Summary

  • Vampire Survivors offers a wide selection of weapons, with the ability to choose your own combination for a unique build.
  • It's important to consider the compatibility of weapons, as some may not scale well with certain stats or may decrease the effectiveness of other weapons.
  • Effective weapon combinations can greatly impact gameplay, such as using Just Vent and Four Seasons for crowd control or combining Spellstrom and Vicious Hunger for chaos and damage.

Vampire Survivors has a huge selection of standard weapons. Weapon evolutions and unions increase this already large pool of available weapons even further. Each character has a starting weapon, and the player is free to choose which weapons will occupy the five remaining weapon slots. This gives the player a lot of options when putting a build together.

The problem is that some weapons do not work well with other weapons. One reason for this is that not all weapons scale with every stat. Another reason is that some weapons can lower the efficiency of other weapons to almost zero. A good example of this is Phieraggi and Garlic/Soul Eater. Phieraggi will typically kill enemies before they ever reach the barrier created by the Garlic (or Soul Eater). This discussion's focus will mainly be on the standard, non-evolved, weapons, albeit with a few evolved options thrown in for good measure.

Updated on June 8th, 2024, by Jeff Drake: The weapon selection process in Vampire Survivors gets harder and harder over time. This is due to a weapon pool that continues to grow with each passing DLC add-on. For each weapon combination that works so well, there are multiple combinations that just don't work at all. This list identifies the best weapon combinations in the game - combinations that can work without any supplemental weapons for support. Each entry also gives a few tips to help get the most out of the weapon combination, and the list now features more entries with more weapon combinations, thanks to its latest update.

Vampire Survivors Like Games That Switch It Up Header Image
10 Games That Switch Up The Vampire Survivors Formula

While Vampire Survivors basically created a whole subgenre of games similar to it, not all of them are 'carbon copies', such as these games.

28 Prism Lass - Glass Fandango

Spear And Shield

Combining Prism Lass and Glass Fandango weapons in Vampire Survivors

Prism Lass

Glass Fandango

  • Base Damage: 10
  • Max Level: 8
  • Evolves with the Wings
  • Circles the Character when evolved
  • Base Damage: 10
  • Max Level: 8
  • Damage increases against frozen enemies
  • Evolves with the Wings

This combination is incredibly weak at first, but after getting both weapons to around their sixth level, they can keep most enemy swarms at bay. These two weapons circle the player once evolved and work to push creatures back, while dealing considerable damage to them.

Both weapons use the Wings passive item in order to evolve, leaving the player with five passive item slots to play with. If the player wishes to add another weapon, or is lucky enough to get a Candy Box, the King Bible works well with the Prism Lass. The Out of Bounds arcana is the only one whose meta really compliments these weapons.

27 Blade Crossbow - Santa Javelin - Cross

So...Many...Projectiles

Combining the Blade Crossbow, Cross, and Santa Javelin weapons Vampire Survivors

Blade Crossbow

Santa Javelin

Cross

  • Base Damage: 10
  • Max Level: 8
  • Strikes at the nearest enemy
  • Fires returning projectiles
  • Base Damage: 20
  • Max Level: 8
  • Amount is affected by Duration
  • Deals area of effect damage
  • Base Damage: 5
  • Max Level: 8
  • Fires returning projectiles
  • Evovles with the Clover

This setup starts strong, and only gets stronger as the weapons are leveled up. There will be a few moments around the 12-minute mark where putting a little energy into avoidance will be necessary, but with these three weapons, no stage ever feels overwhelming. This loadout only requires one passive item, the Clover, which is used to evolve all three weapons.

Genevieve and Syuuto in Vampire Survivors Co-Op
Vampire Survivors: Best Characters To Combine For Co-Op

Vampire Survivors' co-op mode can be challenging, especially if players dive in with character combinations that don't work too well.

Naturally, this combination of weapons benefits greatly from the Duplicator, Empty Tome, and Candelabrador passive items. This combo of weapons and passive items will absolutely fill the screen with projectiles. The enemy never stands a chance.

