Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced completely reworks how Edward Kenway fights, and that changes what makes a weapon worth carrying. The new combat system introduces Chain Takedowns, Defense meters, and Heavy Strike variants that make Maximum Takedowns just as important as raw damage. Picking the right sword and pistol combination shapes how every fight plays out.
What makes a weapon good in AC Black Flag Resynced?
Before jumping into specific picks, it helps to understand how weapons actually function in Resynced. Every melee weapon has two stats that matter: Damage and Maximum Takedowns. Damage affects how hard your light and heavy attacks hit, while Maximum Takedowns determines how many enemies Edward can execute in a single Chain Takedown after a Perfect Parry. The confirmed ceiling for Maximum Takedowns is 4.
Here's the thing most players miss early on: a weapon with 38 Damage and only 2 Maximum Takedowns can actually underperform against a weapon with 25 Damage and 4 Maximum Takedowns in crowded fights. Developers confirmed you can finish the game with starting swords, so the gap between low and high damage weapons is smaller than it looks on paper. What actually separates good weapons from great ones is the combination of stats and the Legendary perk.
Melee weapons come in three classes, each with a distinct Heavy Strike:
Pistols operate on a separate stat system entirely, using Range and Draw Speed instead of Damage and Takedowns.
Best swords in AC Black Flag Resynced
Legendary sword stat comparison
Persian Scimitars
The Persian Scimitars sit at the top of the melee rankings for good reason. They combine the maximum 38 Damage with 4 Maximum Takedowns, and their perk removes one of the most frustrating combat obstacles in the game: Brutes cannot deny Chain Takedowns. Normally, Brute-class enemies can interrupt your Chain Takedown sequence while their Defense is active. Persian Scimitars eliminate that limitation entirely, making them the most consistent option for any fight involving heavy enemies.
Dragon's Fang Swords
Also sitting at 38 Damage and 4 Maximum Takedowns, the Dragon's Fang Swords trade the anti-Brute perk for a momentum-based one: kills temporarily increase attack power. In fights where you can chain kills quickly, the damage bonus snowballs. If you prefer a more aggressive, offensive style over defensive positioning, these compete directly with Persian Scimitars.
Matched Golden Swords and Naoe's Shadowblade
Both weapons carry 25 Damage and 4 Maximum Takedowns. The Matched Golden Swords make Chain Takedowns easier to perform and extend their range, which is a practical advantage when enemies are spread out. Naoe's Shadowblade makes Perfect Parries and Perfect Dodges easier to execute, which is genuinely useful for players still building muscle memory with the new combat system. Neither weapon wins a damage race, but both reward clean play.
Ezio's Swords
Ezio's Swords carry 25 Damage and 3 Maximum Takedowns, which looks modest next to the top-tier options. Their perk, however, fills a unique gap: the ability to Perfect Parry unstoppable attacks. Certain enemies throw attacks that normally cannot be parried at all. Ezio's Swords remove that restriction entirely, which makes them the most reliable choice against boss-tier encounters and elite enemy types.
Le Bourgeoys Blades
The Le Bourgeoys Blades are a Legendary Pistol-Sword with 38 Damage and 2 Maximum Takedowns. The low takedown count is the tradeoff for their Heavy Strike perk: instead of firing the standard two shots that other Pistol-Swords produce, Le Bourgeoys Blades fire three shots per Heavy Strike. That extra shot adds meaningful ranged pressure without consuming your regular pistol ammunition. You get them by completing the Art Lover side quest.
Dual Cleavers
The Dual Cleavers cost 19,000 Reales at the max-level General Store in Great Inagua. At 38 Damage and 2 Maximum Takedowns, they sit in the same tier as Le Bourgeoys Blades on paper, but their perk activates when you need it most: attack power increases while health is low. Their Heavy Strike also hits a wide area of effect, making them the best option for players who want a close-range, high-risk playstyle.
Best pistols in AC Black Flag Resynced
Pistols work differently from swords. You use them as a special attack during melee combat, for ranged kills before a fight starts, or to break an enemy's Defense mid-Chain Takedown. Their stats are Range and Draw Speed, with Legendary pistols adding unique perks on top.
Baldwin's Pistols range stats
Golden Flintlock Pistols
The Golden Flintlock Pistols are the strongest all-around pistol option. They carry a Range of 28 and a Draw Speed of 1.20, which is the highest Range available while still maintaining above-average draw speed. Their perk briefly slows time after a pistol kill, giving you a reaction window to line up your next action. Available from the Great Inagua General Store at max level.
Baldwin's Golden Pistols
Baldwin's Golden Pistols are a Rare-tier pistol with a Range of 26 and Draw Speed of 1.00. That range stat puts them above most Rare alternatives and even several Legendary options, making them the best pistol you can realistically carry through the mid-game. They come as a reward from the third quest in Lucy Baldwin's Officer questline, called Plantain!
Dragon's Roar Pistols and Fury of the Deep (best Legendary alternatives)
Both carry Range 28 and Draw Speed 1.50, making them the fastest-drawing Legendary pistols at maximum range. Dragon's Roar Pistols extend range further after a pistol-shot kill, which compounds their advantage in longer engagements. Fury of the Deep Pistols heal slightly after a headshot, adding a small sustain element to your ranged attacks.
How to get the best weapons
Weapons come from several sources in Resynced:
- General Store upgrades at Great Inagua: Upgrading the store to max level unlocks access to Rare and Legendary weapons including the Golden Flintlock Pistols and Dual Cleavers.
- Side quests: Le Bourgeoys Blades drop from the Art Lover side quest. The Fortune Legendary Cutlass is found in a chest at the Manor.
- Officer questlines: Baldwin's Golden Pistols are a direct reward from Lucy Baldwin's third quest.
- Underwater chests: Captain's Wheellock Pistols sit in an underwater chest at Great Inagua (coordinates 823, 448), while Captain Morgan's Pistols are at Black Island (917, 616).
- Animus Keys: Confirmed to unlock weapons and cosmetics, though specific rewards vary by key.
For a broader look at what changes in this version of the game, check out the full breakdown of every new feature in Black Flag Resynced to understand how the new systems interact with your weapon choices.
What weapon loadout should you run?
The short answer depends entirely on how you approach fights. Persian Scimitars are the safest top-end pick because the anti-Brute perk removes a mechanical frustration that appears regularly in the late game. Pair them with Golden Flintlock Pistols for the time-slow perk, and you have a loadout that handles both crowd fights and ranged pressure.
If you want to prioritize technique over raw stats, Naoe's Shadowblade paired with Baldwin's Golden Pistols keeps the Maximum Takedowns high while making the core parry and dodge inputs more forgiving. That combination works well while you are still building consistency with the new combat mechanics.
For more on building out Edward's full kit, the complete guide collection for AC Black Flag Resynced covers everything from ship upgrades to officer quests and trophy hunting.