The Most Overpowered Starting Weapons In RPGs Ranked

Role-playing games usually follow a standard progression curve where players start with rusty swords and weak spells before slowly acquiring legendary gear. Some games break this tradition by offering weapons in the opening hours that completely destroy the difficulty balance. These items might require secret knowledge or specific exploits to obtain so early in the narrative. Having such destructive power at the start changes the entire experience of the journey.

‘Dead Space’ (2008)

The Plasma Cutter is technically an engineering tool that Isaac Clarke acquires within the first few minutes of the game. It serves as the default weapon but offers distinct advantages over almost every other firearm available later. The ability to change the firing orientation allows players to dismember necromorph limbs with extreme precision. Fully upgrading this starter gun often yields better results than experimenting with heavy military hardware.

‘Mass Effect 2’ (2010)

Players who purchase the Firepower Pack DLC gain immediate access to the Geth Plasma Shotgun. This weapon features a unique charging mechanic that increases damage and tightens the projectile spread. It deals extra damage against shields and barriers which makes it highly effective against the toughest enemies in the game. Shepard can carry this shotgun from the very first mission to the final suicide run without feeling underpowered.

‘Dragon Age: Inquisition’ (2014)

The Flames of the Inquisition weapons pack provides the Inquisitor with high-level gear right after the prologue. These items include a staff, dagger, greatsword, and bow that far outstrip the stats of standard loot found in the Hinterlands. The weapons also come with unique schematics that allow players to craft even stronger versions later. Using this gear trivializes the early combat encounters and resource gathering phases.

‘Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning’ (2012)

The Fate-Touched weapons pack grants the Fateless One a set of gear that boosts experience gain and damage output. These weapons include a longsword, greatsword, hammer, and daggers that decimate early foes. The elemental damage bonuses on these items allow players to bypass the resistances of many starting enemies. Using them accelerates the leveling process significantly during the initial hours of the campaign.

‘Final Fantasy VII’ (1997)

Cloud Strife begins his journey with the Buster Sword which possesses surprisingly high stats for a starting weapon. This massive blade offers two materia slots connected by a link and boasts a high attack power that holds up for a significant portion of the first disc. Most RPG protagonists start with rusty knives or wooden sticks but Cloud enters the fray with a soldier-grade slab of iron. Players often keep it equipped purely for its iconic look and reliable damage output.

‘Borderlands 2’ (2012)

The Gearbox Gold Guns pack gives Vault Hunters a set of golden weapons immediately upon starting the game. These firearms have better stats and accuracy than the rusted junk weapons usually found in the glacial starting area. Having a reliable sniper rifle and SMG from the outset makes the early bullymong fights much easier to manage. The weapons help players bridge the gap until they start finding rare loot drops.

‘Assassin’s Creed Origins’ (2017)

Bayek can acquire Hepzefa’s Sword early in the game which fundamentally changes combat dynamics. This legendary regular sword comes with a perk that sets enemies on fire with every hit. Fire damage causes panic in human enemies and deals continuous damage over time that drains health bars rapidly. Accessing this status effect so early gives players a massive advantage against captains and commanders.

‘Cyberpunk 2077’ (2020)

V receives the Dying Night pistol from the Wilson gun shop shortly after the prologue missions. This iconic weapon boasts an increased headshot damage multiplier and a significantly faster reload time than standard pistols. Its high rate of fire allows players to unleash a hail of bullets that staggers enemies before they can react. The weapon remains viable for a long time due to the generous upgrade system.

‘Fallout 4’ (2015)

The Cryolator is a unique freezing weapon locked inside a secure case within Vault 111. Players can bypass the lockpicking requirement by instructing their dog companion to fetch the item. This heavy weapon freezes enemies solid and allows the Sole Survivor to shatter them with a melee bash. Obtaining it before even leaving the tutorial area provides a massive firepower advantage against early wasteland threats.

