The Relic First Guardian Tier Lists & Archetypes
Rank playstyles, not imaginary duplicate legendaries.
Tier lists for The Relic: First Guardian need different rules than live-service gacha games. Every weapon and armor piece is a unique artifact that exists once in Arsiltus. There is no warehouse of identical S-tier blades. Over seventy Relics further split two players who share a weapon family into different combat identities. This hub explains how we rank systems fairly and links to the detailed lists.
Project Cloud Games built progression around twelve skill trees spread across five weapon families and defensive options. Because stamina governs defense only — not basic attacks — tier rankings must account for how each family interacts with Groggy windows, parry timing, and cooldown-based Battle Staff arts. A kit that looks mid-tier on paper can dominate a specific Brutal when paired with the right Relic package.
How to read our tiers
We rank archetypes and roles, not absolute “this sword number goes brrr” claims before a mature meta exists:
- S — Specialist kings — best when the fight matches their win condition
- A — Flexible cores — strong across most early-to-mid content with fewer conditions
- B — Situational — shine on specific Brutals or with particular Relic packages
- C — Learning tools — still valid, but demand more player skill or later investment
Tiers will move after launch patches. Track changes on the updates hub.
Jump to a list
- Weapons Tier List — Sword and Shield, Long Sword, Two-Handed, Dagger, Battle Staff
- Relics Tier List — aggressive, defensive, and elemental packages
Why unique loot changes ranking
In most RPGs, the community agrees on a BiS item and farms copies. Here, finding a poison dagger versus a crit dagger is a fork in your identity, not a strict upgrade path. Ranking therefore focuses on weapon families and Relic synergies. If a creator posts a single “best weapon” thumbnail the week after launch, cross-check whether they mean best for a specific Brutal or best for speedrunning the opening region.
Each unique weapon carries lore — inherited histories that previews highlight as a storytelling device, not just stat sticks. That means emotional attachment and playstyle comfort matter as much as spreadsheet DPS. Two Guardians with Long Swords may fight completely differently depending on which Relics they socket at Tibelle’s Blessing checkpoints.
Weapon families at a glance
| Family | Role | Tier philosophy |
|---|---|---|
| Sword and Shield | Parry classroom | High floor for beginners |
| Long Sword | Balanced reach | Flexible A-tier default |
| Two-Handed | Commitment hits | S-tier when you read telegraphs |
| Dagger | Aggressive tempo | Situational on fast Brutals |
| Battle Staff | Cooldown arts | Rewards planning over spam |
Full breakdowns live on the weapons tier list. Relic archetypes are ranked separately because a defensive Relic can elevate any family — see Relics tier list.
Pair tiers with real guides
A tier label without execution advice is trivia. Use:
- Combat and Parry to understand why a defensive family climbs when Groggy matters
- Relics and Builds to assemble coherent packages
- Bosses and Brutals to see when a “B-tier” dodge kit becomes S-tier against unblockables
- Getting Started if you are still choosing your first family
Pre-launch ranking philosophy
Before July 31, 2026, our lists are informed by developer interviews, Steam feature text, and hands-on previews from outlets summarized on the review page. They are frameworks for planning, not gospel. After launch, we will revise with clear patch stamps.
With roughly eighty Brutals in the full game, expect tier shifts as players discover which families hard-counter specific bosses. A Long Sword that feels A-tier in the opening region may drop when you face Brutals that punish slow recovery — or rise when Groggy windows reward sustained pressure.
Common tier-list mistakes to avoid
- Copying a late-game Relic stack into hour one
- Abandoning a unique weapon because a YouTube title called another family “broken”
- Ignoring consumables and elements that swing Brutal matchups
- Treating staff/magic as “not soulslike enough” — cooldown arts are part of the combat identity
- Rerolling before you understand why a build failed — often the issue is execution, not tier rank
Related hubs
- Guides hub
- Tools for launch planning
- Codes if promotional rewards appear later
- Official Links
Browse the child pages below, pick a lane that matches how you like to win, then let Arsiltus stress-test that theory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions.
Is there a best weapon in The Relic: First Guardian?
Not a universal one. Weapons are unique artifacts. Rank families and matchups instead — start with the [weapons tier list](/tier-list/weapons/).
Will these tiers change after launch?
Yes. Balance patches and player discoveries will move rankings. Follow the [updates hub](/updates/).
Should beginners pick only S-tier?
Pick a family you can execute. Sword and Shield is an excellent classroom for parries even when other kits look flashier.
Do Relics matter more than weapons?
They matter together. A great weapon with conflicting Relics underperforms — see [Relics and builds](/guides/relics-and-builds/).