No Rest For the Wicked – Best Starting Weapons

No Rest For the Wicked features a wide variety of weapon types, each supporting different builds and playstyles. Choosing the right starting weapon makes early combat significantly easier, allowing you to clear enemies efficiently while learning core mechanics like Focus generation, Rune attacks, and stamina management.

Every weapon can roll Rune slots, which unlock powerful Rune Attacks or Rune Spells that consume Focus and define each weapon’s playstyle.

1. Best Starting Weapons

Combat

Weapons in No Rest For the Wicked are your primary tool for survival. Picking a strong early weapon helps you defeat enemies faster, conserve healing, and learn combat systems more comfortably. The weapons listed below are reliable, accessible early on, and synergize well with beginner builds.

• Woven Wraps – Quick jabs and charged haymakers with a projectile-style rune attack
• Entwined Root – Fire-based magic weapon with damage-over-time spells
• Short Bow – Ranged weapon with unlimited arrows via rune attacks
• Assegai – Long-reach spear with a powerful spinning rune attack
• Pig Sticker – Fast rapier with long thrusts and excellent dodge attacks
• Blood-Rusted Sword – Reliable straight sword that performs well in all combat situations
• Claymore – Heavy greatsword with strong charged attacks
• Scythe of Wretches – High-damage scythe with wide sweeping attacks

Weapon Roles and Types

Weapons in No Rest for the Wicked vary widely in style, stat scaling, and playstyle. There are both one‑handed and two‑handed weapons, each with its own strengths:

• One‑handed weapons like daggers, swords, and axes are generally faster and can be paired with a shield or used for agility‑focused builds.
• Two‑handed weapons like great swords, great axes, and staves trade speed for heavier damage and range.

You will encounter all major weapon categories throughout the world. Knowing what weapon types suit your build will help you determine which ones to prioritize.

How to Get Weapons 

Weapons can be found in multiple ways as you explore the world of No Rest for the Wicked:

1. Loot Drops – Enemies and elite mobs often drop weapons when defeated.
2. Chests and Hidden Loot – Explore environments fully, open chests, and breakables, as they frequently contain weapons.
3. Boss Encounters and Special Events – Certain bosses or Pestilence events drop rarer weapons or unique gear.
4. Vendor Purchases – Blacksmiths and other vendors sell weapons for currency once their shops are unlocked.

There is no fixed “guaranteed drop” for many weapons; most drops are random based on zone and enemy type.

2. Woven Wraps

Woven Wraps

Woven Wraps are a dual-wield gauntlet weapon designed for fast, close-range combat. They have low base stats and only require 10 Dexterity, making them easy to equip early.

• Woven Wraps come with the Spirit Burst rune by default.
• Runes are the weapon abilities that cost Focus and allow you to perform special attacks or effects when activated.
• This weapon has very low damage and stat requirements.
• If you specifically want a fist-based build or enjoy fast, agile combat, Woven Wraps can be fun.
• Runes overall require focus and synergy with attack speed to be impactful.

2.1 Combat Rotation

1. Light Jab Combo – Start fights with your light attack chain to quickly build Focus, enabling access to more powerful abilities and runes. Keep combos continuous but controlled to maintain safety.
2. Dodge Through or Around Enemy – Immediately follow up by dodging through or around enemies to avoid counterattacks and telegraphed attacks. This also repositions you for flanking or backstab opportunities.
3. Spirit Burst – When Focus is at least half full, unleash Spirit Burst or your chosen rune attack. Deals high damage and often applies elemental effects. Using it with low Focus reduces efficiency and damage.
4. Charged Haymaker – Follow up on staggered or slowed enemies with a charged haymaker. This heavy attack maximizes damage while the enemy is vulnerable. Ensure stamina is sufficient before executing.
5. Back Off and Reset – Once stamina is low or the enemy regains posture, create distance to recover stamina and reposition. Utilize terrain for additional safety and tactical advantage.
6. Repeat Rotation – Continue the cycle: light jab combo → dodge → Spirit Burst → charged haymaker → back off. Adapt based on enemy type, positioning, and elemental weaknesses to maintain optimal DPS and survivability.

