Best melee weapons in Starfield, ranked

Starfield offers a vast cosmic expanse for players to enjoy and explore. Amidst the stars, many dangers lurk, and we must arm ourselves to deal with any threats, human or alien. But some of us have relinquished the luxuries of modern weapon technologies, favoring the old way of the warrior. Having my feet firmly on the path of the space samurai, I follow my own space bushido by swinging my blade in the face of laser fire. For those of you who are in for the challenge or simply love playing hack and slash in space, here is a top list of the best melee weapons in Starfield.

Starfield melee weapons tier list

9 - Ripshank

The award for the worst-looking and the most under-performing knife goes to Ripshank. Dealing only 12 base damage, I really felt like using a can opener while I tried to pry open a pirate's space suit with it that one time I used this knife in an engagement. It didn't end well for me, so please don't use this knife if you can help it. You can purchase this knife at almost any weapons vendor in the game or find it as a part of a random loot.

8 - Combat Knife

Combat Knife marks an upgrade if you're switching from the Ripshank. You will still be barely poking your opponents with only 16 base physical damage per hit, but it will feel like you're handling a real knife and not a toothpick, so it's an upgrade on multiple fronts. To get the combat knife, loot it from enemies or visit the usual vendors in major settlements.

Related: Where is the 4th fauna on Indum II? Starfield survey mission

7 - Rescue Axe

The actual melee combat can start when you first obtain the rescue axe. It's only a marginal upgrade in the damage from the combat knife, as it gives you only 17 base physical damage per hit. Handling the rescue axe feels unwieldy and makes the axe swing much heavier than it looks, but I like bringing it while boarding the Crimson Fleet ships. Swinging around and having the pirates around tight ship corners is fun—especially when you rescue them from their pirate lives! You can find this weapon by looting the dead spacers and pirates.

6 - UC Naval Cutlass

UC naval cutlass is the first real venture of melee combat, as it deals 20 physical damage per slash. If you take the right skills, you can bring somebody down with just a few swings, which looks and feels great. You can find this cutlass in several shops, but I purchased mine at Centaurian Arsenal.

5 - Barrow Knife

Barrow Knife belongs to the hunter's knife by design and is my personal favorite type of knife to collect. This one will deal a surprising 22 physical damage with a single attack to enemies—an upgrade from the hatchet and the cutlass. To obtain the Barrow Knife, visit any of the UC Exchange vendors.

4 - Osmium Dagger

Osmium daggers are some of the best knife weapons in the game and some of the most beautiful as well. They do 28 physical damage per hit but are noticeably heavier than the other knives in their class. They are exceptionally hard to obtain, and you can only find them on Va'ruun ships.

3 - Tanto

Tanto is the proper space samurai's weapon of choice! Its exceptional 40 physical damage output and low mass make it a perfect assassin's weapon, which goes easily with various stealth build variations. Tantos are exceptionally rare; I've only ever found one in Neon Tactical once.

2 - Wakizashi

Wakizashi is the only sword in Starfield and, in my opinion, one of the best weapons in the game overall. It has an output of 49 damage unmodified, which can two-hit even the toughest of opponents if you're leveled up. It's a perfect weapon for when you run out of ammo and can afford to engage in melee combat. To find Wakizashi, you can visit the Rowland Arms in Akila City.

Related: The best way to complete the No Sudden Moves quest – Starfield

1 - Va’Ruun Painblade

Va’Ruun Painblade is the best and rarest melee weapon in Starfield and the number one on our list. It provides a staggering 71 unmodified damage, unrivaled by any other bladed weapon in the game, with a mass about the same as the UC naval cutlass. Obtaining this exemplary work of art will be a chore, as there is only one way to get it: doing the Rook Meets King quest of the Crimson Fleet faction.

Looking for more guides on all things Starfield? You've come to the right place, as we have all the info you might need on your travels! Check out How to make space combat easier in Starfield and Starfield habs guide – Best habs and features, explained here on Pro Game Guides!