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Pocket Gamer’s Dead Cells weapons tier list, updated September 18, 2026 and labeled for version 3.5.9, ranks melee and ranged weapons separately, with shields, turrets, traps, and grenades in their own categories. Treat the tiers as an editorial shortlist—not a universal ranking: damage, conditional critical hits, range, control effects, and build requirements can change what works best in a run.
How to use this Dead Cells tier list
The placements below reproduce Pocket Gamer’s reviewed list. Its author says the rankings consider base damage and critical damage, alongside special effects and preference. The guide is not a controlled comparison, and a high tier does not guarantee that an item will suit every build or situation.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania Edition Nintendo Switch | $28.40 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Dead Cells - Action Game of The Year - Nintendo Switch | $30.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Dead Cells - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51HXJorAjyL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Dead Cells - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code] | $24.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Dragon is Dead - Nintendo Switch | $34.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Dead Cells - Action Game of the Year (Nintendo Switch) | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Use the lists to narrow choices, then weigh how an item actually deals damage and what it asks you to do. A practical comparison includes attack cadence, the conditions for critical hits, range and safety, status or crowd-control utility, dependence on another item, and risk. These are useful decision factors, not a scoring system published by Pocket Gamer.
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S tier
- Ferryman’s Lantern
- Cursed Sword
- War Spear
- Tombstone
- Flint
- Oven Axe
- Wrecking Ball
- Giantkiller
- Vampire Killer
- Bible
- Alucard’s Sword
- Death’s Scythe
- Misericorde
A tier
- Toothpick
- Symmetrical Lance
- Shrapnel Axes
- Hattori’s Katana
- Meat Skewer
- Broadsword
- Impaler
- Crowbar
- Twin Daggers
- Hayabusa Boots
- Vorpan
- Shovel
- Maw of the Deep
- Rapier
- Baseball Bat
- Nutcracker
- Pure Nail
- Morning Star
- Whip Sword
- Sewing Scissors
B tier
- Balanced Blade
- Flashing Fans
- Spite Sword
- Rusty Sword
- Bone
- Swift Sword
- Frantic Sword
- Iron Staff
- Assassin’s Dagger
- Rhythm n’ Bouzouki
- Seismic Strike
- Wrenching Whip
- Oiled Sword
- Hayabusa Gauntlets
- Blood Sword
- Panchaku
- Gold Digger
- Machete and Pistol
- Hard Light Sword
- Giant Comb
C tier
- Flawless
- Sadist’s Stiletto
- Valmont’s Whip
- Torch
- Abyssal Trident
- Hand Hook
- Spiked Boots
- Bladed Tonfas
- Dagger of Profit
- Snake Fangs
- Scythe Claw
- Tentacle
- King Scepter
- Queen’s Rapier
- Starfury
- Spartan Sandals
Ranged weapons
S tier
- Money Shooter
- Ice Crossbow
- Throwable Objects
- Heavy Crossbow
- Multiple-nocks Bow
- Sonic Carbine
- Barrel Launcher
- Fire Blast
- Magic Missiles
- Medusa’s Head
- Anathema
- Laser Glaive
A tier
- Chakram of the Queen
- The Boy’s Axe
- Peril Glyphs
- Boomerang
- Explosive Crossbow
- Bow and Endless Quiver
- Repeater Crossbow
- Quick Bow
- Laser Glaive
- Gilded Yumi
- Blowgun
- Marksman’s Bow
- Ice Shards
- Cross
- Throwing Axe
B tier
- Electric Whip
- Lightning Bolt
- War Javelin
- Pyrotechnics
- Nerves of Steel
- Infantry Bow
- Killing Deck
- Hemorrhage
C tier
- Beginner’s Bow
- Frost Blast
- Ice Bow
- Firebrands
- Hokuto’s Bow
- Magic Bow
- Throwing Knife
- Alchemic Carbine
Source inconsistency: Pocket Gamer lists Laser Glaive in both S and A tiers. The source does not resolve which placement is intended, so the duplicate is retained here rather than silently corrected.
#1 Best Overall
- 17 Levels - Each one with its own atmosphere, foes and secrets to discover
- 5 Bosses - Made by the most sadistic of the devs, raised on the salt of the testers
- 150 or so weapons and skills - Spears, swords, bows, magic spells, shields, pets, frying pans etc; You name it, we got it
- Unlock the four original Dead Cells DLCs, giving you late-game content plus an entire new pathway to follow, with an alternative ending and tons of new enemies, weapons & outfits
- Battle through the corridors of Dracula’s Castle; Wield weapons against monsters to reach the throne room of the Dark Lord
Shields
Shields have a defensive role, including blocking and parrying, so their placements are best read separately from damage-focused weapon tiers. Their individual effects differ.
S tier
- Spiked Shield
- Greed Shield
- Punishment
- Knockback Shield
- Alucard’s Shield
A tier
- Force Shield
- Thunder Shield
- Assault Shield
- Front Line Shield
- Ice Shield
B tier
- Rampart
- Bloodthirsty Shield
C tier
- Old Wooden Shield
- Cudgel
- Parry Shield
Turrets
S tier
- Barnacle
- Scavenged Bombard
- Heavy Turret
- Cleaver
A tier
- Double Crossb-o-matic
- Sinew Slicer
B tier
- Tesla Coil
C tier
- Flamethrower Turret
Traps and miscellaneous powers
S tier
- Crusher
A tier
- Explosive Decoy
B tier
- Wolf Trap
C tier
- Night Light
- Emergency Door
Grenades
S tier
- Powerful Grenade
- Holy Water
A tier
- Infantry Grenade
- Cluster Grenade
- Magnetic Grenade
B tier
- Stun Grenade
- Ice Grenade
- Fire Grenade
- Root Grenade
- Oil Grenade
- Swarm
C tier
- Hunter’s Grenade
Why the conditions matter more than the letter
Several weapons in the guide illustrate why damage and setup should be considered together:
Rank #2
- Incredible 2D souls-lite action with more than 90 weapons and spells with nonlinear gameplay.
