10. Excalibur
Excalibur Stats:
- Attack: 268
- Stagger: 268
Sharing the same name as the legendary sword, Excalibur is a well-designed and realistic-looking sword, which seems fitting for a swordsman set in a European-like setting. Unlike the legendary sword, it is not as legendary as you’d expect and can be quickly replaced if you do not grab the weapon as soon as it is available.
Like all weapons in Final Fantasy XVI, weapon progression is fairly linear; all weapons get better as you play through the story and complete side quests. This is no exception; you can find the blueprint hidden behind a side quest.
Excalibur Style Rating:
- Features a sleek metallic look—like a well-refined European weapon fit for a king!
- The detail on the weapon is incredible, albeit the hilt does seem to be a tad less sharp compared to the rest of the blade on close inspection.
How to get Excalibur:
Excalibur is part of the second part of Blacksmith Blue’s quest chain. You will need to complete Blacksmith Blue’s Part 1 to be able to start Part 2 of the quest, which rewards you with the Excalibur Design Draft upon completion.
9. Bright Burn
Brightburn Stats:
- Attack: 270
- Stagger: 270
Brightburn is another blade attainable in the latter stages of the game. Featuring a long, pointed, sharp edge with a peculiar shape, it seems to resemble a spear tip. Notably, this weapon is crafted right after the fight with Bahamut, the Eikon, who leads the Dragoons, a special unit that specializes in aerial spear combat. It's important to note that, like all weapons in Final Fantasy XVI, this one is part of the linear progression and the 9th strongest weapon in the game.
However, Brightburn serves a dual purpose: it is used as a component in the creation of Icebrand. It’s interesting to note that Brightburn’s weapon lore mentions a quote from the book of Eikonomachy, which might mean there’s more to the weapon than meets the eye.
Brightburn Style Rating:
- The weapon seems to feature a similar design to the dragoons armour and weaponry, which would make sense as this is made from Bahamut’s light shard.
- The weapon has Eikonomachy lore, which seems to only apply to weapons that are made from Eikon shards, which makes one wonder what it could mean.
How to get Brightburn:
You can craft the Black Hammer after acquiring the Light Shard from defeating Bahamut.
8. Rune Blade
Runeblade Stats:
- Attack: 275
- Stagger: 275
The Runeblade, featuring runes engraved on the base of the blade, is the 8th strongest weapon in the game! Like other weapons in Final Fantasy XVI, it’s the next step towards the strongest weapon.
It’s interesting to note that there is specific in-game lore for the weapon, which regards this weapon as one that religious sects believed to hold special power because of the runic markings that are unlocked by placing the runes in a specific order, likewise to those inscribed on the sword. Whether or not there is any special power within the blade is unknown, but it’s a stylish and uniquely shaped weapon.
Runeblade Style Rating:
- The Runeblade features detailed runic markings, similar to ornate blades.
- The blade has an interesting blade shape, which doesn’t seem very practical as a weapon.
How to get Runeblade:
This is available at Charon’s Toll at the start of A Song of Hope's main quest.
7. Icebrand
Icebrand Stats:
- Attack: 300
- Stagger: 300
Icebrand is a Shiva Ice-ability-inspired weapon—a blade with a sharp point like an icicle. Arguably one of the best-designed weapons in the game thanks to its unique shape, The Icebrand uses the Brightburn to craft it and is another weapon in the Eikonomachy series of weapons. Is there a hidden secret within this blade? We aren’t sure, but it sure is amusing how these Eikon-themed weapons have lore references to the Eikonomachy whereas other weapons do not.
Icebrand style rating:
- Featuring the cool icey colour, the sword is similar to symbolizing that wherever Clive goes, Jill is with him as his trusty companion.
- The sword is again referenced as an Eikonomachy weapon, which doesn’t have much context; we are unsure of what it may refer to, but it’s interesting to note that all Eikon-based weapons have a reference to the Eikonomachy.
How to get Icebrand:
You can craft this at Black Thron once you get the Ice Shard, which is part of the main story quest.
6. Masamune
Masamune Stats:
- Attack: 310
- Stagger: 310
Masamune is usually one of the strongest weapons in the Final Fantasy series, and it is no exception here. In a familiar shape, the sword resembles a katana, an eastern weapon wielded by samurais. In the weapon lore, it is mentioned that these blades are from the warriors on islands on the eastern coast of the southern continent who are busy fighting among themselves rather than invade others, which seems to be a reference to Japan, the land of the samurai.
Masamune style rating:
- Featuring a dark blade with a black hilt and black bandages, the blade holds a darker theme, seemingly to symbolize a weapon crafted in a land full of war and strife.
