Getting started in Corepunk can feel slow, especially when it comes to dealing enough damage. But if you know where to look, there’s a powerful and immediate way to improve your early-game combat potential—even at level one. This guide shows you exactly how to upgrade your damage output quickly by taking advantage of a little-known merchant and a recent update that unlocks weapon purchases from the start of the game.

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Why This Matters

Early-game damage in Corepunk is often limited. You begin with basic gear and minimal abilities, and combat can feel sluggish or overwhelming. However, thanks to a recent change, you no longer need to wait until level 5 to equip stronger weapons. You can now purchase enhanced weapons from level one, giving you a serious edge as you quest, level, and explore.

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Where to Go and What to Do

After you create your character, follow the main path north and complete a few early quests to reach the starter city. Once there, head west from the center of town to find a specific NPC: Ratchet, the Weapon Smith. He stands beside another NPC who handles implants and artifact crafting.

Speak to Ratchet and ignore his initial quest dialogue—instead, select the dialogue option “Shut up.” This opens up his merchant inventory, which contains an array of powerful early weapons you can purchase.

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What’s in Ratchet’s Shop?

Ratchet’s inventory rotates and includes various gear score weapons, all now usable from level one. Examples of what you might find:

• Gear Score 36 Weapon:
  • ~10 DPS
  • 9 attack speed
  • 11 weapon damage
  • 4.8% physical crit chance
• Gear Score 32 Weapon:
  • Still a solid upgrade from starter gear

Inventory items and prices vary, but low gear score weapons can go for as little as 16–30 gold. Even a modest upgrade will dramatically improve your early combat efficiency.

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How to Prepare

To afford these weapons, you’ll need some gold:

• Complete the initial few quests between spawn and the city.
• Loot and sell everything you find—boxes, crates, containers.
• Reach about 30 to 50 gold before visiting Ratchet.

Then simply head to the west side of the city, talk to Ratchet, and browse his weapon shop. Buy the strongest weapon you can afford.

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Why This Works So Well

Before the latest patch, weapons from Ratchet were locked behind level 5. Now, with the restriction removed, every classcan access powerful weapons from level one. You’ll feel the damage increase immediately. Faster kills mean faster XP, fewer deaths, and a more enjoyable start.

One player reported buying a new weapon at level three and instantly feeling the difference in damage output.

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Bonus Tip

While Ratchet also gives you a quest to craft an Assault Launcher, completing it is resource-heavy and time-consuming. If you’re just starting out, it’s more efficient to purchase a pre-made weapon directly from his inventory.

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Final Thoughts

If you’ve just started Corepunk and are struggling with low damage, don’t wait. Head west in the starter city, find Ratchet, and buy a powerful weapon as early as possible. This small detour could transform your first hours in the game from slow and painful to fast and empowering.

Remember to revisit Ratchet occasionally—his inventory rotates, and you might find an even better weapon next time.

Get that upgrade, crush those mobs, and enjoy a much smoother journey through Corepunk’s early levels.