The Most Powerful Early-Game Weapons in Video Games
(A Guide to Dominating the Early Stages of Your Favorite Games)
Introduction
Starting a new game can be both exciting and challenging. Whether you're exploring an open world, battling enemies in an RPG, or surviving in a competitive shooter, having the right weapon early on can make a huge difference. Some games reward players with powerful early-game weapons that can carry them through the toughest challenges.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most powerful early-game weapons across different video games, why they stand out, and how to obtain them.
1. The Drake Sword – Dark Souls
Why It’s Powerful
The Drake Sword is infamous in Dark Souls for its high base damage, making it one of the best weapons for early-game players. It deals 200 base damage, which is significantly higher than most starting weapons.
How to Get It
- Head to the Undead Parish.
- Shoot the tail of the Hellkite Dragon (Red Drake) with arrows until it drops.
Pros & Cons
✅ High damage output for early-game enemies.
✅ Easy to obtain with the right strategy.
❌ Doesn’t scale well with stats, making it weaker later.
2. The BFG 9000 – DOOM (2016 & Eternal)
Why It’s Powerful
The BFG 9000 is one of the most iconic weapons in gaming. In DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, it deals massive area-of-effect damage, wiping out multiple enemies instantly.
How to Get It
- In DOOM (2016), you get it in Mission 6: The BFG.
- In DOOM Eternal, it’s acquired in Mission 4: Super Gore Nest.
Pros & Cons
✅ Instantly kills most enemies.
✅ Great for crowd control.
❌ Limited ammo makes it situational.
3. The Master Sword – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Why It’s Powerful
While technically a mid-game weapon, the Master Sword can be obtained early with the right strategy. It deals 30 damage (60 when glowing near Guardians or in Hyrule Castle) and never breaks (only temporarily depletes).
How to Get It Early
- Collect 13 Heart Containers (via shrines or side quests).
- Head to the Lost Woods and pull it from its pedestal.
Pros & Cons
✅ Unbreakable (only needs recharging).
✅ Strong against evil enemies.
❌ Requires significant early-game effort.
4. The Saw Cleaver – Bloodborne
Why It’s Powerful
The Saw Cleaver is one of the best starting weapons in Bloodborne. It has fast attacks, good damage, and a serrated bonus against beasts.
How to Get It
- Choose it as your starting weapon at the beginning of the game.
- Alternatively, buy it from the Messenger Shop.
Pros & Cons
✅ Fast and versatile.
✅ Bonus damage against beasts.
❌ Short range in untransformed mode.
5. The Golden Gun – Destiny 2
Why It’s Powerful
The Golden Gun is a Hunter Super ability that one-shots most enemies in PvE and PvP. While not a traditional weapon, it’s one of the strongest early-game abilities.
How to Get It
- Unlock the Gunslinger subclass as a Hunter.
- Progress through early missions to unlock the Super.
Pros & Cons
✅ Extremely high burst damage.
✅ Great for boss fights and PvP.
❌ Limited duration and ammo.
6. The Blades of Chaos – God of War (2018)
Why It’s Powerful
Kratos’ Blades of Chaos are unlocked early in God of War (2018) and remain one of the best weapons throughout the game. They deal fire damage and have wide attack arcs.
How to Get It
- Story-related – obtained during "The Marked Trees" quest.
Pros & Cons
✅ High crowd-control potential.
✅ Fire damage over time.
❌ Slower than the Leviathan Axe.
7. The M4A1 – Call of Duty: Warzone
Why It’s Powerful
The M4A1 is one of the most reliable early-game weapons in Warzone. It has low recoil, good damage, and versatility.
How to Get It
- Default loadout for new players.
- Can be looted from the ground.
Pros & Cons
✅ Easy to control.
✅ Good at all ranges.
❌ Outclassed by meta weapons later.
Conclusion
Having a strong early-game weapon can dramatically improve your gaming experience, whether you're playing an RPG, FPS, or action-adventure game. Some weapons, like the Drake Sword or Master Sword, can carry you through tough early challenges, while others, like the BFG 9000, provide explosive power when needed.
What’s your favorite early-game weapon? Let us know in the comments!
