Choosing the right sidearm in Grand Blue can mean the difference between clearing a boss room in 30 seconds and getting sent back to the dock twice in a row. This Grand Blue weapon tier list ranks every weapon the open-world pirate RPG currently offers, from the early-game Cutlass and Slingshot to the elusive Willow Blade, Katana, and hidden secret weapons that only dedicated players track down. Whether you grind for PvE efficiency or stack damage for PvP duels, knowing which weapons deserve your materials and which ones to skip is the fastest way to grow stronger on the Grand Line.
Complete Grand Blue Weapon Tier List
Grand Blue currently ships with a roster of roughly 12-14 named weapons, spanning melee sidearms (Cutlass, Katana, Battle Axe, Willow Blade, Captain's Claws, Cat Claws), ranged tools (Slingshot, Musket variants), and a small set of hidden secret weapons tied to quest chains or off-path exploration. Each weapon carries its own damage profile, range, swing speed, and special skill, so a raw damage number alone never tells the full story.
To make the rankings fair across both PvE and PvP, every weapon below is scored on four axes that the community consistently flags as decisive: raw damage per hit, range (how far the swing or shot reaches), skill utility (stun, knockback, bleed, dash-cancel, projectile), and accessibility (how easily a new player can obtain it). Weapons that score well on three or more axes climb to S or A tier; weapons that only dominate one axis (usually raw damage at the cost of swing speed) settle in B or C; starter gear and stat-sticks with no real upside drop to D or F.
| Tier | Weapons | What Defines This Tier |
|---|---|---|
| S | Willow Blade, Katana, Captain's Claws | Top-tier damage + range + skill synergy |
| A | Battle Axe, Cat Claws, Musket | Strong in a specific role, slightly outclassed in others |
| B | Cutlass, Slingshot, Iron Mace | Solid all-rounders or situational picks |
| C | Wooden Bat, Broken Saber | Viable only very early or for specific challenges |
| F | Rusty Knife, Practice Cutlass | Strictly outclassed; keep one for collection only |
The table above is a snapshot. The remaining sections break down each tier, explain the math behind the ranking, and show you exactly how to obtain the weapons worth chasing — including where to farm the Iron Ingot and Beast Leather required to craft Willow Blade, which quest chain unlocks the hidden Captain's Claws after the Skull Island patch, and why Cat Claws out-DPS the Battle Axe in PvP despite sitting one tier lower on raw damage per hit.
S-Tier Weapons: The Best Sidearms Worth Building Around
The S-tier in this Grand Blue best weapons ranking is reserved for sidearms that win in at least three of the four evaluation axes and have no realistic replacement in their role. As of the Early Access build, three weapons consistently land here according to community testing and player reports.
Willow Blade
The Willow Blade is widely treated as the best all-round melee weapon in Grand Blue right now. It blends a long slash arc with a mid-cooldown skill that pulls enemies toward the player, which doubles as a setup for aerial combos and a defensive tool when surrounded. Players report the swing arc is wide enough to catch off-angle pirates in PvP, and the pull skill gives it niche value in boss fights where adds spawn in clusters.
| Attribute | Willow Blade |
|---|---|
| Damage per hit | Very High |
| Range | Long |
| Skill | Enemy pull + brief vulnerability window |
| Best use | PvP duels, boss add control, farming groups |
| Difficulty to obtain | Medium (secret weapon quest chain) |
Katana
The Katana is the highest-damage-per-second melee sidearm when used by a player who can chain its swing animation cancel. Its slimmer hitbox rewards precision over spam, but when landed, every strike feeds into a fast combo that outpaces Battle Axe users in sustained fights. Because the Katana can roll crit-trait bonuses harder than any blunt weapon, it pairs naturally with damage-oriented Grand Blue trait tier list builds.
Captain's Claws
Captain's Claws occupy a unique spot: they hit fast, hit multiple times per swing, and their skill grants a brief dash-cancel that doubles as a mobility tool. In PvE grinding they shred bosses whose hurtboxes sit close to the player, and in PvP the dash lets you reset spacing without spending a stamina roll. If you can learn the rhythm, Captain's Claws rival the Katana in raw DPS and beat it in survivability.
A-Tier Weapons: Strong Picks With a Clear Role
A-tier weapons do not dominate every situation the way S-tier picks do, but each one fills a specific role well enough that a player with a preferred playstyle can build around it without feeling like they are handicapping themselves. The Grand Blue community generally agrees on Battle Axe, Cat Claws, and the Musket as the three A-tier standouts.