26 Phas3r - Mille Bolle Blu - Bracelet

Keeps The Screen Clear Of Enemy Creatures

Combining the Phas3r, Mille Bolle Blu, and Bracelet weapons in Vampire Survivors

Phas3r

Mille Bolle Blu

Bracelet

  • Base Damage: 5
  • Max Level: 8
  • Strikes at enemies anywhere on the screen
  • Ignores Speed and Duration
  • Base Damage: 5
  • Max Level: 8
  • Fires lingering projectiles
  • Evolves with the Spellbinder
  • Base Damage: 10
  • Max Level: 6
  • Fire lingering projectiles
  • Evolves Twice to form the Tri-Bracelet

This combination starts a bit slowly, but when these three weapons are fully evolved, this loadout will keep enemy creatures at the edge of the screen until the 30-minute mark. This combination only requires two passive items, and they're the best two - Empty Tome and Spellbinder. This leaves four item slots left up to the player's discretion.

When all these weapons have been fully evolved, they work in tandem to create damaging zones at the edge of the screen. The Heart of Fire arcana works well with this combination of weapons, though only a few other arcanas work with the Phas3r or Mille Bolle Blu.

25 Homing Missiles - Magic Wand - Clock Lancet

Freeze And Attack

Combining the Homing Missiles, Magic Wand, and Clock Lancet weapons in Vampire Survivors

Homing Missiles

Clock Lancet

Magic Wand

  • Base Damage: 20
  • Max Level: 8
  • Evolves with the Multistage Missiles
  • Works with the Heart of Fire
  • Base Damage: N/A
  • Max Level: 7
  • Freezes Enemies
  • Moves around the character clockwise
  • Base Damage: 10
  • Max Level: 8
  • Attacks The Nearest Enemy
  • The evolved form (Holy Wand) fires continuously.

The Homing Missiles are exactly what one would think; a barrage of missiles that seek out the enemy. The "homing" aspect of this weapon makes it one of the better starting weapons in the game. The evolved version fires missiles that split into smaller missiles when an enemy is struck.

The Magic Wand is a favorite among Vampire Survivor players. Okay, maybe not a favorite, but the Empty Tome is arguably the best passive item in the game, and it is needed to evolve the Magic Wand. Combine the Clock Lancet with the Out of Bounds arcana, The Magic Wand with the Jail of Crystal arcana, and the Homing Missiles with the Heart of Fire arcana, and watch the enemies melt away.

24 Four Seasons - Just Vent

Keep Enemies Off-Guard With This Combo

Just Vent and Four Seasons weapons In Vampire Survivors

Just Vent

Four Seasons

  • Base Damage: N/A
  • Max Level: 8
  • Evolves with the Mini Shapeshifter
  • Covers the floor with vent traps.
  • Base Damage: 5
  • Max Level: 8
  • Scales with Amount and Duration
  • Causes mid-range explosions around the character.

Just Vent is an interesting weapon; it drops vents on the ground that pull in enemies. Four Seasons creates explosions, generally around the edges of the screen. The crowd control potential of these two weapons when used together is next level. Enemies not pulled into the vents will be caught in the explosions.

Players will want to increase Amount as much as possible, along with Might and Area. When Just Vent evolves it begins pulling enemies to one side of the screen at set intervals. This can cause enemy creatures to be pulled towards the player. The Laurel helps negate any incidental damage taken due to this.

23 Sharp Tongue - Spellstring - Magic Wand

Attack The Nearest Enemy With Multiple Rapid-Fire Weapons

Spellstring, Sharp Tongue, and Magic Wand weapons In Vampire Survivors

Sharp Tongue

Spellstring

Magic Wand

  • Base Damage: 10
  • Max Level: 8
  • Evolves with the Mini Impostor
  • Works with the Gemini arcana.
  • Base Damage: 5
  • Max Level: 6
  • Ignores Area and Duration
  • Targets the closest enemy.
  • Base Damage: 10
  • Max Level: 8
  • Attacks The Nearest Enemy
  • The evolved form (Holy Wand) fires continuously.

