Deepwoken Starting Weapons Guide: Choosing The Best Gear For Your Early Game Progression

The world of Etris and the depths beyond are unforgiving, and for any new traveler, the selection of deepwoken starting weapons is the most critical decision made before even stepping foot onto the docks. In a game where permadeath is a constant threat and every parry counts, your initial armament dictates not just your damage output, but your entire rhythm of combat. Whether you are a veteran of the soulslike genre or a newcomer to the brutal mechanics of this RPG, understanding how these tools function is the key to surviving your first few hours.

The community frequently debates which of the deepwoken starting weapons provides the most optimal path for leveling. Some prefer the raw, crushing power of heavy blades, while others swear by the surgical precision of light daggers. This guide breaks down the nuances of the starter roster, ensuring your next character has the best possible chance of reaching the higher tiers of power without a premature trip to the Depths.

Understanding the Core Choice: Which Deepwoken Starting Weapons Suit Your Playstyle?

When you begin your journey, you are presented with a choice that categorizes your combat identity into three distinct branches: Light, Medium, and Heavy. Each category of deepwoken starting weapons has a specific "feel" related to swing speed, recovery time, and posture damage.

In the early game, your primary goal is to master the parry-trade loop. If you choose a weapon that is too slow for your reaction time, you will find yourself punished by faster NPCs. Conversely, choosing a weapon that lacks impact might result in long, drawn-out fights where a single mistake can lead to a wipe. The "best" weapon is often the one that aligns with your natural timing and the specific build path you intend to follow as you invest points into your attributes.

The Sword: Versatility and Balance for New Travelers

The Sword (often categorized within the Medium weapon class) is widely considered the gold standard for beginners. It offers a moderate swing speed that allows you to react to enemy movements while dealing respectable damage.

For many, the Sword is the most reliable of the deepwoken starting weapons because it teaches the fundamental mechanics of the game without the extreme drawbacks of other classes. It has a forgiving parry window and a reach that allows you to keep basic bandits at a distance. If you are unsure which direction to take your character, the Medium Sword path provides a stable foundation that can easily transition into powerful mid-game blades.

The Battleaxe: High Impact Damage for Aggressive Starts

If you prefer to end fights quickly and aren't afraid of a slower wind-up, the Battleaxe is the premier choice among the deepwoken starting weapons for the Heavy category. The primary advantage of the Battleaxe is its Posture damage.

In combat, breaking an opponent's posture is the fastest way to land a critical "Execute" or a free combo. The Battleaxe excels at forcing enemies into a defensive state. However, it requires a high degree of confidence. Because the swings are slower, missing an attack leaves you vulnerable to a counter-attack. Beginners choosing this weapon must learn to "faint" their attacks to bait out parries from more advanced enemies.

The Stiletto: Speed and Precision in Early Engagements

The Stiletto represents the Light weapon class. It is the fastest of the deepwoken starting weapons, allowing for rapid-fire strikes that can overwhelm an opponent's defense. While the individual damage per hit is lower than that of a Sword or Axe, the sheer volume of attacks can be devastating.

Using the Stiletto requires a "hit and run" or a highly aggressive "pressure" playstyle. It is particularly effective for players who have high ping or those who prefer to use Agility-based builds. The downside is the limited range; you must be physically close to your target to land hits, which puts you at a higher risk of being hit by wide-sweeping area-of-effect attacks.

The Mace: Breaking Guards and Impactful Stuns

The Mace is the alternative for those looking at the Medium category but wanting more "weight" behind their swings. It functions similarly to the Sword but trades a bit of speed for increased impact and guard-breaking potential.

Many players find the Mace to be one of the most underrated deepwoken starting weapons because it can stagger NPCs more effectively than a blade. This staggering effect provides a vital window to breathe or reset your positioning during a chaotic fight. It is an excellent choice for players who want a "bruiser" feel without committing to the very slow speeds of the Heavy weapon class.

How Scaling and Stat Points Influence Your Starter Weapon Choice

Choosing your deepwoken starting weapons is not just about the immediate combat—it is about your stat distribution. Every weapon in the game scales with a specific attribute.

Light Weapons typically scale with Agility and the Light Weapon stat.Medium Weapons scale with Strength (to a degree) and the Medium Weapon stat.Heavy Weapons scale heavily with Strength and the Heavy Weapon stat.