Battle Axe
The Battle Axe is the slow-but-hard-hitting bruiser of the weapon roster. Each swing is a commitment, but the payoff is some of the highest single-hit damage in the game, which makes it ideal for bursting down elite enemies and bosses whose openings are short. Players pairing the Battle Axe with a heavy-hitting Grand Blue fighting style tier list setup tend to clear boss rooms in fewer swings than Katana or Willow Blade users, provided they can land the hits.
| Attribute | Battle Axe |
|---|---|
| Damage per hit | Highest in roster |
| Range | Medium |
| Skill | Heavy overhead slam with AoE knockdown |
| Best use | Bursting boss HP, PvE elite farming |
| Weakness | Slow swing, punished if whiffed |
Cat Claws
Cat Claws are the speed cousin of Captain's Claws: faster swings, lower per-hit damage, and a multi-hit skill that stacks bleed. They are the go-to weapon for fast-attack playstyles and they scale surprisingly well with attack-speed traits, so they are a popular pick among players who want a PvP duelist setup. In PvE they are slightly outclassed by Captain's Claws in single-target damage, which is the only reason they sit in A rather than S.
Musket
The Musket is the only ranged weapon in the current roster that actually competes with melee sidearms in DPS when used correctly. Its charged shot deletes adds at range, and the knockback on its skill lets you control space in PvP duels. The downside is the long reload animation, which means you need cover or teammates between shots. For solo open-world farming, the Musket is hard to beat, especially against ranged enemies.
B-Tier and C-Tier Weapons: Starter Gear and Niche Picks
The middle of this Grand Blue all weapons ranking is where most of your first-week playtime happens. B-tier weapons are not bad; they are simply outclassed by the S and A tier picks in raw numbers. C-tier weapons are mostly kept for early progression or specific challenge runs where the trade-offs suddenly matter.
B-Tier: Cutlass, Slingshot, Iron Mace
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Cutlass — The default weapon and the one most players learn the game with. Its damage and range are mediocre, but its swing speed and stamina cost are the baseline every other weapon is compared against.
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Slingshot — A solid ranged option for the first few islands. Outclassed by the Musket as soon as you unlock it, but useful for sniping birds and small enemies from boats.
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Iron Mace — A blunt weapon that fits somewhere between the Cutlass and the Battle Axe. Players report it shines against armored enemies, but its middling swing speed holds it back from A tier.
C-Tier: Wooden Bat, Broken Saber
The Wooden Bat and Broken Saber are functionally placeholder weapons you find in early chests. Their damage is low, their skills are weak, and there is no realistic scenario where they out-perform the Cutlass once you have it. Keep one in your inventory if you want it for the collection log; otherwise, sell or dismantle.
| Tier | Weapon | Role | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | Cutlass | All-rounder starter | Outclassed, but reliable |
| B | Slingshot | Early ranged | Replace with Musket ASAP |
| B | Iron Mace | Anti-armor niche | Solid against plated enemies |
| C | Wooden Bat | Placeholder | Skip after Cutlass |
| C | Broken Saber | Placeholder | Skip after Cutlass |
Weapon Acquisition Methods in Grand Blue
A tier list is only useful if you can actually obtain the weapons worth ranking. There are four reliable methods to add weapons to your inventory, and understanding which method drops which weapon is the fastest way to skip the grind.
Weapon Shop and Starter Loadouts
The Weapon Shop on the starter island stocks the Cutlass, Iron Mace, Slingshot, and a rotating selection of mid-tier gear. Prices are paid in gold, which you earn from quests, chest loot, and enemy drops. This is also where most new players pick up their first real sidearm, since the starter Cutlass is given to you for free when you begin the game. According to the official Grand Blue page on Roblox, the Weapon Shop refreshes its stock on a regular timer, so checking back after every island hop is worth the detour.
Crafting at the Forge
Higher-tier weapons (Battle Axe, Captain's Claws, Musket) are built at the Blacksmith's Forge using materials dropped by enemies, gathered from nodes, or salvaged from unwanted gear. Each craft requires a specific recipe, and the materials are not interchangeable, so it helps to know which weapon you are building toward before you start salvaging. Players report that the Forge also accepts rare ores from boss kills, which is one of the few ways to unlock some of the secret weapons.
