Castle Crashers® Guide

Correcting Weapon Tiers for Castle Crashers

Correcting Weapon Tiers

Overview

This guide attempts to correct the misassumptions about the value of crits and effects on weapons and makes a new tier list based entirely on mathematics and testing, it does not value certain stats over others so a high tier weapon may not be the best weapon for your playstyle and because of the impossibility of finding average damage for any one player cannot be 100% accurate, however it should be close.It is important to note that this guide is optimised for a level 99 character, a lower level character should take special effects as being worth LESS.Please note that this guide is somewhat outdated after the update which changed some attributes of the weapons, I’ll change the title when it is updated.

Tier 7+

Evil Sword | +0 Strength +2 Magic +7 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 9.0

King’s Mace | +3 Strength +2 Magic +3 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 8.0

Dual Prong Sword | +3 Strength +0 Magic +3 Defense +0 Agility | Special – 1% Crit Chance
Overall | 7.2

Snakey Mace | +0 Strength +5 Magic -2 Defense +3 Agility | Special – 1% Crit Chance
Overall | 7.11

Skeletor Mace | -2 Strength +0 Magic +3 Defense +6 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 7.0

Ninja Claw | +0 Strength +3 Magic +0 Defense +4 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 7.0

Tier 5-7

Glowstick | -4 Strength +5 Magic +5 Defense +0 Agility | Special – 1% Crit Chance
Overall | 6.99

Demon Sword | +2 Strength +2 Magic +0 Defense +2 Agility | Special – 2% Fire Chance
Overall | 6.72

Club | +5 Strength +0 Magic +5 Defense -5 Agility | Special – 1% Crit Chance
Overall | 6.26

Chainsaw | +0 Strength +0 Magic +4 Defense +0 Agility | Special – 2% Crit Chance
Overall | 6.22

Ribeye | +4 Strength -2 Magic +0 Defense +4 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 6.0

Thick Sword | +2 Strength -1 Magic +5 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 6.0

Gold Skull Mace | +2 Strength +0 Magic +0 Defense +0 Agility | Special – 3% Crit Chance
Overall | 5.51

Sai | +0 Strength +0 Magic -2 Defense +6 Agility | Special – 1% Crit Chance
Overall | 5.11

Ugly Mace | +0 Strength -2 Magic +6 Defense +0 Agility | Special – 1% Crit Chance
Overall | 5.11

Black Morning Star | -3 Strength +6 Magic +1 Defense +0 Agility | Special – 1% Crit Chance
Overall | 5.02

Butcher Knife | +5 Strength -2 Magic +0 Defense +2 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 5.0

Holy Sword | +0 Strength +4 Magic +1 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 5.0

Hole Sword | +0 Strength +3 Magic +3 Defense -1 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 5.0

Pointy Sword | +0 Strength +1 Magic +2 Defense +2 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 5.0

Chewed Up Sword | +0 Strength -1 Magic +4 Defense +2 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 5.0

Key Sword | -1 Strength +3 Magic +0 Defense +3 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 5.0

NG Lollipop | +0 Strength +0 Magic +0 Defense +5 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 5.0

Broccoli Sword | +1 Strength +0 Magic +3 Defense +1 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 5.0

Tier 3-5

Gladiator Sword | +1 Strength -1 Magic +3 Defense +0 Agility | Special – 1% Crit Chance
Overall | 4.14

Bone Leg | -2 Strength +0 Magic +0 Defense +5 Agility | Special – 1% Crit Chance
Overall | 4.05

NG Golden Sword | +4 Strength +3 Magic +0 Defense -3 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 4.0

Saracen Sword | +1 Strength +0 Magic +3 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 4.0

Sickle Sword | +2 Strength +3 Magic -1 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 4.0

Fishing Spear | +5 Strength +2 Magic +0 Defense -3 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 4.0

Lance | +4 Strength +0 Magic +2 Defense -2 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 4.0

Unicorn Horn | -3 Strength +6 Magic +1 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 4.0

