Weapons in FFXI aren’t just tools, they’re personality statements. The sword you swing, the axe you crush with, the katana you elegantly slice through enemies with, they all say something about you. Want knightly finesse? Grab a sword. Need to smash bones into dust? Pick an axe. Dreaming of samurai vibes? Yes, the katana awaits.
With over 19 weapon types spanning Relic, Mythic, Empyrean, Aeonic, and Prime tiers, FFXI’s arsenal is as massive as it is varied. You can craft these bad boys or snag them off the Auction House for a pile of FFXI Gil.
Weapons
Hand-to-Hand
If you like raw skill and self-reliance. Choosing fists over weapons say you’re confident, a little scrappy, and thrive on finesse. You enjoy mastering timing and precision, proving that sheer talent beats fancy tools.
These hand-to-hand weapons include items like Knuckles, Claws, Baghnakhs, Cesti, and, of course, your occasional Punches, and are best used by Monks and Puppetmasters.
Daggers
Are you cunning, impatient, and love the thrill of multi-hit chaos? Fast, precise, and occasionally sneaky, daggers attract players who enjoy thinking a step ahead. If you pick them, then you value speed over brute force and delight in clever, elegant solutions to combat problems.
Some examples of daggers are Silktone, Mandau, Azoth, Baselard, and your not-so-average knife.
Swords
Heroic, steady, reliable. You’re the RPG diehard who wants a balanced, classic experience—nothing fancy, nothing overly complicated. Swords say you enjoy predictability with a touch of style, the “I swing, it hits, I move on” mindset.
Some of the swords that can be found in the game are an Ancient sword, a Dragon Slayer, a Divine Sword, and a Bastard Sword.
Great Swords
Balanced brute force with style. You like two-handed drama without being cumbersome. You’re a strategic player who appreciates the cinematic satisfaction of heavy swings—precise, purposeful, and stylish in every attack. Mainly wielded by Dark knights, Great swords are an excellent choice for strong damage output. These two-handed weapons are mainly wielded by Dark Knights, Paladins, Warriors, and Rune Fencers, and are used as an alternative to the Scythe as well.
Some of the great swords in the game are Doombringer, Sword of Trials, and Valhalla.
Axes
Bold, aggressive, and unapologetically heavy-hitting. Choosing an axe says you like to make an impact, literally. You’re a “feel the weight of the swing” kind of player, relishing every moment your enemies stagger under your power.
Axes are are one-handed weapons that are mainly used by Warriors and Beastmasters. A fun fact being that Beastmasters can equip more kinds of axes than Warriors. Other than these two, Dark Knights, Rangers, and Rune Fencers can also use Axes, but that is rarely seen in the game.
Some of the best axes we have are Orcish Axe, Ogre Killer, Cleofun Axe, and Fransisa, which is as deadly as sweet as the name sounds.
Great Axes
The average axe is too small for you? Well, the game has got you. Slow, deliberate, and devastating, these weapons attract the patient, methodical player who enjoys high-risk, high-reward gameplay. You like to feel every ounce of your strength, and you aren’t afraid to command attention when you strike.There are great axes that require both your hands to be handled, and they can be wielded by Dark Knights and mostly used by Warriors. These axes are a strong option for damage, but are slow.
Some of the Great Axes are Ukko’s Fury, Wamoura Axe, and Camaraderie Reaper.
Scythes
Dark, brooding, and a little intimidating. Choosing a scythe says you like to make a statement: you want your presence felt and your enemies unnerved. You’re drawn to the grim, the edgy, and the high-risk, high-reward thrill of wielding something that looks and feels deadly. They typically deal slashing damage and are very low, but have a serious damage output. Scythes are mainly used by Beastmasters, Dark Knights, and warriors. Their skills are mostly darkness-based.
Scythes like Frostreaper, King Maker, Harvester, and PlantReaper can be found in the game. Upgrading these weapons requires the in-game currency, which you can acquire by completing quests and fighting mobs, but the most effective option is to just buy FFXI Gil .
