Sword Comparison (Rev. 28)

Last updated: Exalt Version 2.3.2.0 (Jun 2022)

There is a healthy amount of debate on what sword is the clear-cut best of all. The truth is that there is no single sword that is the absolute best for every situation - though many do come close! In this article we’ll compare all of the swords for each of the sword classes.

Disclaimer

This is an article that compares most viable swords. Viability is tenious; players - even outside of the late game - might find many of the swords listed to be quite weak. However, this article focuses on many stages of gameplay, including when each sword’s unique traits (namely, range) would make things safer and easier to learn.

This article will mainly focus on each sword’s capabilities, mainly their DPS and how each sword’s DPS measures up compared to other swords. However, (true) range, projectile speed, shot pattern and other attributes are a major factor in how swords are used, and are noted below. For example, longer range gives safety & reaction time, and thus the ability to get more hits in.

The Classes

The sword classes encompass the Warrior, Knight, and Paladin. Classes can change which swords are better for which levels of enemy defense, in addition to making some swords easier/harder to use.

Warrior![]
Warrior has an attack cap of 75 and a dexterity cap of 50, making him the strongest sword class available. His Helm allows him to move and attack faster, further increasing his DPS.

(https://static.drips.pw/rotmg/wiki/Classes/Knight.png “Knight”) ![]
Knight has an ATT and DEX cap of 50 each. His DEF cap of 40 is the highest of all classes. His Shield doesn’t boost weapon damage, but gives DEF, stuns, and provides burst damage. While he is the weakest of the three classes, the shield makes up for i.

(https://static.drips.pw/rotmg/wiki/Classes/Paladin.png “Paladin”)
Paladin has an ATT cap of 50, & a DEX cap of 55. His DEF caps at 30, though the seal provides an HP boost instead. In addition, seals give DEX (not DEF) and a damaging buff that boosts damage/shot higher than the Warrior. With the damaging buff, Paladin’s DPS sits between that of Warrior and Knight.

Formulas

Deriving the formulas from the Character Stats page, we get the following formula for Damage Per Second (DPS), which is a good indication of how good a given weapon and character is versus a certain amount of def on a mob:

Damage Per Second

(((Average Weapon Damage per Shot * (0.5 + ATT/50)) - Enemy DEF) * Number of Shots) * ((1.5 + 6.5*(DEX/75)) * Weapon Rate of Fire) = Damage per Second

Warrior and Paladin have buffs that affect this modifer; these are the formulas with these buffs accounted for:

Damaging

((((Average Weapon Damage per Shot * (0.5 + ATT/50)) * 1.5) - Enemy DEF) * Number of Shots) * ((1.25 + 6.5*(DEX/75)) * Weapon Rate of Fire) = Damage per Second

Berserk

(((Average Weapon Damage per Shot * (0.5 + ATT/50)) - Enemy DEF) * Number of Shots) * (((1.5 + 6.5*(DEX/75)) * 1.25) * Weapon Rate of Fire) = Damage per Second

Weapon Rate of Fire is in decimal form - 100% ROF = 1.00 in the formula

The Swords

The DPS of each sword against an enemy with 0 DEF is listed for all the classes (Warrior/Knight/Paladin). In addition, the amount of DPS lost per point of DEF is listed for each of these classes. The DPS loss per point of DEF correlates directly with the amount of shots fired per second with a given weapon. You can multiply this DPS loss per point by the DEF of the enemy in question, then subtract this value from the DPS against 0 DEF provided in order to get the DPS against said enemy.

The DPS and defense values are calculated with the aid of Haizor’s DPS tool.

The assumptions made by this comparison of numbers are as follows:

  • All shots fired will each hit one enemy and do damage.
  • Warrior and Paladin are affected by the respective buffs that they can provide to themselves, but without any other players.
  • All three classes are equipped with their respective T6 ability (this gives Paladin +4 DEX).
  • None of the classes are wearing an Armor or Ring that would boost their DPS further.

Tiered Swords

This guide will compare several tiered swords to each untiered sword. Tiered swords have a range of 3.5 tiles and a projectile speed of 10 tiles per second (t/s). These are the highest tiered swords; other tiered swords will be mentioned when they warrant comparison.

Skysplitter Sword
Skysplitter Sword
DPS (0 DEF): 3492.7 / 2094.17 / 3167.8
Availability: Various, buyable in the Nexus with Fame, tradable

Sword of Acclaim
Sword of Acclaim
DPS (0 DEF): 3602.1 / 2159.8 / 3267
Availability: Various, most notably Wine Cellar, tradable

Sword of Splendor
Sword of Splendor
DPS (0 DEF): 3820.8 / 2291 / 3465.4
Availability: Void Entity, other endgame dungeons, tradable

Sword of Majesty
Sword of Majesty
DPS (0 DEF): 4410 / 2203.52 / 3059.74
Availability: Oryx’s Sanctuary

DPS drop per DEF point (all tiered swords): 6.98 / 5.83 / 5.09

The Sword of Splendor is the highest tradable tiered sword, while the Sword of Majesty is the highest tiered sword available.

