Battle Brothers is Overhype Studios' turn-based mercenary company sim, released on 24 March 2017 and now published by Hooded Horse. You hire named men with backgrounds, eight attributes, and permanent death, take contracts across a procedurally generated world map, and try to be strong enough when the late-game crisis arrives. Four expansions extend it: Beasts and Exploration, Warriors of the North, Blazing Deserts, and the free Of Flesh and Faith.
Your choice of equipment defines your damage output and playstyle. This guide ranks every major option, explains what makes each one strong, and tells you which builds they pair best with.
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Tier | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warbrand | S | Front-line damage without the fatigue bill of a greataxe | A two-handed sword with strong single-target damage and a sweeping attack for grouped enemies. |
| Billhook | A | Second-rank fighters and breaking enemy shield walls | A reach weapon that attacks from the second rank and can pull enemies out of their formation. |
| Warhammer | A | Armored knights, and any fight where your damage is bouncing | The armor-breaking answer for heavily plated enemies, where cutting weapons stall. |
| Greataxe | B | Killing high-value targets before they get a second turn | Enormous damage and enormous fatigue cost, capable of removing an enemy in a swing. |
| Crossbow | B | Early companies and for removing enemy archers | Higher per-shot damage than a bow with a longer reload, so its value is picking off specific threats rather than sustained fire. |
S-Tier: Warbrand
A two-handed sword with strong single-target damage and a sweeping attack for grouped enemies. Lighter on fatigue than the heaviest two-handers, so it suits brothers who are not fully fatigue-trained.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Front-line damage without the fatigue bill of a greataxe |
| Key Mechanic | Fatigue as the action budget |
| Recommended Build | Sellsword |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Warbrand: Pairs naturally with Sellsword thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Billhook
A reach weapon that attacks from the second rank and can pull enemies out of their formation. Turns a mediocre recruit into a contributor without exposing him to the front line.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Second-rank fighters and breaking enemy shield walls |
| Key Mechanic | Permadeath and permanent injuries |
| Recommended Build | Hedge Knight |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Billhook: Pairs naturally with Hedge Knight thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Warhammer
The armor-breaking answer for heavily plated enemies, where cutting weapons stall. Slower to clear unarmored crowds, so it is a specialist rather than an all-purpose choice.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Armored knights, and any fight where your damage is bouncing |
| Key Mechanic | Eight attributes with level-up rolls |
| Recommended Build | Wildman |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Warhammer: Pairs naturally with Wildman thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Greataxe
Enormous damage and enormous fatigue cost, capable of removing an enemy in a swing. Pairs naturally with the Battle Forged heavy build rather than with light-armor brothers.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Killing high-value targets before they get a second turn |
| Key Mechanic | Contracts and faction relations |
| Recommended Build | Retired Soldier |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Greataxe: Pairs naturally with Retired Soldier thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Crossbow
Higher per-shot damage than a bow with a longer reload, so its value is picking off specific threats rather than sustained fire. Effective early because it demands less ranged skill to be useful.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Early companies and for removing enemy archers |
| Key Mechanic | Late-game crises |
| Recommended Build | Squire |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Crossbow: Pairs naturally with Squire thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
Equipment Progression Path
The order you should acquire equipment as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Noble house territory
- Billhook → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Warhammer → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Warbrand → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Equipment Tips
- Always upgrade your primary equipment before diversifying. One strong option beats three mediocre ones.
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- Know which content comes from where. Beasts and Exploration adds beasts, taxidermist crafting, and hidden locations; Warriors of the North adds barbarians and origins; Blazing Deserts adds the south, firearms, grenades, and arenas; Of Flesh and Faith is free and adds the Oathtakers and Anatomists origins.
- Check our tier list for how equipment rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More Battle Brothers Guides
- Battle Brothers Battle Brothers Overview
- Battle Brothers Best Builds
- Battle Brothers Tier List
- Battle Brothers Walkthrough
- Battle Brothers Beginner's Guide
- Battle Brothers Tips & Tricks
- Battle Brothers Combat Guide
- Battle Brothers Boss Guide
- Battle Brothers Maps & Locations
- Battle Brothers Crafting Guide
- Battle Brothers Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Battle Brothers, check out these related guides:
- Sid Meier's Civilization V Weapons Guide: strategy game with similar mechanics
- Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Weapons Guide: strategy game with similar mechanics
- RimWorld Weapons Guide: strategy game with similar mechanics
