Now I know the first question people have in any game is “What kind of weapons can I get?” In Bastion there’s a total of thirteen weapons but here I’m going to narrow it down to my top 5. The Cael Hammer, Bullhead Shield, Fang Repeater, Dueling Pistols, and Flame Bellows. Each weapon is unlocked after defeating a certain area in the game. I won’t go so far to say that my choices are the only “Right” ones, just the ones I use most.

1. Cael Hammer (1st weapon given at start)

Gonna take you down Windbag!

As said, this is literally the first weapon in the game. It is described as the most common weapon that the character and others defending the borders used. I love this hammer and rarely trade it out as I play through most of the game.

As for how good it is against enemies… as it is upgraded the damage does get better on top of dealing higher damage while standing still. Add in using the secret skills it becomes a much cooler damage dealer. 

Cael Hammer Uses: 

• Smashing obstacles- some barriers are present that the hammer can smash through
• Fending off enemies- This is obvious but the secret skills whirlwind or stunning wallop really deals serious damage to enemies that surround you or an enemy with higher than average health
• Stationary Power- This is a wonderful skill as even in its first form the hammer still has more power when the character is stationary versus moving.

To get the Cael Hammer you just travel through the first available area as the narrator talks. No enemies are present in this area until you pick up the hammer

Cael Hammer Stats

• Sledge Head (+50% Damage)
• Extended Grip (Adds Focus Attack: Charges the attack while you block. Very powerful overhead swing if you attack out of the block)
• Alloy Shaft (+50% Damage)
• Checkered Face (Attacks Ignore Armor)
• Cael Engravings (+75% Damage)
• Battle Head (+10% Critical Hit Chance)
• Reverse Grip (Uppercut Attacks Cause Knockback)
• Craftsman Shaft (+100% Critical Hit Damage)
• Bell Face (Overhead Strikes Can Stun)
• Ura Engravings (+25% Critical Hit Chance, +150% Critical Hit Damage

Secret Skills also deserve a proper mention. Whirlwind is ​a furious spinning strike that can damage multiple enemies. Stunning wallop is a single enemy crushing attack that stuns any enemy unlucky enough to get in the way.

2. Bullhead Shield (2nd “weapon” found early in game)

Not gonna damage me!

This one is the second in my arsenal of favorites for a reason. It is invaluable in providing counter attacks against almost all enemies. It is a shield after all. This weapon has proven itself many times over.

Bullhead Shield Uses 

• Defense- used right before an enemy strikes can block and stun them
• Counter- Used at just the right time it can counter an enemy strike, causing them damage
• Stationary Power- The longer the button is held the stronger the stun as counter can only be used right as attack happens

To get the Bullhead Shield you just look near the back of the saloon in the Rippling Walls area.

Bullhead Shield Stats: 

This weapon does not have stats like the Hammer or other weapons. But it can be improved on using the liquors option at your home base

Of Secret Skills it has just one called Mirror Shield. It is a secret technique that automatically counter-blocks all incoming attacks for a short time.

3. Fang Repeater (3rd weapon found early in game)

Made from the bones of an enemy

This is a rapid-fire weapon that at first does not seem like much. It does have limited firing capacity, takes a second to reload, and can’t be fired while moving. But it becomes extremely useful, at least to me, once the capacity is upgraded using the proving grounds or finding parts out in the Wilds.

Fang Repeater Uses:

• Distance- can be used to fire upon enemies from a distance
• Rapid-fire- just holding down the button and firing at will is a breeze and effective
• Ricochet- an upgrade that becomes useful when surrounded by enemies

The Fang Repeater is found in the Rippling Walls area soon after the Bullhead Shield.

Fang Repeater Stats: 

• Double Clip (+8 Ammo Capacity)
• Heavy Bolts (+50% Damage)
• Hollowed Chamber (+8 Ammo Capacity)
• Reinforced Piston (+50% Damage)
• Bounding Critters (Bullets Ricochet)
• Speed Clip (+55% Reload Speed)
• Flurry Bolts (Higher Firing Rate, Increased Spread)
• Grooved Chamber (+55% Reload Speed)
• Multi-Piston (Higher Firing Rate, Increased Spread)
• Tracking Critters (Bullets Seek Targets)

Secret skills also deserve a mention here. Bolt burst is a spiral of bolts that deals damage in every direction and is affected by 4th tier upgrade. Snooze dart is a bolt coated in a heavy sedative, which causes the target to lose consciousness on impact.

4. Dueling Pistols

Second place! Too slow!

The dueling pistols, while on my favorites list, are somewhat similar to the Fang Repeater. The exception is it fires as fast as your finger presses the button. I enjoy this one mainly because it turns you into something of a gunslinger as opposed to an archer of a sort.

Dueling Pistols Uses:

• Rapid-fire- quick firing and reload with decent capacity compared to Fang Repeater
• Weapon upgrades- improves accuracy and damage, leading to better weapon
• The dueling pistols are found stashed inside a log at the start of the Wild Outskirts

Dueling Pistols Stats

• Expanded Cylinders (+4 Ammo Capacity)
• Speedloader Chambers (+25% Faster Reload)
• Wild Powder (Bullets Ricochet on Contact)
• Tranquilizer Barrels (Bullets Cripple Foes)
• Hollow-Jacket Rounds (Bullets Cause Knockback)
• Sealed Cylinders (Bullet Scatter Eliminated)
• High-Caliber Chambers (+25% Damage)
• Cauldron Powder (+1 Target Penetrations Per Shot)
• Hunting Barrels (+25% Damage)
• Armor-Eater Rounds (Bullets Ignore Armor)

Secret Skills deserve a mention because both can be devastating. Duel Decider is a single swift, devastating shot aimed straight for the foe's most vulnerable parts. Slinger Storm is a rapid fire frenzy of countless bullets.

5. Flaming Bellows (Midway through game)

Mmm roasted peckerbird

It has been a while since I have had occasion to use this weapon but it is quite effective. It spews fire continuously and can cause damage over time. We all know games that have weapons like this too and the utter devastation it causes!

Flaming Bellows Uses:

• Continuous fire- think flamethrower and it speaks for itself
• Burn over time- this is useful especially with enemies that may have large amounts of health and you need a boost in the fight
• The secret skills- makes this weapon invaluable in fights with large amounts of enemies

The Flaming Bellows can be found in the Colford Cauldron area after defeating various enemies and is surrounded by thorns.

Flame Bellows Stats:

• Sustainable Fuel (+20% Fuel Generation)
• Napalm Reservoir (Flames Cause Lasting Burn)
• Cooling Intake (+20% Fuel Generation)
• Contoured Grip (+25% Attack Speed)
• Streamlined Furnace (Move Faster While Attacking)
• Volatile Fuel (Flames Spread Wider)
• Thermite Reservoir (+1 Damage Per Flame)
• Modified Intake (Flames Cripple Foes)
• Shielded Grip (Damage Resistance When Firing)
• Industrial Furnace (Large Attack Range Increase, Cannot Move and Fire)

Secret Skills are pretty decent for this weapon as well. Burning Carousel is a technique causing the user to spin while spouting flames. Ring of Fire is a technique that causes an expanding wall of flame to sweep through the vicinity.

You may also be interested in:

• [Top 5] Bastion Weapon Combos
• [Top 5] Bastion Best Loadouts To Use
• [Top 10] Bastion Best Gear In The Game