Swords And Weapons In NieR: Automata: Your Ultimate Combat Guide

In the desolate yet fascinating world of NieR: Automata, success in combat largely depends on your arsenal. Beyond your characters’ intrinsic abilities, the weapons you wield define your playstyle and your ability to face relentless machines. This article will guide you through the different types of weaponry available, their effects, how to upgrade them, and key strategies to master the battlefield. Get ready to understand the true power that lies in your hands—or rather, in those of your YoRHa androids.

Weapon Categories: Beyond Swords

NieR: Automata is not limited to swords alone; the game offers a variety of weapons designed to suit every combat situation. There are a total of 40 weapons divided into four main categories:

Small Swords: These are fast and agile weapons, excellent for chaining complex combos. While their individual damage is lower, their high speed allows you to keep constant pressure on enemies and offers a wide variety of combo options. They are ideal for players who prefer agility and quick reactions in the heat of battle.
Large Swords: These weapons are relatively slower but make up for it with significantly higher damage per hit than small swords. They have the highest damage output and the slowest move set of all categories. Perfect for those looking to land devastating blows and control the pace of combat with powerful attacks.
Spears: They perform powerful attacks with considerable reach and a unique move set. They are slower than small swords, but their sweeping attacks make them excellent for crowd control. Their ability to hit multiple enemies at once makes them a strategic option for battles against many opponents.
Combat Bracers: Equipped on both hands, these differ greatly from the bladed weapons in the game. They are the fastest weapon type available but also have the lowest damage output of all categories. Despite their lower damage per hit, their unmatched speed allows for a constant barrage of attacks, ideal for keeping enemies stunned or quickly applying status effects.

Weapon Handling and Advanced Combat

Players in NieR: Automata can carry two weapon sets at a time. For characters 2B and A2, each set consists of two weapons, while 9S, due to his hacking focus, only uses one weapon per set, with his ability occupying the second slot. Weapons are assigned to the attack buttons (Square/X and Triangle/Y), and you can quickly switch between your sets by pressing the directional pad up during combat. This flexibility allows you to adapt your strategy on the fly, switching between fast and slow weapons, or between melee and ranged attacks, as the situation requires.

It’s important to know that all weapons within the same category share the same attacks and combos for a particular character. This simplifies learning the moves, as once you master a small sword, you can apply that knowledge to any other small sword. Additionally, any weapon type can be assigned to a quick or strong attack slot, although 9S can only use the quick slot, highlighting his more support- and hacking-focused role.

Attack Types to Master

There are five main types of attacks you can perform with any weapon, each with its own tactical applications:

Normal: Executed simply by pressing the attack button. This is the basis of your combos and the most frequent attack.
Charged: Requires you to hold down the attack button, sometimes with a release to activate the strike. These attacks are usually slower but deal considerable damage and can break certain enemies’ guards.
Dash Attack: Involves tapping the dash button and then immediately an attack button. Ideal for quickly closing distances or starting a combo with a surprise hit.
Running Attack: Performed after completing a dash and while running, using the attack button. Allows you to maintain offense while repositioning, keeping pressure on your opponents.
Aerial: Attacking while in the air. Essential for fighting flying enemies or extending air combos, keeping enemies defenseless.

With these variations, 9S has about 20 move sets, while other characters like 2B and A2 have around 40 combinations to master. Mastery of these moves is key to maximizing your combat efficiency and fully enjoying NieR: Automata’s battle system.

Special Abilities and Weapon Effects

When upgrading a weapon, it can receive bonuses to certain stats, further boosting its usefulness in combat. Some of the standard effects you may find include:

Stun Increase: Increases the stun value applied to enemies, making it easier to interrupt their attacks and create openings.
Attack Speed Increase: Increases your attack speed, allowing for faster combos and greater offensive pressure.
Robot Discount: Grants a discount at machine shops (does not need to be equipped to work). A very useful passive ability for saving money.
Discount: Grants a discount at Resistance shops (does not need to be equipped). Similar to the previous one but applies to Resistance merchants.
Defense Increase: Boosts your defense, reducing damage taken from enemy attacks.
Critical +: Increases the frequency of critical hits, resulting in significantly higher damage more regularly.

Notably, the discount effects (Discount and Robot Discount) apply even if the weapons possessing them are not actively equipped, making them very valuable passive bonuses. However, most other weapon effects are not used unless the weapon is actively in use. It has been reported that the “Hero’s Seal” ability works even if it’s in the second weapon set and the first is equipped, which could be a tactical advantage in certain setups.

