Dying Light combines first-person parkour traversal with zombie survival in an open world that transforms dramatically when the sun goes down. The game's defining feature is its day-night cycle — daytime is for scavenging and questing while outrunning standard zombies, while nighttime unleashes Volatiles, terrifying fast zombies that hunt by sound and chase relentlessly. Parkour traversal over rooftops makes movement feel exhilarating rather than tedious. Techland's continued support added The Following DLC (a massive countryside expansion with driveable buggies), numerous content updates, and one of the longest post-launch support periods in gaming. The game remains the benchmark for first-person melee zombie combat.
Your choice of weapons 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.
Weapons Rankings
| Weapon | Tier | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXPCalibur | S | Fun/novelty use | An Easter egg weapon found by locating a specific rock on an island. |
| Korek Machete | A | Early-mid game all builds | A craftable weapon using the Korek blueprint found on a rooftop near the Tower. |
| Last Hope | A | Power Tree, Legend Level builds | The highest base damage melee weapon in the base game, a gold-tier machete dropped by demolishers and in police vans. |
| Rune Hammer | B | Power Tree | A legendary blueprint hammer that deals massive impact damage with built-in electrical effect. |
| Gonunaba | B | Agility/Power hybrid builds | A unique katana found in The Following DLC inside a cave with a specific quest. |
S-Tier: EXPCalibur
An Easter egg weapon found by locating a specific rock on an island. Deals massive one-hit damage but breaks after a few uses. Mainly a novelty weapon for fun rather than practical use. Repairable with King mods.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Fun/novelty use |
| Key Mechanic | parkour traversal |
| Recommended Role | Survivor Tree |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using EXPCalibur: Pairs naturally with Survivor Tree thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Korek Machete
A craftable weapon using the Korek blueprint found on a rooftop near the Tower. One of the best early-game weapons with good damage and durability. The recipe requires duct tape, batteries, and a metal blade.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Early-mid game all builds |
| Key Mechanic | day-night cycle |
| Recommended Role | Agility Tree |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Korek Machete: Pairs naturally with Agility Tree thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Last Hope
The highest base damage melee weapon in the base game, a gold-tier machete dropped by demolishers and in police vans. When modified with an elemental blueprint, it becomes the strongest craftable weapon available.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Power Tree, Legend Level builds |
| Key Mechanic | weapon crafting |
| Recommended Role | Power Tree |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Last Hope: Pairs naturally with Power Tree thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Rune Hammer
A legendary blueprint hammer that deals massive impact damage with built-in electrical effect. Found through Bozak Horde DLC challenges. The electrical stun effect chains between nearby enemies.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Power Tree |
| Key Mechanic | co-op gameplay |
| Recommended Role | Legend Levels |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Rune Hammer: Pairs naturally with Legend Levels thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Gonunaba
A unique katana found in The Following DLC inside a cave with a specific quest. Fast attack speed combined with solid damage makes it one of the best weapons for sustained combat.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Agility/Power hybrid builds |
| Key Mechanic | volatile encounters |
| Recommended Role | Driver Tree |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Gonunaba: Pairs naturally with Driver Tree thanks to stat scaling synergies.
Weapons Progression Path
The order you should acquire weapons as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Old Town
- Korek Machete → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Last Hope → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- EXPCalibur → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Weapons Tips
- Always upgrade your primary weapon before diversifying — one strong option beats three mediocre ones.
- Match your weapons to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- Night time gives 2x Agility and Power XP. Running from Volatiles at night is the fastest way to level these trees. Pop a UV flare if caught, sprint, and get to a safe house.
- Check our tier list for how weapons rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More Dying Light Guides
- Dying Light Dying Light Overview
- Dying Light Best Builds
- Dying Light Tier List
- Dying Light Walkthrough
- Dying Light Beginner's Guide
- Dying Light Tips & Tricks
- Dying Light Combat Guide
- Dying Light Boss Guide
- Dying Light Maps & Locations
- Dying Light Crafting Guide
- Dying Light Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Dying Light, check out these related guides:
- Helldivers 2 Weapons Guide — action game with similar mechanics
- Black Myth: Wukong Weapons Guide — action game with similar mechanics
- Monster Hunter Wilds Weapons Guide — action game with similar mechanics
