Crimson Desert The Best One-Handed Swords - Ranked List and How to Get S-Tier Gear

The weapon arsenal in Crimson Desert provides players with numerous options for close combat, with one-handed swords standing out due to their exceptional versatility. The combat mechanics of these blades vary significantly based on their stats. Some options prioritize sheer attack power at the cost of swing speed, whereas others offer rapid strikes and critical hit bonuses. Opting for a one-handed approach allows you to maintain high mobility and leaves your off-hand free for secondary equipment. With such a massive pool of loot to discover across the game world, identifying the top-performing weapons can be overwhelming. Therefore, we compiled this complete ranking of one-handed swords to help you easily optimize your character build.

Crimson Desert Shields Tier List

Assessing which one-handed swords reign supreme requires looking past the basic attack values. The deciding factor for our ranking heavily relied on discovering hidden modifiers and exclusive weapon traits. You will find that many standard blades solely boost your primary stats but miss out on any Abyss Gear enhancements. Because of this, the highest spots in our S-Tier are strictly reserved for swords equipped with the most impactful and scarce passive effects. Take a look at our final breakdown of the finest one-handed swords in Crimson Desert:

Where to get the S Tier One-Handle Swords

In Crimson Desert, acquiring new one-handed swords involves several different methods. While many standard blades can be forged once you unlock their specific blueprints, the truly exceptional weapons are hidden throughout the world. To claim these unique swords, you will need to defeat powerful bosses or locate hidden treasure chests. Below, we have compiled the exact locations for every S-Tier sword featured in our ranking. These particular blades provide a significant advantage, making them perfect choices for your progression through both the early and mid-game content.

Legionary's Gladius

To obtain this sword, you will have to head to a cave located on the right side immediately after crossing the first bridge at the very beginning of the game. Geographically, this is the northern part of the map. You can reach the required entrance by carefully navigating around the local mountain ridge. Once there, you will encounter a closed stone door. Opening it will not require complex manipulations - you simply need to light two candles located right in front of the entrance, after which the passage inside will be open.

Base Stats:

• Attack: 12
• Attack Speed: Lv.1
• Move Speed: 0
• Crit Rate: 0

The main advantage of this weapon is its accessibility in the earliest stages. By upgrading the base parameters of this sword at the blacksmith, you will secure reliable equipment for the first few chapters. Despite the lack of a transmogrification system in the game, this gladius has good potential for upgrading, allowing you to use it for quite a long time.

The Tauria Curved Sword

One of the strongest options for the early stages of the game, which is rewarded for story progression.

This curved sword does not require long searches through hidden caves or solving complex puzzles. You will receive it as a guaranteed reward after successfully completing the fifth chapter (Chapter 5) of the main storyline. This will require defeating a boss named Crowcaller, immediately after which this blade will automatically be added to your arsenal.

Base Stats:

• Attack: 15
• Attack Speed: Lv.1
• Move Speed: 0
• Crit Rate: 0

The key feature of this weapon lies in the presence of a unique Abyss skill called Crow's Pursuit. Thanks to this effect, when performing heavy attacks, the sword generates a long-range projectile in the shape of a crow, striking enemies at a distance.

From a practical standpoint, this property makes the blade an excellent component for dual-wielding. However, it is worth noting that the base attack speed of The Tauria Curved Sword is only at the first level. For the weapon to show maximum efficiency in combat, it is highly recommended to equip a faster sword in your off-hand. Such a combination will offset the slowness of the curved blade, balance the overall pace of your strikes, and help maximize your damage output.

Chillfallen Sword

A reliable tool for a comfortable start, standing out with a good attack pace and customization versatility.

To find this sword, you will have to head to the Snowhaven Hearth location. It is situated west of First-Finger Lake and the Skoghorn settlement. This mountainous area is located north of the Calphade region, and you will be able to visit it while progressing through the Scholastone quest chain.

Base Stats:

• Attack: 17
• Attack Speed: Lv.2
• Move Speed: 0
• Crit Rate: 0

The key advantage of this weapon lies in its three available Abyss Craft slots. The combination of high speed (Level 2) and the ability to install three modifiers at once makes this sword extremely flexible to customize. You can easily adapt it to the needs of your current build, gradually filling the slots with useful effects as you explore new locations. If you want to explore other equipment options, we recommend checking out our article " All Crimson Desert Unique Weapons: Stats, Locations, and Build Notes ", which will help you find the perfect arsenal for any combat situation.

Hollow Visage

An easily accessible blade that will provide a substantial boost to stats thanks to its high refinement level.

To find this sword, you will need to locate the Dawn Cave. It is situated north of the Mountain of Frozen Souls, in the southernmost part of the Hernand region, right by the ocean coast. Finding the right place is only half the task. To open the passage into the cave, you must strike a conspicuous stone located right at the entrance with your sword.

