Dwarf Fortress is the deepest simulation game ever created, tracking individual dwarf personalities, preferences, relationships, and emotional states in a procedurally generated world with thousands of years of simulated history. The Steam release (2022) added a tileset graphic mode and a vastly improved UI, making the game accessible for the first time. You manage a dwarven colony from embark to inevitable doom (Losing is Fun is the motto), dealing with resource management, military threats, underground caverns full of monsters, and the emotional needs of dozens of unique dwarves. Every dwarf has opinions about art, food, weather, and social situations. The emergent stories are legendary.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel Battle Axe | S | Soldier | The standard military weapon for most dwarven armies. |
| Silver Warhammer | A | Soldier | Silver is specifically effective against undead and other supernatural creatures due to its high density. |
| Candy Weapons | A | Soldier | Adamantine (nicknamed 'candy' by the community) is the rarest material found only in the magma sea. |
| Crossbow | B | Soldier | Ranged weapons for dwarves stationed behind fortifications. |
| Training Weapons | B | Soldier | Wooden training weapons used at barracks for safe sparring. |
S-Tier: Steel Battle Axe
The standard military weapon for most dwarven armies. Steel axes cleave through most enemies and are relatively efficient to produce. Battle axes benefit from high Strength and Axe skill. They're the best general-purpose military weapon.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Soldier |
| Key Mechanic | procedural world generation |
| Recommended Build | Miner |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Steel Battle Axe: Pairs naturally with Miner thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Silver Warhammer
Silver is specifically effective against undead and other supernatural creatures due to its high density. Silver warhammers deal massive blunt damage that bypasses armor. Keep a squad with silver weapons for undead sieges.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Soldier |
| Key Mechanic | dwarf mood system |
| Recommended Build | Soldier |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Silver Warhammer: Pairs naturally with Soldier thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Candy Weapons
Adamantine (nicknamed 'candy' by the community) is the rarest material found only in the magma sea. Adamantine weapons are the sharpest and lightest in the game. However, mining adamantine risks opening a Certain Terrible Thing deep underground. Proceed with extreme caution.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Soldier |
| Key Mechanic | military training |
| Recommended Build | Mason |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Candy Weapons: Pairs naturally with Mason thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Crossbow
Ranged weapons for dwarves stationed behind fortifications. Crossbow bolts (steel or bone) are fired from behind walls at approaching enemies. Crossbow training is safer than melee training. A row of marksdwarves behind fortifications devastates approaching armies.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Soldier |
| Key Mechanic | resource management |
| Recommended Build | Farmer |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Crossbow: Pairs naturally with Farmer thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Training Weapons
Wooden training weapons used at barracks for safe sparring. Training weapons prevent lethal injuries during practice, allowing military dwarves to gain weapon skill without dying. Always assign training weapons for barracks exercises.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Soldier |
| Key Mechanic | cavern layers |
| Recommended Build | Metalsmith |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Training Weapons: Pairs naturally with Metalsmith thanks to stat scaling synergies.
Equipment Progression Path
The order you should acquire equipment as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Fortress Site
- Silver Warhammer → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Candy Weapons → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Steel Battle Axe → 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.
- Dwarves prefer booze over water. A dwarf drinking water gets an unhappy thought. Build a brewery immediately and keep it running continuously with plump helmets as the input crop.
- Check our tier list for how equipment rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More Dwarf Fortress Guides
- Dwarf Fortress Dwarf Fortress Overview
- Dwarf Fortress Best Builds
- Dwarf Fortress Tier List
- Dwarf Fortress Walkthrough
- Dwarf Fortress Beginner's Guide
- Dwarf Fortress Tips & Tricks
- Dwarf Fortress Combat Guide
- Dwarf Fortress Boss Guide
- Dwarf Fortress Maps & Locations
- Dwarf Fortress Crafting Guide
- Dwarf Fortress Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Dwarf Fortress, check out these related guides:
- Stardew Valley Weapons Guide — simulation game with similar mechanics
- Satisfactory Weapons Guide — simulation game with similar mechanics
- The Sims 4 Weapons Guide — simulation game with similar mechanics