3. Entwined Root

Entwined Root

Entwined Root is a one-handed wand that scales primarily with Intelligence. The more Intelligence you invest, the stronger its melee damage and spell effects become.

• Combines melee attacks with spellcasting through runes
• Comes with Fire Dart and Fire Blast runes by default
• Fire Dart fires quick ranged projectiles
• Fire Blast is a longer-range area-of-effect fire spell
• Melee hits generate Focus
• Spend Focus to cast spells for burst damage or safe ranged pressure

3.1 Combat Rotation

1. Melee Wand Strikes – Start encounters by landing 2–3 quick melee wand strikes. This builds Focus, the primary resource needed for casting powerful abilities. Focus gain scales with successful hits, so maintain consistent contact without overextending.
2. Fire Dart – Use Fire Dart to poke enemies at range or finish off low-HP targets. This ability is quick and efficient, allowing you to conserve Focus for heavier abilities while still dealing steady damage.
3. Build More Focus with Melee – Continue using melee attacks to top off Focus before committing to high-cost abilities. This ensures that your next attack or rune skill hits at full efficiency.
4. Fire Blast – When facing groups of enemies or staggered foes, unleash Fire Blast. It deals high AoE damage, takes advantage of enemy positioning, and synergizes with previously built Focus for maximum effect.
5. Roll Backward – After using Fire Blast or when stamina is low, roll backward to reset distance. This avoids counterattacks, gives you space to reposition, and prepares you to start the rotation again safely.

4. Short Bow

Short Bow

The Short Bow is a ranged weapon that allows you to deal damage safely from a distance. It relies entirely on rune attacks and does not require physical arrows.

• Short Bow requires 13 Dexterity to equip and use it.
• All their attacks come from runes slotted into the bow.
• No physical arrows are required because the bow automatically generates them when you activate its rune abilities.
• Equip in an off‑hand slot while your main weapon, like a sword, stays in your main hand.
• Ranged attacks require Focus to fire bow skills.
• Arrow and Multishot are the basic runes that allow you to deal ranged damage without needing consumable arrows.
• Investing stat points in Dexterity increases your overall damage output.

4.1 Combat Rotation

1. Main-Hand Melee Engagement – Begin fights by attacking with your main-hand melee weapon. Use light attacks to safely build Focus, which powers your rune abilities and stronger attacks. Focus gain is vital for executing high-damage combos later in the rotation.
2. Swap to Short Bow – Once sufficient Focus is built, switch to your Short Bow for ranged attacks. This allows you to maintain pressure on enemies while avoiding unnecessary damage in melee range.
3. Arrow or Multishot Rune – Use your Arrow or Multishot rune to deal burst damage, especially effective against groups or staggered targets. These abilities consume Focus, so timing them after melee engagement maximizes efficiency.
4. Dodge Away – After dealing burst damage, dodge away to reset distance, avoid counterattacks, and regain stamina. Proper positioning ensures you can safely repeat the rotation without taking excessive damage.
5. Repeat Rotation – Continue the cycle: melee attacks → build Focus → swap to bow → use runes → dodge and reposition. Adapt your rhythm depending on enemy behavior, positioning, and group size to maintain optimal DPS and survivability.

5. Assegai

Assegai

The Assegai is a one-handed spear with long reach and excellent spacing control. It excels at mid-range combat and crowd control.

• The base Assegai comes with a Twirl Spin ability as its default rune attack. Twirl Spin is a spinning spear attack that costs Focus and deals moderate damage in an area.
• Use this weapon for crowd control or taking down stunned enemies.
• Make sure to add additional rune skills to it as you find or craft more runes.
• The Assegai scales with both Strength and Dexterity, meaning boosting those stats increases its damage.

