Beast Of Reincarnation: Best weapons
Overview & Key Takeaways
Over the course of Beast Of Reincarnation, you'll be able to find or purchase a variety of different Katanas for Emma to use in combat. Each of these weapons deals the same base damage, but they differ in their active effect. To activate the weapon's special effect, all you need to do is successfully parry an enemy attack; after that, the effect is active for 5 seconds.
As you might expect, some of these weapon effects are particularly potent, and some of the very best Katanas can in fact be obtained in the first few hours of the game, if you know where to look.
In this guide, I'll show you exactly how to get four of the very best early weapons in Beast Of Reincarnation as quickly as possible, and explain how their effects can be used to massively increase Emma's potential in combat. All of these weapons will see you handily through the entire game, as long as you keep them upgraded - so it's best to find them as early as possible!
Over the course of Beast Of Reincarnation, you'll be able to find or purchase a variety of different Katanas for Emma to use in combat. Each of these weapons deals the same base damage, but they differ in their active effect. To activate the weapon's special effect, all you need to do is successfully parry an enemy attack; after that, the effect is active for 5 seconds.
As you might expect, some of these weapon effects are particularly potent, and some of the very best Katanas can in fact be obtained in the first few hours of the game, if you know where to look.
In this guide, I'll show you exactly how to get four of the very best early weapons in Beast Of Reincarnation as quickly as possible, and explain how their effects can be used to massively increase Emma's potential in combat. All of these weapons will see you handily through the entire game, as long as you keep them upgraded - so it's best to find them as early as possible!
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Best weapons to get early on in Beast Of Reincarnation
Here are the very best weapons you can find early on in Beast Of Reincarnation, and which are worth upgrading as much as possible in the early-game:
| Weapon | Effect | Found In |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise Sword | Each swing of the blade blasts flames. | Chapter 4 |
| Bell Sword | Increases knockback/break damage. | Chapter 3 |
| Purity | Recover HP based on damage dealt. | Chapter 2 |
| Hazebringer | Adds acid buildup to the blade. | Chapter 5 |
Read on for our thoughts on each of these top-tier Katanas, and instructions on where to find each one.
Which weapon deals the most damage? An extra tip from Ollie
Ah, see, weapons work a bit differently in Beast Of Reincarnation, because they only differ in their effect which activates upon parrying an enemy. Every Katana you find in the game will deal the same amount of base damage as every other. Each one can be upgraded to deal more damage, but it's up to you where to spend your Amber.
That said, the effect of the weapon can itself affect the overall damage you deal. The three different Mechblades all increase the damage of particular attacks in Emma's regular combo, while the Cirrus sword gives you a flat (albeit smaller) damage increase for the effect duration. The Shark Cutter is another powerful flat damage weapon, because it increases Emma's and Koo's crit chance, which over time adds up to more damage.
Really though, damage shouldn't factor into your decision too much. It's far better to focus on effects which provide strong utility or which utilise an element that's particularly effective against your current foe(s).
1. Sunrise Sword
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Game Freak
Light Of Dawn: Each swing of the blade blasts flames.
The Sunrise Sword, unlockable in Chapter 4, is a standout in this list, because unlike other elemental Katanas like Hazebringer and the Hunter's Sword, this Katana's effect also increases the reach of your attacks. After parrying, you'll have 5 seconds where each swing sends flame arcing through your target.
It's very easy to apply the Burn and Scorch status effects on enemies with the Sunrise Sword, and in my experience these are more potent effects than Poison or Acid in most cases. But really it's the extended reach which puts this blade at the top of the list. Get this weapon as early as possible, and keep it upgraded as you progress, and it can easily remain your chosen sword for the rest of the game.
How to get Sunrise Sword:
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Game Freak
You can find the Sunrise Sword near the very beginning of Chapter 4. From your starting point at the Cleanse Walker, progress along the main path until you fight the various Fanatic Golems. Once they're beaten, the Taurus Nushi will appear and fight you. From this point onwards, the Sunrise Sword can be retrieved from the ground in the centre of the circle of Fanatic Golems.
