In the harsh world of Dead Rails, every weapon you carry can make the difference between survival and game over. Among the melee options available, the Tomahawk and Cavalry Sword are two important additions that offer different advantages — one is built for raw power, the other is for quick attacks. Here’s what you need to know about both of them.
Tomahawk in Dead Rails
The Tomahawk is a close-combat weapon that deals the highest true melee damage per hit in the game at the time of writing. If you’re a player who likes to get up close and personal with enemies, this tool is for you, especially when you come across slower enemies like zombies.
You can find it in Towns, Outlaw camps, and abandoned buildings, however, if you choose the Survivalist class, you will spawn with a Tomahawk by default.
It’s particularly useful in the early stages of the game (it’s better than the shovel) or for the Survivalist class. That’s because one of the features of the class is that if your health is low, you can kill zombies in just 2 hits instead of 3.
If you’re someone who wants a good melee weapon in your arsenal, the Tomahawk’s high damage output in Dead Rails will come in handy, especially when used strategically between ranged attacks. It sells for $18 if you’re short of cash.
Cavalry Sword in Dead Rails
In contrast, the Cavalry Sword is a sleek and quick melee weapon, best suited for players who prefer speed over raw power. Its fast swing time lets you chain attacks quickly, enabling you to take on one-on-one fights or escape an encounter.
Although it doesn’t hit as hard as the Tomahawk, the quick swings can overwhelm enemies and make room for escape. You can find it in abandoned buildings and towns as you explore the lands, but if you want to sell it, you can earn $35.
Which One Should You Choose?
Your choice depends on how you like to fight:
- Prefer strength and damage? Go with the Tomahawk.
- Want to slice through enemies quickly? The Cavalry Sword is your weapon.
The Tomahawk has a swing rate of 0.4 while the Cavalry Sword has 0.35s. Both tools are quite viable in the right hands, and each can be a lifesaver when you run out of ammo.
Speaking of melee weapons, be sure to check out what you can do to get the Jade Sword in Dead Rails.