Man Catcher | +4 Strength +0 Magic +2 Defense -2 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 4.0

Wooden Mace | +0 Strength +0 Magic +2 Defense +2 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 4.0

Cardboard Tube | -2 Strength +0 Magic +0 Defense +6 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 4.0

Panic Mallet | +1 Strength +0 Magic +0 Defense +0 Agility | Special – 2% Crit Chance
Overall | 3.28

Kielbasa | +1 Strength +1 Magic +0 Defense +0 Agility | Special – 1% Crit Chance
Overall | 3.14

Cattle Prod | +0 Strength +0 Magic +3 Defense +0 Agility | Special – 1% Lightning Chance
Overall | 3.07

Pumpkin Peeler | +3 Strength -2 Magic +2 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 3.0

Zigzag | +0 Strength +3 Magic +1 Defense -1 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 3.0

Fencer’s Foil | +1 Strength +1 Magic +0 Defense +1 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 3.0

Apple Peeler | -1 Strength +1 Magic +3 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 3.0

Rubber Handle Sword | +2 Strength -2 Magic +0 Defense +3 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 3.0

Refined Mace | +1 Strength +0 Magic +1 Defense +1 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 3.0

Clunky Mace | +5 Strength +0 Magic +0 Defense -2 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 3.0

Rat Beating Bat | +2 Strength +0 Magic +1 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 3.0

Practice Foil | +0 Strength +1 Magic -1 Defense +3 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 3.0

Staff | +0 Strength +4 Magic -1 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 3.0

Lightning Bolt | +0 Strength +3 Magic +0 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 3.0

Tiers 1-3

Dinner Fork | +0 Strength +3 Magic -2 Defense +0 Agility | Special – 2% Poison Chance
Overall | 2.88

Chicken Stick | +0 Strength +2 Magic -1 Defense +1 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 2.0

Buffalo Mace | +4 Strength +0 Magic +1 Defense -3 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 2.0

Wooden Sword | +1 Strength +0 Magic +0 Defense +1 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 2.0

Emerald Sword | +0 Strength +3 Magic +0 Defense -1 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 2.0

Hammer | +3 Strength +0 Magic +0 Defense -1 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 2.0

Wrench | +1 Strength -1 Magic +0 Defense +0 Agility | Special – 1% Crit Chance
Overall | 1.14

Lobster | -1 Strength +0 Magic +0 Defense +1 Agility | Special – 1% Crit Chance
Overall | 1.08

Lightsabre | +0 Strength +0 Magic +0 Defense +1 Agility | Special – 1% Lightning Chance
Overall | 1.07

Electric Eel | +0 Strength +2 Magic -1 Defense +0 Agility | Special – 1% Lightning Chance
Overall | 1.07

Utility Blade | +0 Strength -1 Magic +2 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 1.0

Thief Sword | -1 Strength +0 Magic +0 Defense +2 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 1.0

Fish | +2 Strength -1 Magic +0 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 1.0

Wrapped Sword | -1 Strength +1 Magic +1 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 1.0

Meat Tenderizer | +2 Strength +0 Magic +0 Defense -1 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 1.0

Leaf | -1 Strength +3 Magic -1 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 1.0

Wooden Spoon | +0 Strength -1 Magic +0 Defense +2 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 1.0

Umbrella | -2 Strength +0 Magic +3 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 1.0

Scissors | +0 Strength +0 Magic +3 Defense -2 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 1.0

2×4 | +2 Strength -3 Magic +2 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 1.0

Sub Tier 1

Skinny Sword | -1 Strength +0 Magic +0 Defense +1 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 0.0

Thin Sword | +0 Strength +0 Magic +0 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 0.0

Carrot | -1 Strength -2 Magic +3 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 0.0

Pitch Fork | +1 Strength +0 Magic +0 Defense -1 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 0.0

Mace | +0 Strength +0 Magic +0 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 0.0

