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Katanas

Katanas — Kenshi Weapons reference image

Katanas reward skill and punish armour. Carve through bandits with them — and switch weapons before you meet a Paladin.

Class Overview

Katanas are fast cutting weapons with high attack speed and strong damage against flesh. They are the duellist's class — quick, precise, and brutal against soft targets.

Damage & Penetration

Katanas deal cutting damage and have weak armour penetration. Against unarmoured enemies they are devastating; against heavy plate, their damage is largely absorbed.

Speed, Weight & Indoors

Light and fast, with no major indoor penalty, katanas are comfortable everywhere from open desert to cramped ruins.

Best & Worst Situations

Best against bandits, animals and lightly-armoured foes. Worst against Holy Nation heavy infantry and armoured Skeletons, where a hacker or heavy weapon serves better.

Quality Tiers

Like all weapons, katanas range from crude crafted grades up through Edge types to legendary Meitou — the masterwork tier forged by the smith Cross. A Meitou katana is a build-defining find.

Wanderer's Note

“Beak Things are fast. The only safe response to one is a head start.”

Katanas
Type
Melee
Damage
Cutting
Armour pen.
Low
Speed
Very fast
Indoors
Good