The Ultimate Guide to RPG Weapon Types: Create Iconic In-Game Gear TechTricks365

Role-playing games (RPG) are some of the most hyped game genres in recent times. This is because a deep narrative, a world of adventure, quests, and gear including weapons and armor, drives them. 

In RPGs, weapons are more than just a tool to inflict damage, they are extensions of a character’s identity and often have a backstory of their own. For instance, Kratos’ Blades of Chaos are just as iconic as the character and also have an ominous backstory. 

These RPG weapons play a very important role in the game’s narrative and economy. In fact, the most popular in-game items bought are skins, in-game currencies, expansion packs, or loot boxes, which include weapons. 

According to Newzoo, microtransactions made up 83% of in-game revenue in AAA and F2P games. We have talked high praises for in-game weapons but what exactly are they? Basically, any weapon wielded by a character in an RPG game is called an RPG weapon. 

Let’s dive deeper into the various categories and types of RPG weapons. 

Categories of Weapons in RPG Games

Typically, there are five primary categories of weapons in RPGs. These include melee, ranged, magic, throwables, and special weapons. Besides these, some games also feature iconic weapons like Kratos’s Leviathan’s Axe or Dante’s Rebellion. The different types of weapons in RPGs are based on the storyline and the timeline of the game. 

Let’s explore the various categories of RPG weapons and gear. 

Melee Weapons

Melees are among the most iconic and popular video game weapons of all time. All the names I listed above were melee weapons. They are designed for close-quarter combat and require players to get close to the enemy to engage them (with some exceptions). Within the melee category, there are various types of weapons: 

• Swords: These are probably the most iconic RPG weapon type. Most RPGs feature characters with swords. Zelda’s Master Sword, Halo’s Energy Swords, Kingdom Heart’s Keyblade, and Final Fantasy’s Buster Blade are all popular swords in video games. 
• Daggers and Knives: Daggers and knives are light, agile, and designed for stealth-based characters who prefer assassinations. Assassin’s Creed’s Hidden Blade is probably the most iconic RPG dagger in modern video gaming history. 
• Hammers: Blunt weapons used to smash through deep defenses. While they are significantly slower than daggers or swords, they are very powerful and can deal heavy damage with just a single strike. They are mostly used by heavy character classes like paladins or trolls. Jayce’s Mercury Hammer in League of Legends is one of the most iconic video game hammers. 
• Axes: These are the primary weapons of brutes and barbarians. RPG Axes are also slower than conventional swords but can deal massive damage. Kratos Leviathan’s Axe is the first one that comes to mind when talking about Axe weapons. 
• Spears: Polearms like spears and halberds are perfect for long-range melee combat. This allows players to maintain a distance while also inflicting decent damage on enemies. Final Fantasy’s Zodiac Spear and AC: Valhalla’s Gungnir are some of the most iconic spear weapons in RPGs. 

Ranged Weapons

Ranged weapons are used to inflict damage without getting too close to the enemy. Unlike melee weapons, these can be used from a distance. While some ranged weapons can be elemental like bows and arrows, others are purely mechanical like guns and rifles. The type of ranged weapon depends on the RPG setting, era, and game mechanics. Fantasy RPG gear usually involved bows instead of guns. 

• Bow and Arrows: Bows are one of the most common ranged weapons in fantasy RPGs. They allow players to shoot sharp projectiles from a distance, inflicting decent damage while being safe. Moreover, some games also allow bows to be enhanced with elemental effects like ice, fire, thunder, or earth, increasing their effectiveness even more. 
• Guns: These are the most popular RPG weapon. Plain conventional guns serve as a secondary weapon in most modern RPGs and are perfect for close-to-mid-range combat. Within guns, there are various types including Shotguns, Pistols, Automatic Rifles, and Marksman Rifles. 
• Rifles: Long-range weapons designed for precision. Rifles are the perfect weapon to kill enemies without even revealing the player’s position. In tactical RPGs like Splinter Cell or Hitman, Mid-range Rifles and Sniper Rifles are widely used. 
• Crossbows: While they are slower than traditional bows, crossbows deal massive damage with a single hit. They are used for precise, powerful headshots that can take down an enemy in a single shot. Link’s crossbow and the Full Moon Crossbow from Elden Ring are some of the most popular crossbows in RPG games. 

Throwable Weapons

As the name suggests, these are weapons that players throw towards the enemy. These weapons are a mix of melee and ranged as they can be used in a variety of situations. Ordanances like grenades and Molotovs are also a type of throwable/projectile weapons. These types of RPG weapons are available in both modern as well as fantasy RPGs, making them a crucial element in RPG combat mechanics. 