- Explore secret room, hidden passages, and charming landscapes. Stroll down towers and breath in that fresh sea mist infused air.
- Build your unique play style as you combat the adrenaline pumping threat of perm death in this unique game of the year!
- Ferryman’s Lantern: kills provide souls, and firing three souls can produce critical hits. Pocket Gamer prints example damage figures of 164 base, 107 secondary, and 429 for the cited critical example; these are guide figures, not independently verified measurements.
- Maw of the Deep: its shark throw roots and bleeds targets, which makes rooted enemies vulnerable to critical damage. Pocket Gamer gives 158 base and 270 critical damage as examples, likewise not independently verified here.
- Rapier: critical hits follow a roll or parry, so its value depends on timing and play style.
- Meat Skewer: its second hit can critically damage after moving behind a target.
- Pure Nail: directional attacks and an aerial bounce give it movement and attack options that a damage-only comparison would miss.
- Hard Light Sword: it is paired with the Hard Light Gun; sword hits restore the gun’s ammunition, making the pair’s interaction part of the choice.
For a run, prioritize the mechanic you can reliably use: a conditional critical, safer distance, enemy control, or a useful interaction with the rest of your equipment. The tier is a starting point, not a substitute for that fit.
Recommended Free Tools
Version context and curse-linked weapons
Pocket Gamer labels the guide version 3.5.9 and dates its update September 18, 2026. The official Dead Cells patch notes list Update 35.9 as June 15, 2026. Update 35 introduced Misericorde, a Brutality/Tactics melee weapon, and Anathema, a Tactics/Survival ranged weapon; subsequent notes describe changes to Anathema’s damage and curse behavior and an adjustment to Misericorde’s curse condition. Their S-tier placement should therefore be read alongside their curse-linked risk and the relevant mechanics in the official notes, not as a risk-free recommendation.
Rank #3
- RogueVania: The progressive exploration of an interconnected world, with the replayability of a rogue-lite and the adrenaline pumping threat of permadeath.
- 2D Souls-lite Action: Tough but fair combat, the iconic dodge roll, more than 90 weapons and spells with unique gameplay… The unforgiving action wed to the absence of any kind of safety net makes for an adrenalin pumping ride each and every run.
- Nonlinear progression: Sewers, Ossuary or Ramparts? Once unlocked, special permanent abilities allow you to access new paths to reach your objective. Opt for the path that suits your current build, your play style, or just your mood.
- Exploration: Secret rooms, hidden passages, charming landscapes. Take a moment to stroll the towers and breath in that fresh sea mist infused air...
Playdigious’ update summary also describes earlier additions in Updates 3.4 and 3.5, including Sewing Scissors, Giant Comb, Misericorde, and Anathema. Patch availability can vary by platform; the sources cited here do not establish identical release timing across PC, console, and mobile.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which weapons should you unlock?
If blueprint cells are limited, use the tiers to identify candidates rather than treating every S-tier item as a mandatory unlock. Choose equipment that matches the build and mechanics you intend to use: a weapon with a setup you can execute, a ranged option that supports your preferred distance, or a shield whose defensive function fits your approach. Pocket Gamer’s ranking offers a shortlist, but it does not establish a single best unlock order for every player.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- RogueVania: The progressive exploration of an interconnected world, with the replayability of a rogue-lite and the adrenaline pumping threat of permadeath.
- 2D Souls-lite Action: Tough but fair combat, the iconic dodge roll, more than 90 weapons and spells with unique gameplay… The unforgiving action wed to the absence of any kind of safety net makes for an adrenalin pumping ride each and every run.
- Nonlinear progression: Sewers, Ossuary or Ramparts? Once unlocked, special permanent abilities allow you to access new paths to reach your objective. Opt for the path that suits your current build, your play style, or just your mood.
- Exploration: Secret rooms, hidden passages, charming landscapes. Take a moment to stroll the towers and breath in that fresh sea mist infused air...
Rank #4
- Play as an immortal Successor - You are a Successor, an immortal warrior empowered by the gods Lu, Ashuran, and Harnia. When you die, you revive with your gear, runes, and unlocks intact and head back out from Cliffshire to push further into corrupted zones. Choose your Successor - You'll start as the Spellblade and unlock additional Successors as you progress. Each has its own skill tree, weapons, and playstyle
- Playable Classes - Spellblade-Element-focused hybrid with close and mid-range attacks built around fire, frost, and lightning. Berserker - Heavy melee bruiser that trades its own HP and positioning for huge damage and armor. Hunter - Mobile ranged fighter using thrown weapons, poison, and beast abilities to apply damage over time and control space.
- 2D Roguelite Hack-and-Slash Combat - Combat revolves around precise dodges, reading telegraphed attacks, and committing to aggressive combos. Areas are multi-layered 2D stages that reshuffle enemy layouts, hazards, and loot each run. When you fall, you lose gold and temporary bonuses, but your gear and runes stay with you and form the base of your next attempt.
- Loot, Runes, and Artifacts - Hunt Elites and Bosses to claim Rune Stones, then craft them into Legendary and Mythic equipment. Runes and class skill trees interact to define your build, while artifacts you pick up mid-run stack into powerful synergies.
- Bonus Goodie - Poster is packed inside.
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