Boss Drops and Quest Rewards
Bosses in Grand Blue drop weapon materials, crafting tokens, and on rare occasions, the weapons themselves. The boss tier list of which bosses drop which materials shifts as the developer (Superstephon) pushes Early Access patches, so check the Grand Blue boss list before each farming run. Axe Hand Morgan, for example, is a known source of axe-related crafting tokens.
Secret Weapon Quests
Secret weapons in Grand Blue are not sold, not crafted, and not dropped by standard enemies. Instead, they are tied to hidden quest chains, off-path exploration, and puzzle interactions scattered across the open world. The community tracks these on YouTube and the official Discord, but the most common trigger is interacting with glowing NPCs in unmarked areas, then completing a short objective sequence to unlock the weapon. The Willow Blade and the "Crescent" secret weapon are two confirmed examples; expect more to be added as the game moves out of Early Access.
Grand Blue Weapon Locations and Farming Routes
Knowing Grand Blue weapon locations matters as much as knowing which weapon to chase, because random spawns can easily burn 30 minutes of a session. The most efficient routes, as of the current Early Access build, follow island chains that combine quest NPCs, forge materials, and boss spawns into a single loop.
| Island / Area | Weapons Obtainable Here | Farming Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Starter Isle | Cutlass, Slingshot, Iron Mace | All available in shop |
| Forge Island | Battle Axe (craft), Iron Mace (craft) | Bring 8-10 ore per craft |
| Captain's Cove | Captain's Claws (quest), Wooden Bat (chest) | Captain's Cove quest line required |
| Whispering Peaks | Musket (craft), Slingshot upgrades | Musket recipe requires Feathered Hide |
| Hidden Cove | Willow Blade (secret), Crescent (secret) | Puzzle chain; community-tracked |
| Boss Arenas | Battle Axe tokens, Captain's Claws tokens | Farm bosses on respawn timer |
PvE Grinding Route
For pure material farming, the best loop is Starter Isle → Forge Island → Whispering Peaks → Captain's Cove → Hidden Cove. Each stop yields either a craftable weapon or a quest unlock, and the backtrack to Starter Isle is short enough that you can bank materials and return to the forge every 15-20 minutes. Players report the route works at any level because the enemies scale to your current rank, though the Hidden Cove puzzle is significantly easier after you have a B-tier or better sidearm equipped.
PvP Duel Prep Route
If you are gearing for PvP, prioritize Captain's Claws, Katana, and Musket first because they all have dueling-specific skills. The fastest path is to skip the starter loop entirely, head straight to the Captain's Cove quest line, then push into the Hidden Cove to start the secret weapon chain. Because the official developer shares new code drops on X, check the latest codes before you start a farming run; many codes grant free weapon materials that skip the early forge grind.
Grand Blue Secret Weapons: How to Get Them
The "how to get secret weapon" question comes up more than almost any other topic in the community, because the developer does not publish an in-game index of secret unlocks. Instead, every secret weapon is gated behind a multi-step chain that blends exploration, NPC interaction, and timed objectives. If you skip any step, the chain locks and you have to start over from the last checkpoint.
Common Steps for Every Secret Weapon Chain
Although the exact steps vary per weapon, every secret weapon chain in Grand Blue currently follows a recognizable skeleton. The five steps below map onto almost every entry in the grand blue all weapons roster, and the Willow Blade quest line fits them almost beat-for-beat, which is why we use it as the worked example throughout this tier list guide. The hidden NPC, the mob drops from non-marked zones, and the mini-boss gate are the same three gatekeepers you will hit while chasing any top-tier entry on the grand blue best weapons ranking, so learning the pattern once saves time across the entire grand blue secret weapons checklist.
| Step | What You Do | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Find the hidden NPC in a non-marked area | Triggers the quest flag |
| 2 | Collect 3-5 quest items from nearby mobs or nodes | Confirms you have explored the area |
| 3 | Defeat a mini-boss or complete a timed trial | Tests your combat readiness |
| 4 | Return the quest items to the NPC | Unlocks the crafting recipe or direct weapon |
| 5 | Craft the weapon at the forge OR receive it as a quest reward | Adds the weapon to your inventory |
Most-Tracked Secret Weapons
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Willow Blade — The flagship secret weapon. The chain starts at the glowing NPC near the waterfall on Hidden Cove and ends with a craft at the Forge using boss-dropped wood and ore.
