Nier Automata hidden weapons add a layer of tactical depth that rewards careful exploration and experimentation. These uncommon armaments can dramatically shift combat pacing and damage output once integrated into your build.
Uncovering and refining these tools requires planning, but the payoff is a more varied arsenal against machines, bosses, and relentless waves of standard enemies.
| Weapon Name | Type | Key Traits | Acquisition Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Lord of Dust | Spear | Pierce through multiple enemies, strong against clusters | High |
| GN Buster Sword | Sword | Massive damage, slow swing, excellent for bosses | Medium |
| Mitsuru No.9 Chi | Katana | Hits multiple targets, unlocks with side quest | High |
| Ransei Ranryou | Polearm | AOE wind slashes, strong crowd control | Medium |
| Mugen No Juunin | Katana | Massive damage in stance, high Tech requirement | High |
Unlocking Hidden Weapons
Accessing many hidden weapons depends on completing specific side quests, defeating unique bosses, or achieving certain narrative milestones. Some are tied to particular routes or characters, so branching paths directly influence availability.
For players tracking every option, maintaining a checklist of story flags and side objectives helps avoid missed opportunities and redundant runs.
Side Quest Requirements
Several of the most powerful hidden weapons require intricate side quests that span multiple missions and locations. These objectives often involve escorting allies, hunting rare machines, or delivering items across vast maps.
Attention to dialogue prompts and environmental clues is essential, as critical steps can be easy to overlook without deliberate note-taking.
Quest Giver Locations
Quest givers are scattered across the open world, from distant towns to fortified resistance bases. Visiting these characters regularly can reveal new leads and unexpected opportunities to trigger rare weapon events.
Boss Drops And Rewards
Defeating specific bosses can grant powerful weapons as immediate drops, rewarding skilled execution and pattern recognition. These encounters often demand precise timing, dodging, and adaptive use of abilities like Freeze or Stagger.
Preparing suitable chips, equipment, and healing items significantly increases the likelihood of surviving these challenging confrontations intact.
Equipment Compatibility And Builds
Hidden weapons perform best when paired with complementary chips and stat distributions that amplify their unique mechanics. A spear built for crowd control benefits from Range and Tech bonuses, while a heavy sword may prioritize strength and HP.
Experimenting with various builds allows players to tailor playstyles around speed, raw power, or hybrid approaches that cover multiple combat scenarios.
Optimizing Your Hidden Arsenal
- Track side quest flags with notes or spreadsheets to avoid missed triggers.
- Balance your party with at least one ranged and one melee weapon for flexibility.
- Invest in chips that boost the specific stat pools your preferred hidden weapons demand.
- Farm lower-level machine camps to grind Tech and HP before tackling boss encounters.
- Rotate equipment between runs to adapt to different map layouts and enemy compositions.
FAQ
Reader questions
How do I permanently unlock The Lord of Dust?
Complete the "The Lord of Dust" side quest from the Resistance camp, progressing through dialogue and combat steps until the spear is awarded and stored in your inventory.
Is the GN Buster Sword better than the standard sword?
It excels against single, high-HP targets thanks to raw damage, but its slow speed and range limitations make situational coverage and party support crucial.
Can I obtain Mitsuru No.9 Chi without missing other content?
Yes, the side quest chain is linear and time-gated but does not block major story progression, allowing you to slot it in between main missions.
What level range suits the Mugen No. Juunin build?
Mugen No. Juunin shines at higher levels where HP and Tech stats can support the stance requirements, though careful chip management lets skilled players experiment earlier.