In the fast-paced world of The Forge, weapon speed is a critical factor for success. Whether you’re dealing with swift enemies or clearing mining areas efficiently, a quick weapon can make all the difference. This guide breaks down the fastest weapon categories, highlights the absolute best daggers, and explains how to enhance them for a dominant build.
Why Weapon Speed Matters in The Forge
Weapon speed directly impacts your gameplay. Faster weapons allow you to:
Stunlock Enemies: Keep foes from attacking by interrupting them with rapid hits.
Apply Status Effects Quickly: Stack poison, bleed, or other effects in seconds.
Clear Areas Efficiently: Dispatch groups of weaker enemies faster, especially in mining zones.
Recover Quickly: Shorter attack animations mean you can dodge sooner, improving your survivability.
The Ultimate Speed Tier List
Here’s a breakdown of weapon categories in The Forge, ranked from fastest to slowest.
S-Tier: The Fastest of the Fast (Daggers)
Daggers are undisputed kings of speed, with attack intervals that are nearly unmatched.
Attack Speed Range: 0.32s to 0.35s.
Prime Example: The Gladius Daggers hold the title for the fastest weapon in the entire game with a blistering 0.32s attack speed.
A-Tier: Excellent Alternatives (Straight Swords & Gauntlets)
These weapons offer a fantastic balance of speed and solid base damage.
Straight Swords: A reliable and versatile choice with an attack speed of around 0.50s.
Gauntlets: This category provides speed higher than most other melee weapons. Key examples include:
Ironhand: 0.50s
Boxing Gloves: 0.59s
Relevator: 0.69s
B-Tier: Balanced Options (Katanas)
Katanas offer a unique moveset and respectable speed, sitting in a middle ground.
Attack Speed Range: Approximately 0.60s to 0.63s.
C-Tier and Below: The Heavy Hitters
These weapons prioritize raw power over speed and are not suitable for a fast-attack build.
Great Axes: ~1.00s
Great Swords & Colossal Weapons: 1.10s to 1.40s
Best Daggers for a Speed Build
While all daggers are fast, some stand out as the top choices for min-maxing your build.
Gladius Daggers: The absolute fastest weapon in the game. If pure speed is your goal, look no further.
Other Daggers: While specific names may vary, any dagger within the 0.32s to 0.35s range is a top-tier choice. Their high speed enables effective combo chains and makes clearing early-game zones much smoother.
How to Enhance Your Fast Weapon Build
Owning a fast weapon is just the beginning. To unlock its true potential, you need to use the game’s upgrade systems.
1. The Enhancer
The Enhancer is where you strengthen your weapon directly.
How it Works: You use Gold and Essence to upgrade your weapon’s base stats.
Key Milestone: At Enhancement +3, a Rune slot is unlocked. This is crucial for adding powerful effects to your already-fast weapon.
2. The Runemaker
Once you have a Rune slot, visit the Runemaker.
How it Works: This NPC allows you to socket Runes into your enhanced weapon. For a speed build, prioritize Runes that complement rapid attacks, such as:
Increased Attack Speed: To make your fast weapon even faster.
Critical Hit Chance: To capitalize on the high number of hits you land.
Lethality/On-Hit Effects: To apply bonuses with every quick strike.
FAQ: Fast Weapons in The Forge
Q: What is the single fastest weapon in The Forge?
A: The Gladius Daggers are the fastest weapon, with a 0.32s attack speed.
Q: Are fast weapons better than slow, powerful ones?
A: It depends on your playstyle. Fast weapons excel at applying status effects and controlling the battlefield, while slow weapons deal massive burst damage. For beginners and for efficient area clearing, fast weapons are often safer and more consistent.
Q: When should I start using the Enhancer and Runemaker?
A: Start enhancing your chosen dagger as soon as you can afford it. Unlocking the Rune slot at +3 should be a primary early-game goal to significantly power up your character.
Q: Can I use a fast weapon for the entire game?
A: Yes, a well-upgraded and properly runed fast weapon is viable for all content. However, always remember to equip suitable armor for defense, as speed alone won’t save you without adequate protection.
Conclusion
For players who favor agility and rapid assaults, daggers are the ultimate weapon of choice in The Forge. The Gladius Daggers stand at the pinnacle of speed, but any dagger will provide a lightning-fast playstyle. By combining these swift weapons with strategic enhancements from the Enhancer and powerful Runes from the Runemaker, you can create a build that overwhelms enemies with a flurry of precise and deadly strikes. Remember to balance your offense with solid defense, and you’ll be well-equipped to master the challenges within The Forge.