• Throwing Knives: Light, fast, and perfect for precise attacks. Throwing knives are perfect for maintaining stealth and taking down enemies one by one without being detected. Games like Red Dead Redemption 2, Hitman, Assassin’s Creed, Dark Souls, and Mafia all feature throwing knives. 
• Boomerangs: These types of RPG weapons are very common in fantasy RPGs with a magical element. Boomerangs are able to take down multiple enemies at once and also return to the player. 
• Javelins: One of the most common throwable weapons in RPG video games. Javelins and lances are heavy weapons that deal massive damage but also slow down the player. They are best used from a distance as they take time to aim and also have a cooldown. 
• Chakrams: Chakrams are flying discs that are common in oriental and Indian RPGs. They are circular razor-sharp weapons that can be used for both melee and ranged attacks. Games like Xena: Warrior Princess, Diablo 3, and Outward feature Chakrams. 
• Grenades and Molotovs: These are some of the most common weapons in RPGs and other video game genres. Players can throw them to deal area damage and take down multiple enemies at once.  

Magical Weapons

These types of video game weapons utilize magical arcane powers to damage enemies or even provide special benefits to the player’s party. Magical weapons are a staple of fantasy RPGs, blending combat with spellcasting, buffs, and debuffs. They are primarily used by mages, clerics, and wizards. 

• Grimories/Tomes: Books filled with magical spells and magical techniques. These are used by mages for inflicting damage and even healing party members. Grimories or spellbooks are very popular in games like Elden Ring and Japanese RPGs like Black Clover. 
• Amulets: These are not your conventional weapons but more like RPG gear. Amulets are worn by the player to either boost their stats or protect against status effects. They can be used for either defense, offense, or special abilities depending on the Amulet’s power. Games like God of War, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Elden Ring utilize amulets are part of the player’s build. 
• Wands/Staff: Wands are magical weapons for rapid spellcasting and dealing with damage. Harry Potter games and Hogwarts Legacy are some popular games where the player primarily uses a wand to cast and channel between different spells. 

Special Weapons

These types of RPG weapons do not fall under the spectrum of melee, ranged, throwable, or magical weapons. They are unique weapons that often have special abilities and traits like enhanced damage or status effects. Special weapons are usually unlocked after completing a certain condition. For instance, weapons like Gungnir, Muramasa Blade, Pandora’s Box, or Mjolnir appear in various video game franchises. 

• Chain Weapons: Mid-range weapons that allow players to attack from a distance and also entangle enemies for grapple attacks. It can be used to hit multiple enemies at the same time, which is quite different from most other melee weapons. Kratos’ iconic Blades of Chaos are the most popular chain RPG weapons. 
• Special Swords: Swords like Masamune or Muramasa feature various effects and even curses. For example, in the Golden Sun franchise, Muramasa has a very high attack stat but cannot be unequipped without NPC assistance. Some other notable special swords are The Seven-Branched Sword, Excalibur, and Durandal. 
• Blowpipes: Ghost of Tsushima introduced the Blowpipe weapon that shoots poison darts at enemies without revealing the player’s location. 
• Legendary Weapons: Many game franchises feature legendary weapons as part of the endgame. These are overpowered weapons with maxed-out stats and unique abilities. Some common examples are Master Sword from The Legend of Zelda, Mjolnir & Gungnir from AC: Valhalla, BFG9000 from Doom, Energy Sword from Halo, and Water Sword from Prince of Persia: Warrior Within. 

Essential Tips for RPG Weapons Creation

By now, you must have understood the various types of RPG weapons and how they are used in combat. However, as a game developer, you also need to understand how to create your unique RPG game weapons to ensure they remain as iconic as the main character. Here are some tips to get you started: 

• Game Theme: The theme of your RPG game will determine the types of weapons. The weapons should align with the time period, era, technology level, and game story. You cannot include guns in a game set in the medieval or ancient period. 
• Balance Gameplay: It is important to ensure that no one weapon is like a cheat code. Each weapon should have its own strengths and weaknesses to maintain proper balance in the combat mechanics. If you want to include an overpowered weapon, you can introduce it in the endgame after the player meets certain conditions. 
• Diverse Weapon Pool: Since there are a wide variety of RPG weapon types, your game should include a varied weapon pool. This allows players to choose the one most suited to their playstyle and create their own custom builds. 
• Weapon Upgrades: As the players progress in the game, they should be able to unlock various materials that let them upgrade their favorite weapons. This encourages players to grind and spend more time in the game. 
• Weapon Customization: Most RPGs feature weapon customization features like adding enchantments or attachments to boost its efficiency. This boosts the weapon’s power and also unlocks new abilities. 
• Weapon Lore: The most iconic weapons in the gaming industry have a backstory to them. To make your RPG weapon memorable, give it a purpose for existing that aligns seamlessly with the game lore. Example: Kratos’ Blades of Chaos.
• Aesthetics: Most players choose their favorite weapon based on how they look and feel. Focus on various aspects like shape, color, and special effects to make the weapon ‘cool’ in its own right. 
• Unique Abilities: Give each weapon a unique bonus or power-ups like elemental status effects, high critical rate, or special attacks. This ensures that each weapon has its own usage and stands out from others. 
• Accessibility: Make sure that each weapon has a balanced learning curve. A weapon that is too difficult to use is very frustrating for the players. 

