The Warrior is the first sword and heavy armor class introduced. Originally, they had a good defense stat because of their access to a shield, which didn’t do anything at the time other than provide a defense boost. They gained MP and Wisdom in Build 96, and in Build 97 were given a unique ability - the Helm - to set them apart from the Knight. In Exalt 1.1.0.0, the Warrior’s Helm buff was nerfed, but most Helms had their cooldowns removed.
A maxed Warrior is capable of dealing extremely high damage-per-second, but as a close ranged offense oriented class, a degree of skill is recommended to make the most of it. Unlocking Warrior requires level 5 with Rogue, but new Steam accounts have this class unlocked by default. See his stat gains, caps, and averages here.
Warriors use swords and have an attack cap at 75, which equals extreme damage potential. Like other sword classes, his health capacity averages at 675 and caps at 770 (the highest available); the highest VIT cap lets him recover that quickly. The rest of his stats are pretty bland, including the other offensive stat, DEX, though the Helmet provides both defense and the Speedy status.
The Warrior is one of three sword classes, along with Knight and Paladin. Swords are very powerful weapons, boosted even more by their Helmet. Even with their short range, the Warrior a force to be reckoned with. The Sword Comparison guide provides a more detailed explanation of each sword’s capabilities.
Tiered swords are the bread and butter of the Warrior.
The Sword of Acclaim (Acclaim), Sword of Splendor and Sword of Majesty are the highest damaging tiered weapons in the game, at the cost of a 3.5 tile range. The Majesty is valued in particular, due to its elusive status as an Oryx 3 drop. The other two are tradable, though are often more expensive than other tiered items.
The Pirate King’s Cutlass (Cutlass) is much like a tiered sword, with a 130% fire rate and a slight range reduction. A tradable UT from Jon Bilgewater the Pirate King, the Cutclass outdamages Splendor until ~20 DEF, and is much more obtainable.
The Crystal Sword (CSword) is a decent sword for new players. It is remarkably similar to tiered swords, but its extra projectile lifetime gives it a fair 4.5 tile range. It is also quite weak, outdamaged by even the T8 Ravenheart Sword.
These swords fire multiple shots, requiring you to get close to do massive damage.
The Demon Blade’s (DBlade) and Pixie-Enchanted Sword (Pixie) have fairly big spreads, but fairly decent damage. From a range of 2.25 and 1.87 tiles, respectively, they do the highest damage of any sword; Pixie at 0 DEF and DBlade for any DEF >0. Most of the time, if and only if its safe to sit on an enemy, its safe to use them. DBlade is tradable and drops from the Abyss of Demons, and Pixie from a Gigacorn.
The Ancient Stone Sword (A.S.S.) is like the CSword, trading DPS for range. But what the ASS has is a massive damage per shot, meaning that minions that normally require multiple shots (multiple aims) will be killed in one. This comes at the cost of firerate, leading to low overall DPS. It deals more than a CSword, but at a slightly lower (4 tile) range. This sword is dropped by the Stone Guardians.
The Sword of the Colossus (Colo Sword)’s 4.5 tile range and massive damage output (beating the Sword of Majesty) are incredibly appealing aspects of this Marble Colossus drop. But the shots alternate left and right, curving in and out, only hitting all shots at the front and end of its range. If you can master its aiming quirks, it is the strongest of nearly all swords.
Oryx’s Greatsword (Greatsword) is the only sword that armor pierces enemies, outdamaging even the Sword of Colossus against particularly high DEF foes - but outdamaged by even Acclaim at low DEF. It is dropped by Oryx 2.
Divinity is an endgame sword that pierces and calls down AOE Exalted Beams for huge armor piercing damage. While it doesn’t get boosted by Berserk (thus losing out to other endgame options), it still a worthwhile weapon.
A combination of healthy range, significant armor piercing damage, and unique crowd-control properties give it a strong niche in many situations. It is the best sword for clearing enemies. Even against single targets, the damage is still extremely high, only really worse than the Majesty and Colo (and DBlade-like swords).
