The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →There is no single best weapon in Conan Exiles. The right choice depends on your Strength or Agility build, the target’s armor, the weapon’s moveset and stamina cost, and whether you can craft it or must earn it from bosses and legendary chests. Against armored enemies, armor penetration and Sunder can beat a higher raw-damage number; against unarmored enemies, raw damage and bleed usually matter more.
Godlike.Host offers hosted Conan Exiles servers with its own game panel, SFTP access and free DDoS protection, if you would rather not host it yourself.
How to choose the best weapon in Conan Exiles
Judge a weapon on five things rather than on its damage number alone:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Attribute scaling: Strength weapons generally include heavy maces, great axes and most swords. Daggers, katanas and short swords generally scale with Agility.
- Target defenses: Armor penetration and Sunder are especially valuable against heavily armored enemies. Raw damage and bleed become more valuable when armor is low.
- Moveset: Reach, attack speed, recovery time and the safety of each combo determine how much of the listed damage you can actually deliver.
- Stamina economy: Heavy attacks consume stamina, and Funcom has increased weapon stamina costs. A weapon that leaves you unable to dodge can be worse than a nominally weaker one.
- Availability: A craftable weapon you can replace immediately may be more useful than a stronger named weapon locked behind a boss, dungeon or legendary chest.
Use the tables and build sections below to narrow the choice for your character instead of looking for a universal ranking.
Conan Exiles weapon tiers explained
Funcom’s Age of War item framework separates end-game equipment into Legendary, Epic and Unique categories. The labels describe both power and acquisition, not simply color or rarity.
#1 Best Overall
- The Adventures of Conan is an asymmetrical dice game of exploration, sorcery and glorious combat set in the Hyborian age.
- Let your blade be sharp and your heart unyielding, for in the fray, only the bold claim victory!
- Each role brings new challenges and routes to victory
- All of the characters, adventures, and art are drawn from the Dark Horse Comics line of Conan titles, including Conan, Conan the Cimmerian, Conan the Slayer and more.
| Tier | How it is obtained | What it means | Examples or notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legendary | Loot-focused end-game sources such as bosses, chests and dungeons | The top of Funcom’s documented power scheme | Funcom describes Legendary weapon power as sitting “on top of the new balance scheme.” Legendary items cannot be crafted under the Age of War rules. |
| Epic | Crafted at end-game stations after learning the relevant recipes | Craftable end-game equipment | Khari Steel, Hardened Steel, Venomsteel and Star Metal are examples named in Funcom’s tier notes. |
| Unique | Special named acquisition, usually through particular content | Best-in-tier items that provide a power spike over ordinary items in the same tier | Unique items are below Legendary or Epic power in the documented scheme, although a particular Unique can still be the best practical choice for a build. |
Older Age of War information said Legendary equipment could not be repaired. That rule changed on July 21, 2026, when the Legacy of the Giant-Kings update restored Legendary repair. You can now restore battle-worn Legendary weapons and armor and keep them useful deeper into the end game. Treat any guide that still presents Legendary gear as permanently unrepairable as outdated.
Best weapons for Strength builds
Strength-oriented characters usually get the most value from heavy maces, great axes and most swords. These weapons reward deliberate spacing and committed attacks rather than constant light-hit pressure.
Recommended Free Tools
When a Strength weapon is the right answer
- Choose a heavy weapon when you can stay close enough to complete its attacks without being interrupted.
- Prioritize penetration or Sunder when the enemy is heavily armored.
- Use heavy attacks when their stronger hit or status effect creates a clear opening; do not spend all of your stamina before you need to evade.
Hanuman’s Gada
The current 2026 guide lists Hanuman’s Gada at 96 damage with 45% armor penetration and a Sunder effect. Those figures are patch-sensitive guide values, not permanent game constants. Its combination makes it a particularly strong Strength choice against armored targets: penetration reduces the protection that would otherwise blunt each hit, while Sunder helps pressure defenses over the fight.
The Gada is not automatically best against every enemy. If a target has little armor, a faster weapon with raw damage or bleed may finish the encounter more efficiently, and the Gada’s stamina and recovery demands still matter.
Mastodon Killer
Mastodon Killer is listed at 83 damage and 22% armor penetration for two-handed sword users. The lower listed damage and penetration than Hanuman’s Gada do not make it a bad weapon; the two-handed sword moveset, reach and attack timing may fit your playstyle better. It is a sensible named option for a Strength character who wants sword attacks and can manage their longer commitments.
Rank #2
- The treacherous waters of the Black Coast are filled with reavers and corsairs, as well as the infamous she-devil of the sea, Bêlit - the Queen of the Black Coast.
