Enshrouded 1.0: Best Early Game Weapons

Your weapon choice in Enshrouded changes how you approach each encounter. Some options help you keep enemies at a distance, while others give you the tools to fight up close or deal with several targets together.

This guide covers five useful early-game weapon setups, their strengths and weaknesses, and how to combine them while exploring Embervale.

Thanks to Dopamine Hunter for sharing the weapon recommendations and combat tips used in this guide.

For help with your first base, crafting unlocks and early progression, check out our Enshrouded Beginner Guide.

A bow is a strong early-game choice because it lets you damage enemies before they reach you. Against approaching melee enemies, you can fire, move away and shoot again while staying outside their attack range.

This approach, known as kiting, is particularly useful when playing solo or learning enemy attack patterns. Open a fight from a distance, watch how the target moves and reposition before it gets close enough to hit you.

Your surroundings matter as much as your aim. Choose a clear retreat route and avoid backing into walls, buildings or another group of enemies. If several targets close in, create space or switch weapons instead of trying to squeeze in another shot.

Keep enough arrows for the trip, especially if your bow is doing most of the work. Running out halfway through a fight removes the ranged option you were relying on.

If you enjoy this playstyle, our Enshrouded Stealth Archer Build gives you a more focused setup to work towards.

A sword and shield gives you a straightforward answer when enemies get past your ranged attacks. It is also useful in narrow spaces where you cannot keep backing away.

Let the enemy commit to an attack, block or avoid it, then strike during the opening. Keep your attacks controlled so you can react when the enemy starts its next move.

Watch your stamina throughout the exchange, especially while absorbing hits with your shield. Keep enough available to defend or escape. If the fight becomes crowded, use an opening to reposition rather than continuing to trade blows.

For a simple early setup, use your bow to weaken enemies as they approach, then switch to your sword and shield when they reach melee range. This gives you both a ranged opening and a dependable close-range response.

A wand lets you attack from a shorter distance than a bow while keeping a shield available for defense. Its regular attacks do not require arrows, making it useful when you want a ranged alternative without managing bow ammunition.

Keep enough space to finish an attack, then block or move when the enemy approaches. Having a shield equipped does not protect you throughout your attack animation, so avoid repeatedly firing while an enemy is already winding up a hit.

In Enshrouded 1.0, wands also have a heavy attack available without unlocking an additional skill. These shots pierce enemies and can interrupt weaker targets, giving you another option when enemies line up in front of you.

A wand and shield can serve as a backup for a bow user or a foundation for a magic-focused character. Try it alongside a sword and shield to see whether you prefer maintaining a little distance or fighting directly in melee.

A staff gives you access to ranged spells, including attacks that can damage several enemies together. It is especially useful when you can start casting before a group reaches you or when approaching an enemy in melee would be risky.

Check your chosen spell before leaving base. Staff spells use mana, and non-Eternal spells also consume charges that you must find or craft. Eternal versions do not consume spell charges, although you still need enough mana to cast them.

Casting time varies between spells. Stronger attacks can leave you exposed while preparing the cast, so choose an opening instead of trying to charge a spell while enemies are already hitting you.

For area damage, aim where several enemies are close enough to share the hit. If a target rushes you, interrupt your attack plan and create space. Switch to your sword or wand setup when you need a quicker response and access to your shield.

Early on, a staff works well as an additional tool for suitable openings. Your bow, wand or melee weapon can handle the moments when you cannot safely cast.

A greatsword suits players who want to fight up close with broad, powerful attacks. Its reach and sweeping swings can catch nearby enemies together, making positioning an important part of its damage.

Draw manageable groups towards you and keep targets in front of your character. Wait for an opening before committing to a swing, particularly when several enemies could attack from different directions.

Heavy attacks are another useful tool. Give yourself enough space to prepare one as an enemy approaches, then time the hit to connect within reach. A successful stagger can create an opening to follow up or reposition. In 1.0, heavy melee attacks can also hit multiple enemies when they are close together.

The trade-off is the time needed to deliver those attacks and the loss of a shield pairing. Avoid repeatedly swinging while surrounded, and keep enough stamina to move away when the position becomes unsafe.

Carry a ranged weapon as well. Against distant attackers or enemies that are dangerous to approach, a bow or spell gives you another way to engage without immediately closing the gap.

Start with a bow, a one-handed sword and a shield for a flexible early-game setup. The bow lets you engage from range, while the sword and shield cover situations where enemies reach you or the terrain limits your movement.

Add the other options as you find them and learn their timing:

• Wand and shield: Use for shorter-range magic attacks with a defensive option ready.
• Staff: Bring out when you have room to cast or can catch a group with an area spell.
• Greatsword: Use when enemies are positioned for broad swings or a well-timed heavy attack.

You can experiment with every weapon type without making all of them part of every fight. Choose a main weapon you enjoy, keep a backup that covers its weaknesses and switch when the encounter gives another tool a better opening.