Unique Abilities at Max Level

Once they reach maximum upgrade level, each weapon gains a unique special ability, transforming its potential and offering new strategies. Some of these abilities include:

Bullet Absorption: Restores HP when cutting projectiles. Ideal for staying alive amid enemy barrages.
High Stun: High chance to stun enemies. Perfect for controlling the battlefield and preventing enemies from acting.
Beast Roar: Adds a beastly effect to close-range attacks. An aesthetic and functional touch that can intimidate your opponents.
Flaming Phoenix: Chance to restore HP when damaging enemies. An invaluable survival ability, especially in prolonged fights.
Bullet Break: Adds a shockwave when hitting enemy projectiles, eliminating other projectiles in the area of effect. Turns you into a walking barrier against ranged attacks.
Energy Charge: Charges while not attacking, increasing attack for a short time. Rewards patience and strategic positioning.
Final Explosion: Detonates the last hit of melee combos. Adds an explosive impact at the end of your attack sequences.
Holy Blessing: Increases attack power when HP is full. Ideal for players who can keep their health at maximum.
Dark Boost: Increases attack power when HP is at 30% or less. A “last resort” ability that gives you a boost when in trouble.
Pod Charge: Reduces the cooldown of the skill gauge when attacking. Allows more frequent use of your Pod’s abilities.
Machine Mark: Deals more damage when defeating machine enemies (up to 500). Especially useful in machine-infested areas.
Steel Column: Decreases the chance of staggering from attacks. Makes you more resistant to enemy interruptions.
Dragon Wings: Increases the power of aerial attacks. Indispensable for aerial combat strategies.
Betrayal: Chance to subdue enemies when attacking them, but only one at a time. A unique ability to control an enemy and use it to your advantage.
Angel’s Mercy: Restores HP when finishing off enemies. Encourages an aggressive and efficient playstyle.
Devil’s Hatred: Adds a shockwave when finishing off enemies. An explosive end for every defeated enemy.
Dodge Change: Modifies the appearance of damage values and your dodge maneuver. An aesthetic change that can personalize your experience.
Hero’s Seal: Changes the appearance of damage values and treasure chests. Another aesthetic ability that adds a unique touch to the game.
Madness: When wielding these weapons, Emil’s voice can be heard. An ability that nods to fans of the series, adding a distinctive audio element.

Upgrading Your Arsenal: Forging and Narrative

The forging system is fundamental for unlocking your weapons’ full potential. You can upgrade them using money and materials collected from the weapon vendor located at the Resistance Camp. Weapons can be upgraded up to level 4; regular vendors take them up to level 3, while Master Blacksmith Masamune, a key character in the game, handles the final upgrade to level 4. Each upgrade not only increases your weapon’s power, making it more effective in combat, but also unlocks its “Weapon Story,” a narrative description that explores its past, origin, and meaning within the lore of NieR: Automata. These stories add a layer of depth and mystery to each piece of your arsenal, making the search and upgrade of weapons an even more rewarding experience.

Unique Combos: Unleashing the Potential of 9S and Others

Although many attack combinations in the game are variations of “generically hitting the enemy,” there are atypical moves worth knowing, especially for 9S, who stands out for his ranged capabilities and hacking focus. Mastering these specific combos can make a big difference in the flow of combat and your ability to adapt to various situations.

9S Special Combos:

Large Swords (Charged Attack): 9S makes the sword orbit around him at a medium distance. While it’s a bit slow to launch and may miss very close enemies, if executed correctly, it can hit a considerable number of enemies in a group. It’s excellent for area control when enemies group around you.
Large Swords (Full Running Attack): Throws the sword forward a moderate distance, spinning it horizontally. This is a fast, multi-hit move that can deal surprising damage to several grouped targets, taking advantage of the high damage of Large Swords. It’s very effective for quickly clearing groups of enemies.
Combat Bracers (Charged Attack): 9S throws the combat bracers forward. The range of this attack is a bit shorter than your Pod’s laser. It’s a fast ranged attack that can be used to keep up pressure or finish off nearby enemies.
Spear (Charged Attack): A CRITICALLY IMPORTANT move for 9S! Throws the spear forward. As long as 9S doesn’t perform another attack to teleport it back to his hand, the spear can hit beyond the maximum lock-on range and has excellent accuracy. The spear throw deals damage equivalent to about 3 normal attacks, pierces enemies, has an area of effect slightly wider than the spear itself, and against very large enemies with multiple “sections,” it can even hit several times, dealing full damage with each impact. Additionally, although it’s a ranged attack, it’s considered a weapon hit, meaning it CAN BREAK MACHINE SHIELDS/ARMOR SECTIONS, which are normally immune to ranged fire while their shields are intact. The throw’s damage is still affected by “Weapon Damage +” chips, not ranged damage chips. This ability is exceptional for boss fights when they’re out of melee range, and can also be useful against small groups of regular enemies. At close range, if thrown at maximum speed, it can be almost as fast as a Pod missile volley, but will far surpass the damage your Pods can produce. You should definitely consider having a Spear in your secondary weapon set and get used to switching between them, as this ability is a fundamental pillar for maximizing 9S’s combat potential.