The archetypical Helm gives Berserk to allies in range, and Speedy to the Warrior. Berserk serves to boost the whole group’s firerate, while the speed boost allows Warriors to dive into the fray. Speed can help with dodging, strafing, and then retreating from combat. In addition, most Helms give DEF on equip, giving the Warrior the 2nd best effective defense, behind the Knight.
Tiered Helms are most efficent at giving the Warrior’s main status effects.
The Helm of the Great General (GGen) (tradable) and Helm of the Tribune give the Warrior speedy for 6 seconds, while giving party Berserk for 6 and 6.5 seconds (@50 Wis). With enough pet MHeal, these buffs can be sustained infintely.
The Helm of the Juggernaut (Jugg) is a very elusive helm, an event white from the Grand Sphinx. Instead of Speedy, this helm gives Armored (a 1.5x DEF boost), along with 10 Defence and 5 Speed. This helm is no equal when it comes to survivability. Jugg lets Warriors stay in without any compromise to damage output. In addition, you can swap to a tiered helm to apply Speedy at the same time. This greatly simplifies rushing dangerous dungeons.
But as an event white, it is extremely rare, and extremely difficult to re-obtain if you die - even with its blueprint. In addition, Armored barely helps in many endgame dungeons - shots simply deal too much damage (and/or armor pierce).
The Helm of Draconic Dominance does not provide berserk, though fires 3 high-damage piercing fireballs, along with a +125 HP boost to yourself. Part of the Dragon Tamer set, it is dropped by the Ivory Wyvern.
The Hivemaster Helm (Bee Helm) doesn’t provide Speedy, but summons three orbiting bees. These bees have a collective DPS of 600, while the red bee will curse enemies for 4 seconds. The Curse can only affect up to 3 targets at any given time, and is applied when the red bee makes an attack. If Speedy is a deterrient (such as when very tight dodging is required), this Helm is very useful. It is dropped in The Nest.
The Vanguard’s Visage fires a “sword” of bullets, much like The Bridge Sentinel that it drops from. This comes at the cost of high MP cost and no Speedy. Visage is the best helmet for DPS when Berserk duration isn’t a concern.
The Warrior is one of five heavy armor classes, which give the Warrior some much needed resiliance. Other armors may sacrifice defense for some other stats.
Tiered armors have no frills, just defense.
The Acropolis Armor (Acrop) and Dominion Armor (Domi) are the best tradable tiered heavy armors. Annihilation Armor is a small upgrade, providing +28 DEF, but is a soulbound endgame drop.
The Candy-Coated Armor (CC) gives the highest defense in the game (+30 DEF), but with a 5 DEX malus. Compared to T14, that’s only +4 DEF for a very offputting penalty. While it may help with some In Combat thresholds, this armor is weak compared to the highest tiered options.
The Fire Dragon Battle Armor sacrifices DEF to provide a valuable +6 ATK, along with a minor SPD boost. Its ability will poison enemies for up to 1,000 damage, which only adds to DPS. It’s dropped by Pyyr the Crimson Dragon.
The Breastplate of New Life gives a measly 14 DEF, but a massive +160 HP. It is great for survivability, especially if you happen to have Jugg. Health matters much more than DEF in many endgame areas, and players often swear by HP boosts anyway. As this armor will get you In Combat in more situations, it is best in said endgame areas (where any shot would, regardless of DEF).
These Oryx-themed armors sacrifices DEF to give very high offenses.
Mercy’s Bane (Mercy) is the best armor for sheer DPS. It offers a terrible +10 DEF, but an extremely strong +7 to both ATK and DEX. In places where DEF doesn’t matter, there really isn’t any equal. You could also combine it with Jugg or two other pieces of the Oryx’s Battle Attires set to make up the DEF loss.