By following these tips you can effectively create unique and balanced RPG weapons for your game. But how do you create a weapon that stands out? Let’s explore the tools and technologies you can use for weapon creation. 

Best Tools for Creating Various Types of RPG Weapons

Let’s explore the best tools and technologies for creating various types of RPG weapons. 

Game Development Engines

Game engines like Unity and Unreal feature readymade assets to help you build your game. This can simplify the entire development process and help you build your game assets quickly. 

3D Modeling Software

Game development software like Blender and Maya can help you create realistic 3D models of your weapons. This will help you finalize the shape, size, texture, color, and special effects of your RPG weapon. 

Texture Painting Software

The color and effects of your weapon are crucial for an aesthetic look. Tools like Substance Painter or Photoshop will help you add details like color, materials, and surface details to make your weapon look and feel more realistic. 

Asset Marketplaces

Game engines like Unity Asset Store or the Unreal Engine Marketplace offer several pre-built 3D models and animations that can help you create game assets without developing them from scratch.

Sound Design Tools

Sound effects like slashing and gunshots are an integral element in ensuring an optimal weapon experience. Use tools like Audacity or FL Studio to create audio effects that will enhance your weapon. 

Most Iconic RPG Weapons of All Time

Over the years, the gaming industry has had various iconic weapons that play a crucial role in the game narrative and story. We have listed the best RPG weapons ever created by top designers and game development studios. 

Dante’s Rebellion (Devil May Cry Series)

Rebellion is a lot more than just a sword. For gamers, it holds an emotional significance as the last keepsake from Dante’s father, Demon Knight Sparda. In the early installments of the game, Rebellion played a crucial role in unlocking Dante’s hidden potential and achieving the Devil Trigger form. Along with Ebony and Ivory (Dante’s pistols), Rebellion is undoubtedly one of the best RPG weapons of all time. 

The Master Sword (Legend of Zelda Series)

The Master Sword is only wieldable by a hero who has a pure heart. It is known by various names including The Blade of Evil’s Bane and The Sword That Seals the Darkness, adding to its legendary status. Ever since its debut in 1986, it has been featured in all Legend of Zelda games, solidifying its iconic status. 

Blades of Chaos (God of War Series)

Real gamers know that Blades of Chaos will always be Kratos’ weapon of choice. Before the Leviathan’s Axe was even a thing, Blades of Chaos held a special place in every gamer’s hearts. The blades were one of the major reasons why Kratos was able to defeat gods and rose to power after being betrayed by Zeus. While the Leviathan Axe is iconic in its own right, the Blades of Chaos will remain one of the best video game weapons of all time. 

Buster Sword (Final Fantasy Series)

While Final Fantasy is known for having various iconic weapons, the Buster Sword is easily the best one. The weapon was given to Cloud Strife by Zack Fair in a very emotional scene, which adds to the significance of the blade. Not to mention, when the Buster Sword split into small parts in the final fight against Sephiroth. 

The Energy Sword (Halo Series)

The sword’s sci-fi design combined with its one-hit-kill made it one of the most sought-after swords in the Halo series. Besides its effectiveness, the Energy Sword also holds emotional value for players because of its association with The Arbiter, a beloved character from the franchise. 

Want to Design Custom RPG Weapons? Partner with BR Softech

At BR Softech, we specialize in creating various types of game assets including weapons. We are known for our game art design services and help our clients create custom, unique weapons like iconic melee weapons, swords, sci-fi firearms, and unique throwables. We excel in creating weapons that are not only balanced but also look cool and aesthetic. 

Each weapon is designed with your game lore in mind and ties very well with your game narrative. Whether you need weapons for a fantasy world, a post-apocalyptic barren wasteland, or futuristic tech, we create weapons that stand out from the plethora of weapons in the gaming world. Here are some reasons why we must be your go-to choice for RPG weapon creation: 

• Weapon Concept Design: We create the concept of your custom weapons including 3D models and detailed sketches. 
• Weapon Lore: We make sure the weapon ties seamlessly with the game lore and has a rich backstory related to the main character or antagonist. 
• Weapon Balancing: Our developers code the combat mechanics so no one weapon has an edge over others. All the weapons are balanced with their own pros and cons. 
• Seamless Animations: With smooth animations and special visual effects, our weapons take immersion to the next level.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)