FIELD NOTES / WEAPONS
Weapons: choose for the defense you use.
Start with the Saber if you still rely on blocking. The Rapier suits confident parries, while the Pistol covers ranged weak points and traversal growths. Choose an upgrade plan around those jobs before spending the rarest materials.[1][2]
Saber or Rapier?
| What happens in your fights? | Practical choice |
|---|---|
| You mistime parries and need a blocking fallback | Keep the Saber. Method recommends it for a rounded early build. |
| You already parry consistently and prefer that rhythm | Try the Rapier. Destructoid’s reviewer used it throughout; it cannot block. |
| You are choosing only by a damage ranking | Check the defensive trade-off first. A higher theoretical output does not compensate for a defense you cannot use. |
The last row is our decision rule, not a measured damage result. The two firsthand/review sources support different preferences rather than one universal best blade.[1][2]
Check the final upgrade locations
Method’s beginner recommendations include Ruthlessness for the Pistol and Pursuit for the Saber. Treat these as that author’s build preferences, not mandatory picks. Try the weapon before committing to its branch.[1]
PowerPyx’s trophy overview says it found only one final firearm part, but its dedicated material guide lists three: City of Orphans > Sewers, University > Main Hall, and the King of the Smugglers quest reward. Check that specific list before treating your first level-10 gun as your only possible one.[3]
A plan for your current stage
- No firearm yet: reach the Chapter 2 carriage; do not search for an early vendor pistol.
- Learning the Lothaire rematch: keep a defensive setup you can execute, and use the two-phase fight plan.
- Planning platinum: check the final-material warning before assigning rare upgrades.
Sources & verification
- Method · Callum Marshall ↗ (opens in a new tab)14 October 2026. Saber versus Rapier, beginner recommendations and upgrade branches.
- Destructoid · Andrej Barovic ↗ (opens in a new tab)12 October 2026, updated 13 October. Firsthand Rapier account and exploration trade-offs. PC review copy.
- PowerPyx · Gage · maximum-level material locations ↗ (opens in a new tab)13 October 2026. Dedicated location page lists three final materials per category; more specific than the conflicting trophy overview.