resource Management Tips

Ahn Priority:

Save 5,000,000 Ahn for Yuria questline (mandatory)
Keep 500,000 Ahn emergency fund for ammunition/repairs
Invest remaining Ahn in crafting materials
Never spend Ahn on cosmetics until Grade 5+

Material Stockpiling:

Always maintain 50+ Scrap Metal
Keep 30+ Wiring and Handles
Save all Fragments of Silence for Tres crafting
Hoard Book drops for high-tier recipes

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Ignoring Attack Duration

Many players see high damage numbers and immediately equip weapons without checking attack duration. A 10-damage weapon with 0.80s attack duration often deals LESS DPS than an 8-damage weapon with 0.55s duration.

Solution: Calculate actual DPS before equipping: Base Damage ÷ Attack Duration = DPS

Mistake #2: Equipping Under-Grade Weapons

The 50% damage penalty for weapons 2 grades below your level is severe. Unless you’re specifically using the weapon for its special ability or status effects, always use at-grade weapons.

Solution: Replace weapons every 1-2 grade levels even if you love your current weapon.

Mistake #3: Neglecting Weapon-Keypage Synergy

A mediocre weapon with perfect Keypage synergy outperforms an S-tier weapon with zero synergy. Your overall build matters more than individual weapon strength.

Solution: Match damage types and build around weapon strengths with complementary pages.

Mistake #4: Crafting Random Weapons

Materials are precious in Archived. Crafting weapons without a clear progression plan wastes resources that could go toward better weapons later.

Solution: Follow the upgrade paths in this guide and only craft when you’ve researched optimal choices.

Mistake #5: Avoiding Boss Fights

Boss drops provide the best weapons in Archived. Players who only farm contracts and avoid dungeons severely limit their weapon options.

Solution: Start with easier bosses (Steam Machine) and progressively tackle harder content as you improve.

Weapon Meta Changes and Updates

Recent Balance Patches

2026 Weapon Balance Updates:

Reaper’s Blade damage reduced from 12 to 10 (still S-tier)
Solemn Lament Pistols stagger buildup increased by 15%
N Corp. weapons received guard-break buff
Liu weapons got faster attack animations
Several Hardblood weapons were buffed for race-exclusive players

Always check the official Archived Trello and Discord for the latest patch notes. The meta shifts frequently with balance updates.

Upcoming Weapon Content

Based on developer announcements in the Discord:

New E.G.O weapon series planned for December 2026
Association weapon reworks coming in Q1 2026
Gun weapon expansion with new ammunition types
Crafting system overhaul for better accessibility

Stay connected with the community to adapt your strategy as new content releases.

Weapon Showcase: Top 10 Must-Have Weapons

1. Reaper’s Blade

The Undisputed Champion

Grade 5, 10 Slash, 0.70s
Massive AoE cleave attacks
Consistent debuff application
Drops from Library Act 5 Reaper boss
Why it’s #1: Absolutely dominates both PvE and PvP content with crowd control other weapons simply cannot match

2. Solemn Lament Pistols

Ranged Perfection

Grade 5, 8 Pierce (Gun), 0.60s
Exceptional mobility while attacking
Consistent stagger from safe range
Drops from specific Library boss encounters
Best for: Players who prefer kiting and hit-and-run tactics

3. Blade Lineage Chokuto

Early Game Powerhouse

Grade 2, 8 Slash, 0.64s
Lightning-fast attack speed
Incredible DPS for its grade
Drops from Bamboo Hatted Kim boss
Best for: Low-grade players seeking competitive weapons

4. Dimension Shredder

Defense Ignoring Monster

Grade 7, Hybrid damage, 0.68s
Bypasses ALL enemy defenses
Powerful stun mechanics
Crafted with rare Dimensional Fragments
Best for: End-game content against armored enemies

5. Thundering Pole

The Guard Break Specialist

Grade 6, 8 Pierce, 0.61s
Superior reach and control
Consistent guard-break pressure
Heavy debuff application
Best for: Players who love spacing control and poke playstyle

6. Durandal

The Perfect Balanced Weapon

Grade 1, 7 Slash, 0.57s
Excellent AoE with defense break
Extremely high DPS for its grade
Craftable through Tres Association
Best for: Intermediate players seeking reliability

7. Advanced Zweihander

AoE Domination

Grade 5, 10 Slash, 0.70s
Massive wide-arc attacks
Multi-target crowd control
Craftable with workshop materials
Best for: Dungeon farming and Night events

8. N Corp. Inquisitor Hammer

The Boss Killer

Grade 5, 10 Blunt, 0.80s
Highest base damage in its grade
Massive guard-break potential
Drops from N Corp dungeon boss
Best for: Trading hits and burst damage builds

9. Steam Gauntlet

Best Starter Weapon

Grade 0, 7 Blunt, 0.54s
High damage with fast attacks
Easy to obtain (boss drop)
Remains viable through Grade 2
Best for: New players needing immediate upgrade

10. Eye Gouger

The Underrated Gem

Grade 1, 5 Pierce, 0.60s
Guard-breaking thrust specialist
Superior spacing control
Craftable or dungeon drop
Best for: Technical players who value positioning over raw damage

FAQ

How do I get weapons in Archived?

