Why Your Upgrade Path Matters
Knowing which gear to invest in before you start spending upgrade materials separates players who clear raids easily from those who feel stuck. The gap between an S-tier weapon and a D-tier weapon is massive, and leveling up a weak item is one of the costliest mistakes you can make. This guide breaks down every weapon, armor set, and ring so you can make confident upgrade decisions from day one.
Weapon Upgrade Tier List
Weapons are your most direct source of damage output, and the difference between tiers is significant enough that even a partially upgraded S-tier blade outperforms a maxed D-tier sword. You can acquire weapons through shops, chests, or as drops from defeated enemies.
Always level a weapon before swapping — the stat gains from upgrading compound quickly.
| Tier | Weapons |
|---|---|
| S | Black Star, Void Reaver, Ghost Katana |
| A | Crystal Scythe, The Golden Hand, Ice Spear, Imperialist, Necromancer Blade, Royalist, Sky Watcher, Solar, Stellar, Titan, Vampire Axe |
| B | Buster Blade, Dragon's Heart, Forged Steel, Infested Blade, Moon Sickle, Naginata, Nightmare Blade, Ninja Blade, Rapier, Sandstorm, Shadow |
| C | Bone Blade, Cactus Sword, Dead Stick, Fire Blade, Frostbite, Shamshir, Tomb Hammer, Wing Blade |
| D | Blood Sickle, Crusher, Frost Blade, Sinner, Steel Sword, Wooden Scythe, Wooden Sword |
S-tier notes:
- Black Star is considered the strongest all-around weapon for both PvE and raiding.
- Void Reaver has exceptional base stats and scales well with upgrades.
- Ghost Katana offers speed and burst damage, making it ideal for fast-clearing dungeons.
A-tier is fully viable. If you land a Crystal Scythe or Vampire Axe early, feel free to invest upgrade materials — they carry you deep into mid-game and hold up in most raid content.
Avoid sinking resources into anything D-tier. The Wooden Sword and Steel Sword should be replaced as soon as possible, not upgraded.
Armor Upgrade Tier List
Armor determines how long you can survive in tougher content. Rarity categories run from common up through rare, epic, legendary, and vaulted — and as expected, rarer sets sit at the top of the tier list.
| Tier | Armor Set |
|---|---|
| S | Void Reaper Armor |
| A | Crystal Armor, Ice Samurai Armor, Ninja Armor, Pharaoh Armor |
| B | Bear Armor, Cactus Armor, Dragonfly Armor, Elden Armor, Iron Armor, Onyx Armor, Rogue Armor |
| C | Chainmail Armor, Gold Armor, Leather Armor |
The Void Reaper Armor sits in a tier of its own. It is vaulted, meaning it is harder to acquire, but if you have it, upgrade it immediately — no other armor comes close in terms of survivability.
The four A-tier sets are all solid investments. Ice Samurai Armor is particularly strong for players who focus on aggressive raid play, while Ninja Armor rewards mobile playstyles that lean into dodging rather than absorbing hits.
Upgrade tips for armor:
- Prioritize upgrading your chest piece first, as it provides the largest base defense values.
- Do not upgrade Chainmail, Gold, or Leather Armor past early levels — they fall off quickly.
- Matching your armor tier to your weapon tier keeps your character balanced through each content phase.
Ring Upgrade Tier List
Rings are one of the more underrated parts of the pixel blade upgrade tier list. Most rings come from the forgery in the lobby, though several can also drop from raid bosses. A strong ring can meaningfully boost your character even when you are still working toward better weapons or armor.
| Tier | Rings |
|---|---|
| S | Element Ring, Ghost Ring, Power Ring, Timeless Ring |
| A | Dragon Ring, Polar Ring, Rage Ring |
| B | Shadow Ring, Serpent Ring |
| C | Forest Ring, Health Ring, Vampire Ring |
Element Ring is arguably the best ring in the game for general use — it provides elemental damage bonuses that apply across a wide variety of weapon types. Power Ring is the go-to choice for players focused purely on maximizing damage output. Ghost Ring synergizes especially well with the Ghost Katana and other high-speed weapons.
The Timeless Ring is a strong defensive pick that scales well into late-game content and pairs naturally with any of the A-tier armor sets.
Rage Ring from the A tier is worth upgrading early if you do not yet have access to S-tier rings, since it delivers a noticeable damage boost during sustained fights.
How to Prioritize Your Upgrades
With limited resources, the order in which you upgrade matters as much as what you upgrade. Here is a practical framework for working through your loadout efficiently.
Recommended upgrade order:
- Weapon first — your damage output determines how quickly you earn more resources.
- Armor chest piece second — survivability unlocks harder content faster.
- Ring third — a good ring amplifies the investment you already made in your weapon.
- Remaining armor pieces — fill out the set once your weapon and ring are at a comfortable level.
- Off-slot accessories — save these for later unless you have surplus materials.
| Priority | Slot | Best Targets |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weapon | Black Star, Void Reaver, Ghost Katana |
| 2 | Armor (chest) | Void Reaper, Ice Samurai |
| 3 | Ring | Element Ring, Power Ring |
| 4 | Full armor set | Crystal, Ninja, Pharaoh |
| 5 | Secondary ring | Dragon Ring, Rage Ring |
A common mistake is spreading upgrades evenly across every slot. Focus fire your materials on one item at a time — a level 10 weapon paired with level 2 armor often outperforms a full set of level 5 gear across every slot.
Also use redeem codes regularly. The game periodically releases active codes that hand out weapons, chests, and potions. Those free resources can accelerate your upgrade path significantly, especially early on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best weapon to upgrade in the pixel blade upgrade tier list? The Black Star is generally considered the top weapon to prioritize. Void Reaver and Ghost Katana are close behind and are more accessible early on. Any of those three are safe long-term investments.
Is it worth upgrading B-tier weapons and armor? B-tier gear is viable through mid-game content and is worth upgrading if you are still waiting to find S or A-tier alternatives. Avoid committing heavy resources to B-tier items if you already have something better available.
Where do I get rings in Pixel Blade? Most rings are crafted or purchased at the forgery in the main lobby. Some rings, including several A-tier options, drop from raid bosses, so completing raids consistently is the best way to expand your ring collection.
Does the Void Reaper Armor drop in-game? The Void Reaper set is vaulted, which means it is not regularly available through standard gameplay. Acquisition methods for vaulted items have not been officially confirmed to remain consistent across updates, so check current patch notes for the latest availability details.
Should I upgrade my ring or armor first? Upgrade your armor before your ring in most situations. Defense keeps you alive in content that rewards upgrade materials. Once your armor is solid, shift focus to your ring to boost overall damage efficiency.
How often should I check the tier list for changes? The meta shifts whenever the developers release a balance patch or add new gear. Checking community rankings and the official patch notes after each major update ensures your upgrade choices stay relevant.