The Forge Weapon Tier List (March 2026) Best Weapons Ranked

Looking for the ultimate weapon tier list for The Forge in 2026? You’ve come to the right place! As a seasoned Forge player with hundreds of hours spent testing every weapon type and variant, I’ve compiled the most comprehensive weapon ranking guide available. Whether you’re just starting your journey in Stonewake’s Cross or dominating the Frostspire Expanse, this guide will help you forge the perfect weapon for your playstyle.
The Forge has evolved significantly with recent updates, including the massive Winter Expansion and Hidden Maze update that introduced over 26 new weapons. With so many options available, knowing which weapons truly dominate the meta is crucial for maximizing your combat effectiveness and ore efficiency.
| Quick Meta Summary | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Highest DPS Weapon | Knight Spear (26.64 DPS) |
| Highest Damage Per Hit | Excalibur (26.0 damage) |
| Fastest Attack Speed | Dark Knight Gauntlets (0.47s) |
| Best Mid-Range | Katana variants |
| Most Cost-Effective | Straight Swords (6 ores) |
The Ultimate Weapon Tier List
After extensive testing across all three islands and against every enemy type, I’ve ranked every weapon based on combat effectiveness, crafting efficiency, and meta viability. This tier list considers real-world performance, not just base stats.
S-Tier (Godly Weapons)
These weapons dominate the current meta and should be your primary targets when forging.
Knight Spear (Spear)
- Base Stats: Damage 10.125, Speed 0.38s, Range 11 Studs, DPS 26.64
- Why it’s S-Tier: The highest DPS weapon in the game with incredible attack speed and excellent range
- Best For: Players who want consistent damage output with safe spacing
- Crafting Priority: Highest priority for Island 3 players
Angelic Spear (Spear)
- Base Stats: Damage 9.75, Speed 0.41s, Range 11 Studs, DPS 23.78
- Why it’s S-Tier: Elite DPS with the safest attack range in the game
- Best For: Boss fights and situations where positioning matters
- Note: Scales exceptionally well into end-game content
Excalibur (Colossal)
- Base Stats: Damage 26.0, Speed 1.12s, Range 10 Studs, DPS 23.21
- Why it’s S-Tier: Massive single-hit damage with huge hitbox reach
- Best For: One-shot builds and players who can time their attacks perfectly
- Drawback: Slow swing speed requires precise timing
TerrorBlade (Colossal)
- Base Stats: Damage 22.0, Speed 1.02s, Range 10 Studs, DPS 21.56
- Why it’s S-Tier: Faster than Excalibur with excellent burst damage potential
- Best For: Players who want colossal sword damage without the slowest animations
Dark Knight Gauntlets (Gauntlets)
- Base Stats: Damage 10.0, Speed 0.47s, Range 6 Studs, DPS 21.27
- Why it’s S-Tier: Massive DPS for brawling with surprisingly high damage per punch
- Best For: Close-quarters combat and aggressive playstyles
- Hidden Gem: Obtained from the Hidden Maze event – exclusive and powerful
A-Tier (Excellent Weapons)
These weapons perform exceptionally well and can carry you through any content.
Wyvern Axe (Great Axe)
- Base Stats: Damage 18.75, Speed 0.91s, Range 9 Studs, DPS 20.60
- Why it’s A-Tier: Near S-Tier damage with good swing speed for its size
- Best For: Players who want heavy weapon feel without sacrificing too much speed
Gemblade (Colossal)
- Base Stats: Damage 23.0, Speed 1.12s, Range 10 Studs, DPS 20.53
- Why it’s A-Tier: Heavy hitter with excellent reach
- Best For: Players who can tolerate slower attack speeds
Hook Blade (Straight Sword)
- Base Stats: Damage 8.25, Speed 0.44s, Range 8 Studs, DPS 18.75
- Why it’s A-Tier: Extremely fast with amazing DPS for a sword
- Best For: Speed-focused builds and combo enthusiasts
Chaos (Straight Sword)
- Base Stats: Damage 18.75, Speed 0.59s, Range 8 Studs, DPS 31.78
- Why it’s A-Tier: Excellent balance of stats with fluid combat
- Best For: Mid-to-late game players who can afford the crafting cost
- Note: Extremely rare drop (1 in 16 chance for Straight Sword type)
B-Tier (Good Weapons)
Solid weapons that perform well but have noticeable limitations.
Trident (Spear)
- Base Stats: Damage 7.5, Speed 0.45s, Range 11 Studs, DPS 16.67
- Why it’s B-Tier: Great balance of speed and damage with superior range
- Best For: Early-to-mid game players wanting spear advantages
Crystal Sword (Straight Sword)
- Base Stats: Damage 9.975, Speed 0.62s, Range 8 Studs, DPS 16.08
- Why it’s B-Tier: Decent damage per hit but feels clunky/slow
- Best For: Players who prefer straight swords but can’t craft Chaos
Curved Dagger (Dagger)
- Base Stats: Damage 4.95, Speed 0.30s, Range 6 Studs, DPS 16.50
- Why it’s B-Tier: Incredibly fast (0.3s attack speed) but very short range
- Best For: Players who want maximum attack speed regardless of range
C-Tier (Average Weapons)
These weapons are usable but significantly outclassed by higher tiers.
