Let's talk about mods that add over 100 new weapons, and crafting overhauls that make fights feel like real sword duels, rather than just stat checks.
Historically accurate Japanese spears, energy weapons that would make any Skeleton jealous, or simply bringing weapon weights down to reasonable levels: seriously, a 72 kg Fragment Axe? These weapon mods for Kenshi have it covered.
New Weapons Dissemination Mod (NWDM)
Ever felt that Kenshi's weapon selection is a little… limited? Me too. That is where NWDM comes in, with enough variety to blow your mind .
- Over 100 new weapons including katanas, cleavers, sabers and polearms
- Full integration into the world with NPCs and traders
- A new Triangle Bandit faction with three unique bosses
- Meitou versions of every new weapon
- Weapon designs inspired by Japanese styles
- Full compatibility with the vanilla game
✅ Gameplay changes: NPCs naturally appear with new weapons, traders stock a broader selection, and you find unique Meitou-grade weapons through exploration and combat.
Lore Friendly Weapons — Infinite (Weapon Pack)
Want more weapon variety without disrupting the game's atmosphere? This extensive collection adds 34 new weapons to Kenshi.
- 34 unique weapons across all categories, including Hackers, Heavy Weapons, Blunt Weapons, and Crossbows
- Collection of all LFW volumes 1 to 5 plus new additions
- Iron Machete, Scrap Axe, Turret Bat, Hundred Blade variants
- Hidden weapons carried by unique NPCs for you to discover
- All weapons can be crafted and purchased
- Balanced around vanilla weapon stats
✅ Gameplay Changes: Adds significant weapon variety without unbalancing the game, with weapons integrating naturally into merchant inventories and NPC equipment.
Legendary Weapons
For anyone looking to add truly special weapons to their collection, this mod introduces legendary-tier equipment surpassing standard Meitou quality.
- Legendary-tier weapons surpassing Meitou quality
- Unique weapon design with special properties
- Rare acquisition methods that encourage exploration
- Balanced for late game progression
- Lore integration
✅ Gameplay changes: Adds endgame weapon-hunting goals, giving experienced players something to pursue beyond standard Meitou equipment.
Better Smiths and Homemade Weapons
Tired of every weapon manufacturer producing equipment of exactly the same quality? This mod fixes that by giving each smith a specialization.
- New quality tiers, Model numbers, for weapon manufacturers
- Catun Scrapmasters specialize in heavy blunt weapons
- Edgewalkers focus on light cutting weapons
- Skeleton Smiths create weapons with mixed damage
- Exclusive named weapon models
- Completely redesigned crafting progression
✅ Gameplay changes: Buying weapons becomes a strategic decision because manufacturers excel at different weapon types, while specialized tiers make crafting progression feel more meaningful.
Manageable Weapon Weight
Let us be honest: carrying a 72 kg Fragment Axe on your back is absurd. This mod addresses weapon weight without breaking the Strength training system.
- Fragment Axe weight reduced from 72 kg to 36 kg
- All weapon weights have been rebalanced to reasonable values
- Retains vanilla damage and strength requirements
- The mechanics of strength training remain intact.
- Allows you to effectively carry multiple weapons
✅ Gameplay Changes: Characters can carry backup weapons without overloading, making weapon swapping and tactical builds actually viable.
Now you can actually carry a backup weapon without your character crawling as though dragging a boulder. It is a simple quality-of-life improvement that makes combat much more dynamic.
Nihontou — Japanese Blades
For those who want authentic Japanese sword fighting with proper historical accuracy.
- Historically Accurate Japanese Blade Design
- Many variants of katanas, wakizashi and tanto
- Authentic forging techniques reflected in stats
- Aesthetics of traditional Japanese weapons
- Seamless integration with vanilla weapon system
✅ Gameplay Changes: Adds depth to Japanese-style combat with weapons that feel authentic to their historical counterparts, while maintaining gameplay balance.
Polearm Buff
Vanilla polearms feel a little weak? This mod brings them up to a competitive standard.
- Rebalanced damage and characteristics of polearms
- Improved attack radius mechanics
- Improved armor penetration for heavy polearms
- Improved attack speed scaling
- Maintains weapon balance
✅ Gameplay Changes: Makes polearms a viable choice throughout the game rather than just a temporary measure at the beginning, with proper scaling rewarding the investment.
Quarterstaff — Polearm Weapon
Want a classic polearm that suits both beginners and martial arts enthusiasts? The quarterstaff brings traditional staff combat to Kenshi.
- Traditional staff fighting mechanics
- Balanced for both early and late game
- The traditional reach advantages of polearms
- Naturally fits into the world's weapons ecosystem
✅Gameplay Changes: Provides a versatile polearm option that is great for defensive fighting styles and offers good attack range without the weight penalty of heavier polearms.
Japanese Spears
Finally, historically accurate spears that don't look like kitchen knives taped to sticks.
- Five authentic types of Japanese spears
- Sasaho, Chidori-Jyumonji, Jumonji, Kikuchi and Sangen-Han Yari variants
- Beautiful blade patterns and protective covers
- Five NPC spearmen scattered throughout the villages in the Swamps
- Meitou versions available from specific NPCs
✅ Gameplay changes: Adds full spear combat with NPCs who actually use spear tactics, and new legendary weapons to hunt down.
Halberd
Having trouble with heavy armor? This halberd mod says, no longer.
- A line of heavy halberds with excellent armor penetration
- Particularly effective against robot factions
- Weapons and crafting blueprints available for purchase in Catun
- Full integration with NPCs throughout the world
- Balanced performance for late-stage encounters
✅Gameplay Changes: Provides specialized armor-piercing weapons that make battles with heavily armored enemies and robots significantly more viable.
Better Weaponsmithing
Vanilla weapon crafting has some strange balance issues. This mod fixes them.
- Rebalanced blueprint costs and material requirements
- Improved crafting speed for better progression
- Two types of crafting benches for different needs
- Meaningful crafting options for early and late game
- Complete reworking of the crossbow crafting system
✅ Gameplay Changes: Weapon crafting becomes a viable path to endgame gear rather than just a waste of resources, with proper progression from simple tools to legendary weapons.
Training Weapons Vendor
Want to train your squad without accidentally killing them? This training weapon vendor mod has a solution.
- Zero-damage training versions of every weapon type
- Includes hand wraps for Martial Arts training
- Weighted training robes for building strength
- Available at Waystations, Rebel Base and major cities
- No complicated roleplaying requirements, just practical training equipment
Gameplay Changes: Allows for safe sparring and training without the risk of permanent injury or death, making skill development much more manageable.
Ready to upgrade your arsenal with these weapon mods?
These weapon mods transform Kenshi from a game with decent combat into a martial arts masterpiece. My personal recommendation is to start with NWDM, add Better Smiths for crafting depth and throw in a couple of spear mods for variety.
For those just starting to mod the game, it might be helpful to read how to install mods in Kenshi before you start experimenting with mods.
Know a mod that makes a real difference without breaking the game? Tell me about it; I will check it and add it to the list. It needs to fit the mod collection's overall approach.