Sheathed Sword | +0 Strength +0 Magic +0 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 0.0

Twig | -1 Strength +2 Magic -1 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 0.0

Leafy Twig | -1 Strength +0 Magic -1 Defense +2 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 0.0

Alien Gun | +0 Strength +0 Magic +0 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 0.0

Broad Ax | +0 Strength +0 Magic +0 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | 0.0

Ice Sword | +0 Strength +0 Magic +0 Defense +0 Agility | Special – 2% Freeze Chance
Overall | 0.14**

Barbarian Ax | +0 Strength -1 Magic -1 Defense +0 Agility | Special – 1% Crit Chance
Overall | -0.89

Fishing Rod | -1 Strength -1 Magic -1 Defense +0 Agility | Special – None
Overall | -3

How are Tiers calculated?

Tiers are calculated by adding up all the stat increases on the weapon, this of course makes the assumption that all stats are equivalent to each other in worth which I think is appropriate.

For factoring in crits and other effects I used the assumption of playing a level 99 character with max stats and no boosting from orbs, this gives a base attack of 37 on barbarian enemies and this is what I assumed the average hit would do.

Against stronger enemies it would do a little less and with combo attacks the average would do slightly more but for an assumption it’s a good one and it’s impossible to calculate it another way due to variances in playstyle.

It is important to note that with lower level characters crits, fire, lightning and poison get worse ratings due to the effects acting as a percentage of damage done or your magic skill whereas an increase in strength gives +1 attack regardless of the level.

————————————————————- Crits ————————————————————-

Critical hits deal 4x damage on an attack.

Using these assumptions gives a 1% crit chance a 1.11 skill point rating equivalent to a strength rating with an average attack of 37 (proof for everything I claim will be in the next section).

If a weapon increases or decreases strength then this changes the base attack rating and this I have accounted for, e.g with the clubs +5 strength this gives a base attack of 42 and a rating of 1.26 skill points per percentage (I’ll refer to this as SPP from now on).

————————————————————– Fire ————————————————————–

There are only two weapons in the game with a fire effect, the demon sword and the candlestick. I worked out values for these independantly at level 99 and did tests to determine whether it was affected by strength or magic.

It turns out fire has two effects, the first is to do 120% damage on the hit and the second is afterburn, the afterburn is affected by your magic skill and the damage is affected by your strength given that it is a percentage of normal damage.

I got the ratings of 0.36 SPP for the demon sword and 0.35 SPP for the candlestick at level 99.

———————————————————- Lightning ———————————————————-

Lightning similar to fire does 120% damage on a hit so is affected by strength, tests showed that it was not affected by magic, doing the calculation puts this at a rating of 0.07 SPP.

———————————————————- Poison ———————————————————-

There is only a single poison weapon in the game; the dinner fork.

Poison like fire has two effects; 120% damage and then a poison effect afterwards, the difference being that the poison hits 3 times making this much more reliant on magic skill than fire is.

At level 99 it was shown to have a value of 0.94 SPP.

———————————————————- Ice ———————————————————-

Tests showed that ice like lightning did 120% damage giving it a rating of 0.07 SPP however it also freezes opponents which is an added benefit which is hard to value against skill points.

**In keeping with the mathematical nature of this guide I decided not to give it an extra rating and instead let the user decide how much more value the freeze was.

Proof

I’m just going to copy and paste my whole notepad working file here so expect it to be messy, if I’ve made any mistakes in my calculations then feel free to leave a comment.

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Everything below is made assuming a level 99 character with no boosts from orbs or weapons fighting an insane barbarian except where stated otherwise.
The extra strength that you can get from orbs or weapons which affect the percentages at this level is fairly negligable.

