Hackers are underrated weapons, they are usually equipped by 2-cent bandits and cannibals, yet people are very quick to underestimate their power - armor penetration combined with a balanced ratio of cutting and blunt damage. Hackers do wonders in terms of dismemberment and leaving your foes dead. It’s also worth adding that hackers are effective at defeating robots and Skeletons, unfortunately, due to their bland looks and very little use in early-mid game, they remain the most underappreciated weapon class in the game. 

Lets bring out some of their pros - I will mention some of my favorite hacker blades and try to bring them the glory that they rightfully deserve!

5. Short-Cleaver

A mini-cleaver, for cutting off fingers and such!

This is the only hacker that can be equipped in the secondary weapon slot. If you’re a full-on hacker-class fanatic. Or maybe you just like to cut off other peoples’ limbs - up to you. It’s also surprisingly effective against robots and skeletons!

What makes this weapon great:

- 10% armor penetration

- 20% bonus damage against robots

- Only hacker blade that can fit in the secondary slot

More information:

https://kenshi.fandom.com/wiki/Short-Cleaver

4. Flesh Cleaver

A must-have in the cannibal territory.

Flesh Cleavers are obviously designed to work perfectly against humans - they deal extra damage to them and are usually carried by cannibals in the northern parts of the map. A fair balance between blunt and cutting damage, great for chopping off limbs here and there, and boy, if the target that you’re attacking doesn’t have any armor, he is DONE for!

What makes this weapon great:

- 20% bonus damage against Humans

- 15% bonus damage against Robots

- Pretty even cutting/blunt damage ratio

More information:

https://kenshi.fandom.com/wiki/Flesh_Cleaver

3. Moon Cleaver

Odd name for a cleaver…

I remember finding a Meitou version of the Moon Cleaver in one of the cult villages on a guy named “Preacher”. These guys are pretty weak, but they come in large quantities and if you end up getting knocked out, you’ll be tied to a pole and killed - be careful!

Deals a great chunk of damage against everyone, even more damage against robots, but a little bit less against the animals. Use this thing against heavily armored infantry, such as the Holy Nation fanatics or the Samurai pricks from the UC territories. 

What makes this weapon great:

- 1.54x cutting damage, 1.60x blunt damage

- Great against heavily armored infantry

- Effective against robots

More information:

https://kenshi.fandom.com/wiki/Moon_Cleaver

2. Long Cleaver

Long indeed!

Long Cleavers are better than the Moon Cleavers, simply because they have more armor penetration. This is your go-to weapon if you have a military formation of Samurais telling you to pay your taxes - it won’t end well for them, as Long Cleavers will easily cut through their armor and dismember their fragile limbs. An excellent weapon that requires plenty of strength to wield effectively!

What makes this weapon great:

- Excellent damage combined with 30% armor penetration

- Decent blood loss after inflicting wounds

- Decent reach for a hacker class weapon

More information:

https://kenshi.fandom.com/wiki/Long_Cleaver

1. Paladin’s Cross

Holy Nation only.

This massive piece of metal was designed to destroy robots and skeletons. From all the other previously mentioned hackers, this thing deals the biggest amount of blunt and cutting damage AND offers armor penetration - this is also the heaviest cleaver in the whole game. 

Paladin’s Cross is a late-game weapon, perfect for use in zones such as The Ashlands, The Sonorous Dark, Sniper Valley, and any other zone that’s infested with robots. Effective against human races, and a lot more effective against skeletons/robots!

What makes this weapon great;

- Whopping +50% bonus damage against robots

- Highest damage output from all the other cleavers

- Probably the best weapon to make if you want to make Cats!

More information:

https://kenshi.fandom.com/wiki/Paladin%27s_Cross

Summary:

All of these weapons can be found in weapon shops, although in the case of the Paladin’s Cross, you can find it in the Holy Nation territory, either on the guards or the HN weapon shops(ONLY GO THERE AS A HUMAN). 

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