Octopath Traveler has easily cemented itself as one of the best modern JRPGs around, featuring an absolutely brilliant art style, tactically engaging combat, and a unique form of storytelling that — while definitely not to everyone's tastes — is still a novel attempt at trying to tell a narrative that makes each of the eight characters in Octopath Traveler feel all the more engaging and fleshed-out.
When it comes to the end-game battles in Octopath Traveler, it goes without saying that the player should be decked out with all the best weapons in the game so that their offensive abilities can match up to the true final boss of the game, which serves as one of the most challenging in video game history. Keeping this in mind, here are all the best weapons from each weapon class in Octopath Traveler. Obtaining these weapons will make the end-game all the more manageable.
Updated on September 30th, 2021 by Ritwik Mitra: The combat of Octopath Traveler is truly one-of-a-kind. It allows for some amazing moments as players smash their enemies with powerful spells, legendary weapons, and boosted abilities. The flexible job system allows players to employ a whole host of weapons that can be used to maximize damage in battle. There are six types of weapons present in the game, which were covered in depth in the original guide. However, plenty other great weapons exist in Octopath Traveler as well. With this in mind, we've updated each entry to include some other great options for each weapon type.
6 Best Sword: Battle-Tested Blade
The Battle-tested equipment is easily some of the best equipment in the entire game, and is bound to make appearances throughout this list... including the first topic of selecting the best sword in Octopath Traveler. While one might argue that Harald's Sword is better if one takes elemental damage into account as well, the fact of the matter is that the Battle-tested Blade's bonus to critical attacks coupled with its physical dominance easily places it on the very top of the best swords available in the game.
There are two ways to obtain this blade. Either purchase it from Erhardt in Wellspring for 84,000 leaves after completing Olberic's last chapter, or fight the townsperson in Lower Bolderfall by either provoking or challenging him.
Other Sword Options:
- Harald's Sword: Good elemental damage and increased fire potency. Finish the "Hello Again, Harald" side story to get this weapon.
- Werner's Sword: Powerful sword that always lands critical attacks but is risky to use due to low accuracy. Fight Werner in the final chapter of Olberic's tale to get this weapon.
- Dragon Saber: High-damage weapon with increase chances of landing a critical. This weapon can either be purchased or stolen from Swordsman Yuri, Joshua Frostblade, or Eliza Woodward. It can also be obtained from the general store in Riverford after unlocking the New Weapons For Sale bonus for this town.
5 Best Polearm: Forbidden Spear
One of the rare instances when a Forbidden weapon is actually the best weapon in its class, the Forbidden Spear features massive bonuses to both the physical and magical attack of a party member... albeit at the cost of speed. However, bearing this penalty is worth it for the massive stat bonuses of this Forbidden weapon.
This weapon can be purchased from an NPC residing in a blocked house in Quarrycrest for 69,000 leaves. The Battle-tested Spear is also a great weapon, but the magical damage bonus that one can receive from the Forbidden Spear makes it a more well-rounded and effective polearm to use in battle.
Other Polearm Options:
- Battle-tested Spear: This spear has the highest physical damage in the game and a good chance of landing criticals. Either purchase or steal this weapon from Leon Bastralle. Alternatively, players can also challenge or provoke the elderly woman in Rippletide.
- Master's Spear: Another hard-hitting spear with great critical hit chances. This item can be purchased or stolen from Conrad. Alternatively, players can obtain this weapon from a chest in the Marsalim Catacombs.
- Seraphim Spear: This powerful spear increases the user's speed substantially. Either challenge or provoke the townsperson in Stonegard Valleys. Alternatively, the spear can also be bought at the armorer in Grandport.
4 Best Axe: Battle-Tested Axe
In the axes department, the Battle-tested Axe ends up dwarfing every other weapon in the game in terms of sheer attacking power. It's an absolutely brutal weapon, and the fact that it also increases the level of lightning and ice damage dealt by a caster makes it even more of a useful asset in particularly challenging battles.
While the Memorial Axe and Forbidden Axe might also be great in their own right, the Battle-tested Axe wins for the same reason the Forbidden Staff won the polearm debate — the fact that this weapon increases both physical and elemental attack makes it a win-win in all departments.
The only way to obtain this axe is to purchase it from an NPC called Ned in Victor's Hollow.
