Tweet
This guide is a practical tier-list for a Warrior using one-handed weapons and shields in Angband
4.2.6. Damage and armor values are BASE VALUES (before bonuses, slays, brands, and artifacts).
Use this as a clear power comparison, not exact math.
• ONE-HANDED WEAPONS (Worst ➜ Best)
Tier F – Avoid
1 Dagger (1d4 dmg)
2 Main Gauche (1d5 dmg)
3 Whip (1d6 dmg)
Tier D – Early Game
1 Short Sword (1d7 dmg)
2 Rapier (1d6 dmg, high hit but low power)
3 Sabre (1d7 dmg)
Tier C – Stable
1 Long Sword (1d10 dmg)
2 Broad Sword (2d5 dmg)
3 Mace (2d4 dmg)
4 War Hammer (3d3 dmg)
5 Flail (2d6 dmg)
Tier B – Mid Game
1 Katana (3d4 dmg)
2 Bastard Sword (3d4 dmg, usable 1H)
3 Morning Star (2d6 dmg)
Tier A – Late Game
1 Battle Axe (2d8 dmg)
2 Trident (3d4 dmg, good ego synergy)
Tier S – Endgame
1 Artifact 1H weapons with Slays/Brands
2 Mace of Disruption (5d8 dmg vs undead)
• SHIELDS (Worst ➜ Best)
Tier F
1 Small Leather Shield (AC ~2)
Tier D
1 Small Metal Shield (AC ~4)
Tier C
1 Large Leather Shield (AC ~6)
Tier B
1 Large Metal Shield (AC ~8)
Tier A
1 Shield with elemental resists (AC 8–10)
Tier S
1 Shield of Deflection (AC 15+)
2 Artifact shields with multiple resists
• BODY ARMOR (Worst ➜ Best)
Tier F
1 Robe (AC 2)
2 Soft Leather Armor (AC 4)
3 Studded Leather Armor (AC 5)
Tier D
1 Hard Leather Armor (AC 6)
Tier C
1 Chain Mail (AC 8)
2 Double Chain Mail (AC 9)
3 Metal Scale Mail (AC 9)
Tier B
1 Bar Chain Mail (AC 10)
2 Partial Plate Armor (AC 12)
Tier A
1 Full Plate Armor (AC 15)
2 Mithril Chain Mail (AC 15, lighter)
Tier S
1 Dragon Scale Mail (AC 18–25, resists)
2 Adamantite Plate Mail (AC 25+)
• ACCESSORIES – TIER PRIORITIES
1 Rings: Speed (+5 to +10) > Damage/Accuracy (+5 to +10) > STR/CON
2 Amulets: Resist Chaos / Poison / Disenchant > Wisdom (saving throws)
3 Boots: Speed Boots (+5 to +10 speed)
4 Cloaks: Cloak of Protection (AC +5–10), Shadow Cloak
5 Helms: Steel Helm (AC 6) → Mithril Helm (AC 8–10)
6 Gloves: Gauntlets (AC 2–4), Free Action is mandatory
• WARRIOR GOLDEN RULES (1H + SHIELD)
1 Speed is the most powerful stat in the game.
2 Resists matter more than raw AC.
3 A strong shield often beats a stronger weapon.
4 Slays and brands multiply damage more than dice.
5 If unsure: take survivability over damage.
- Guide is polished by other tools for better understanding because English is not my first language.
4.2.6. Damage and armor values are BASE VALUES (before bonuses, slays, brands, and artifacts).
Use this as a clear power comparison, not exact math.
• ONE-HANDED WEAPONS (Worst ➜ Best)
Tier F – Avoid
1 Dagger (1d4 dmg)
2 Main Gauche (1d5 dmg)
3 Whip (1d6 dmg)
Tier D – Early Game
1 Short Sword (1d7 dmg)
2 Rapier (1d6 dmg, high hit but low power)
3 Sabre (1d7 dmg)
Tier C – Stable
1 Long Sword (1d10 dmg)
2 Broad Sword (2d5 dmg)
3 Mace (2d4 dmg)
4 War Hammer (3d3 dmg)
5 Flail (2d6 dmg)
Tier B – Mid Game
1 Katana (3d4 dmg)
2 Bastard Sword (3d4 dmg, usable 1H)
3 Morning Star (2d6 dmg)
Tier A – Late Game
1 Battle Axe (2d8 dmg)
2 Trident (3d4 dmg, good ego synergy)
Tier S – Endgame
1 Artifact 1H weapons with Slays/Brands
2 Mace of Disruption (5d8 dmg vs undead)
• SHIELDS (Worst ➜ Best)
Tier F
1 Small Leather Shield (AC ~2)
Tier D
1 Small Metal Shield (AC ~4)
Tier C
1 Large Leather Shield (AC ~6)
Tier B
1 Large Metal Shield (AC ~8)
Tier A
1 Shield with elemental resists (AC 8–10)
Tier S
1 Shield of Deflection (AC 15+)
2 Artifact shields with multiple resists
• BODY ARMOR (Worst ➜ Best)
Tier F
1 Robe (AC 2)
2 Soft Leather Armor (AC 4)
3 Studded Leather Armor (AC 5)
Tier D
1 Hard Leather Armor (AC 6)
Tier C
1 Chain Mail (AC 8)
2 Double Chain Mail (AC 9)
3 Metal Scale Mail (AC 9)
Tier B
1 Bar Chain Mail (AC 10)
2 Partial Plate Armor (AC 12)
Tier A
1 Full Plate Armor (AC 15)
2 Mithril Chain Mail (AC 15, lighter)
Tier S
1 Dragon Scale Mail (AC 18–25, resists)
2 Adamantite Plate Mail (AC 25+)
• ACCESSORIES – TIER PRIORITIES
1 Rings: Speed (+5 to +10) > Damage/Accuracy (+5 to +10) > STR/CON
2 Amulets: Resist Chaos / Poison / Disenchant > Wisdom (saving throws)
3 Boots: Speed Boots (+5 to +10 speed)
4 Cloaks: Cloak of Protection (AC +5–10), Shadow Cloak
5 Helms: Steel Helm (AC 6) → Mithril Helm (AC 8–10)
6 Gloves: Gauntlets (AC 2–4), Free Action is mandatory
• WARRIOR GOLDEN RULES (1H + SHIELD)
1 Speed is the most powerful stat in the game.
2 Resists matter more than raw AC.
3 A strong shield often beats a stronger weapon.
4 Slays and brands multiply damage more than dice.
5 If unsure: take survivability over damage.
- Guide is polished by other tools for better understanding because English is not my first language.
Comment