Starting Weapons Deepwoken: The Ultimate Guide To Choosing Your First Blade

Deepwoken is a game defined by its brutal difficulty, permadeath mechanics, and the steep learning curve that greets every new player. From the moment you wake up in the world of Erisia, every decision you make impacts your survival, and none is more critical than selecting your initial gear. Understanding the nuances of starting weapons deepwoken offers is the first step toward surviving the unforgiving depths and building a character that can withstand the trials ahead.Whether you are a newcomer trying to survive your first encounter or a veteran planning a specific build, the weapon you choose at the character creation screen dictates your early-game combat rhythm. In a world where one mistake can lead to the loss of a character, having the right tool for your playstyle isn't just a preference—it is a necessity for progression. The Deepwoken Starting Weapon Selection: Why Your First Choice MattersWhen you begin your journey, you are presented with three primary options: the Sword, the Battleaxe, and the Stiletto. While these may seem like basic choices, they represent the three core archetypes of physical combat in the game: Medium, Heavy, and Light. Your choice of starting weapons deepwoken provides will influence your initial attribute points and set the foundation for your "Mastery" path.Many players underestimate the importance of this initial choice, assuming they will find better gear quickly. While it is true that you will eventually upgrade your equipment, the early hours of the game are the most dangerous. If you choose a weapon that does not align with your intended stats or your personal reaction speed, you may find yourself struggling against even the most basic NPCs.The weapon you hold determines your swing speed, posture damage, and reach. In Deepwoken, combat is a dance of parrying and counter-attacking. If the rhythm of your weapon feels "off" to you, mastering the parry system becomes significantly harder. This guide will break down each option to ensure your first hour in the game isn't your last. The Versatile Sword: Why Most Players Pick the BladeThe Iron Sword is the most common choice among the starting weapons deepwoken offers for a very good reason: balance. Falling under the Medium Weapon category, the sword provides a middle ground in almost every statistic. It offers decent range, moderate swing speed, and reliable posture damage, making it the "Jack of all trades" for new players.Mastering the Medium Weapon RhythmChoosing the sword allows you to learn the core mechanics of the game without the penalties associated with heavier or lighter gear. The windup time for a sword swing is intuitive, which helps players learn how to "feint" and "parry" effectively. If you are unsure what build you want to pursue, the sword is the safest bet because it transitions well into almost any mid-game Medium Weapon build.Balanced Posture Damage and ReachOne of the key benefits of the sword is its ability to trade hits and break the guard of early-game enemies like the Megalodaunt or Erisian bandits. It doesn't have the massive weight of an axe, but it has enough "heft" to keep enemies at bay. For players who want a reliable experience while they explore the lore and world, the sword remains the gold standard of starting weapons deepwoken provides. The Heavy Battleaxe: High Damage for Strength BuildsIf you prefer a playstyle that rewards patience and massive burst damage, the Battleaxe is the standout choice. As the primary Heavy Weapon among the starting weapons deepwoken features, the Battleaxe is designed for players who want to overpower their opponents through sheer force and posture breaking.High Risk, High Reward CombatThe Battleaxe has a significantly slower swing speed than the sword or the stiletto. This means that if you miss a swing or get parried, you are left wide open for a counter-attack. However, when a hit lands, it deals substantial damage and drains the opponent's posture bar quickly. This makes it an excellent choice for players who are confident in their ability to time their attacks perfectly.Synergizing with Strength and FortitudeSelecting the Battleaxe often indicates a desire to build into the Strength or Fortitude attributes. These builds typically focus on becoming a "tank" that can absorb damage and then dish out a crushing blow. If your goal is to wield the massive Greatswords or Hammers found later in the game, starting with the Battleaxe is the most logical path to take. The Quick Stiletto: Mastering Speed and CriticalsFor those who value agility and rapid-fire attacks, the Stiletto is the premier Light Weapon option. Among the starting weapons deepwoken offers, the Stiletto is the fastest, allowing players to land multiple hits in the time it takes an axe user to swing once.Speed and Pressure over Raw PowerThe Stiletto does not deal much damage per hit, nor does it break posture easily. Instead, it relies on "pressure." By attacking quickly, you force your opponent to constantly parry or dodge, leaving them little room to breathe. The Stiletto also has a unique critical attack that can be used to reposition or catch an opponent off-guard.Ideal for Agility and Intelligence BuildsPlayers who choose the Stiletto often focus on Agility or Intelligence. These builds rely on mobility and "Mantra" usage (the game’s version of magic) rather than standing still and trading blows. If you prefer a "hit and run" playstyle or want to eventually use daggers and rapiers, the Stiletto is the best foundation you can choose.

Understanding Weapon Scaling and Early ProgressionAs you progress through the game, you will find that your starting weapons deepwoken gave you are just the beginning. Every weapon in the game "scales" with your stats. This means that as you level up your Strength, Agility, or Weapon Mastery, the damage output of your weapon increases.The Importance of the Training Vest and WeightsOnce you have picked your weapon, your next goal is to train. Deepwoken uses a unique progression system where you must use training items (like the Weight Vest or the Dumbbells) to "burn" the experience you earn from combat. If you chose the Battleaxe, you will spend much of your early game focused on physical training to maximize that heavy damage. Conversely, a Stiletto user might spend more time working on their footwork and speed.When to Swap Your Starting GearWhile the starting weapons are reliable, you will eventually encounter "Enchanted" or "Rare" versions of weapons in chests or from boss drops. Most players look to replace their starting weapons deepwoken provided within the first few hours. However, the muscle memory you build with your starting weapon type will stay with you. Transitioning from an Iron Sword to a specialized Broadsword is much easier than switching from a Stiletto to a Battleaxe mid-run. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Picking Your First WeaponMany players fall into traps during the character creation screen that can lead to a frustrating experience. Here are a few things to keep in mind regarding starting weapons deepwoken offers:Don't Pick Based on Aesthetics Alone: You might like the look of the axe, but if you find slow combat frustrating, you will struggle. Pick the weapon that matches your preferred reaction speed.Avoid Mismatched Stats: If you plan on being a heavy mage (Attunement focused), picking a Heavy Weapon might be difficult early on because both require heavy investment in different stats.Ignoring the Parry Window: Each weapon has a different "feel" for the parry-and-strike rhythm. Spend some time at the Isle of Vigils training with the instructors to ensure you understand the timing of your chosen blade. Staying Safe in the Depths: A Path ForwardChoosing from the starting weapons deepwoken provides is just the first step of a much longer journey. The game is designed to be learned through failure. Each time a character is lost, you gain more knowledge about how to handle the next one.If you find that your current weapon isn't working for you, don't be afraid to experiment with a new character. Deepwoken rewards players who understand the intricacies of their gear. Staying informed about the latest patches and weapon balances is also key, as the developers frequently tweak the stats of Light, Medium, and Heavy weapons to keep the meta fresh. Conclusion: The First Step Toward MasteryThe choice of starting weapons deepwoken offers players is a foundational element of the game's deep RPG systems. Whether you choose the balanced Sword, the crushing Battleaxe, or the lightning-fast Stiletto, you are choosing how you will interact with the world and its many dangers.Remember that in Deepwoken, your weapon is an extension of your character. It is the tool that will help you fell great beasts, parry the strikes of rival players, and ultimately survive the terrors of the Depths. Take the time to understand the scaling, the rhythm, and the stat requirements of your choice. With the right weapon in hand and a firm grasp of the game's mechanics, you are well on your way to becoming a legend in the shattered world of the Luminants. Stay vigilant, keep your guard up, and may your blade never fail you.