Other Axe Options:
- Memorial Axe: This axe has the highest physical damage stat, along with a speed bonus. Complete the "Zeph and Mercedes (II)" side story to get this weapon.
- Forbidden Axe: This powerful axe decreases accuracy but increases speed. Obtain it from an NPC in Wellspring.
- Death Cleaver: This deadly axe increases critical hit chance and inflicts poison too. Found in a chest in Everhold Tunnels. Alternatively, this weapon can be taken from either Omar, or an NPC in Wispermill.
3 Best Dagger: Battle-Tested Dagger
Another Battle-tested weapon ends up stealing the crown once again. The Battle-tested Dagger sports excellent damage and an evasion bonus that will certainly serve as a lucky charm for any character who wishes to avoid as much damage as possible within the limits of Octopath Traveler. It also has a chance of reducing the target's accuracy, which makes this weapon even more of a brilliant addition to the party's arsenal.
This weapon can only be obtained after finishing Alfyn's final chapter and interacting with the boss, Vanessa Hysel. One can either purchase or steal the weapon from Vanessa, which will make life easier for the thief in the party.
Other Dagger Options:
- Viper Dagger: Increases speed and inflicts poison. It's found in a locked chest in the Marsalim Catacombs. Alternatively, it can be purchased or stolen from a villager in Duskbarrow or the Bandit Leader in the Forest of No Return.
- Forbidden Dagger: Boasts high physical and elemental damage, at the cost of reducing the potency of fire and dark damage. Purchase it from a dancer in Stillsnow, or get it from chests in both the Forest of Purgation and Maw of the Ice Dragon.
- Legion Dagger: Increases evasion substantially. Can be found in the shop in Everhold, purchased or stolen from Alaic, taken from the laborer in Quarrycrest after defeating him, and obtained from a chest in the Grandport Sewers.
2 Best Bow: Transcendent Bow Of Shadows
This is another rare instance of a Battle-tested piece of equipment missing out on the label of being the best weapon of its class in the game. The Transcendent Bow of Shadows has pretty much everything going for it in terms of being one of the coolest weapons one can wield in Octopath Traveler — including its name. It might not reach the physical damage levels of the Battle-tested Bow, but its elemental attack bonus more than makes up for it. It turns this weapon into a well-rounded bow that will serve as a perfect middle-ground for any archer with a knack for sorcery.
To obtain this weapon, the player must complete the Shadow over the Sands quest. The boss fight at the end of this quest is no slouch, and players need to be prepared to face off against some of the toughest enemies in the game.
Other Bow Options:
- Battle-tested Bow: This bow has the highest physical damage and a great critical rate bonus too. Purchase or steal it from Z'aanta. Alternatively, players can defeat the Old Storyteller in S'warkii to get it.
- Forbidden Bow: This bow also has massive physical damage and critical rate bonuses, but at the cost of an increased encounter rate. It's available on an NPC in Goldshore.
- Improved Bow of the Eagle: Boosts both physical and elemental damage. Obtained as a hidden item in Duskbarrow or a chest in Loch of the Lost King.
1 Best Staff: Battle-Tested Staff
While the other weapons on this list might have faced some close competition from other pieces of offensive equipment, the Battle-tested Staff overshadows every other staff in the game through its truly incredible stats. Only the Bishop's Staff would be even remotely comparable.
Given how powerful this weapon is, it goes without saying that players need to be stocked up on leaves to afford the same. The Battle-tested Staff can be bought for 90,000 leaves after completing Ophelia's story, with Bishop Bartolo selling it in Saintsbridge after the events of her story. Of course, if the player wants to get this weapon free of cost, then they can always try challenging or provoking the Elderly Woman in Clearsprings. However, trying to obtain this weapon in such a manner is easier said than done.
Other Staff Options:
- Giant's Club: This staff boasts a surprisingly high physical attack stat. Players can obtain it in a chest in the Ebony Grotto, or it can be purchased or stolen from the Elderly Woman in Lower Riverford.
- Forbidden Staff: Increases elemental damage, but penalizes physical damage. Can be purchased from the Kindly Cleric in Saintsbridge Cathedral.
- Morning Star: This staff has a greater focus on physical damage, and can be bought from the general store in Wispermill. Alternatively, players can purchase or steal it from the merchant in the Grandport Bazaar.