Lances and swords and wands – oh my! How can I possibly choose?

This is a great question! Prioritizing is key! That’s where we come in. Our experts (me) have played hours and hours of the game, so you can do it too – but with the weapons you want!

11. Iron Bow +

The ultimate beginner weapon.

This may seem like a strange weapon to begin the list. But if you’ve ever completed a Three Houses run on maddening, you’d get it. Trust me.

The Iron Bow + has a hit chance of 95 and has 45 uses. But the biggest plus is that it only has a weight of five, which is a major upside for any of your units. The higher the weight, the slower your unit moves (aka, your chance of dodging attacks goes way down). Though it only has a might (mt) of seven, it is easy to obtain through forging or buying.

It is probably the most universally used bow in the game, and rightfully so. You may want to consider giving several of your units this bow, especially thanks to its low requirements of usage.

In short:

• High hit chance
• 45 uses
• Easy to obtain
• Low requirements 

More information: https://fireemblem.fandom.com/wiki/Iron_Bow 

10. Levin Sword 

Zeus, but sword-form.

I don’t love using swords, but one of the swords I will always have on a unit is the Levin Sword. This is especially useful for someone like Byleth, who doesn’t have the greatest magic growths in the game but who can use magic and has excellent strengths in swords. Typically, you want to put this sword on a physical attacker who has some growths in magic.

For example, in my first run I gave this sword to my dancer Sylvain - he looks fabulous in the dress, by the way. Due to a dancer’s ability, you likely will want to keep a sword on them. Sylvain has magic ability, but it is nowhere near as strong as his physical attacks. So, I gave him the Levin Sword.

It has a 70 percent hit rate, and a much wider range than a regular sword. You should have a chance to get the sword during chapter six in the bottom right chest, or you can forge one. 

In short:

• Great for physical units with magic prowess
• Better range than a regular sword
• Easy to obtain

More information: https://fireemblem.fandom.com/wiki/Levin_Sword 

9. Thunderbrand 

As cool as it sounds.

It’s well-known that swords aren’t necessarily the best weapon to use in Fire Emblem: Three Houses, but you will find yourself getting a lot of them throughout the story. So, it is good to know how to use them. Thunderbrand is one of the best swords in the game. Not only is it a Heroes’ Relic, but it is also considered a Brave Sword – a sword that attacks twice.

If your unit is initiating combat while using Thunderbrand, it will attack a second time. The sword boasts a 70 percent hit chance, which is lower than a Brave Sword. But it has a weight of seven, which is significantly less than the Brave Sword’s 12, which will help with a unit’s speed.

The easiest way to get this sword is by recruiting Catherine in all routes except for Crimson Flower.

In short:

• It’s a Heroes’ Relic Brave Sword
• Easy to get on most routes 
• Decent hit chance
• Low weight

More information: https://fireemblem.fandom.com/wiki/Thunderbrand 

8. Freikugel 

Hard to spell, easy to use.

Not only does this axe look pretty darn cool, but it’s also very strong. With a crit chance of 10 percent, it’s a nice weapon to have on your team. 

If the wielder of this axe also has the crest of Goneril, then the real magic comes into play. The user can use Apocalyptic Flame, which is the special combat art of Freikugel. It is especially useful against dragons, and it inflicts negative five strength on a foe for a turn.

This weapon pairs great with Hilda, who bears the crest of Goneril. Not to mention that axes happen to come with arguably the best class in the game – the Wyvern Lord. You can get this axe by completing the paralogue “A World Divided.”

In short:

• Decent crit 
• Great combat art
• Get by completing paralogue 

More information: https://fireemblem.fandom.com/wiki/Freikugel 

9. Mini-Bow

Ashe and his mini-bow.

Based on the description, this may surprise you. “A bow that can be used at close range.

Cannot make follow-up attacks at 1 space away.” Like many people who read the description, I first thought this bow seemed useless, but that is far from the case.

In a run specifically such as maddening, this bow comes in handy early game thanks to its light weight and durability. In the early game, no one will likely be doubling you, so it is rare that not being able to make a counterattack will matter. The bow is also easy to gain access to since you can buy it in the marketplace.

It may not be quite as good in the later games, but by then you will be able to make use of other strategies and weapons.

In short:

• Great for Maddening runs
• Easy to get
• Best in early game

More information: https://fireemblemwiki.org/wiki/Mini_Bow 

7. Lance of Ruin 

Easy to get, easy to use.

Though it has a low percent hit rate at 65 percent, the Lance of Ruin is the earliest Heroes’ Relic you can get in Fire Emblem: Three Houses.  That alone gives it an excellent ranking on this list. You can get it one of two ways: if Sylvain has been recruited and Byleth does not choose to give the Lance of Ruin to Rhea during chapter 5, or by completing “The Forgotten” paralogue.

When given to someone that holds the crest of Gautier, they can use Fallen Sky. This gives the weapon a +10 crit, +10 avoid, and +10 hit on an already high 20 percent crit-rate weapon. Also consider using Swift Strikes, which allows for your unit to attack twice.

In short:

• Obtainable early game
• Easy to get if you have Sylvain
• Decent crit, avoid and hit
• Great with Swift Strikes

More information: https://fireemblem.fandom.com/wiki/Lance_of_Ruin 

6. Aymr

A terrifying axe for an emperor.