- Like all Final Fantasy games, the Masamune is close to being the strongest weapon in the game but isn’t actually the strongest.
How to get Masamune:
This is found in a chest in the Shadow Coast southwest of Rikmal’s Roost, close to Shiva’s Chronolith challenge.
5. Everdark
Everdark Stats:
- Attack: 315
- Stagger: 315
The Everdark is another Eikon-based weapon that you can get after defeating Odin. Featuring a dark, bold design with golden highlights to contrast, it’s an elegant blade. A personal favourite—simple yet elegant, it resembles Odin’s colour palette, which also features black, gold, and royal blue streaks.
Everdark style rating:
- The weapon features Odin’s colours; for those that enjoy Odin as their favourite Eikon, this is the weapon for you.
- As with all Eikon weapons, this also has a quote from the Eikonomachy.
How to get Everdark:
You can craft it by acquiring the Dark Shard from defeating Barnabas (second encounter). As with other Eikon weapons, you also need to have the previous version (Icebrand).
4. Defender
Defender Stats:
- Attack: 320
- Stagger: 320
Featuring a simple design, the Defender is similar to a regular steel sword with a large hilt. Lacking outstanding features, it’s a little disappointing as one of the late-game weapons. It lacks redeeming features and is weak on weapon lore, so it’s essentially just a stat stick. There’s not much to say about this weapon.
Defender style rating:
- It’s a bit disappointing, but it is the 4th strongest weapon in the game.
- When reinforced fully, it can reach a max stat of 340 attack and stagger, making it stronger than Ragnarok, which cannot be reinforced.
How to get Defender:
Available at Goetz's Toll in the "Streets of Madness" main quest.
3. Ragnarok
Ragnarok Stats:
- Attack: 325
- Stagger: 325
Ragnarok is the second-strongest weapon in the game and Blackthrone’s masterwork weapon. This is the weapon that is made from his entire quest chain. What’s interesting about this weapon is the weapon lore: Ragnarok is recorded in ancient Ashen legends as the event that marks the epic clash between Eikons to bright about the end; it seems to hint that the Final Fantasy XVI story is a fairy tale, but it's not explicitly stated, so we aren’t sure.
Ragnarok style rating:
- Featuring a sharp edge and a hilt outlined in black with streaks of gold, the blade has a refined look, similar to the weapon Ragnarok crafts into
- The lore is interesting and brings up more questions than answers.
How to get Ragnarok:
Complete Blackthorne’s Blacksmith Blue’s IV questline.
2. Gotterdammerung
Gotterdammerung Stats:
- Attack: 375
- Stagger: 375
The Gotterdammerung is the strongest weapon in the game before the new game plus; it's essentially an upgraded version of Ragnarok, hence the resembling construction. From the weapon lore, Ragnarok is meant to mark the war of the gods, and Gotterdammerung is the "twilight of the gods," a god-slayer sword.
Gotterdammerung style rating:
- Featuring sharp edges and a hilt outlined in black with streaks of gold, the blade has a refined look fitting of a god slayer.
- This weapon is the strongest weapon in the game for the first playthrough and is like an upgraded version of the Invictus, the first purple weapon Clive gets. The sword was handed down by Clives father, so it’s a fitting homage.
How to get Gotterdammerung:
This is crafted at Blackthorne using Ragnarok as a base (hence the resemblance). To get the Orichalcum, Darksteel, and Primitive Battlehorn, you need to complete almost all of the bounty hunts.
1. Ultima Weapon
Ultima Weapon Stats:
- Attack: 700
- Stagger: 700
The Ultima weapon, as it sounds, is the ultimate weapon in Final Fantasy XVI. This is a new-game weapon and the strongest weapon in Final Fantasy XVI. It’s worth mentioning because of how fabulous the weapon looks; featuring a blueish hue and a magnificent hilt, it’s a marvel to behold. This is the ultimate weapon, and its looks are unparalleled.
The only downside is that getting this weapon requires you to get pretty far into the new game and requires you to re-do the entire Blacksmith Blues’ question chain to get everything you need to craft it. It’s interesting to note that this weapon is also an eikonomachy weapon.
Ultima Blade Style Rating:
- Featuring a blueish hue and unique patterns, this is the best-looking and strongest weapon in Final Fantasy XVI.
- This weapon is part of the Eikonomachy weapons, so it seems to be an Eikon weapon, which makes sense as one of the components is gotten after you defeat Ultima and start a new game.
How to get the Ultima Weapon:
You have to get the reforged Everdark weapon, the reforged Gotterdammerung, and the Utterance of Creation; the blueprint is unlocked the moment you start a new game, but you cannot actually create the weapon until close to the end of the game.
