Weapons Guide - Iron Sword & Hunter Bow
The two weapons of the Apolypter game, how the anvil polish system upgrades them and which monsters each one is for.
Published September 23, 2026 · Last updated September 23, 2026
Quick Answer: Sword or Bow?
Both, carried at once, swapped per monster. Iron Sword for anything that closes to melee (Ash Wolves, Cinder Toads on cooled rock); Hunter Bow for anything that flies, hovers or heals on contact (Ember Bats, and both bosses' add phases). There is no weapon progression in Apolypter — the upgrade line is polish, not replacement.
| Weapon | Style | Best Against | Coating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Sword | Melee, 3-hit combo | Ash Wolf, Cinder Toad | Oil Flask / Frost Vial |
| Hunter Bow | Ranged, charged shot | Ember Bat, boss adds | Frost Vial |
The Anvil Polish System
The blacksmith anvil grants +2 damage per polish, twice per weapon, for 50 gold a pass. Four total polishes (two per weapon) cost 200 gold and add roughly 15% output across a full hunt rotation. Polish timing matters more than polish count: do it right before shard farming or a boss attempt, not before exploration where it goes to waste on trash you out-leveled.
- Polish 1 (+2) — 50g, recommended after your first wolf-route income.
- Polish 2 (+4 total) — 50g, recommended before the Ashen Warden.
- Polish 3-4 (both weapons) — before Cinder Toad shard farming.