Axe (Basic)
- Base Stats: Damage 7.0, Speed 0.48s, Range 8 Studs, DPS 14.58
- Why it’s C-Tier: Basic starter stats with no clear advantages
- Best For: Very early game when you have no other options
Shark’s Fangs (Dagger)
- Base Stats: Damage 3.87, Speed 0.27s, Range 6 Studs, DPS 14.33
- Why it’s C-Tier: Fastest weapon in the game but lowest damage per hit
- Best For: Players who prioritize speed over everything else
Mace (Basic)
- Base Stats: Damage 6.0, Speed 0.46s, Range 8 Studs, DPS 13.04
- Why it’s C-Tier: Lowest stats in the game with no redeeming qualities
- Best For: Avoid unless you have no other choice
Weapon Type Rankings
Beyond individual weapons, understanding which weapon types dominate the meta is crucial for long-term success.
S-Tier Weapon Types
Straight Swords
- Crafting Cost: 6 ores (cheapest in game)
- Why S-Tier: Best overall balance of cost, speed, and damage
- Best Variants: Chaos, Crystalized Broadsword, Hell Slayer
- Meta Impact: The most cost-effective weapon type for progression
Spears
- Crafting Cost: 9-12 ores (moderate)
- Why S-Tier: Excellent range with comparable damage to swords
- Best Variants: Knight Spear, Angelic Spear, Compass Spear
- Meta Impact: Dominates Island 3 with safe spacing options
Gauntlets
- Crafting Cost: 9 ores (very affordable)
- Why S-Tier: Fastest base attack speed with excellent DPS
- Best Variants: Dark Knight Gauntlets, Savage Claws, Ironhand
- Meta Impact: Best brawling option with incredible pressure potential
A-Tier Weapon Types
Colossal Swords
- Crafting Cost: 30-50 ores (most expensive)
- Why A-Tier: Highest base damage but very resource-intensive
- Best Variants: Dragon Slayer, Excalibur, TerrorBlade
- Meta Impact: End-game dominance but poor cost efficiency
Katanas
- Crafting Cost: 12-15 ores (moderate-high)
- Why A-Tier: Good damage and speed balance with excellent range
- Best Variants: Uchigatana, Tachi
- Meta Impact: Solid mid-game option but outclassed by spears
B-Tier Weapon Types
Great Axes
- Crafting Cost: 20-25 ores (expensive)
- Why B-Tier: Lower stats than colossal swords for similar cost
- Best Variants: Wyvern Axe, Executioner
- Meta Impact: No clear advantage over other weapon types
Axes
- Crafting Cost: 8-10 ores (affordable)
- Why B-Tier: Similar damage to gauntlets but slower and more expensive
- Best Variants: Ornate Axe, Spade Axe
- Meta Impact: Outclassed by gauntlets in every aspect
C-Tier Weapon Types
Great Swords
- Crafting Cost: 15-20 ores (moderate)
- Why C-Tier: Only useful in early game as introduction to heavy weapons
- Best Variants: Anchored GS, Crusader Sword
- Meta Impact: No advantage past early game progression
Maces
- Crafting Cost: 10-12 ores (moderate)
- Why C-Tier: Only available in Island 3 but offers no advantages
- Best Variants: Grave Maker, Winged Mace
- Meta Impact: Weakest weapon class in the game
Daggers
- Crafting Cost: 4-6 ores (cheapest)
- Why C-Tier: Only useful for tutorial/introduction purposes
- Best Variants: Curved Dagger, Hook
- Meta Impact: Immediately replaced with better options
Advanced Weapon Strategies
Crafting Optimization
To maximize your weapon potential, follow these pro crafting strategies:
Ore Selection Guide
| Weapon Type | Best Ores | Priority Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Weapons (Daggers, Gauntlets) | Fireite, Magmaite | On-hit effects |
| Medium Weapons (Swords, Spears) | Eye Ore, Magmaite | Damage multiplier |
| Slow Weapons (Colossal) | Darkryte, Demonite | Maximum damage |
RNG Manipulation
- Lock weapon types during forging by using specific ore amounts
- 6 ores = 86% chance for Straight Sword, 14% for Dagger
- 9 ores = Higher chance for Gauntlets and Spears
- 30+ ores = Guaranteed Colossal Sword type
Quality Enhancement
- Crafting quality significantly impacts final stats
- Perfect mini-game performance = +20% base damage
- Enhancement levels unlock rune slots every 3 levels
- Rune combinations can dramatically change weapon effectiveness
Meta Builds for Different Playstyles
The Speed Demon Build
Primary Weapon: Dark Knight Gauntlets or Hook Blade Supporting Stats: Maximum attack speed, on-hit traits Best For: Players who love rapid combat and pressure Ore Focus: Fireite, Magmaite for burn effects
The One-Shot Warrior
Primary Weapon: Excalibur or Dragon Slayer Supporting Stats: Maximum damage multiplier, critical hits Best For: Patient players who time their attacks perfectly Ore Focus: Darkryte, Demonite for maximum damage
The Balanced Fighter
Primary Weapon: Knight Spear or Chaos Supporting Stats: Balanced damage and speed Best For: Most players – excellent all-around performance Ore Focus: Eye Ore, Magmaite for balanced traits
The Range Master
Primary Weapon: Angelic Spear or Trident Supporting Stats: Maximum range, consistent damage Best For: Players who prefer safe combat positioning Ore Focus: Eye Ore for damage, range-enhancing traits
Island-Specific Weapon Recommendations