SPP refers to skill points per percentage and attempts to show the equivalent strength points increase for one percentage chance of the effect,
i.e 1 SPP means that a 1% chance is equivalent to a single strength upgrade, the higher the value the better.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Crits // value [1.11 SPP]

0% crit chance – av. 100% dmg (1*100 = 100)
1% crit chance – av. 103% dmg ((1*99)+4 = 103)
2% crit chance – av. 106% dmg ((1*98)+(4*2) = 106)
3% crit chance – av. 109% dmg ((1*97)+(4*3) = 109)

lv 99
+0 strength – 37 dmg (100.0%)
+1 strength – 38 dmg (102.7%)
+2 strength – 39 dmg (105.4%)
+3 strength – 40 dmg (108.1%)
+4 strength – 41 dmg (110.8%)
+5 strength – 42 dmg (113.5%)

New average damage = 37 * 1.03 = 38.11 (1% crit chance has an average of 1.11 points of damage extra per hit)

1% crit chance is therefore worth 1.11 skill points, 2% is 2.22, 3% is 3.33.

lower lv
+0 strength – 20 dmg (100.0%)
+1 strength – 21 dmg (105.0%)
+2 strength – 22 dmg (110.0%) i.e as you get higher in lv crits become better relative to strength upgrades making the skill point worth less as your level is lower.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fire // value [0.36 SPP]

demon sword
base – 39
fire – 47 + 28 (192.3% dmg), av. (101.8 %) (for 2% chance at lv 99)

candlestick
base – 36
fire – 43 + 28 (197.2% dmg), av. (101 %) (for 1% chance at lv 99)

Upon testing with burly bear to attempt to find out why there is a descrepancy;

demon
base – 38
fire – 46 + 28

candlestick
base – 41
fire – 49 + 28

Tests with a lv 27 character to determine whether damage is related to strength;

demon sword
base – 17
fire – 20 + 12

candlestick
base – 14
fire – 17 + 12

Tests with a lv 31 character to determine whether damage is related to magic;

demon sword
base – 9
fire – 11 + 19

candlestick
base – 7
fire – 8 + 19

It would seem that the melee damage portion of the bonus deals 20% extra damage to the base (with some variation because of rounding) and that the afterburn damage is a function of your magic skill,
it follows then that this effect is weaker with lower strength and lower magic.

Using the demon sword at lv 99 gives; (((39*99)+47+28)/100)-39 = 0.36 skill points per percentage
Using the candlestick at lv 99 gives; ((36*99)+43+28)/100 -36 = 0.35 skill points per percentage
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lightning // value [0.07 SPP]

eel
base – 37
Lightning – 44

lightsabre
base – 37
Lightning – 44

Burly Bear Tests

eel
base – 39
lightning – 47

lightsabre
base – 39
lightning – 47

Scratchpaw Tests

eel
base – 38
lightning – 46

lightsabre
base – 38
lightning – 46

Tests with a lv 27 character to determine whether damage is related to strength;

lightsabre
base – 15
lightning – 18

Tests with a lv 31 character to determine whether damage is related to magic;

lightsabre
base – 7
lightning – 8

So lightning adds 20% damage per hit (with some variation because of rounding) and is not affected by magic skill making it 100.2% average damage.
For a 1% chance at lv 99 this gives ((99*37)+44)/100 = 37.07 average hit or an 0.07 increase per hit (not exactly 20% at this level because of rounding)

This values lightning at 0.07 skill points per percentage meaning you’d need 15% chance for it to be valued over a skill point increase at this level.
Similarly to crits this will get worse the lower your strength stat is (0.03 for a base dmg of 15 for example).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ice // value [0.07]

base – 37
Ice – 44 + freeze

functions identically to lightning except with an additional freeze effect.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Poison // value [0.94 SPP]

Fork
base – 37
poison – 44 + 29 + 29 + 29

SPP: (((37*99)+44 +(29*3))/100) -37 = 0.94

Testing with level 27 character
base – 15
poison – 18 + 13 + 13 + 13

Testing with level 31 character
base – 7
poison – 8 + 20 + 20 + 20

So upon testing it seems that like the fire effect poison is affected by both strength and magic, the strength for the initial hit (dealing 120%) and the magic for the actual poison effect.

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