Demonfall Swords: 2026 Nichirin Tier List & Crafting Guide

To obtain specialized demonfall swords, every player must first move past the basic equipment provided at the start of the journey. The transition from a survivor to a slayer begins with the acquisition of your first real blade. Jacob the Forger is the central NPC for all your smithing needs, but he won't work for just anyone. You must prove your worth by surviving the harsh realities of the demon-infested world.

Video Highlights:

• Detailed walkthrough of all Nichirin color variations and their visual effects.
• Step-by-step guide to finding the Crystal Boss cave and the Green Demon location.
• Damage comparison between the baseline Rusty Katana and the S-Tier Kamado blade.
• Breakdown of the Kendo skill tree and how it interacts with sword damage percentages.

Before Jacob will even speak to you about custom smithing, you must meet two non-negotiable requirements. First, you must be a Human (or Hybrid later in the game). Second, you must have successfully completed the Final Selection. Once these criteria are met, you can find Jacob at his forge, ready to turn raw materials into instruments of destruction.

Crafting the most powerful demonfall swords requires more than just Yen. You will need to hunt down specific bosses scattered across the map to obtain rare reagents. Each high-tier blade has a unique recipe that often involves a mix of common ores and legendary drops.

The most difficult material to obtain is the Crystal Essence, which requires you to craft a Crystal Key and venture into a hidden cave outside of Okuya. This boss is a significant gear check for new players, so ensure your skill tree is properly invested before attempting the encounter.

Not all demonfall swords are created equal. While most custom blades provide a standard +50% M1 damage buff, a select few offer unique passives or massive damage modifiers that place them in a league of their own. When choosing your blade, consider your breathing style and whether you focus on PVP or PVE.

The Kamado Sword remains the undisputed king of PVE, dealing double damage to demons. However, for those who have embraced the dark side, the Moon and Dark Thunder blades provide unparalleled power for demon-race players.

To truly understand the power of your weapon, you must look at the raw numbers. In Demonfall, damage is calculated based on a baseline value of 4 (the Rusty Katana). Every percentage buff is additive to this base. With a maxed-out Kendo tree, these numbers climb even higher, reaching over 10 damage per M1 for the highest-tier weapons.

The following table breaks down the damage output for M1s, M2s, and Lunges for the most popular demonfall swords in the current 2026 meta.

Some demonfall swords don't just hit harder; they change how you play the game. The Sound and Insect blades, for example, feature unique animation sets that differ from the standard katana swings. These weapons often hit multiple times per click, making them excellent for breaking guards or applying pressure.

The Stone Flail is another outlier. Unlike every other Nichirin in the game, it cannot be sheathed. It is a massive axe and flail combination that trades stealth and speed for consistent, heavy-hitting pressure. While currently ranked in C-Tier due to its basic +50% buff, it remains a favorite for players who prefer a "juggernaut" playstyle.