Selecting the perfect weapon is never easy in Like A Dragon: Ishin!. You may like the sword one day, and the next day you might become enamored by the impressive feats of a pistol. Every player has a different playstyle and set of preferences, so there is no right answer. The best weapons discussed in this guide are picked based on gameplay ease and overall DPS. However, they may not be right for you, so feel free to mention your favorite setup in the comments below. Now, let’s begin with the list.
Furthermore, to make things even easier, the weapons in this guide are divided into two categories: Early Game and Mid-Late Game.
Best Early Game Starting Weapons in Like a Dragon: Ishin!
| Name | Features | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Bloody Sheen (Type: Swords) | High damage, especially in terms of early game stats. | Included in Like a Dragon: Ishin Digital Deluxe Edition (DLC). |
| Dojigiri (Type: Swords) | Decent damage, but also grants bonus experience from battles. | Visit the blacksmith to craft the sword. You’ll need Dotanuki, 2x Crimson Magatama, 10x Platinum Grain, and 10x Platinum Ingot. |
| Kijinmaru Kunishige (Type: Swords) | High damage, especially in terms of early game stats. | Included in Like a Dragon: Ishin Digital Deluxe Edition (DLC). |
| Yoshiyuki (Type: Swords) | Decent damage, and sword upgrade path. | Starting weapon. |
| Golden Gun (Type: Gun) | High damage, with reduced head gauge consumption upon executing special moves. | You can trade it for 100,000 Wooden Tags (Kifuda) at the Gambling Hall. |
Dojigiri
The Dojigiri is the perfect weapon if you want to level quickly. The sword’s growth attribute grants a bunch of bonus experience that lets you level up Ryoma in the most efficient way possible. You’ll be able to unlock more skills and will have several options during combat.
Bloody Sheen and Kijinmaru Kunishige
These are both DLC weapons and are quite powerful compared to other starting options. However, you can only access them from Chapter 2 onward. But they are not necessary for completing the game, as you’ll soon discover several other options that are also quite viable.
Yoshiyuki
The Yoshiyuki is the starting sword. It’s not as powerful as the others in the early game list, but you can still complete the main story using this sword. None of the swords in the Yoshiyuki tree have any special effects, but the rate of power scaling is good enough to slay powerful enemies that you come across as the levels increase.
Golden Gun
The Golden Gun deals a massive amount of damage, making it the perfect weapon for the early to mid game. It’s capable of taking out most enemies from a distance. The weapon is also quite expensive, costing a staggering 100,000 points. But once you buy it, you’ll be able to breeze through most early game encounters the game throws at you.
Best Mid to Late Game Starting Weapons in Like a Dragon: Ishin
The mid to late weapons can be obtained by crafting at the blacksmith. Sometimes you’ll require certain base weapons and follow predetermined upgrade paths in order to craft the best gears in the game. With that said, let’s begin!
Best Swords
Sohaya no Tsurugi (Light Weapon)
Atk – 1,045
Mark – Light
Slots – 3
Sword Tree – Weathered Sword
Crafting Requirements – Rusted Sword, 5x Gold Inro, 1x Rainbow Fragment
Special Bonus – Stuns enemies due to light element
The Sohaya is the best light weapon in the game and boasts a massive amount of damage. The stun effect is an added bonus, offering decent crowd control and helping you take down powerful enemies. In order to get the weathered sword, you’ll have to max out your bond with the Rakugai Weapon Shop Owner.
Futsunomitama (Poison Weapon)
Atk – 1,010
Mark – Poison
Slots – 3
Sword Tree – Weathered Sword
Crafting Requirements – Rusted Yamato Sword, 1x Rainbow Fragment, 5x Gold Slayer Tag
Special Bonus – Adds poison element to attacks
If you’re a fan of poison weapons and whittling down enemies with a massive health pool, then make sure to pick the Futsunomitama. Not only is it the best poison weapon in the game, but it also has a high attack value that’s more than enough to deliver the finishing blow. It’s super effective against bosses. To get your hands on the Weathered sword, you’ll have to once again, max out your bond with the Rakugai Weapon Shop Owner.
Masamune (Heat Build Weapon)
Atk – 830
Mark – Spirit
Slots – 2
Sword Tree – Bundled Sword
Crafting Requirements – Chikamaru, 10x Large Gold Nugget, 1x Jet-Black Belt, 5x Platinum Grain
Special Bonus – Build heat gauge faster due to the spirit effect
If you like heat based weapons and want to attack incessantly, then the Masamune is the perfect weapon for you. The overall damage output may be considered low for a late game weapon; however, the faster head gauge buildup makes up for it. You’ll need the Bundled Sword to craft the Masamune, and you can get it from the Gambling Hall Exchange. The Bundled Sword Weapon route is more difficult compared to the others, but the end result is worth the effort.
Hanamori (Best Yokai Weapon)
Atk – 805
Mark – Yokai
Slots – 3
Sword Tree – Tuna-Kiri
Crafting Requirements – Daikonmaru, 20x Doburoku, 10x Small Gold bar, 10x Platinum Grain
Special Bonus – Absorb enemy health due to the Yokai element
Gaining health is always welcome, especially in an action-packed game like Like a Dragon: Ishin!. If you like tanky builds with enhanced survivability, then the Hanamori is one weapon you must have. To craft the Hanamori, you’ll have to buy the Tuna-Kiri sword from the mysterious merchant in Rakugai.
Dream Dragon Sword (Pure Damage Weapon)
Atk – 310/410
Mark – Dragon
Slots – 2
Sword Tree – Weathered Demon Sword
Crafting Requirements – Weathered Demon Sword, 20x Dragon’s Mustache, 20x Dragon’s Eye, 20x Dragon’s Fang
Special Bonus – Adds a dragon wave during battles
In terms of sheer DPS, the Dram Dragon Sword is the best of the bunch. The weapon’s wave effect also allows you to hit enemies from a distance. It’s also the hardest weapon to obtain in the game, as the crafting ingredient, the Weathered Demon Sword, costs 500,000 points in the Gambling Hall. You can buy it once you’ve defeated Amon, and you’ll be able to upgrade the sword to the Dream Dragon Sword after you’ve defeated 100 enemies with it.
Dragon Hawk
Atk – 445
Mark – Growth
Slots – 2
Gun Tree – Rusted Pistol
Crafting Requirements – Rusty Pistol, 1x Precision Machine, 5x Dragon Fang
Special Bonus – Experience gained in battle is increased
After the Golden Gun in the early game, the best late game weapon is the Dragon Hawk. It deals the most damage per shot, and grants you bonus experience per kill. In order to get the Dragon Hawk, you’ll have to first buy the Rusty Pistol for 20x Indigo Stones. Once you have enough currency, head over to the individual at William Bradley’s Gunman Style Training Room in Rakugai and buy the gun.
Note: Avoid special weapons wherever possible, as you won’t gain any XP from the combat styles. If you want to rank up Combat Styles and unlock more skills quickly, then make sure to equip swords and guns as often as you can.
Share Your Thoughts Below (Always follow our comments policy!)