- New Adventures make these hazardous Encounters even more beneficial for Conan's foes.
- Delve deeper into the mighty Kingdoms with the Nemedian Chronicles expansion
- These expansions are contained in one box. The front cover features Queen of the Black Coast art and the back features Nemedian Chronicles art.
Best weapons for Agility builds
Agility weapons generally include daggers, katanas and short swords. Their advantage is often the ability to reposition, maintain pressure or exploit openings quickly rather than relying on one very large hit.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallMusashi’s Black Blade
The current guide lists Musashi’s Black Blade at 74 damage and 13.5% armor penetration. It uses a fast katana moveset and is therefore a natural fit for an Agility build. The listed penetration is lower than the value on Hanuman’s Gada, so the Black Blade is less focused on punching through extreme armor. Its speed and handling can nevertheless produce better real-world results when you can safely chain attacks and avoid retaliation.
Daggers and short swords
Daggers and short swords generally scale with Agility and suit players who prefer quick attacks and frequent repositioning. Against unarmored targets, raw damage and bleed can outweigh a slower weapon’s larger single-hit number. Against armored targets, check the weapon’s actual penetration and status effects before assuming speed alone will compensate.
Named weapons compared
The following values are the current guide’s examples and may change with a balance patch. They are not a universal tier list; each weapon occupies a different build and combat niche.
| Weapon | Typical build or class | Listed damage | Listed armor penetration | Special value | Best use case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanuman’s Gada | Strength; heavy mace | 96 | 45% | Sunder | Armored targets when you can manage a heavy moveset |
| Musashi’s Black Blade | Agility; katana | 74 | 13.5% | Fast katana moveset | Agility players who value speed and repositioning |
| Mastodon Killer | Strength; two-handed sword | 83 | 22% | Two-handed sword reach and moveset | Strength users who prefer sword attacks |
| Dragonbone weapons | Strength or Agility, depending on the weapon | High base damage; exact value varies by weapon | Not stated in the guide | Craftable family with reliable access | A strong replacement or progression option when named Legendary loot is unavailable |
Armor penetration, Sunder, bleed and raw damage
Enemy defense should determine which stat you value most.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Against armored enemies
Armor penetration is the direct answer to high protection. Sunder adds another layer of value by weakening defenses through the fight. That is why a weapon such as Hanuman’s Gada can outperform a weapon with a larger-looking raw number when the target is heavily armored.
Against unarmored enemies
When armor is not absorbing much damage, raw damage and bleed become more important. A fast blade that applies repeated attacks can outperform a slow, penetration-heavy weapon because more of its damage reaches the target immediately.
Do not compare damage in isolation
A listed damage value does not include the practical effect of range, animation length, stamina consumption, hit confirmation or a status effect. Compare complete attacks and the situations in which you can safely use them, not only the first number on the item card.
How weapon movesets and stamina change your choice
Funcom increased weapon stamina costs and made heavy attacks 5% to 20% stronger depending on weapon type. Heavy attacks can also apply effects such as bleed, Sunder or cripple. The exact increase is weapon-dependent, so treat the percentage as a balance-framework range rather than a promise that every weapon gains the same amount.
- Use heavy attacks for a reason: Commit when the stronger hit or status effect will create meaningful damage or an opening.
- Keep an escape reserve: Do not empty your stamina bar on a combo if the enemy can counterattack before you recover.
- Learn the full chain: The strongest hit may occur late in a combo. Test whether you can reach it safely against the enemy you are farming.
- Match reach to risk: A long two-handed weapon can keep you outside a shorter enemy’s range, while a fast blade may let you disengage sooner.
How to get craftable Dragonbone weapons
Dragonbone weapons are the most reliable high-base-damage route when you do not yet have a named Legendary. The current guide identifies a specific recipe path:
- Travel to The Sinkhole. Locate the stele at the bottom of The Sinkhole.
- Learn the recipes at the stele. The Dragonbone weapon recipes are learned there rather than treated as random chest drops.
- Collect dragon materials. Dragons provide Dragonbone and Dragonhorn.
- Return to your crafting setup. Craft the weapon once you have the required recipe and materials.
- Choose the weapon that matches your attributes. The family gives you a dependable high-base-damage option, but a Dragonbone weapon still has to fit your Strength or Agility investment and preferred moveset.
This route is valuable because it is repeatable: you are farming a recipe location and dragon materials rather than waiting for one named item to appear in a particular legendary chest.