Polearms
Tactical, disciplined, and patient. You enjoy measuring distance, timing, and reach. Polearms say you think in rotations and counters, and you appreciate precision as much as raw damage. You’re the type to plan your moves carefully and strike when it counts. The signature weapon of the Dragoons and deals piercing damage. They are also further divided into two categories, the slower lances and the quicker spears.
Spears have moderate delay and deal common damage, whereas Lances are much slower but have a much greater damage output.
Katanas
Sleek, stylish, and precise. Ninja vibes all the way. You value elegance and speed, taking pride in skill chains and flashy, effective combat. You’re a player who loves to look good while dealing lethal damage. Katanas are here to give you that feel.
These are one-handed weapons and deal slashing damage. These weapons can only be properly used by Ninjas. Katanas deal average damage and can also be dual-wielded.
Some of the major katanas are Bubosco, Kamome, Tsugumi, and Kageboshi.
Great Katanas
Samurai dreams realized. You’re methodical but love impact, valuing both style and power. Skill chains and heavy swings appeal to your sense of drama (you enjoy orchestrating every moment of combat like a deadly performance). Great Katanas also allow the players to participate in every single skill chain while also being able to land both single and dual hits.
Some of the popular Great katanas are Shinkotetsu, Amanomurakumo, Pachipachio, and Hagun.
Clubs
Supportive yet impactful. You’re practical and versatile, willing to help allies while still having a satisfying way to hit things. Clubs say you appreciate utility, healing, or hybrid roles without sacrificing your presence in battle. These are the mini versions of Axes because they also deal blunt damage. Clubs are mostly used by White Mages, and some clubs have weapon skills that restore MP instead of dealing damage. It is to be noted that all legendary club weapons can only be used by White Mages.
Many types of Clubs are available in the game, like cudgels, hammers, maces, and the iconic Kraken club.
Staves
Intelligent, strategic, and stat-savvy. You like to play the long game, boosting abilities, magic accuracy, and elemental damage rather than just swinging for raw numbers. You value preparation, foresight, and elegance over brute force.
Two-handed weapons that deal blunt damage. They are usually weak and are equipped for the stat bonuses they provide, and are mostly used by jobs like Black Mage, Summoner, and Scholar. There are also pole-like staves that deal actual damage.
Some of the common staves are Fire Staff, Mekki Shakki, Nirvana, and the Onion staff.
Archery
Sick of melee? Go ranged. Calculated, patient, and precise. You like to dominate from a distance, staying safe while controlling the flow of battle. This is a class of ranged weapons that deals piercing damage and is mainly used by rangers, allowing them to attack from afar.
Archery can also be classified into two kinds: Shortbows and Long Bows. The latter has a longer delay but deals more damage whereas the opposite goes for the shortbows. Some of the best Archery options are Great Bow, Rune Bow, Selene’s Bow, and Yoichinoyumi.
Marksmanship
Marksmanship governs ranged attacks with crossbows and guns. Crossbows hit fast with moderate damage and can fire bolts with bonus effects like elemental damage or stat debuffs. Guns, meanwhile, are slow but hit like a truck, capable of massive single strikes. Crossbows suit versatile players; guns are for those who love high-risk, high-reward firepower. Ninjas, Corsairs, and Rangers are the usual suspects, but anyone can dabble.
Throwing Weapons
Throwing weapons occupy either the Ranged or Ammo slot. Some, like boomerangs and chakrams, return to you for repeated use, while others vanish after one throw. Ninjas excel here, especially with shuriken, which are deadly, fast, and expensive. Most adventurers stick to returning or consumable throwables for pulling or utility. The sweet spot for accuracy is 1–2.5 yalms; square hits land between 2.5–7.5 yalms.
Conclusion
Final Fantasy XI’s weapon roster is insane. Ranged? Check. Melee? Obviously. Magic-infused staves? Sure. Bards and Geomancers have instruments. Throwables, guns, boomerangs—there’s literally something for everyone. Find your weapon, embrace your style, and watch your FFXI adventures transform.