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Game Freak
If you beat the Nushi first time, then you can turn around and retrieve the Sunrise Sword afterwards. But if you die to the Nushi, then when you respawn you can collect the Sunrise Sword (and start using it!) before re-engaging the Nushi.
2. Bell Sword
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Game Freak
Crushing Blade: Increases Emma's knockback (Enemies are easier to break).
The Bell Sword is one of the strongest early weapons you can find in Beast Of Reincarnation, not because of its knockback but because of the extra break damage you apply on each hit. Many enemies early on can provide a resilient challenge with their high health pools, and the best way to deal with them is by breaking their posture.
The Bell Sword functions perfectly well as an ordinary damage-dealer, but if you stick with it (and upgrade it!), you'll find that those extra moments where enemies are broken and left open for a riposte make it well worth the commitment.
How to get Bell Sword:
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Game Freak
The Bell Sword can be purchased from a Golem Merchant a short way into Chapter 3. Following the quest objective "Head to the source of the signal" will bring you to the outskirts of an arena, where you'll find the Mountain Plaza: Forefront Campsite. Near the Campsite is a Merchant. You can purchase the Bell Sword from him for 5,850x Amber.
Forgot to purchase? An extra tip from Ollie
If you don't purchase a weapon there and then when it first becomes available to you, don't worry! All Merchants in the game share their stockpile of items with one another after you first discover them. This merchant simply unlocks the Bell Sword for purchase at any shop in the game. You can even purchase the Bell Sword from Brad at the Cleanse Walker.
3. Purity
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Game Freak
Vampiric Blade: Recover Emma's HP based on damage dealt.
Purity is the earliest of the weapons on this list, available partway into Chapter 2. It's your standard, familiar vampiric blade: after parrying, every attack you land in the next 5 seconds will heal Emma up slightly.
Enemies hit hard in Beast Of Reincarnation, and while there is a good variety of healing options available later on (mainly thanks to Koo), applying a Stim is a bit of a sluggish process compared to most soulslikes. With Purity in your hands, you'll find the extra healing keeps you out of trouble, and allows you to maintain an aggressive playstyle well into the mid-game and even the late-game if you keep it upgraded.
How to get Purity:
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Game Freak
Purity can be purchased from the Ancient Golem Merchant in Chapter 2. You'll automatically encounter this Merchant as part of the main quest in the second map, shortly after taking the elevator down into the Underground Ruins. As you approach the Merchant, a cutscene will begin as Emma speaks to him about the locked gate and the generators. After the cutscene ends, you can speak with the Ancient Golem again and purchase the Purity Katana for 4,390x Amber.
4. Hazebringer
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Game Freak
Caustic Touch: Adds acid to the blade.
Hazebringer's effect is so simple it's almost dull, but Acid is a potent status effect in Beast Of Reincarnation. Most Golems are weak to Acid buildup, and seeing as more than half the enemies you'll ever face are Golems, that makes Hazebringer a pretty solid choice of early-game weapon.
5 seconds is often enough time to get in enough swings to corrode an enemy, but in those cases where it isn't enough, you can always help things along with some Acid Arrows - or vice versa!
How to get Hazebringer:
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Game Freak
Hazebringer is the latest sword in this list, obtained towards the end of Chapter 5 of Beast Of Reincarnation. Once you enter the Matsukawa Colony that dominates the map, take the central elevator down the central shaft. When you enter the room with the caged remains, you'll find Hazebringer on your right, before one of the cages.
Image credit: Rock Paper Shotgun/Game Freak
With any of these four top-tier early Katanas in hand - and as long as you put the time and resources into upgrading them along the way - you'll be able to carve your way through any enemy that stands in your way through most of the game. To complete your knowledge of how to increase Emma's and Koo's strength, you should next check out our guide to the best Skills in Beast Of Reincarnation. Elsewhere, we've got a Chapter 1 walkthrough to help you through the intro, and further guides on all Campsites, all Dragon Vein Shrines, all Keeper Golems, and all Bosses and Elites.