Island 1 (Stonewake’s Cross)
Best Weapons: Hook Blade, Ironhand, Curved Dagger Strategy: Focus on speed and cost-effective options Ore Priority: Copper, Iron, Tin combinations
Island 2 (The Cave)
Best Weapons: Chaos, Savage Claws, Uchigatana Strategy: Transition to mid-tier weapons with better stats Ore Priority: Aite, Bananite, rare combinations
Island 3 (Frostspire Expanse)
Best Weapons: Knight Spear, Angelic Spear, Excalibur Strategy: Go for the best weapons available with end-game ores Ore Priority: Darkryte, Demonite, Crimsonite, Lgarite
Hidden Maze (Island 3 Expansion)
Best Weapons: Dark Knight Gauntlets (exclusive), Heavenly weapons Strategy: Target exclusive maze-only weapons Ore Priority: Use your best ores for guaranteed high-tier results
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Ignoring Crafting Quality
Many players rush through the crafting mini-games, resulting in broken or poor-quality weapons. Take your time with each crafting attempt – a perfect craft can add 20% or more to your weapon’s base damage.
2. Wrong Ore Combinations
Using mismatched ore rarities can significantly reduce your weapon’s potential. Stick to similar rarity ores for the best multiplier results.
3. Neglecting Rune Slots
Don’t forget to enhance your weapons to unlock rune slots. Every 3 enhancement levels unlocks a new slot, and the right rune combination can transform a good weapon into a god-tier one.
4. Chasing Rare Weapons Early
While weapons like Excalibur and Dragon Slayer are powerful, they’re extremely resource-intensive. Focus on cost-effective options like Chaos or Knight Spear until you have consistent access to end-game ores.
5. Ignoring Weapon Range
Many players focus only on DPS without considering attack range. Weapons like spears offer safer combat options that can be more effective in boss fights and difficult areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the absolute best weapon in The Forge?
The Knight Spear currently holds the title of best weapon with the highest DPS (26.64) in the game. However, the “best” weapon depends on your playstyle – Excalibur has the highest damage per hit, while Dark Knight Gauntlets offer the fastest combat experience.
How do I get the Chaos weapon?
Chaos is a rare variant of the Straight Sword type with a 1 in 16 chance when crafting straight swords. You’ll need 6 ores and luck on your side. Using higher-quality ores increases your chances of getting rare variants.
Should I focus on DPS or damage per hit?
For most players, DPS (Damage Per Second) is more important as it represents your overall damage output over time. However, if you have perfect timing and can consistently land hits, high damage-per-hit weapons like Excalibur can be more effective.
What ores should I use for the best weapons?
For fast weapons, use Fireite and Magmaite for on-hit effects. For balanced weapons, Eye Ore and Magmaite work best. For slow, heavy weapons, prioritize Darkryte and Demonite for maximum damage multipliers.
How do weapon runes work?
Runes are special enhancements that you can apply to weapons with available rune slots. You unlock rune slots by enhancing your weapon – every 3 enhancement levels gives you one new slot. Runes can add effects like burn damage, increased critical hit chance, or special abilities.
Is it worth crafting Colossal Swords?
Colossal Swords have the highest base damage but require 30-50 ores to craft. They’re worth it for end-game players with consistent access to rare ores, but most players should focus on more cost-effective options like straight swords or spears.
How often is the weapon meta updated?
The Forge developers release major updates monthly, with balance changes and new weapons. The Winter Update and Hidden Maze update significantly changed the meta, so stay tuned to official sources for the latest changes.
What’s the most cost-effective weapon progression path?
Start with Hook Blade or Ironhand in early game, transition to Chaos or Savage Claws in mid-game, and aim for Knight Spear or Angelic Spear in end-game. This path offers the best balance of cost and performance at each stage.
Conclusion
Mastering The Forge weapon meta is essential for dominating combat and progressing efficiently through the islands. While S-Tier weapons like the Knight Spear and Angelic Spear currently dominate the meta, the best weapon for you depends on your playstyle, available resources, and current progression.
Remember that weapon quality matters just as much as weapon type – a perfectly crafted A-Tier weapon can outperform a poorly crafted S-Tier weapon. Focus on mastering the crafting mini-games, optimizing your ore combinations, and enhancing your weapons with the right runes.
The Forge is constantly evolving with new updates and weapons, so bookmark this guide and check back regularly for the latest meta changes and tier list updates. Happy forging, and may your weapons always strike true!