‘Dark Souls’ (2011)

The Pyromancy Flame allows players to cast powerful fire spells that do not rely on character stats like strength or dexterity. Starting as a Pyromancer grants immediate access to this catalyst and the Fireball spell. The damage output of pyromancy is high enough to defeat early bosses with just a few casts. It effectively serves as an easy mode for players struggling with the game’s notorious difficulty curve.

‘Bloodborne’ (2015)

The Hunter Axe is one of three starting weapons available in the Hunter’s Dream. Its transformed two-handed mode features a charged spin attack that knocks back almost every enemy in the game. This move allows players to control crowds of beasts and regain health through the rally system safely. The high base damage and staggering potential make it a favorite for beginners and veterans alike.

‘Elden Ring’ (2022)

The Samurai class begins the game with the Uchigatana which is a katana that causes blood loss buildup. Bleed is one of the most powerful status effects in the game because it deals percentage-based damage to boss health bars. Having this passive ability from the start allows players to melt through tough enemies that would otherwise take much longer to defeat. The weapon also has a versatile moveset that works well in tight corridors.

‘Fable II’ (2008)

Hal’s Rifle is a DLC weapon inspired by the assault rifles from the Halo franchise. It features a high ammunition capacity and a rapid rate of fire that creates a wall of lead. Enemies in Albion are generally not designed to handle the damage output of a futuristic combat rifle. Acquiring this gun early turns the fantasy combat encounters into a one-sided shooting gallery.

‘Fallout: New Vegas’ (2010)

The Courier’s Stash DLC adds the Mercenary’s Grenade Rifle to the player’s inventory at the start of the game. This weapon launches 40mm grenades that deal massive explosive damage to clusters of enemies. It allows low-level players to instantly cripple or kill Deathclaws and Cazadores that are meant to block off high-level areas. The abundance of ammo makes it a reliable problem solver for the entire Mojave campaign.

‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ (2023)

The Everburn Blade is a flaming greatsword wielded by Commander Zhalk during the tutorial sequence on the nautiloid ship. Players can force him to drop the weapon using specific spells or attacks before the ship crashes. This two-handed sword deals constant fire damage on top of its slashing damage without needing to be dipped in a surface. It remains superior to almost every other Act 1 weapon for strength-based characters.

‘Final Fantasy XV’ (2016)

Noctis can equip the Ragnarok sword which is available through downloadable content. This weapon comes with a warp-strike boost that deals massive damage when attacking from a distance. The multiplier is so high that it can kill most standard enemies in a single hit. Using this sword removes the need for complex combos or magic usage during the main story.

‘Monster Hunter: World’ (2018)

The Defender weapon tree was introduced to help players rush through the base game to reach the Iceborne expansion content. These weapons have higher raw damage and sharpness than any other forgeable gear in low or high rank. They also possess the blast element which triggers frequent explosions for extra damage. New players using these weapons will face almost no challenge from the monsters in the main storyline.

‘Castlevania: Symphony of the Night’ (1997)

Alucard begins the game equipped with his mother’s sword and shield which provide immense defense and attack power. This set allows the player to walk through the early castle sections while ignoring enemy attacks completely. The game script forces Death to steal this equipment to balance the difficulty after the introduction. Retaining the gear requires exploiting a specific glitch that lets Alucard bypass the room where Death appears.

‘Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance’ (2015)

The game allows players to redeem special DLC characters like Laharl and Etna immediately after the tutorial. These characters come with exclusive weapons and stats that are vastly superior to the starting generic units. Their special skills can wipe out entire maps of enemies in a single turn. Relying on these units removes the need for the strategic grinding that usually defines the tactical gameplay loop.

‘Persona 5 Royal’ (2019)

Joker can summon the Persona Izanagi-no-Okami Picaro from the compendium for free right at the beginning of the game. This entity possesses the Myriad Truths skill which deals heavy almighty damage to all enemies three times. The ability bypasses all elemental resistances and defenses that bosses usually rely on. Using this Persona effectively activates a god mode that trivializes every encounter in the game.

Tell us which of these weapons you used to crush your enemies in the comments.