Final Fantasy/Weapons

Weapons are the primary means of doing damage to foes, and different character classes can equip different weapons. Without a weapon equipped, the character will fight barehanded, doing very little damage (except for the Monk/Master).

Combat mechanics
Each character will have a base damage and to-hit percentage based on their stats. The weapon equipped adds directly to these two values; thus, the higher the damage and to-hit rating of the weapon the better it is. Higher to-hit ratings not only result in fewer misses but also multi-hits, making them quite effective even at higher levels.

The base damage of the character is half of his strength, rounded down. Although strength does increase with level, the effect of weapon damage is far greater even at high levels. In other words, having a good weapon is at least as important as being high-level, when it comes to causing damage. A similar formula applies to the base to-hit percentage.

The above formula is ignored, however, in the case of a black belt or master fighting bare-handed. In this case a different formula based purely on level is employed, giving a much higher importance to character level in determining damage. While a low-level black belt will do little damage bare-handed and be forced to use the inferior weapons available to his class, a level 50 master will do more damage than an entire party of other characters could.

Weapon types
In Final Fantasy, the weapon type has no gameplay significance. In the original NES version, the weapon type was indicated by a symbol at the end, and not truly part of the name; however some weapons did not have any symbol attached to them. Each type of weapons does tend to share characteristics such as which classes may equip them, and being familiar with the types will make equipping your characters easier.

Swords
Swords are among the most common weapons in the world. They are typically longer than daggers. Most swords are two-edged and used for slashing attacks rather than piercing ones. However, the term "sword" is a fairly loose one and covers everything from the standard short sword to the exotic katana and Masamune. The sheer variety of these weapons ensures that there is one for almost any occasion.

Axes
Axes are large, bulky weapons that use brute force to slam through enemies. Axes typically have a large, sharp blade attached to a wooden rod. They are commonly wielded with one hand, requiring an amount of strength exhibited only by Warriors, Knights, and Ninjas. They are among the most powerful weapons, though are highly inaccurate and tend to be slow.

Knives
Knives or daggers are bladed weapons similar to but smaller than swords. Daggers are typically intended for piercing and stabbing attacks. They are among the most accurate weapons, though they lag behind others in damage capability. Nearly all daggers may be used by all classes except White Mages or White Wizards.

Staves
The stave or staff is often simply a tall stick and serves as a status symbol for the mages of the world. However, staves are often enchanted with magical powers or increased strength. Some are iron-shod, while others seem to have magical energy concentrated at their striking ends. In any case, the staff is almost always wielded by a spell caster who has no need of weaponry to cause destruction.

Hammers
Hammers are large weapons that can be swung with great force in attempts to bludgeon foes. Hammers are usually the weapons of choice for White Mages and White Wizards. They are usually powerful if a solid blow can be achieved, but are notorious for their inaccuracy.

Nunchaku
Nunchaku or Nunchucks are weapons that are commonly used by Monks and Masters. The nunchaku is basically two wooden sticks or iron rods attached together by a short rope or chain. The difficulty in using such a weapon without the wielder hurting himself is so great that few are able to master it.

Weapon details
See the class details chart below for a more detailed list of which classes can equip each weapon, and note that some weapons have further explanation in the special weapons section.