The best swords in Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced are the Persian Scimitars, a legendary cutlass pair that chains takedowns on four enemies after a perfect parry, hits for 38 damage and has a perk that stops Brutes from breaking the chain. The Matched Golden Swords also chain four and come much sooner, and for a free early pick, the Espada Ancha from The Black Trench shipwreck chains four takedowns too.
Below we explain what makes a sword good in the remake, then rank the best swords you can get without paying, with where to find each, plus the Animus Exchange and DLC options.
What Makes a Sword Good in Resynced
Combat in Resynced is built around takedowns, not long health bars. Ubisoft’s combat deep dive says a Perfect Parry lets Edward chain takedowns on up to four nearby enemies, “depending on the sword he carries.” That chain count is the single most important number on a sword, because a four-enemy chain can end a whole fight in one parry.
Sword type matters next, because it changes your heavy attack:
| Type | Heavy attack |
|---|---|
| Rapier | Heavy Strikes are more damaging and pierce through foes |
| Cutlass | Heavy Strikes sweep a wide area, hitting multiple enemies |
| Pistol-Sword | Fires two shots, focused on one enemy or split across two |
Only legendary swords carry a unique perk. Outfits in Resynced have no stats, so your swords, pistols and trinkets are where combat power comes from.
The Best Swords Ranked
1. Persian Scimitars (Legendary Cutlass)
The best swords in the game: no sword chains more takedowns or hits harder. They chain takedowns on four enemies and hit for 38 damage, as high as sword damage goes, and their perk stops Brutes from denying a Chain Takedown, so even the enemies that normally break a chain cannot stop one.
How to get them: the reward from the Restored Weathered Map, buried on Mystery Island, and you also get the Gargoyle’s Breath pistols from the same chest. Restoring the map is a long hunt, but the Scimitars are worth it. Our treasure digging guide explains how restored maps work.
2. Matched Golden Swords (Legendary Cutlass)
The best swords you can get before the map hunt is done. They chain takedowns on four enemies, and their perk makes Chain Takedowns easier to perform and extends their range. Damage sits at a typical 25, which is what puts the Persian Scimitars ahead, but these come much sooner. Until you have the Scimitars, pair them with a trinket that lets you take down heavy enemies in a chain.
How to get them: from the Treasure Dealer on the Great Inagua docks, after you rebuild his shop. He trades them for animal materials and trade goods rather than plain Reales; the price is Deer Hide, Crocodile Leather and Sugar. Our Bones guide covers the quickest way to get animal materials.
3. Espada Ancha (Rare Cutlass)
The best free sword you can get early. It chains four takedowns like the two pairs above, though it has no perk.
How to get it: loot it from an underwater chest in the shipwreck called The Black Trench. You need the Diving Bell from the story to reach deep wreck sites.
4. Order of Gold (Legendary Pistol-Sword)
The pick if you would rather attack than parry. They hit for 38 damage and chain three takedowns. Their heavy attack fires two shots without using your pistol ammo, and their perk fires a shot automatically after a Perfect Dodge. Only the shorter chain keeps them behind the three four-chain picks above.
How to get them: buy them from the Great Inagua General Store at its top upgrade level. They cost 29,000 Reales.
5. Blades of Toledo (Legendary Cutlass)
Another legendary cutlass with a perk of its own, and one of the easiest to get once your store is fully upgraded: buy it from the Great Inagua General Store at its top upgrade level for 24,000 Reales.
Worth Collecting
- The Fortune (Legendary Cutlass): the reward from the treasure map you get for hanging all 11 Character Portraits in the Great Inagua manor.
- Scottish Broadswords (Rare Cutlass): buried at Long Bay, from the treasure map found on Isla Providencia. Our Isla Providencia treasure map guide has the steps.
Animus Exchange and DLC Swords
- Ezio’s Swords sit in the Animus Exchange alongside Altair’s Swords and Naoe’s Shadowblade. Ezio’s stands out for its perk, which lets you parry unstoppable attacks, plus three-enemy chain takedowns. Check the Exchange for each one’s current price; our Data Fragments guide explains how the Animus Hub’s Projects work.
- Paid packs add more legendary swords, including the Master Assassin character pack, which Ubisoft says includes a sword, pistol and trinket “each with a unique perk.” Other packs include the Blades of the Damned pistol-swords and the Dragon’s Fang and Serpent’s Fang cutlasses.
None of them are needed. The best free swords above handle every fight in the game.
Tips for Using Your Swords
- Do not chase damage. A four-chain sword with modest damage beats a hard-hitting sword with a short chain for most players.
- Break Brutes with your pistol. Advanced enemies deny Chain Takedowns. Ubisoft says a pistol quick shot instantly breaks their guard so the chain can continue.
- Vary your moves. Enemies adapt to repeated parries and kicks, so mix in dodges, sweeps and heavy attacks.
Our Assassin’s Creed guides hub has the rest of our Resynced coverage, including fights at sea in our Legendary Ships guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best sword in Black Flag Resynced? The Persian Scimitars, for their four-enemy chain takedowns, 38 damage and a perk that stops Brutes from breaking the chain. Until you finish the map hunt for them, the Matched Golden Swords are the best pick.
What is the best early sword? The Espada Ancha, from an underwater chest in The Black Trench shipwreck. It chains four takedowns for free.
Does sword damage matter in Black Flag Resynced? Less than the chain takedown count. Combat revolves around takedowns, and a sword that chains four enemies ends fights faster.
Which sword type is best? It depends on your style: rapiers pierce, cutlasses sweep crowds, and pistol-swords fire two shots on a heavy attack. The Order of Gold is a pistol-sword, while our other top picks are cutlasses.
Do outfits affect combat in Resynced? No. Outfits are cosmetic in the remake, so perks come from swords, pistols and trinkets.