The release of God Eater 3 on the Nintendo Switch has shown exactly how well a port from the PC and the PlayStation 4 can be, sacrificing some minor graphics and appearances, but maintaining a fluid, fantastic looking frame rate and adding some much-needed multiplayer additions. If this is your first time playing through a game like this, read on through to get a glimpse into what each weapon can offer in terms of utility and playstyle.
Each weapon is viable for all points of the game, but for the sake of new or returning players, they are being presented in broad groups from the easiest to use down to the most complicated.
The Short Blade
This is an excellent weapon for all players to learn and master. It is versatile and provides excellent utility in the air, as you can Air Dash. Mobility is already a strong point in God Eater 3. This helps even more and should be one you master ASAP. Short Blade is a versatile weapon with great utility in the air. It grants you the ability to perform Air Dash that has invisibility frames.
With a total attack of 90 with 45 Sunder and 45 pierce damage, this weapon does it all, and can be good for “beginners” who do not yet grasp the slower weapons. Rising Edge can be performed by pressing R + Y, and moves like an uppercut slash to shift your momentum from ground to aerial combat. This is also a great weapon choice for inflicting status ailments.
The Long Blade
Getting used to this weapon takes a moment because of how far forward your character slides with each attack. With that in mind, mastering it can provide excellent ranging options for dealing with enemies since you can stay at a safe distance and then close the gap easily with the long reach of the blade.
As a wide-sweeping, medium speed weapon that does 110 Sunder damage, this is another excellent choice against almost any foe. Its special ability is the Zero Stance, which cancels the backswing of your attacks, allowing for a quick, short-range blast to hit the enemy and restore stamina.
Charge Spear
This weapon is highly effective for players who prefer to move in quickly for a few precise strikes and then retreat to safety. Charge Glide is an ability that can be performed on the ground and in the air. The special ability of the move is the Backflip, which can quickly escape danger and is more effective than simply stepping back or to the side.
Players can often use this weapon when dealing with a new enemy that is giving them trouble. Since a large part of progressing through this game, much like any Monster Hunter type game, is learning the moves of the opponent to know when to counter with a series of attacks, the Charge Spear lets you experiment and retreat in a manner that is more forgiving than with other weapons.
Variant Scythe
Here is the weapon with the widest range of horizontal attacks, making it useful against faster enemies who would otherwise dodge a weapon with a narrow attack. Its special ability is the Extend Bite, which consumes stamina and has a number of finishing moves.
The Variant Scythe provides utility for the player depending on their needs. Round Fang increases the damage at its furthest point, while additional swings can restore OP, or hitting X instead provides a massive Vertical Fang attack that slams the ground.
Due to its fantastic range, surprising speed, and utility, this is an excellent weapon for beginner, as well as a strong choice for later in the game.
Biting Edge
Our starting weapon is a bit of a mixed bag, but useful, nonetheless. As seen in the tutorial missions, the default form of our weapon offers dual-wielding attacks, while combining them creates the Glaive and provides a different series of attacks that significantly boosts overall damage.
The practicality of this infinite combo is limited to your ability to manage the switch between the stances and the recovery of stamina. Make no mistake, with an aggressive playstyle and proper stamina recovery planning, this is a beast of a weapon, but wasted entirely if those previous points are not kept in mind.
This makes the Biting Edge less of a beginner weapon and more advanced, but is one you should pick up eventually to master. Once you manage to land a total of twenty hits in this mode, you receive a damage boost that is indicated by a red glow. In this sense, one must weigh out the pros and cons of whether this weapon is for them. Some love the boost, while others prefer weapons with consistency.
Buster Blade
These weapons are infused with the spirit of Cloud from Final Fantasy VII. The Buster Blade offers the potential for massive damage but requires both patience and knowledge of an enemy’s movements. Much like the Axe in Dauntless, the Buster Blade can be held in a charging position to deliver an amplified strike.
With that in mind, the potential is wasted if you are knocked back before you can connect, but with time, this can be one of the most satisfying weapons to use as you charge up a single devastating strike to an opponent.
In addition, the weapon offers mobility through its Charge Rush and defensive capabilities through its special ability of the Parrying Upper, which shields your front from incoming attacks.
Boost Hammer
Similar to the Buster Sword, this weapon is useful when one knows the moves of the opponent due to its short range. Players will need to be up and personal with the Aragami to inflict damage, which can be a real danger zone for newer players who do not know what might be coming as an attack.
The Boost Hammer’s special ability is called Boost Ignition, which either spins forward in an attacking dash, or can be used stationary. Once again, this is a great weapon, but not for beginners.
Heavy Moon
The Heavy Moon is a favorite to some players because it is such a hybrid tool for fighting. It is not ideal for beginners as it offers three forms to choose from: Chakram, Axe, and Saw.
The Chakram form provides fast-moving slash attacks, perfect for quick engagements.
The Axe form does a mix of Slash and Crush attacks, which has the unique effect of adding to your OP Gauge, allowing it to max out at 150 OP. The Moon Axe attack can be triggered with R+Y followed by Moon Slash by pressing Triangle at no extra stamina cost.
Finally, Saw form grants a chargeable Raging Moon attack that can have its duration increased in what appears to be a brutal chainsaw-style of attack.
The Heavy Moon is a fantastic weapon that is highly enjoyable, but we place it at the bottom of this list simply because it is not one a newer player should take. On a side note, this weapon wins the unofficial award for: “Makes your character’s body flail and bend in ways that look straight out of Looney Toons”.
Gun Variants
The four-gun variants for a God Arc are the Ray Gun, Shotgun, Sniper, and Assault. Each is useful in its own way, but a primary source of damage due to the bullet and reload mechanics. Bullets, too, have elemental properties that can be selected to further damage an opponent or heal teammates.
Unlike the first eight weapons covered, the Gun Variant is mostly left to preference, as most of your damage and strategy should revolve around learning an Aragami’s movement and when to move in.