5.1 Combat Rotation

1. Light Thrusts – Begin encounters by using light thrusts to keep enemies at a safe distance. This allows you to maintain spacing while building Focus efficiently, preparing for more powerful abilities without overcommitting.
2. Build Focus from Mid-Distance – Continue using mid-range attacks to accumulate Focus safely. Maintaining distance reduces the risk of taking damage while ensuring your high-cost abilities are ready when needed.
3. Twirl Spin – When enemies cluster together, activate Twirl Spin. This AoE attack hits multiple targets simultaneously, staggering them and allowing you to control crowds effectively. Timing this with grouped enemies maximizes damage and utility.
4. Charged Thrust – Follow up on stunned or staggered enemies with a charged thrust. This heavy attack capitalizes on enemy vulnerability and Focus built from previous attacks, dealing high single-target damage.
5. Block or Dodge – After executing attacks, block or dodge to reset your positioning. This prevents enemy retaliation, recovers stamina, and prepares you for the next cycle of Focus building and ability usage.
6. Repeat Rotation – Continue the cycle: light thrusts → mid-range Focus → Twirl Spin → charged thrust → block/dodge. Adjust based on enemy behavior, spacing, and group size to maintain optimal DPS and survivability.

6. Pig Sticker

Pig Sticker

Pig Sticker is a one-handed rapier focused on speed, precision, and Dexterity scaling. It has low base damage early but excels through fast attacks and mobility.

• Pig Sticker comes with a default Piercing Flurry ability. This is a rapid series of precise thrusts used to build Focus and poke at enemies.
• Use quick thrusts to keep Focus up while avoiding long animations.
• Pig Sticker pairs very well with a medium or great shield, making a sword & shield setup.
• Make sure to combine it with another fast weapon to switch tactics if a fight turns tougher.
• The rapier’s light weight keeps your stamina drain low and mobility high.

6.1 Combat Rotation

1. Quick Thrusts – Begin combat by performing quick thrusts to initiate the encounter and start building Focus. Light, rapid attacks allow you to apply early pressure safely and set up for higher-damage abilities.
2. Piercing Flurry – Activate Piercing Flurry to rapidly build Focus. This combo-heavy ability is designed to accumulate resource quickly, enabling stronger rune attacks or charged strikes immediately after.
3. Dodge Through the Enemy – After building initial Focus, dodge through the enemy to reposition. This helps avoid counterattacks, creates openings, and maintains offensive momentum while staying safe.
4. Dodge Attack – Follow up with a dodge attack for burst damage. This move capitalizes on the repositioning from your dodge, striking enemies while they are off-balance and ensuring high Focus efficiency.
5. Repeat Pressure Until Stagger – Continue cycling through quick thrusts, Piercing Flurry, dodges, and dodge attacks. Maintain this rhythm until the enemy staggers, at which point you can execute heavy finishers or rune abilities for maximum damage.

7. Blood-Rusted Sword

Blood Rusted Sword

The Blood-Rusted Sword is a one-handed straight sword that scales with Strength and offers solid all-around performance.

• Moderate base damage and 10 poise damage
• Comes with a built-in Spin rune
• Spin is a quick circular slash that costs Focus
• Focus is generated through normal attacks
• Upgrading the weapon significantly increases effectiveness
• Spin covers a wide area and interrupts enemies
• Excellent sword-and-shield option

7.2 Combat Rotation

1. Block or Dodge Incoming Attack – Begin by anticipating enemy strikes and block or dodge accordingly. This reduces damage taken and creates openings for counterattacks while maintaining your positioning.
2. Light Sword Combo – After safely defending, use a light sword combo to build Focus. Focus is essential for powering heavier abilities and rune attacks, so maintaining consistent attacks ensures your resource is steadily replenished.
3. Spin – When enemies surround you, activate Spin to hit multiple targets at once. This AoE attack staggers enemies, breaks their formation, and allows you to control the battlefield efficiently.
4. Heavy Attack on Stagger – Follow up on staggered or slowed enemies with a heavy attack. This deals significant damage to vulnerable targets, maximizing the utility of your Focus and the enemy’s compromised state.
5. Raise Shield and Recover Stamina – After executing attacks, raise your shield or reposition to recover stamina. Proper stamina management ensures you can continue your rotation without getting interrupted by enemy aggression.
6. Repeat Rotation – Maintain this cycle: block/dodge → light sword combo → Spin → heavy attack → shield recovery. Adjust based on enemy type, crowd size, and positioning to maximize DPS and survivability.