Typically, I would never put a weapon that has a measly 60 percent hit rate on a list like this one, but Aymr is an exception. This weapon is Edelgard’s weapon of choice, and it is only obtained during the Crimson Flower route. That means that only if you still have Edelgard are you allowed to play it.

It has a 20 percent crit chance, as well as a might of 24. But the skill that comes with it is the most important factor. Anyone that has a crest of Seiros is granted the ability to use Raging Storm, which is a combat skill that allows the user to move again if the skill hits.

In short:

• One of the best combat skills in the game
• Decent crit
• Might of 24
• Only obtainable in one route
• Low hit chance

More information: https://fireemblem.fandom.com/wiki/Aymr 

5. Failnaught 

A bow fit for Legolas.

Failnaught is the relic weapon that belongs to Claude. With 18 might, 75 hit chance, 20 critical and a range of 2-3, it is a rather strong bow. But perhaps the most game-changing aspect is that wielders with the crest of Riegan may sometimes restore their HP up to 30% of their damage dealt when using a combat art. 

Unfortunately, there are few instances to get it. If you play as part of the Golden Deer House, you will automatically obtain the weapon during chapter 13. However, if you are playing as a member of the Blue Lions house, you will obtain the bow during chapter 19.

Remember, you will probably want to keep another type of bow (iron bow, anyone?) with you when using Failnaught. Because if you keep using combat arts, the weapon will quickly break and need to be repaired.

In short:

• Good range
• 18 might
• Decent hit chance
• Heals user with crest of Reigan
• Only obtainable in two routes

More information: https://fireemblem.fandom.com/wiki/Failnaught 

4. Lúin 

The perfect lance for Ingrid.

The second of many lances still yet to be mentioned, Lúin is one of my favorite weapons to use. Perhaps my favorite stat, the Heroes’ Relic boasts a bulky 90 percent hit rate. Paired with a 10 percent crit chance and a might of 9, it’s an excellent weapon to have at your side. Its weight of 17, however, is what keeps it below a few other lances on this list.

To obtain Lúin, you must have recruited Ingrid to your team when completing the “Rumored Nuptials” paralogue. If she has not already been recruited when you do the quest, you will not be given the lance upon completion.

In short:

• Can be obtained with a paralogue 
• Great for crit builds
• High attack chance
• High weight

More information: https://fireemblem.fandom.com/wiki/L%C3%BAin 

3. Killer Lance 

Crits galore for the Killer Lance.

You may be wondering what makes this weapon special enough to be placed higher on the list than a few Heroes’ Relics. Aside from its rather intimidating name, it really is a strong choice of weapon. The Killer Lance is a weapon built around critical hits. At 25 percent critical hit chance, and 35 percent if you upgrade it to the Killer Lance +, it is a weapon perfect for a crit unit.

With an 80 percent hit rate, it also boasts a fairly consistent attack chance. The biggest downside is its weight of 11, which is on the higher side for a majority of weapons. If you are going to use this weapon, make sure to plan accordingly. A character with a Wrath skill will pair very well with this weapon.

After chapter 8, you should have the ability to buy the lance in the marketplace.

In short:

• Easy to obtain
• Great for crit units
• Consistent attack chance
• Higher weight than some

More information: https://fireemblemwiki.org/wiki/Killer_Lance 

2. Scythe of Sariel 

The Death Knight's Scythe.

If this is your first playthrough, you may realize that this weapon is far more familiar than you were expecting. The deadly lance of the Death Knight – yes, that Death Knight – is, in fact, obtainable on all routes. However, you will have to jump through a bunch of hoops to get it. Why else would it be ranked so high?

With a 100 percent hit rate, with a much lower weight than the Killer Lance and a crit percent of 30, this thing is a monster. However, it’s not so much worth it if you have it on someone who is not built for critical hits. One of the characters who would likely get the most use out of it is none other than Dimitri himself, as when paired with his Battalion Vantage and Battalion Wrath it is downright dirty. Throw a crit ring on him and watch him hack away your enemies.

But the weapon does not come without a price. That price is how you obtain it, unfortunately. You must have both Caspar and Mercedes on your team to unlock “The Face Beneath” paralogue. Then, before you defeat everyone else, you must kill the Death Knight. Unfortunately, the catch is that Caspar must get the kill. 

If you beat the prologue without killing the Death Knight while using Caspar, you will not obtain the scythe.

In short:

• A pain in the butt to obtain, but completely worth it
• Obtainable in all routes
• Great for crit builds
• Lower weight than Killer Lance

More information: https://fireemblem.fandom.com/wiki/Scythe_of_Sariel 

1. Thyrsus

The wand chooses the wizard... or the mage.

Okay, so, Thyrsus isn’t technically considered a weapon – it’s a part of the “equipment” category since it is a staff. However, it is one of the 12 Heroes’ Relics and probably my favorite piece of equipment in the game. 

Thyrsus grants +2 range with magic attacks, and the Pavise and Aegis ability when your unit has the Crest of Glaucester. But my focus is on the +2 range. The two units in the game with the Crest of Glaucester are Lorenz and Lysithea. Lysithea happens to be arguably the best mage in the game, and she excels with the added 2 range on magic attacks.

However, make sure you have Lorenz on your team, because you cannot obtain the staff without him. Thyrsus is only available when you complete the “Land of the Golden Deer” paralogue.

In short:

• Adds a ton of range to your magic users
• Use on your most powerful mages
• Can be obtained with a fairly easy paralogue 

More information: https://fireemblem.fandom.com/wiki/Thyrsus 

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