Enshrouded offers a wide range of combat styles to choose from. The game isn’t tied to a single approach; it’s open-ended and lets you specialise in a particular weapon later on. For a survival title, the system is fairly deep and encourages experimentation. Especially early on, you can test which weapons you enjoy most and what you’d like to lean into as you progress. But which weapons are there, exactly? And how do you keep and improve them? We’ll take a closer look at the weapon system so you know which options are most worthwhile.
Enshrouded weapon types at a glance: melee, ranged, and magic
Broadly speaking, Enshrouded’s weapons fall into three categories: melee, ranged, and magic. Within those, there are several sub-types that can significantly change how you attack, so it’s important to understand the differences. The current maximum level is 50, raised with the latest Update 7.
Every weapon also has specific stats that make it better or worse in certain situations. All weapons, regardless of type, have durability and can break if you don’t repair them regularly. You can disable this aspect in the settings if you prefer to keep your gear.
Most weapons can also carry elemental strengths you can exploit. Elements include poison, fire, ice, Shroud, and lightning. Not every weapon deals elemental damage, but if it does, it’s usually worth holding on to.
Enshrouded melee weapons: swords, axes, and hammers
Melee is straightforward: whichever weapon you use, closing the gap and dealing damage is generally your best bet. Still, you should pick the weapon type that suits your style. Pay attention to the indicators for slashing, piercing, and blunt damage — the more versatile the damage profile, the better.
Melee weapons currently include swords, axes, and hammers. Each comes in both one-handed and two-handed variants, so choose what fits your approach. One-handed weapons are lighter and quicker. They also let you carry a shield to block incoming attacks. Two-handed weapons hit harder but swing more slowly. They can deal hefty damage and are therefore highly sought-after. Animations and move sets vary by type.
Enshrouded magic: wands, Overcharge, and mana
Magic is very powerful in Enshrouded and one of the best late-game combat options — if you use it properly. Magic revolves heavily around elemental damage, so always keep an eye on that. Some weapons can even carry multiple elements at once. Also note that spells consume mana, which you’ll need to replenish regularly.
As with melee, magic comes in two broad categories. First, there are small wands you hold in one hand, allowing for faster attacks. With the Overcharge ability, you can power them up for stronger strikes. They don’t use mana, but their range and base power are limited.
On the other hand, there are large staves that have no inherent elements but deal higher base damage. They require appropriate spells to add elemental damage. You’ll also need to have found the Alchemist NPC to upgrade them. Attacks with staves consume mana.
Enshrouded ranged: bows, arrows, and elemental damage
Ranged combat is ideal if you prefer to keep your distance. You’ll primarily fight with bows, though the types of arrows you use are even more important. Bows differ in arrow speed, stamina cost, and draw speed.
Bows truly shine with the right arrows. These can add bonus damage and apply elemental effects. You’ll need the Hunter to craft most arrow types, but that flexibility lets you experiment and swap between different arrow builds.
Upgrading weapons in Enshrouded: enchantments and gems
Once you’ve found your preferred combat style and a weapon you like, you can take it further. Enshrouded currently offers two upgrade systems: enchantments and gems. Both provide different advantages to make your favourite weapon even stronger.
Enchantments in Enshrouded: blacksmith, runes, and legendary runes
To apply enchantments, you’ll first need to find the Blacksmith. Without them, you can’t upgrade your weapons. You’ll also need runes — small coins you’ll mainly find on enemies in the Shroud. You can also get them by dismantling weapons or looting chests. From 25 runes, you can craft a legendary rune for later enchantments.
Every weapon in Enshrouded has predetermined enchantments it can roll. You can see these when you pick the weapon up. Some weapons can have up to five enchantments, while others have none — the latter aren’t really worth investing in. You unlock enchantments in order once you have enough runes. Head to the Blacksmith and choose the relevant upgrade.
Socketing gems: Gem Forges, Shroud Lairs, and Archaic Essence
Your second upgrade path is through gems. Most high-tier weapons have a slot where you can socket a gem. You’ll only find gems by defeating tough enemies. There are more than twenty with various effects.
You can only socket gems at specific locations: the Gem Forges. These appear exclusively in Shroud Lairs, so they’re aimed at stronger players. There are three forges per biome. You’ll also need Archaic Essence to apply these improvements. Pay attention to forge tiers, as they vary. You can salvage found gems for essence, upgrade them, or socket them into your weapons.
Conclusion: find your Enshrouded combat style
Enshrouded blends survival elements with a robust RPG system. It’s no surprise there are many different weapons to fight with. Whether swords, bows, or staves, you’ve got multiple combat options. You can also improve powerful weapons further, either through enchantments or with gems.
Team up with friends on one of our Enshrouded servers and try out the different weapon types. You can trade what you find and upgrade your favourites later on.