“Unviable” Ranged Swords

These swords are typically weak - all of them deal less DPS than the Skysplitter Sword. However, their range makes them great for learning bosses, easy to hit, and useful in dangerous scenarios or against quick enemies. They might also have other properties that make them useful… just not against single bosses. As a plus, all of these swords have relatively easily obtainable locations.

Crystal Sword
DPS (0 DEF): 2836.46 / 1700.42 / 2572.6
DPS drop per DEF point: 6.98 / 5.83 / 5.09
Availability: Crystal Prisoner, tradable
The Crystal Sword has a nice 4.5 range, but loses to even the T8 Ravenheart Sword in shot damage. As its only other difference compared to tiered is its projectile lifetime (thus range), it’ll still be outclassed by any higher tier swords. The safety of the sword can help newer melee players out, though.

Crystal Sword
DPS (0 DEF): 2800 / 1678.57 / 2539.52
DPS drop per DEF point: 6.98 / 5.83 / 5.09
Availability: Sandstone Titan, tradable
The Arcane Rapier deals even less damage than the Crystal Sword, and from a 4 range. However, it pierces, boomerangs back to the user, and has twice the proj. velocity. It is the easiest to get, easiest to use, (and only tradable) piercing sword available.

Ancient Stone Sword
DPS (0 DEF): 3189.37 / 2892.67 / 1912.75
DPS drop per DEF point: 4.18 / 3.054 / 3.35
Availability: Stone Guardians, tradable
The Anient Stone Sword fires slowly, but with high shot damage and range (4 tiles). This ROF makes it harder to use, but works better vs high DEF, allowing it to eventually overtake tiered. Eventually; it won’t outclass the Acclaim at any melee until past 100 DEF.

Indomptable
DPS (0 DEF): 2644.47 / 2398.46 / 1586.2
DPS drop per DEF point: 2.303 / 1.843 / 1.680
Set: Dragon Tamer Set
Availability: Lair of Draconis
The Indomptable is a more extreme version of the A.S.S; the highest shot damage of all swords at 4 range, but a 33% RoF and an even lower DPS. It also pierces enemies, with a slower (8 tiles/s) shot speed. As the damage is so low, it doesn’t see much generalist use, unless with the whole set.

Shotgun Swords

These swords all fire multiple shots, but their high arc gap makes their true range extremely low. Most of the time, you would have to be able to sit on an enemy to effecitvely use these swords. Note: For non Knights, a stunned enemy is not safe to sit on! Conversely, these swords are most viable on Knight.

Demon Blade
DPS (0 DEF): 4725 / 2831.98 / 4285.44
DPS drop per DEF point: 13.96 / 11.6667 / 10.18
Availability: Abyss of Demons
The Demon Blade fires two shots of decent damage, for very high total damage. But despite a range of 3.38, with an arc gap of 40deg., its true range is only 1.37 tiles. While it’s two shots are twice reduced by defense, it only falls behind Majesty at 93 / 71 / 94 DEF. This absurd power is only really usable at extremely close ranges.

Pixie-Enchanted Sword
DPS (0 DEF): 4783.33 / 2831.98 / 4338.35
DPS drop per DEF point: 27.88 / 23.3333 / 20.36
Set: Swoll Paladin Set
Availability: Candyland Hunting Grounds, legacy version tradable
The Pixie-Enchanted Sword fires double the shots of the DBlade, so DEF is twice as effective. At 0 DEF, it deals the most damage of any sword, with a better range (4.55) and true range (1.87). However, it loses its edge vs DBlade at just 4/3/4 DEF, and only beats Splendor until 44/27/33 DEF. However, its 4 shots and wide range give it another purpose; to clear mobs of enemies that you can’t precisely hit.

Cheerful Chipper
DPS (0 DEF): 4705.5 / 2821 / 4269.57
DPS drop per DEF point: X / Y / Z
Set: Oryxmas Gear
Availability: Seasonal Event, Blueprint (Seasonal Event)
The Cheerful Chipper fires three shots with an even better true range (2.35 tiles). It fills the same role as the other two swords, outdamaging Pixie after 7/4/7 DEF, but losing to DBlade at all DEF. However, its shots decelerate before lingering for a bit, giving the Chipper a strong niche (and range) against bosses with set or otherwise predictable movement patterns.

T13 Competitive Swords

These swords are more defined as ‘largely, if not entirely outclassed by T14 in the large majority of cases’ over being especially great VS the T13 sword.

Pirate King's Cutlass
DPS (0 DEF): 3877 / 2324.29 / 3516.31
DPS drop per DEF point: 9.073 / 7.258 / 6.618
Availability: Deadwater Docks
The Pirate King’s Cutlass’s has a short range of 3.3 tiles, but superior proj. velocity (15 t/s). It has a high ROF, outdamaging Splendor until 29/22/27 DEF. It also gives +3 SPD. If you’re comfortable with the slightly shorter range, it’ll be a good replacement for the T12 Acclaim.

