Zombies, parkour, and ARPG weapons. There has never been a more persistent mix of different genres, which is why Dying Light is one-of-a-kind and remains somewhat unsurpassed today as a zombie survival game. Truth be told, the developers could have stopped at parkouring over the heads of rotting zombies schtick, but they went the extra mile with the melee weapons in the game.

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At times, it can even feel like you're playing an RPG due to the varied stats and colors on the weapons. To that end, it can even be confusing as to which weapons are best at slicing, dicing, bashing, and stabbing the infected and human enemies alike in Dying Light. Here's everything you need to know about finding a suitable melee weapon.

Updated February 26th, 2022, by Sid Natividad: With the release of Dying Light 2 Stay Human, a renewed interest for the older Dying Light game will surely attract more players. Of course, as with most games, everyone wants the best that the game has to offer. After all, this is not an easy game. One can make it more manageable if they have the best weapons in Dying Light.

Because half the battle is bashing zombies' heads to a pulp or cutting them down to size, only the best weapon in Dying Light can help players with this. It just so happens that there are too many of these great weapons in the game, so allow us to narrow it down for you by adding even more approachable ones..

12 God Hammer

god hammer in dying light

Crafting requirements:

  • Metal Parts (2)
  • String (2)
  • Aerosol (2)
  • Batteries (2)
  • Power Cable (2)
  • Electronics (1)

With a name as cool as that, it shouldn't take much to convince you to go for the God Hammer. This big bonk stick is all about bringing down god's wrath to those pesky infected. Because the God Hammer not only has robust bludgeoning damage but also applies either Burning or Electricity effects.

On the other hand, it turns out the weapon takes plenty of inspiration from Greek gods Zeus and Hephaestus, who are the God of the Sky and the God of Fire respectively, so you can certainly do a bit of role-playing with this hammer. Its crafting requirements are not that demanding either.

11 Helluva Homerun

baseball bat in dying light

Crafting requirements:

  • Metal Parts (1)
  • String (1)
  • Household Supplies (1)
  • Aerosol (2)
  • Gauze (2)

Helluva Homerun is actually a mod, not a weapon, and can only be applied to baseball bats. However, the modification is so powerful and handy that you can easily consider it as a weapon of its own. The most notable effect it has is the Burning proc each swing.

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It's quite strong — even stronger than the God Hammer's Burning effect, which makes it great for boss fights. There's also the fact that bats are common weapons, so there's no problem with the weapon's availability. Grab the blueprint in the hydro dam building in The Countryside.

10 Angel Sword

angel sword in dying light

Crafting requirements:

  • Metal Parts (2)
  • Duct Tape (2)
  • Aerosol (2)
  • Batteries (2)
  • Power Cable (2)
  • Electronics (1)

Much like the Helluva Homerun, the Angel Sword also isn't a weapon: it's a modification. Unlike that bat modification, it covers a wide variety of bladed weapons making it even more accessible at the cost of a lower Burning effect. As an added bonus, it also has an Electricity effect.

Both of those are moderate in strength. You really can't go wrong with this weapon so make sure to look for the blueprint in Old Town. It's a quest reward for completing the Troll quest which is the final stage of Ruper's questline.

9 Fenris Axe

fenris axe in dying light

Crafting requirements: N/A

The Fenris or Fenris Axe is more of a special weapon that cannot be crafted. Instead, you will have to complete the bounty Bloodlust in order to obtain this weapon as a reward. While some might find that bounty a bit challenging, it's worth it since this axe slays everything and keeps getting stronger.

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Fenris has this innate special ability where it becomes stronger and deals more damage every time you chop off an enemy's limbs with it. It also glows to indicate that it's charged up. In order to complete that bounty, players will have to cut three heads in one swing so better stock up on those bladed weapons.

8 Volatile Hunter Sledgehammer

sledgehammer in dying light

Crafting requirements:

  • Metal Parts (2)
  • Chemicals (2)
  • Electronics (1)

The Volatile Hunter Sledgehammer is actually a mod and can be applied to axes, sledgehammers, and pickaxes. The best among those, however, is the Sledgehammer; combine that with the Whirlwind ability and you can easily take out packs of enemies without the need for guns or explosives.

The Volatile Hunter simply makes that activity even more fun as it adds Burning and Electricity effects to the weapon. Thankfully, you don't need to go through much to get this modification as it's given for free for players who have the Volatile Hunter DLC pack.

7 EXPcalibur

EXPCalibur dying light

Crafting requirements:

  • Metal parts (10)
  • Plastic (10)
  • Alcohol (10)
  • Tin can (10)
  • Electronics (5)
  • Bolter tissue (1)

This weapon won't make you a king, but it will make you feel like one after sending zombies flying. It's a fast sword that comes with its own little quest involving you pulling a replica out of some dead body. What, did you expect Arthurian ceremonies or something? Beggars can't be choosers in Harran.

