What to do
- Choose Large Sword for damage per openingIts three-hit pattern is slower but has the strongest early hits. Sharpness is spent through attacks, and the special jab restores it; use the gun when an enemy does not leave time for a full swing.
- Choose Sword for the safest all-rounderThe four-hit combo and surrounding spin are easier to fit into short openings. After three normal attacks, the special becomes a stronger finisher.
- Choose Spear for reach and lane controlPrimary attacks create Spearheads; the fourth attack drops three. Recall them with the special so returning projectiles cross enemies.
- Choose Gauntlets for speed and pressureFast primary attacks build the special meter. The slower special hits hard, and a full meter activates Berserk for attack speed and knockback.
- Do not restart over the choiceThe other base weapon families can be unlocked later with materials from Kalina. Treat the starter as your first learning route, not a permanent lock.
How you know it worked
Your choice matches how you naturally avoid damage: heavy deliberate hits with Large Sword, flexible close-range combos with Sword, controlled distance with Spear, or rapid pressure with Gauntlets.
Platform and version boundaries
| Large Sword | Best fit for strong single openings, damage, and knockback; slower commitment and Sharpness management. |
|---|---|
| Sword | Best fit for flexible timing and a forgiving first moveset. |
| Spear | Best fit for reach, narrow attack lanes, and Spearhead recall planning. |
| Gauntlets | Best fit for high attack speed, close pressure, and Berserk meter play. |
Common failure branches
- Stop and verify: Balance patches can change damage values without changing the four playstyle roles.
- Stop and verify: A universal tier ranking is not established; current guides disagree between Sword and Large Sword for the easiest start.
- Stop and verify: This page compares base starters, not every 1.0 weapon aspect or late-game build.
Evidence note: GameSpot documents the mechanics of all four starters and recommends the Large Sword for early runs. Two current post-1.0 guides independently confirm the four-family roster while showing that Sword versus Large Sword is a playstyle tradeoff rather than an objective universal tier.
FAQ
What is the best starter for a new player?
Large Sword is the strongest simple damage recommendation; Sword is the more forgiving all-rounder if slow attacks feel risky.
Am I locked into my first weapon?
No. The other base families can be unlocked later using materials from Kalina.
Which starter attacks from the safest distance?
Spear has the clearest reach advantage, but its narrow lane and Spearhead recall reward deliberate positioning.
Sources · checked 2026-09-08
Source type is explicit so a player can tell an official rule from a community observation.
- GameSpot: Which Starter Weapon? ↗editorial · Current reference · Detailed mechanics for all four starters and a Large Sword recommendation for early runs.
- Moonlighter 2 Wiki: 1.0 weapons ↗player · Current reference · Current 1.0 roster and family mechanics, including Large Sword as a strong high-damage starter.
- DQ7Reimagined: four weapon families ↗editorial · Current reference · Independent post-1.0 comparison favors Sword and supports presenting the decision as a playstyle tradeoff.