The Gladiator Guard is a more sane pick. With a fairly decent +20 DEF, but “only” +5 ATK & DEX, it is still a very strong general use armor. In addition, a pretty big speed boost gives GGUard quite a bit more utility. Even though it is a rare Oryx 3 drop, it’s often much more practical in just about every situation.
The Zaarvox’s Heart (Zaarvox) again sacrifices DEF for a hefty amount of speed, this time. Wearing 2 pieces of the Dragon Tamer set gives you an extra +10 SPD on top.
Like most classes, Warriors often choose to priorities either offense or survivability. As a Warrior already has high DEF, DEF-giving rings are less effective than HP - and that’s ignoring that HP is often prefered on anyone.
The Ring of Exalted Health, Ring of Unbound Health, and Ring of Decades, as with any other class, remain excellent generalist options for increasing endurance. With the Breastplate of New Life, any heavy armor class can reach absurd levels of health.
The Forgotten Crown and the Magical Lodestone are endgame rings for DPS. Both provide an amazing +12 to offensive stats (+6 ATT and +6 DEX). The Crown’s HP boost is often considered better than the Lodestone’s DEF/SPD - though the SPD’s better for rushing, and the aforementioned Breastplate of New Life can compensate for the HP loss.
The Chrysalis of Eternity is an upgrade to both rings, a direct upgrade to the crown. But since you need to defeat the hardmode Shatters to get it, it isn’t an easy item to get.
The Ring of the Pyramid is an older, but still viable, alternative to the aforementioned rings. While it provides less overall stats, it is a relatively balanced ring that most classes - including Warrior - can use effectively.
The Divine Coronation is an endgame upgrade to Pyra, featuring more HP, more defense, and much more offense (+8 DEX, the better stat for Warrior).
The Chancellor’s Cranium (Cranium) is a pretty neat endgame ring, giving +120 HP and +6 DEF; for offense, it only gives 3 DEX. But when you take enough damage, you’ll proc a short ranged skull - easily making up and potentially even surpassing conventional offensive rings for damage. Short-ranged warriors appreciate everything that the Cranium provides.
Warriors kind of have it all. They have great DPS, historically one of the best in the game. They have great bulk, further boosted by the majority of Helms, supplemented by their high VIT. They move around quickly thanks to Speedy. These traits not only make them great at solo content, but they provide a near-essential group buff, too.
The cost is fairly obvious; the low range of his swords. While easily one of the bulkiest classes available, it still isn’t quite enough to compensate. Fresh Warriors struggle the most, with too little bulk to really act independently like a ranged class would, while their high ATK and VIT is somewhat difficult to max. Finally, permabuffing is really only possible with high tier helms with a highly leveled Pet.
In addition, the introduction of certain endgame items have stiffened competition for “best DPS class”. Wizards have always been better, but classes like Sorcerer (Lumiaire) and Mystic (Primal Arcana) have also “caught up” with the Warrior. However, Warrior has the benefit of being high damage even without endgame UTs.
Overall, the Warrior is a fairly high skill ceiling character. Managing Speedy, going in deep, and dealing lots of damage takes quite a bit of skill, comfort, and enemy knowledge to pull off.
As mentioned above, Warriors are instrumental to just about any group. Berserk gives a 1.25x firerate, which is a flat out 1.25x damage boost - this can not be understated.
In addition, their amazing DPS allows them to contribute towards a quick boss death. For example, both traits are very useful in breaking the Mysterious Crystal. However, the short range puts a hamper towards said DPS; they struggle against tough-to-approach bosses like Oryx 2 or an Exalted Oryx 3.
Warriors can easily take down Event Bosses, “twitching” quickly with speedy in order to evade many minion shots of a Cube God or Skull Shrine. If you are slowed, back off.
The Warrior has several applications that can be used on the battlefield that work to his advantage, if used correctly. If you want to simply deal high DPS, finish events and dungeons with great speed, can deal with the short range of swords, and are not adverse to “risky” or “dangerous” tactics, the Warrior is for you.