In any case, you can find the EXPcalibur and its blueprint on an island near Fisherman's Village. There's a slum area there and southeast of that, you should see a small rocky island with the dead body and the sword impaled in the poor pleb.

6 Gonunaba

dying light gonunaba

Crafting requirements: N/A

Katanas are also some of the best weapons you can wield in Dying Light. Gonunaba is the most desirable among them, but any purple Katana with some late-game modifications should be good enough. In any case, Gonunaba, like all katanas, is a fast and sharp weapon that you can use to your heart's content without worrying much about stamina issues.

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It also boasts high damage and can be useful for some PvP. Getting a Gonunaba, however, can be more trouble than it's worth since it has a low chance of spawning in Hard mode (around 0.1 percent) and in Nightmare mode (around one percent) from looting. The easier way is to undergo invasions and reach the Underdog rank. If you do manage to get one, consider it a status of luck and show off that bling.

5 Korek Machete 2.0

korek machete dying light

Crafting requirements:

  • 10 Fluorescent Shrooms
  • 10 Herbs
  • 10 Metal Parts

Once you get the Korek Machete (we're referring to the 2.0 version), you'll likely stop shopping around for better melee weapons. That's because this one deals three times the damage of the first Korek Machete, which is an enormous amount. As such, it's a more powerful weapon compared to the EXPcalibur. Since it's a machete, it's also fast and can slice away opponents with ease.

Getting the blueprint can be troublesome. It involves heading northeast of Old Town and looking for an empty plant pot on a small roof. On the ground next to it, there should be some indicative words scribbled that say "KOREK WAS HERE." After that, you must search around Old Town for the same text written on the ground, grab the four white gasoline canisters beside them, and bring them back to the plant pot. There's a simple ritual afterward to perform.

4 Kuai Dagger

kuai dagger dying light

Crafting requirements: N/A

The Kuai Dagger is similar to the Gonunaba. It's also a gold-tier weapon that involves a legendary amount of grind or mastery in order to obtain. Getting it, however, is almost mandatory for the game since the Kuai Dagger has a passive property that speeds up your parkour. That's a rather priceless addition and boosts your exploration and survivability significantly.

To get it, you have to finish one of the toughest parkour bounties in the game, Rise of the Phoenix. It's a difficult run that requires precision and speed, running from train yard tops to climbing up a tower. Oh, and grappling hooks are prohibited and there's a not-so-generous timer. Once players finish the bounty though, the reward is well-earned.

3 Volatile Hunter Baton

volatile hunter baton dying light

Crafting requirements:

  • Metal Parts (2)
  • Chemicals (2)
  • Electronics (1)
  • Bat/Crowbar/Hammer/Hatchet/Military Shovel/Pick/Police Baton/Wrench

For something more manageable yet still satisfying enough as a late-game melee weapon in Dying Light, the Volatile Hunter Baton ought to suffice. Its damage isn't that spectacular or even impressive for some as it usually comes out as a green-grade weapon, but its approachability makes it more appealing compared to a weapon you can't have yet.

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Besides, crafting one is easy and should be achievable through normal materials you can find in a quick run. It can deal either Burning or Electric damage, which is always a welcome elemental effect against the infected. To get the blueprint, you only need to have the Volatile Hunter DLC pack.

2 Rune Hammer

rune hammer dying light

Crafting requirements: N/A

Rune Hammer is also a fantasy weapon much like the Kuai Dagger and Gonunaba. It has similar stats to a Ferocious Sledgehammer, too, but the appearance gives it a more premium and elite aura. Damage-wise, it's quite monstrous and can reach more than 7,000 damage with the right mods and skills.

Again, obtaining the Rune Hammer is also difficult since it's a fantasy weapon. If you don't want to suffer too much, simply do some Nightmare mode Harran Prison runs and open all containers for a chance to get the Rune Hammer.

1 Last Hope

last hope dying light

Crafting requirements: N/A

With the release of Dying Light 2, the developers opted to promote the sequel in a lovely celebratory way in the original game. They did it by introducing a unique Dying Light 2 weapon in Dying Light's already ridiculously overpowered melee weapon selection. That weapon would be the Last Hope.

It's supposedly an axe crudely made out of a traffic sign, but don't let that put you off. It holds the highest damage potential out of all one-handed melee weapons, even when compared to the Volatile Hunter Baton. Sadly, it's currently unavailable to obtain since you need to type in the coupon code "HOPENEVERDIES" into the weapon's official coupon webpage. There's currently no news regarding its availability but keep an eye out.

NEXT: Dying Light: Platinum Edition Impressions - Kick Down Memory Lane