8. Claymore

Claymore

The Claymore is a two-handed greatsword built for heavy damage and stagger. It attacks slower but hits much harder than one-handed weapons.

• Strong sweeping attacks that hit multiple enemies
• High poise and stagger damage
• Comes with Juggle Strike as its default rune
• Long reach allows you to hit enemies before they close the distance
• Best used with charged attacks and dodge follow-ups
• Excels against tougher enemies

8.1 How To Get Claymore

The Claymore is guaranteed early through exploration.

• After the prologue, return to The Shore
• Head west from the shipwreck spawn
• Cross the first bridge
• Turn left and follow the shoreline
• Locate a tower structure
• Open the treasure chest outside the tower

8.2 Combat Rotation

1. Charged Heavy Attack – Begin the engagement with a charged heavy attack. This maximizes initial damage and applies stagger potential to the enemy. Timing and aim are crucial to hit the target effectively.
2. Dodge Cancel – If the enemy survives the heavy attack, immediately dodge cancel. This interrupts enemy retaliation, repositions you, and resets your attack rhythm for the next phase of the rotation.
3. Light Swings – After repositioning, use light swings to build Focus safely. Light attacks are fast, allow sustained damage, and replenish your resource pool for high-cost abilities like runes or charged skills.
4. Juggle Strike – Use Juggle Strike on enemies that are airborne, staggered, or off-balance. This attack keeps enemies controlled, extends combos, and prevents them from retaliating while maximizing damage.
5. Finish with Charged Hit – Conclude the rotation with another charged heavy attack. This capitalizes on the staggered state or Focus gained during light swings and Juggle Strike, delivering a strong finish before resetting the cycle.
6. Repeat Rotation – Continue cycling: charged heavy → dodge cancel → light swings → Juggle Strike → charged finish. Adjust based on enemy behavior, health, and positioning to maintain high DPS and survivability.

9. Scythe of Wretches

Scythe of Wretches

Scythe of Wretches is a two-handed scythe that scales with Dexterity and Faith, ideal for agile hybrid builds.

• Requires around 16 Dexterity and 16 Faith
• Wide sweeping attacks with long reach
• Comes with the Reap rune ability
• Reap delivers a powerful sweeping strike
• Consumes Focus after building it through combat
• Excellent for controlling groups
• Heavier and slower, requiring careful positioning

9.2 Combat Rotation

1. Wide Light Attacks – Begin encounters by using wide light attacks. These attacks hit multiple enemies at once, allowing you to safely control crowds while steadily building Focus, the essential resource for your more powerful abilities.
2. Build Focus Steadily – Continue using light attacks to maintain Focus generation. Consistent Focus ensures that your next high-cost abilities or rune attacks are available when needed, without leaving gaps in your damage output.
3. Reap – When enemies cluster closely together, activate Reap. This AoE ability deals significant area damage and can stagger multiple foes at once, helping to control enemy positioning and create openings for follow-up attacks.
4. Dodge Roll to Safety – After executing AoE attacks or when enemies are still active, dodge roll to reset positioning and avoid retaliation. Proper spacing ensures survivability while you rebuild Focus and prepare for the next cycle.
5. Repeat Rotation – Maintain this cycle: wide light attacks → Focus buildup → Reap → dodge roll → repeat. Adapt timing and positioning based on enemy density, behavior, and spacing to maximize efficiency and minimize incoming damage.

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