What Makes the Swords of NieR: Automata So Special?

In NieR: Automata, swords are the main weapon of the protagonist androids, 2B, 9S, and A2. These weapons are not just tools for combat, but also have stories and meanings behind each of them. Each sword has its own stats, abilities, and combat style, so choosing the right sword for each situation is crucial to your success in the game. The attention to detail in the design and narrative of each sword makes them much more than simple objects; they are extensions of the characters and the game’s rich story.

The Most Iconic Swords in NieR: Automata

Among the vast collection of weapons, some swords have managed to capture players’ imaginations due to their design, story, or effectiveness in combat. Here are some of the most iconic ones you’ll definitely want to add to your arsenal:

Virtuous Contract

One of the most iconic swords in NieR: Automata is the Virtuous Contract. This sword is the first 2B obtains at the start of the game and stands out for its balance between speed and attack power. Its elegant design, with black and white details, and its ability to deal damage make it a popular choice among players who prefer a direct and balanced approach to melee combat. Its story, revealed as you upgrade it, delves into the past of the YoRHa androids and their purpose, adding emotional weight to every strike.

Cruel Oath

Another notable sword in NieR: Automata is the Cruel Oath, which is unlocked later in the game. This sword stands out for its high attack power and its ability to deal extra damage to stronger enemies, making it devastating against bosses and armored foes. Its design, often contrasted with Virtuous Contract, features dark tones and a more aggressive appearance, reflecting its brutal nature in combat. If you’re looking to wreak havoc on your enemies with devastating blows and maximize your damage output, Cruel Oath is the perfect choice for you, allowing you to unleash unparalleled power on the battlefield.

Type-3 Sword

The Type-3 Sword dazzles with its futuristic design and its ability to perform fast, fluid combos. This sword is ideal for players who prefer an agile approach to combat and enjoy chaining rapid attacks to defeat enemies in style. Its technological appearance and performance in battle make it an attractive option for those who value speed and versatility in their arsenal. It’s an excellent choice for keeping enemies at bay with a constant barrage of strikes.

Tips for Choosing the Right Sword in NieR: Automata

When choosing the right sword in NieR: Automata, it’s important to consider your gameplay preferences and the type of enemies you’ll face. There is no universal “best” sword; a weapon’s effectiveness often depends on the situation and your personal style. Here are some key considerations:

Playstyle: If you like fast and agile combat, where dodging and fluid combos are key, a small sword with high attack speed like Virtuous Contract or Type-3 Sword may be the best option for you. These will let you keep constant pressure and react quickly to enemy attacks.
Damage and Tempo: On the other hand, if you prefer to deal massive damage in a few hits, prioritizing brute force over speed, a large sword like Cruel Oath will be your best ally. These weapons are slower, but each hit is devastating—ideal for enemies with lots of health or for breaking defenses.
Crowd Control and Reach: Spears offer an interesting balance with their extended reach and sweeping attacks, making them excellent for controlling groups of enemies. If you often find yourself surrounded, a spear can be a very effective solution.
Versatility and Extreme Speed: Combat Bracers, while dealing the least damage per hit, are the fastest. They’re perfect for quickly applying status effects or keeping enemies stunned with an uninterrupted barrage of blows.
Set Synergy: Remember you can carry two weapon sets. Try combining a fast sword in one set with a slow sword or a spear in the other. For example, you could use a small sword for quick combos and switch to a large sword for a devastating charged attack, or to a spear for crowd control.
Unique Abilities: Consider the special abilities each weapon unlocks at max level. Some may complement your playstyle or provide specific advantages in certain fights. For example, if you tend to take a lot of damage, a sword with “Bullet Absorption” or “Flaming Phoenix” could be very beneficial.

It’s also important to experiment with different swords and discover which best fits your playstyle. Don’t be afraid to try new weapons and discover new strategies to defeat your enemies! The diversity of NieR: Automata’s arsenal is designed so that every player can find their perfect combination, letting you fully personalize your combat experience.

On your epic adventure through a post-apocalyptic world full of dangers and mysteries, the swords and weapons of NieR: Automata are much more than simple tools; they are extensions of your will, symbols of power, history, and style that will accompany you in every battle. Whether you prefer the speed of a small sword, the brute force of a large sword, the strategic reach of a spear, or the relentless barrage of combat bracers, there is a weapon waiting to be mastered by you. Dive into the combat system, experiment with combinations, upgrade your arsenal, and unleash the full potential of your YoRHa androids. Are you ready to wield your weapon and face the unknown?

We hope this guide has been useful and inspires you to explore the wonderful world of NieR: Automata through its incredible swords and weapons. Have fun, and may luck always be on your side in your battles!

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