How to obtain Legendary weapons
Legendary weapons are loot-focused end-game items and cannot be crafted under Funcom’s Age of War tier rules. The practical route is to build a repeatable boss-and-chest loop.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteUse world-boss content
The current guide covers Corrupted Crocodiles, the Giant Spider, the Cave Spider, the Sleeping Boss and Dragon bosses. Boss inventories and legendary chests can provide weapons or other gear. The exact item pool depends on the encounter and can change with patches, so do not treat a named drop as guaranteed unless the game currently displays it as such.
Collect Skeleton Keys
Some bosses provide Skeleton Keys when harvested. Keep those keys for the legendary chests associated with your farming route. A key is an access item, not proof that a particular weapon will drop; no authoritative complete drop-rate table is established for every encounter.
Run the Cave Spider route
The Skittering Cavern route is specifically associated with several named rewards or repeat-farm possibilities in the current guide: The Bane of Khosatral Khel, the Nemedian helm, the Akbitanan Throwing Knife and the Warspear of the Black Circle. Use the route when one of those items fits your build, and expect to repeat it because chest and boss rewards are loot-based.
Best Value
Prepare before a legendary run
- Bring a weapon whose scaling matches your current attributes so you are not relying on an untested moveset.
- Carry enough healing, repair supplies and spare equipment to survive a failed attempt.
- Leave inventory space for boss loot and keys.
- Record which bosses and chests you have already cleared so your next run is efficient.
A practical progression path
Start with a weapon you can replace
Early in a character’s life, access usually matters more than the theoretical ceiling of a weapon. Choose a craftable option that uses materials you can gather repeatedly and whose scaling matches your attributes. This lets you practice its combos without risking a rare drop.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Move to an Epic craftable
Epic equipment is craftable end-game gear. Examples in Funcom’s tier notes include Khari Steel, Hardened Steel, Venomsteel and Star Metal. When your crafting infrastructure and materials support one of these lines, it provides a dependable end-game baseline while you pursue named loot.
Use Dragonbone when high base damage is the priority
Dragonbone fills the gap between ordinary replaceable gear and difficult Legendary farming. Learn the recipes at The Sinkhole stele, gather Dragonbone and Dragonhorn from dragons, and craft the version that fits your build.
Farm Legendary weapons for a specific advantage
Do not farm blindly for the word “Legendary.” Target a named weapon because its scaling, penetration, status effect or moveset solves a problem your current weapon cannot. A Legendary item that conflicts with your attributes may be less useful than a craftable weapon you can wield at full effectiveness.
Which weapon is best for your situation?
| Your situation | Prioritize | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Strength build facing heavily armored enemies | High penetration, Sunder and a controlled heavy moveset | Defense reduction can matter more than the largest raw-damage figure |
| Agility build needing fast pressure | Katana, dagger or short-sword moveset with manageable stamina use | Speed and repositioning help you exploit openings |
| Unarmored target | Raw damage, attack frequency and bleed | Less of your damage is lost to armor |
| No access to Legendary bosses yet | Craftable Dragonbone or an Epic end-game weapon | You can replace and upgrade these through materials and recipes |
| Long-term Legendary farming | A reliable boss route, Skeleton Keys and enough repair capacity | Legendary gear is loot-focused, and the July 2026 update makes repairing it worthwhile |
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Calling one weapon universally best: Replace the question “What is the best weapon?” with “What is best for my build against this target?”
- Ignoring armor: A high damage value can underperform against a heavily armored enemy if penetration is poor.
- Ignoring stamina: Stronger heavy attacks are not free. Keep enough stamina to evade and recover.
- Assuming every named weapon is Legendary: Unique items are best-in-tier within their own tier, but the documented hierarchy places them below Legendary and Epic power.
- Using old repair advice: Legendary repair returned in the July 21, 2026 Legacy of the Giant-Kings update.
- Expecting a guaranteed drop: Boss inventories and legendary chests are loot sources, and a complete authoritative probability table is not established.
- Chasing a weapon that does not scale with your build: Attribute alignment and a usable moveset can outweigh a higher item-card number.
Bottom line for choosing a Conan Exiles weapon
Pick by build first, target armor second and access third. Strength players who fight armored enemies should investigate high-penetration weapons with Sunder, including the current guide’s Hanuman’s Gada example. Agility players who value speed should look at katana, dagger and short-sword movesets, with Musashi’s Black Blade as a named katana example. Mastodon Killer suits Strength users who prefer a two-handed sword. If Legendary farming is not yet practical, craftable Dragonbone weapons provide a repeatable high-base-damage option. Legendary items remain the documented end-game peak, but the best weapon for your character is the one whose scaling, effects, stamina demands and availability match the fight you are actually taking.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
