Undertale is Toby Fox's 2015 role playing game about a child who falls into the Underground and has to find a way out. Its hook is that every encounter can be ended without killing: you dodge patterned attacks inside a small box, then use ACT and MERCY instead of FIGHT. A single run takes roughly six to seven hours, and the game quietly records what you chose to do along the way.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stick | S | LV1 runs and anyone intending to spare every monster in the game. | The starting weapon at 0 attack, found in the Ruins. |
| Toy Knife | A | Early neutral runs where Froggits and Whimsuns take too many turns to clear. | 3 attack, found in the Ruins. |
| Worn Dagger | A | The final stretch of a neutral run. | 15 attack, found in New Home near the end of the game alongside the Heart Locket. |
| Burnt Pan | B | Runs built on stacked healing food rather than raw damage output. | 10 attack, found in Hotland. |
| Real Knife | B | Genocide runs, where it removes almost every encounter in a single hit. | 99 attack, and it only exists on the Genocide route. |
S-Tier: Stick
The starting weapon at 0 attack, found in the Ruins. It adds no damage at all, which is precisely the point on a pacifist run where you never swing it.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | LV1 runs and anyone intending to spare every monster in the game. |
| Key Mechanic | Bullet dodging in the SOUL box |
| Recommended Build | Neutral Route |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Stick: Pairs naturally with Neutral Route thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Toy Knife
3 attack, found in the Ruins. The first real upgrade and the earliest signal that the game will arm you if you decide you want that.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Early neutral runs where Froggits and Whimsuns take too many turns to clear. |
| Key Mechanic | FIGHT, ACT, ITEM and MERCY |
| Recommended Build | True Pacifist Route |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Toy Knife: Pairs naturally with True Pacifist Route thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Worn Dagger
15 attack, found in New Home near the end of the game alongside the Heart Locket. It is the strongest weapon available outside the Genocide route.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | The final stretch of a neutral run. |
| Key Mechanic | LOVE, EXP and LV |
| Recommended Build | Genocide Route |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Worn Dagger: Pairs naturally with Genocide Route thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Burnt Pan
10 attack, found in Hotland. Its real value is the passive effect: every consumable item heals 4 more HP while it is equipped.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Runs built on stacked healing food rather than raw damage output. |
| Key Mechanic | Coloured SOUL modes |
| Recommended Build | Hard Mode |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Burnt Pan: Pairs naturally with Hard Mode thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Real Knife
99 attack, and it only exists on the Genocide route. Paired with The Locket at 99 defence it is the highest stat spread the game will ever hand you.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Genocide runs, where it removes almost every encounter in a single hit. |
| Key Mechanic | Route tracking across a whole run |
| Recommended Build | No Hit Challenge Run |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Real Knife: Pairs naturally with No Hit Challenge Run 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 The Ruins
- Toy Knife → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Worn Dagger → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Stick → 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.
- Use Check on every new enemy before anything else. The flavour text points at the ACT option that will spare it, and it costs one turn you were going to spend dodging anyway.
- Check our tier list for how equipment rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More Undertale Guides
- Undertale Undertale Overview
- Undertale Best Builds
- Undertale Tier List
- Undertale Walkthrough
- Undertale Beginner's Guide
- Undertale Tips & Tricks
- Undertale Combat Guide
- Undertale Boss Guide
- Undertale Maps & Locations
- Undertale Crafting Guide
- Undertale Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Undertale, 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