Oryx's Greatsword
DPS (0 DEF): 4391.25 / 2093 / 3166.46
DPS drop per DEF point: 0 (Armor Piercing Ignores defense of target)
Set: Oryx’s Battle Attires Set
Availability: Wine Cellar
Oryx’s Greatsword is the only sword that pierces armor, dealing the same damage regardless of DEF - it’ll even outdamage the Colo Sword at 93/72/93 DEF, and every other sword falls sometime earlier (T13: 56/33/56, T14: 76/57/76). While it does outdamage T14 at some DEF, there are very few enemies with more than 75 DEF, and Oryx 3 has that amount only without Armor Broken.

Fallen One's Blade
DPS (0 DEF): 3922.92 / 2350.83 / 3557.97
DPS drop per DEF point: 13.96 / 11.6667 / 10.18
Set: Corrupted Paladin Set
Availablity: Killer Bee Queen
The Fallen One’s Blade isn’t particularly hard to use; while it fires 2 shots with a slight amplitude, it also has an above average range of 4. In a sense, it could be considered an upgrade to many of the ranged swords featured above. It outdamages T13 until 14/11/14 DEF.

T14 Competitive Swords

These are endgame viable swords, from endgame sources.

Sword of Majesty
DPS (0 DEF): 4410 / 2203.52 / 3059.74
Availability: Oryx’s Sanctuary
Put in here for the sake of comparison. The Sword of Majesty shoots straight with average range for amazing overall damage. It is a very consistently good endgame choice, even if other options deal more.

Sword of the Colossus
DPS (0 DEF): 4185.42 / 2509.71 / 4039.58
DPS drop per DEF point: 6.98 / 5.83 / 5.09
Availability: Marble Colossus
The Sword of the Colossus is rare, powerful, and prestigious. Not only does it have a range of 4.5 tiles, but it clearly outdamages every non-sitting sword (except 1), including the Sword of Majesty. As it has the same firerate and shots as tiered, the Majesty will never beat Colo. Of the shotgun swords: Warrior’s Colo beats DBlade at 74 DEF, Chipper at 52 DEF, and Pixe at 28 DEF - there’s no comparison in terms of damage or utility.

However, the shots have an amplitude; shots curve out, then in. As you alternate firing left and right, you’re forced to the edge of its range (or to sit on the foe) to actually do damage. Notably, this is out of most Shield ranges, so Knight will struggle. Regardless, it is still an endgame weapon.

Divinity
DPS (0 DEF): 5022.5 / 2509.89 / 3485.16
DPS drop per DEF point: 6.98 / 5.83 / 5.09
Availability: Oryx’s Sanctuary
While the actual sword shoots as slow as the A.S.S and deals even less damage, it makes up for it by piercing and firing Exalted Beams every second, which have AOE and armor pierce. This sword has absolutely no equal when it comes to clearing any mob of monsters. For solo Knight and Paladins, this sword also has no equal - outdamaging any sword with a modicum of range. But even as a Warrior, or in an otherwise large/organized group: berserked Divinity still beats berserked T14 at 9/9/65 DEF, before further DEX buffs. It is much easier to use than the Colo, though the latter outdamages until an unrealistic amount of DEF.

Additional Comparisons

Outdated.

Range Comparison

1
2
2
4
5
5
7
8
9
Sword
Pixie-Enchanted Sword
Crystal Sword
Sword of the Colossus
Ancient Stone Sword
Indomptable
Tiered Swords
Demon Blade
Pirate King's Cutlass
Oryx's Greatsword
Range
4.55
4.5
4.5
4
4
3.5
3.38
3.3
2.8

True Range Comparison

1
1
3
4
4
6
7
8
9
Sword
Crystal Sword
Sword of the Colossus
Ancient Stone Sword
Indomptable
Tiered Swords
Pirate King's Cutlass
Oryx's Greatsword
Pixie-Enchanted Sword
Demon Blade
Range
4.5
4.5
4
4
3.5
3.3
2.8
1.87
1.37

Average Damage per Shot Comparison (before Attack modifier)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Sword
Indomptable
Ancient Stone Sword
Sword of the Colossus
Sword of Splendor
Sword of Acclaim
Skysplitter Sword
Archon Sword
Dragonsoul Sword
Ravenheart Sword
Oryx's Greatsword
Damage
(Per Shot)
549.5
364.5
287
252
247
239.5
232
224.5
217
214.5

Average Damage per Proc Comparison (before Attack modifier)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Sword
Indomptable
Ancient Stone Sword
Pixie-Enchanted Sword
Demon Blade
Sword of the Colossus
Sword of Splendor
Sword of Acclaim
Skysplitter Sword
Archon Sword
Dragonsoul Sword
Damage
(Per Proc)
549.5
364.5
328
324
287
252
247
239.5
232
224.5
Shot Count
1
1
4
2
1
1
1
1
1
1