The Most Epic Weapons From Open World Games

Weapons in open world games aren’t just tools of survival – they’re trophies, milestones, and sometimes even characters in their own right. The most iconic weapons stick in players’ memories because of their power, their design, or the grueling effort it takes to finally wield them.

Some require long quest chains, others are random drops that spark endless farming, and a few are tied to the game’s biggest story beats. But all of them have one thing in common: the feeling of triumph when they’re finally yours.

Here are ten of the most epic weapons from open world games, how you get them, and why they’re worth chasing.

1. Master Sword (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild / Tears of the Kingdom)

The Master Sword is one of the most recognizable weapons in gaming, a blade tied to Link’s destiny across countless Zelda adventures. In Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, finding and wielding it feels like uncovering a piece of legend.

• What Makes It Iconic: Tied to lore across the Zelda franchise, with glowing design and unique mechanics.
• Difficulty to Obtain: Requires 13 hearts to pull from its pedestal in BOTW; more involved quest in TOTK.
• How It’s Obtained: Quest-based, hidden in Korok Forest.
• Worth It?: Absolutely. Its durability, lore, and special bonuses against evil make it a must-have.

2. Ebony Blade (The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim)

Skyrim’s Daedric weapons are legendary, but few stand out like the Ebony Blade. A two-handed greatsword that grows stronger with betrayal, it’s as dark as it is powerful.

• What Makes It Iconic: Absorbs health with each strike, tied to Mephala’s Daedric quest.
• Difficulty to Obtain: Moderate, requires following the Whispering Door quest.
• How It’s Obtained: Daedric questline. Grows in strength as you betray allies and friends.
• Worth It?: Yes, if you embrace the roleplay of a dark path. Morally costly but mechanically powerful.

3. Moonlight Greatsword (Dark Souls / Elden Ring)

FromSoftware has turned the Moonlight Greatsword into a series tradition. Whether in Dark Souls or Elden Ring, it is a symbol of prestige for magic builds.

• What Makes It Iconic: Gorgeous glowing blade, powerful scaling with intelligence, devastating heavy attacks.
• Difficulty to Obtain: Usually locked behind tough bosses or secret quests.
• How It’s Obtained: Drops from specific bosses (Seath in Dark Souls, Ranni’s questline in Elden Ring).
• Worth It?: Essential for sorcery builds and one of the most stylish weapons in gaming.

4. Gjallarhorn (Destiny 2)

The Gjallarhorn is so iconic that its return in Destiny 2 was treated like an event. A rocket launcher with wolf-pack rounds, it’s known as the king of raid weapons.

• What Makes It Iconic: Enormous damage output with tracking projectiles that split into smaller missiles.
• Difficulty to Obtain: High – originally a rare exotic drop, now tied to a questline in Destiny 2.
• How It’s Obtained: Exotic quest from Bungie’s 30th Anniversary pack.
• Worth It?: Yes. Still one of the best and most beloved exotics in Destiny history.

5. Fat Man (Fallout series)

When subtlety fails, the Fat Man delivers. This portable nuclear catapult fires mini-nukes, turning battles into radioactive spectacles.

• What Makes It Iconic: One of the most destructive weapons in Fallout.
• Difficulty to Obtain: Often found in high-level areas or after tough fights.
• How It’s Obtained: Looted or quest reward depending on the game.
• Worth It?: Yes, though ammo is scarce and risky to use up close.

6. Silver Sword (The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt)

Geralt’s silver sword is more than just a weapon – it’s a signature of his identity as a Witcher. Used against monsters, it’s essential to the entire game.

• What Makes It Iconic: Tied to lore, integral to combat against supernatural enemies.
• Difficulty to Obtain: Standard versions are easy, but Witcher gear silver swords require scavenger hunts.
• How It’s Obtained: Crafted via diagrams or upgraded Witcher school sets.
• Worth It?: Absolutely. Defines the Witcher experience.

7. Sword of Kings (Assassin’s Creed Odyssey)

Odyssey is filled with legendary weapons, but the Sword of Kings is one of the most coveted. Tied to Greek myth and powerful in combat, it stands above most loot.

• What Makes It Iconic: Legendary stats, sleek design, strong abilities.
• Difficulty to Obtain: Requires hunting Cult of Kosmos members.
• How It’s Obtained: Reward for dismantling part of the cult.
• Worth It?: Yes. A powerful endgame weapon with strong buffs.

8. Aerondight (The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine DLC)

Aerondight is the holy grail of Witcher swords, a blade that grows in power as Geralt grows. It represents not just strength but mastery.

• What Makes It Iconic: Damage increases permanently with each level gained after charging it.
• Difficulty to Obtain: Requires completing the Lady of the Lake questline in the DLC.
• How It’s Obtained: Quest reward.
• Worth It?: Yes – arguably the best sword in the entire Witcher series.

9. Biggoron’s Sword (The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time / BOTW cameo)

The Biggoron’s Sword is remembered for its grueling quest chain and payoff as a colossal two-handed blade.

• What Makes It Iconic: Sheer size, power, and the effort required to get it.
• Difficulty to Obtain: High, requires multi-step timed trading quest in Ocarina of Time.
• How It’s Obtained: Extended side quest with strict conditions.
• Worth It?: Yes. Powerful reward that feels earned.

10. Fatebringer (Destiny 2)

Fatebringer is a legendary hand cannon tied to Destiny’s Vault of Glass raid. Its return in Destiny 2 reminded players why it was such a classic.

• What Makes It Iconic: Deadly precision, explosive rounds, nostalgic value.
• Difficulty to Obtain: Requires beating the Vault of Glass raid and getting lucky with drops.
• How It’s Obtained: Raid loot.
• Worth It?: Yes, for both performance and legacy.

Final Thoughts

Epic weapons aren’t just about stats. They carry stories, prestige, and memories of the challenges it took to earn them. From Zelda’s Master Sword to Witcher’s Aerondight, from Skyrim’s Ebony Blade to Destiny’s Gjallarhorn, these weapons define not only gameplay but gaming culture. They’re the prizes that turn open worlds into legends.