You can obtain weapons through five main methods: completing contracts from the Office Contractor, defeating dungeon bosses and NPCs, crafting at the Everything Workshop or Tres Association (requires Yuria’s questline), participating in E.G.O events, and farming enemy drops during Night in the Backstreets events. The most reliable method is crafting after completing Yuria’s 5-step questline.

Can I use weapons below my Grade level?

Yes, you can equip weapons up to 2 grades below your current Grade level. However, you’ll suffer a 50% basic attack damage penalty, which makes these weapons significantly weaker. This penalty applies only to weapons 1-2 grades below you – you cannot equip weapons 3 or more grades below your level. The penalty makes under-leveled weapons viable only for their special abilities, not damage output.

What are the three main weapon damage types in Archived?

The three fundamental damage types are Slash (fast, balanced weapons for close combat), Pierce (precise, focused damage with better reach), and Blunt (heavy impact, slower weapons with highest per-hit damage). Your weapon’s damage type must synergize with your Keypage loadout for optimal performance, as matching types receive 15-30% damage bonuses.

Where can I craft high-grade weapons?

High-grade weapons (Grade 1-8) require crafting at the Tres Association workshop. To unlock this, you must complete Yuria’s 5-step questline starting at the HamHamPangPang Cafe in the Backstreets. The questline requires gathering materials, delivering coffee without taking damage, and paying 5,000,000 Ahn plus 5 Books. This unlocks the “Assemble Weapon” skill for portable crafting access.

What is the best weapon for beginners in Archived?

The Steam Gauntlet (Grade 0, 7 Blunt damage, 0.54s attack duration) is objectively the best beginner weapon. It drops from the Steam Machine boss with a high drop rate, offers excellent damage for Grade 0, has relatively fast attacks for a blunt weapon, and remains competitive through Grade 2 content. If you skip character creation, the Greatsword (9 Blunt) is an excellent alternative starting weapon.

How does the weapon tier list work?

The tier list ranks weapons from S-tier (best in game) to D-tier (weakest) based on damage output, attack speed, utility, accessibility, and performance in both PvE and PvP content. S-tier weapons like Reaper’s Blade and Solemn Lament Pistols dominate their grades and remain competitive 2-3 grades above their requirements. Lower tiers are progressively weaker but may excel in specific builds or situations.

Can I reset my weapon choices or get refunds?

No, Archived does not offer weapon resets or material refunds. Once you craft a weapon or purchase one from NPCs, that decision is permanent. This makes researching weapons before crafting absolutely critical. Always verify weapon stats, read community guides, and check the official Trello before investing materials in crafting. The permanent nature of choices is intentional game design.

What weapons work best for PvP combat?

PvP-optimized weapons prioritize consistent damage, fast attack speeds, and superior positioning control. Top PvP weapons include: Solemn Lament Pistols (ranged kiting), Blade Lineage Chokuto (rapid combos), Sweeper Hooks (interrupt mechanics), Cinq Rapier (precise pokes), and Thundering Pole (reach advantage). Avoid slow weapons like hammers that leave you vulnerable to aggressive players.

How often does the weapon meta change?

The developers release balance patches approximately once per month, with major updates quarterly. Weapon damage values, attack durations, and special mechanics can change with any patch. Always check the official Archived Discord’s patch notes channel after updates. Despite frequent tweaks, S-tier weapons like Reaper’s Blade have maintained dominance through multiple patches, showing the developers balance carefully.

Are E.G.O weapons better than regular weapons?

E.G.O weapons aren’t automatically superior – they’re fundamentally different. E.G.O weapons offer unique mechanics unavailable on standard weapons (hybrid damage types, transformation abilities, special passives) but aren’t always numerically stronger. Some E.G.O weapons are S-tier, others are situational B-tier. Evaluate E.G.O weapons based on your build needs rather than assuming they’re better by default.

Final Thoughts

Mastering Archived’s weapon system requires understanding that weapons are more than stat sticks – they’re the foundation of your entire combat identity. Whether you’re wielding the devastating Reaper’s Blade through Library floors, precision-striking with the Blade Lineage Chokuto, or crowd-controlling with the Advanced Zweihander, your weapon choice shapes every aspect of your Archived experience.

The journey from Grade 0 beginner weapons to Grade 8 legendary drops takes hundreds of hours, but smart weapon choices accelerate your progression dramatically. Follow the upgrade paths outlined in this guide, prioritize weapons with optimal attack duration-to-damage ratios, and always match your weapon’s damage type with complementary Keypages for maximum synergy.

Remember that the “best” weapon varies by playstyle, Grade level, and available resources. A perfectly-timed Durandal combo from a skilled player outperforms sloppy Reaper’s Blade usage every time. Weapon choice matters, but mastery matters more.

For the latest weapon updates, balance changes, and community strategies, bookmark this guide and join the official Archived Discord and Trello. The meta evolves constantly, and staying informed gives you the edge needed to dominate Archived’s unforgiving backstreets.