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Crescent — A curved-blade secret weapon with a strong spin skill. The chain is timed: the NPC only appears during the in-game night cycle, so waiting through one full day is part of the unlock.
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Phantom Musket — A faster-firing, lower-damage cousin of the Musket. The chain is tied to a sharpshooter NPC who spawns only after you have completed the Captain's Cove quest line.
Players chasing the full Grand Blue weapon tier list for secret weapons should monitor the official Grand Blue Discord patch notes channel, since the developer frequently drops new secret chains during Early Access pushes without any prior roadmap announcement. Cross-referencing each new chain's NPC location, quest prerequisite, and Forge recipe against the tier list helps you slot the weapon into S/A/B rankings the moment it goes live, rather than scrambling after the meta has already shifted.
How to Build Around Your Chosen Weapon
Picking the right weapon from a tier list is only half the equation. The other half is pairing it with a fighting style, a race, and traits that amplify its strengths. Grand Blue's combat sandbox is built so that weapons, fighting styles, and passive traits layer together, and a build that ignores one of the three layers is leaving damage on the table.
Pair Weapons With the Right Fighting Style
| Weapon | Best Fighting Style Match | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Willow Blade | Water Style | Pull skill syncs with water knockback |
| Katana | Dark Style | High crit window rewards fast chains |
| Captain's Claws | Beast Style | Multi-hit skill stacks with beast buffs |
| Battle Axe | Earth Style | Slow swings land harder with earth buffs |
| Musket | Wind Style | Range bonuses stack with projectile damage |
The synergy between your fighting style and weapon choice can shift a mid-tier pick like the Katana into an S-tier performer, since Dark Style's crit chain multipliers compound with the blade's already high base attack speed. The full breakdown of how each fighting style changes your weapon damage is on the Grand Blue fighting styles page, which is worth bookmarking before you commit to a build, especially because swapping styles mid-combat triggers a 3-second cooldown that can cost you a damage window if timed poorly.
Choose a Race That Supports Your Playstyle
Race choice is permanent until you burn a reroll, so it pays to match race passives to your weapon. Speed-focused races pair naturally with Katana and Captain's Claws, while tankier races buy the Battle Axe user enough time to land slow swings. The Grand Blue race tier list covers every race and which weapons they synergize with.
Stack the Right Traits
Traits are the easiest layer to optimize because you can reroll them freely. Damage-up, crit-rate, and attack-speed traits are universally strong, but each weapon has a slightly different priority order. Katana users want crit-rate first, Battle Axe users want raw damage, and Musket users want range. Trait priorities and reroll tips are covered in detail on the Grand Blue trait tier list.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best weapon in Grand Blue right now?
The Willow Blade is the current S-tier pick because it combines long range, high damage, and a pull skill that works in both PvE and PvP. The Katana and Captain's Claws are close seconds, and your best weapon ultimately depends on whether you prefer precision, speed, or sustain in a fight.
How do I get secret weapons in Grand Blue?
Secret weapons are unlocked by finding hidden NPCs in non-marked areas, collecting 3-5 quest items, defeating a mini-boss or timed trial, and then returning the items to the NPC to either receive the weapon or unlock its forge recipe. The Willow Blade and Crescent chains are the two most-tracked examples in the current build, and the developer posts new secret chains on the official Grand Blue Discord when Early Access patches drop.
Where can I find every weapon in Grand Blue?
The full weapon roster is split across the Weapon Shop on Starter Isle, the Forge on Forge Island, boss drops in the boss arenas, and secret quest chains scattered across Hidden Cove and Captain's Cove. Checking the Weapon Shop after every island hop, farming the boss arenas on the respawn timer, and following the quest line in Captain's Cove will cover roughly 90% of the weapons available in Early Access.
Is the Musket better than melee weapons in PvP?
The Musket is strong in PvP because its knockback skill controls spacing, but it is harder to use than Katana or Captain's Claws because of the long reload animation. In high-tier duels the meta still favors fast melee weapons, though a skilled Musket player can shut down rushdown builds by chaining knockback shots.
Can I get all weapons without spending Robux?
Yes. Every weapon in the current Grand Blue build is earnable through in-game gold, materials, boss drops, or quest chains. The paid game passes and Robux-only items sold in the shop do not include any of the S-tier or A-tier weapons; the best sidearms are all behind gameplay, not the cash shop.