War in the North Weapons, Armor, and Elf-stones

The rule that prevents most bad upgrades

An item is good when it improves the hero’s job and can be equipped now. The historical item tables contain level and Strength requirements, random origins, durability, sockets, and effects such as fire, ice, shock, health, power, or cooldown reduction. Do not compare the largest damage number alone: a slower weapon that cannot be equipped, or that removes the control your party needs, is not an upgrade.

Who can use what

The original manual provides the stable eligibility map:

Hero	Reliable equipment lane
Eradan	One-handed weapons, two-handed swords, shields, bows, ranger armor
Farin	One-handed weapons, two-handed swords, shields, two-handed axes and hammers, crossbows
Andriel	One-handed weapons where allowed, staves, support-focused armor

All three heroes can share some one-handed options, but the signature weapons are role-specific. On Legacy Edition, check the current tooltip instead of assuming a port preserved every old restriction.

Weapon choice by encounter

One-handed plus shield

Use this for Farin when the party is learning a boss, defending an objective, or carrying a guest who is still learning the dodge timing. The shield route trades peak burst for safer positioning and lets Farin stay in front of a lever or NPC.

Two-handed sword, axe, or hammer

Use a two-hander when stagger and area control matter more than blocking. The opening is strongest against Trolls, Orc Knights, and dense waves, but it needs Andriel’s protection or Eradan’s ranged cleanup. Test the recovery time in the current build; old animation advice can be edition-specific.

Bow and crossbow

Eradan’s bow is the cleanest answer to archers, casters, and exposed boss weak points. Farin’s crossbow is a utility lane rather than a replacement for his frontline job. Keep a ranged option on one hero even when the party prefers melee, because several defense sections punish standing in the open.

Staff

Andriel’s staff is both a damage tool and a resource decision. Pick a staff that supports the spell loop you actually cast; a small power or cooldown bonus can outperform a higher listed damage value if the fight is controlled by recovery.

Armor, slots, and elf-stones

Armor should first cover the way a hero takes damage. Farin values survivability and stamina when he is holding a wave. Eradan values mobility, evasion, and a safe ranged cycle. Andriel values power, recovery, and enough defense to avoid being interrupted while supporting the group.

Elf-stones turn a serviceable item into a role item. The historical quest requires 4 Green Beryl, 3 Golden Beryl, and 2 Red Beryl; Angmir then offers a choice of equipment. Save the gems until you know whether this run needs health, power, cooldown, or elemental pressure. Do not sell the quest stack to Gloin by accident.

Smith decisions

Work of Westernesse can be handed to Angmir or Buri, and the old guide describes different reward pools. Hand the artifacts to the smith whose output matches the hero you are actually playing. At Nordinbad, Buri’s black-pearl quest is another random-find chain; keep breakables and shops in the route until the hand-in appears.

Loot discipline for a Legacy run

1. At a hub, compare the new item against the current item’s role, requirement, effect, and socket count.
2. Keep one spare weapon per hero for a damage type or control effect you have not tested yet.
3. Do not sell collection items until the quest log confirms completion.
4. In co-op, have the host verify the reward after a hand-in; current reports include guest progression and equipment persistence questions.
5. After a major upgrade, save, change zones, and confirm the item still appears before dismantling the old piece.

The underlying equipment and weapon rules are cross-checked against the original online manual and the historical GameFAQs equipment reference.