Kenshi is a squad-based open-world RPG with zero hand-holding set in a post-apocalyptic desert wasteland. You start as nobody — literally the weakest entity in the world. Your character can't fight, can't run fast, and will lose to a single starving bandit. Through getting beaten, captured, enslaved, and nearly killed repeatedly, your squad gets stronger. The game simulates an entire living world where factions war, caravans trade, and slavers hunt regardless of your involvement. Kenshi doesn't care about you — and that indifference is what makes every achievement feel earned. Building from nothing to a self-sufficient fortress with a trained army is one of gaming's most satisfying power fantasies.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meitou Weapons | S | Shek | The highest quality weapon tier, held by faction leaders and elite NPCs. |
| Falling Sun | A | Shek | An enormous heavy weapon (blunt type) that deals devastating damage per hit. |
| Fragment Axe | A | Shek | A heavy cutting weapon with excellent damage against armored targets. |
| Plank | B | All races (training) | A blunt weapon that's literally a piece of wood. |
| Topper | B | Greenlander | A hacking weapon (hybrid between cutting and blunt) with balanced stats. |
S-Tier: Meitou Weapons
The highest quality weapon tier, held by faction leaders and elite NPCs. Meitou weapons deal significantly more damage than Masterwork equivalents. Obtaining one requires killing or stealing from powerful NPCs. Each weapon type has one Meitou version somewhere in the world.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Shek |
| Key Mechanic | squad management |
| Recommended Build | Hiver |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Meitou Weapons: Pairs naturally with Hiver thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Falling Sun
An enormous heavy weapon (blunt type) that deals devastating damage per hit. Slow swing speed but massive impact that launches enemies. Requires high Strength to wield effectively. Falling Sun is best on Shek warriors with strength above 60.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Shek |
| Key Mechanic | base building |
| Recommended Build | Shek |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Falling Sun: Pairs naturally with Shek thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Fragment Axe
A heavy cutting weapon with excellent damage against armored targets. The Fragment Axe has the highest raw damage of cutting weapons. Pairs well with Strength-focused builds and heavy armor sets.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Shek |
| Key Mechanic | skill training |
| Recommended Build | Greenlander |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Fragment Axe: Pairs naturally with Greenlander thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Plank
A blunt weapon that's literally a piece of wood. Despite its humble appearance, the Plank is an excellent training weapon because it does less lethal damage, allowing more combat training before enemies die. Many players use Planks specifically for safe combat training.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | All races (training) |
| Key Mechanic | faction relations |
| Recommended Build | Skeleton |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Plank: Pairs naturally with Skeleton thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Topper
A hacking weapon (hybrid between cutting and blunt) with balanced stats. The Topper is versatile against both armored and unarmored opponents. A good all-purpose weapon for mid-game squads before acquiring Meitou tier.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Greenlander |
| Key Mechanic | open world sandbox |
| Recommended Build | Scorchlander |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Topper: Pairs naturally with Scorchlander thanks to stat scaling synergies.
Equipment Progression Path
The order you should acquire equipment as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear The Hub
- Falling Sun → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Fragment Axe → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Meitou Weapons → 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.
- Toughness is the most important stat — it determines how much damage you can take before going down and how fast you recover. Train it by getting beaten up (non-lethally). Hungry bandits are perfect training opponents.
- Check our tier list for how equipment rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More Kenshi Guides
- Kenshi Kenshi Overview
- Kenshi Best Builds
- Kenshi Tier List
- Kenshi Walkthrough
- Kenshi Beginner's Guide
- Kenshi Tips & Tricks
- Kenshi Combat Guide
- Kenshi Boss Guide
- Kenshi Maps & Locations
- Kenshi Crafting Guide
- Kenshi Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Kenshi, check out these related guides:
- Elden Ring Weapons Guide — rpg game with similar mechanics
- Baldur's Gate 3 Weapons Guide — rpg game with similar mechanics
- Cyberpunk 2077 Weapons Guide — rpg game with similar mechanics
