There are dozens of weapons and items or accessories you can utilize for monster mashing in the Castlevania-inspired shoot-em-up Vampire Survivors. Out of all those unique arsenals, some are made to be better than others; either in specific situations or for general purposes. To help you learn more about their strengths and weaknesses, here is the complete list of the best weapons and items that you can use in Vampire Survivors.
Just remember, different players have their own preferred playstyles and different characters could also affect how you play. With that in mind, this list is purely based on personal preferences and you might not agree with it.
Vampire Survivors: The Best Weapons List
Sorted from the best pick to the worst. For details on how to upgrade and evolve them, read all about it in our Weapon Evolutions guide.
1. Whip
This is pretty much the all-rounder weapon that fits any situation and all stages of the game. It passes through enemies, once upgraded to Bloody Tear you also gain health recovery from it, and become quite lethal when you get Duplicator to add extra attacks and Candelabrador for increased whip size.
2. King Bible
It’s kind of underwhelming in the early game, but it turns into one of the best crowd control in mid to late game once upgraded to Unholy Vesper, adding enough Bibles and spins at a decent speed, letting you quickly mow down mobs that dare to stand all around you.
3. Runetracer
Need some colors for your graveyard smash? Like the Whip, Runetracer is fit to be used in all stages, from early to late game, thanks to the huge area it can cover as well the bounce effect despite it doesn’t have an upgrade.
4. Bones
Mortaccio‘s weapon. Basically works just like and as good as Runetracer.
5. Cross
Fills a similar role to Bones or Runetracer and is kind of decent in the early and mid game. But once evolved to Heaven Sword it loses most of its projectiles despite dealing massive damage. Duplicator and Clover could offset these negatives though and turn it into one of the highest DPS weapons in Vampire Survivors.
6. Clock Lancet
Can’t really be called a weapon since it deals 0 damage, but hey, that’s how the game categorizes it. Has a chance to freeze enemies though, and frozen enemies can’t move or deal any damage. If you manage to upgrade the cooldown to be shorter than its duration, you can run through waves of dangerous enemies such as the Werewolves without any worries. Just make sure you already build up your other weapons first.
7. Magic Wand
It goes hard against trash mobs in the early game, and after it’s upgraded to Holy Wand, can also be used to focus on tougher enemies who get through the crowd. The pass-through enemies and reducing cooldowns effects from Empty Tome are definitely a huge plus as well.
8. Fire Wand
Rated below Magic Wand since the missiles target random enemies instead of the closest ones. But still can pack enough firepower once upgraded to Hellfire.
9. Knife
It’s a good pick in the early and mid game but its usefulness kind of fell off in the late game when you’re expected to deal with the massive waves of enemies. Gets better once fully upgraded and evolved to Thousand Edge since it lets you keep firing without any delay.
10. Axe
So-so in the early game but becomes great at crowd control once evolved to Death Spiral. Pairs well with Bracer and Empty Tome to speed up the cooldown.
11. Laurel
It shields you from any damage when active. Like Clock Lancet, make sure you already build up your other weapons first.
12. Santa Water
Really shines only in the late game and should be used with other weapons. After you upgrade it, it will surround you with a ring of water that deals damage and weakens enemies. Spellbinder and Candelabrador can help its performance.
13. Garlic
Really good in the early game, and instantly wipes Bats at level 2. Unfortunately, it scales poorly and becomes pretty much useless from mid game onwards.
14. Lightning Ring
A novelty weapon that strikes random enemies. Sure, it deals big damage if it hit, but its randomness really makes this weapon suffer.
15. Peachone and Ebony Wings
Pretty much the same thing with the same weaknesses. They bombard enemies in a circle but can end up only attacking one side of the screen. Don’t have many practical uses.
16. Pentagram
It’s an okay “bomb the screen” option when you can’t see a way to escape enemies. However, its use is marred by also removing XP or Treasure Chests.
The Best Items in Vampire Survivors
Sorted from the best pick to the worst.
1. Empty Tome
Reduces your weapons’ cooldown by 8%, so yeah, you should always pick it up even if you don’t have the Magic Wand to evolve.
2. Duplicator
Adds more projectiles to weapons. Also always helpful in every stage like Empty Tome. However, you’ll need to upgrade the Magic Wand to level seven to get it.
3. Spinach
Raises damage by 10%. Damage buff is almost always a good bonus to have in all games. If you got a free slot, grab it.
4. Spellbinder
Quite useful for weapons like King Bible (you’ll need it for Unholy Vesper anyway), Santa Water, Runetracer, and Bones since it increases durations of weapon effects by 10%. Read more details about it in our Spellbinder guide.
5. Candelabrador
Aside from evolving the Axe to Death Spiral, it also makes weapons’ effects bigger. Good pick for Whip and Santa Water.
6. Wings
Increase movement speed by 10%, making it kind of handy in the early and mid game. Could also help you escape the Reapers later in the game.
7. Attractorb
Like the Vacuum power-up, lets you pick up items XP and Coins from further away. Decent pick if you don’t need anything else.
8. Bracer
Increases projectile speed by 10%. Somewhat useful for other weapons, but it shines more if you use the Knife.
9. Hollow Heart
Increases max HP by 10%. Not really noticeable, but you’ll need it if you use the Whip to evolve it.
10. Clover
One of the bonuses for higher Luck stat is an increased chance of getting the 4th item option when leveling up, and Clover increases your Luck by 10%. With that in mind, it’s somewhat useful, but just having the Little Clover power-up is fine, too.
11. Crown
Having 7% more experience gain sounds good on paper. But once you’re past the mid game it’s pretty much useless, unless you’re converting the XP into Coins.
12. Stone Mask
Earn 10% more Coins. Not really useful, unless you’re really desperate for Coins.
13. Armor
It reduces any damage you take by 1. Better to simply stock up on any damage buffing items.
14. Pummarola
Since it only gives you 0.1 HP recovery per second, the rate of healing isn’t really worthwhile. Might as well upgrade and evolve your Whip for that sweet HP regen.