Base Stats:

• Attack: 17
• Attack Speed: Lv.2
• Move Speed: 0
• Crit Rate: Lv. 1

The main advantage of the blade lies in its excellent balance of power and speed, complemented by three Refinement slots. The relative ease of acquisition makes this weapon a must-find when exploring the southern territories. By spending just a little time discovering the hidden cave, you will significantly simplify your further battles with local enemies. By the way, the exact same unobvious entrance-opening mechanic is used when searching for another powerful sword - Survivor's Solitude.

The Sword of the Lord

An excellent base blade that many players find naturally while progressing through the main storyline.

To acquire this sword, you will not have to deviate much from your planned route. It is guaranteed to drop as a trophy after successfully defeating a boss named Kailok the Hornsplitter during Chapter 2.

Base Stats:

• Attack: 13
• Attack Speed: Lv.2
• Move Speed: 0
• Crit Rate: 0

The key advantage of the blade is that it grants very early access to ranged attacks thanks to the built-in Wind Slash Abyss Craft effect. When utilized, every charged heavy attack unleashes an aerial projectile at the enemy.

Investing resources into upgrading this sword will be a completely justified step. It will remain relevant for many hours of gameplay due to its useful distance control property. Furthermore, the blade features a comfortable level two attack speed, which is a great rarity for starting equipment. If you encounter complex puzzles while gathering rare materials for its upgrade, our guide " How to Solve All Sanctum Puzzles in Crimson Desert " will help you quickly pass all the trials and obtain the necessary resources.

Survivor's Solitude

Although you will have to put in some effort and travel quite a bit across the map for this weapon, it is altogether worth it.

To obtain this blade, you will need to find a hidden location called Death's Grip Cavern. The entrance to this cave is securely hidden behind a waterfall located north of Lake Kharonso.

Base Stats:

• Attack: 17
• Attack Speed: Lv.1
• Move Speed: 0
• Crit Rate: Lv. 1

The main advantage of the sword lies in its high base damage and a built-in bonus to the critical hit chance. Among the entire available one-handed arsenal, this option is rightfully considered an excellent choice for builds focused on critical damage. If you prefer an aggressive combat style with an emphasis on crits, this blade should become your priority target when exploring the lake's surroundings.

Melted Ambition

A powerful weapon for the later stages, which is automatically rewarded as the main story progresses.

To obtain this sword, you will not have to spend time solving puzzles or searching for secret stashes. You will receive it as a trophy for defeating the boss Myurdin during the Decisive Battle in Chapter 7.

Base Stats:

• Attack: 17
• Attack Speed: Lv.2
• Move Speed: 0
• Crit Rate: 0

The weapon stands out significantly due to the presence of a unique Abyss Gear skill - Groundsurge, which provides a tangible tactical advantage. Since the sword is a story reward, you will acquire this blade exactly when it is most needed to overcome challenging endgame battles.

Nazk Sword

Obtaining this sword can present some difficulties purely due to its remote location on the world map.

This blade is securely hidden inside the Church of Deleysia, located within the main city of the eponymous region. To reach it, you need to light two candles on either side of the statue, wait for a special platform to descend, and step onto it. The elevator will transport you to the upper floor, where the chest containing the loot is located.

Base Stats:

• Attack: 21
• Attack Speed: Lv.1
• Move Speed: 0
• Crit Rate: 0

The main advantage of this weapon is its massive base physical damage. Furthermore, the sword is unique in that you acquire it already at the fourth refinement level with pre-installed useful Abyss Gear effects, such as Spirit Siphon. As soon as you unlock access to the capital region, be sure to visit the church to solve this spatial puzzle. Heavy and powerful, this blade is a perfect fit for fans of the armored knight aesthetic and will serve as an excellent asset in prolonged battles against elite enemies.

Conclusion and Useful Tips

To sum up, choosing the perfect one-handed sword in Crimson Desert entirely depends on your personal playstyle. If your goal is to maximize physical and critical damage, you should focus on finding Survivor's Solitude. For those who prefer a balance between swing speed and attack power, the Chillfallen Sword or Hollow Visage will be excellent choices. It is important to remember that belonging to the S-Tier is determined not only by high base numbers, but also by unique Abyss Gear effects that can save you in the toughest battles.

Since using a one-handed sword leaves your second hand free, this opens up a great opportunity to bolster your defense. A well-chosen shield is a crucial piece of equipment that not only increases overall survivability but also grants access to useful blocking and parrying mechanics. To find the perfect match for your new blade, we recommend exploring our guide " Crimson Desert Best Shields - Ranked List and How to Get S-Tier Gear ". In this article, we break down the best defensive gear capable of protecting your character from the most dangerous strikes.

One final piece of advice: try to acquire a top-tier blade as early as possible, as this will significantly simplify the fights with early-game story bosses. Do not forget to regularly upgrade your weapons and shields at the blacksmith - even early gear can remain relevant for a long time with proper enhancement. Constantly experiment with skill combinations, try different off-hand equipment options, and actively use environmental elements in combat - in the world of Crimson Desert, a flexible approach often becomes the main key to victory.