If you plan on building a "Tank" character with high Fortitude and Strength, picking the Stiletto as your starting weapon will eventually lead to a mismatch in your power curve. You want your weapon choice to synergize with the cards (Talents) you pick up as you level. Investing early points into the correct weapon stat will significantly increase your "M1" (left-click) damage, making the transition from the starter islands to the more dangerous seas much smoother.

Heavy vs. Medium vs. Light: Decoding the Three Weapon Classes

To truly master the deepwoken starting weapons, you must understand the hidden statistics: Weight, Range, and Swing Speed. These three pillars define how you will interact with every boss and mob in the game.

Is the Heavy Class Too Risky for Beginners?

The Heavy class is often seen as a high-risk, high-reward path. When using a Heavy starter, your swing recovery is longer. This means if you swing and the enemy parries you, your "cooldown" before you can parry back is slightly more punishing. However, the Heavy class allows you to "trade" hits more effectively. If both you and a bandit hit each other at the same time, your Heavy weapon will likely deal more damage and potentially stun the enemy, allowing you to regain the momentum.

Why Medium Weapons Dominate the Early Meta

Medium weapons are the most popular deepwoken starting weapons because they are the most "reactive." In a game where the meta often revolves around the "ping-pong" of parrying, Medium weapons provide the most intuitive timing. They don't swing so fast that you lose track of the rhythm, and they don't swing so slow that you feel sluggish. For a first playthrough, the Medium category is almost always the recommended path.

Mastering the Learning Curve of Light Weapons

Light weapons require the most "mechanical skill" in terms of positioning. Because you lack the reach of a spear or a heavy claymore, you must be comfortable being in the enemy's face. The benefit of Light deepwoken starting weapons is the ability to "punish" small windows. If an enemy misses a heavy attack, a Light weapon user can often land two or three hits in the time a Heavy user could only land one.

Transitioning from Starter Gear to Specialized Loot

It is important to remember that deepwoken starting weapons are temporary tools. As you explore locations like the Lower Erisia or the Burning Stone Zealots, you will find upgraded versions of these weapons.

The starter weapons serve as a "Training" phase. Once you reach a certain level in your weapon stat (Medium, Light, or Heavy), you can equip "rare" or "enchanted" weapons found in chests. However, the muscle memory you develop with your starter weapon will carry over. If you learn the timing of the starter Battleaxe, you will be much more proficient when you eventually find a powerful Greatsword or Warhammer.

Common Mistakes When Selecting Deepwoken Starting Weapons

One of the most frequent errors new players make is choosing a weapon based solely on looks rather than feel. Here are a few things to avoid:

Ignoring the Training Room: Most starting areas have a training NPC. Use the training versions of the deepwoken starting weapons to see which swing speed feels most natural to your hands before committing to a long-term build.Neglecting Posture: Many players focus only on the health bar. In this game, the posture bar (the yellow bar above the health) is just as important. If your weapon doesn't do enough posture damage, you may find it impossible to break the guard of high-level NPCs.Spamming Attacks: No matter which of the deepwoken starting weapons you choose, "M1 spamming" will get you killed. The game is designed to punish mindless clicking. Every swing should be intentional.

Staying Informed on the Shifting Meta

The balance of deepwoken starting weapons can shift with game updates. Developers often tweak the "frames" of certain attacks or the amount of damage a specific class does. Staying updated with the latest patch notes is essential for players who want to maintain a competitive edge in both PvE and PvP.

As you progress, you will realize that the weapon is only half the battle; the other half is your "Mantra" (magic) selection and your ability to read enemy animations. However, starting with the right tool makes that learning process significantly less frustrating.

Conclusion

Selecting from the available deepwoken starting weapons is the first step in defining your legacy within the game. Whether you choose the balanced Sword, the crushing Battleaxe, or the rapid Stiletto, your success depends on how well you learn the unique rhythm of your chosen blade.

Take the time to practice your parries, manage your posture, and invest your stat points wisely. The journey ahead is filled with peril, but with the right weapon in hand and a solid understanding of the mechanics, you can survive the trials of the surface and the horrors of the Depths. Choose your path, sharpen your steel, and prepare for the challenges that await in this unforgiving world.