This combo may seem weak in the middle of a run, but it will quickly become overpowered towards the 20-minute mark. Sharp Tongue, Spellstring, and Magic Wand are point defense weapons; this means they strike at the nearest enemy, and their attack area isn't particularly large. King Bible is a great fourth weapon for this combo as it creates a circular zone around the player that damages enemies that attempt to pass.

With this weapon combo, any enemy that manages to make it through the King Bible barrier will be quickly picked-off by one of the three point defense weapons. Passive items should focus on increasing Amount, Might, and Projectile Speed. The Gemini arcana works well with this build.

22 Report - Song Of Mana

Synergy Never Sounded So Good

Report and Song of Mana weapons In Vampire Survivors

Report

Song Of Mana

  • Base Damage: 6.5
  • Max Level: 8
  • Evolves with the Mini Crewmate
  • Only fires projectiles left or right.
  • Base Damage: 10
  • Max Level: 8
  • Ignores Amount and Speed
  • Has a knockback effect.

Report is part of the Emergency Meeting DLC, and fires either to the left or right. Its projectiles cannot go up or down. Song of Mana forms a vertical shaft of energy centered on the player that extends from the top of the screen to the bottom.

With these two weapons, it doesn't matter from what direction the enemy approaches - there are no blind sides. Best of all, both of these weapons have a knockback effect strong enough to keep even bosses at a safe distance.

21 Crossed Wires - La Robba

Cover The Screen With Projectiles

Crossed Wires and La Robba weapons In Vampire Survivors

Crossed Wires

La Robba

  • Base Damage:? (Possibly 10 or 12)
  • Max Level: N/A
  • Evolved form of Lucky Swipe
  • Electrified wires extend horizontally across the screen
  • Base Damage: 10
  • Max Level: 8
  • Scales with all stat bonuses
  • Can be purchased from the merchant.

Crossed Wires is the evolved form of Lucky Swipe. Lucky Swipe is one of the game's worst weapons; however, Crossed Wires is one of the best. This weapon extends different colored, electrically charged, wires horizontally across the screen. Enemy creatures passing through these wires take a shocking amount of energy.

La Robba showers furniture down from the top middle of the screen. When combined, these two weapons criss-cross the screen at the center. This crossfire helps eliminate approaching creatures at peak efficiency.

20 Summon Night – Greatest Jubilee

Explosions And Zoning

Summon Night and Greatest Jubilee weapons in Vampire Survivors

Summon Night

Greatest Jubilee

  • Base Damage: 10
  • Max Level: 8
  • Evolves with the Duplicator
  • At max level covers the screen with vertical bars
  • Base Damage: 10
  • Max Level: 9
  • Scales with all stat bonuses
  • Can spawn light sources (5% chance)

Summon Night doesn't really need to be partnered with any weapon to be effective. It is arguably the best weapon in Vampire Survivors. It creates vertical lines across the screen that causes damage to enemies that pass through. With a boost to Area and Might, this weapon keeps the screen clear of enemies.

The only real negative to Summon Night is that it initially only covers the top portion of the screen, leaving a safe passage for enemies at the bottom of the screen. At level nine, Greatest Jubilee covers the bottom half of the screen in a damaging light show. This counters the only negative of Summon Night.

19 Silver Wind – King Bible

Turn The Character Into A Blender

Silver Wind and King Bible weapons in Vampire Survivors

Silver Wind

King Bible

  • Base Damage: 10
  • Max Level: 8
  • Evolves with the Pummarola
  • Also pairs well with Garlic due to both using the Pummarola to evolve
  • Base Damage: 10
  • Max Level: 8
  • Evolves with the Spellbinder
  • Increase damage more by increasing projectile speed

Some of the most effective weapons in Vampire Survivors are those that surround the character with projectiles. When combined, these weapons are perfect for creating zones around the player the enemy cannot breach. The King Bible is such a weapon and has remained a favorite among players since the beginning.

Silver Wind functions similarly to King Bible. Whereas the King Bible has books rotate around the player in a circular orbit, SilverWind has projectiles that take a more oblong path around the character. When these two weapons are evolved they not only prevent the enemy from reaching the character, but Festive Winds (Silver Wind) provides enough healing hearts to quickly get to max health.