Weapons have a Level Requirement (Lvl.Req.) which is the minimum Character Level with which it can be equipped and used with out penalty.
Overview

In-game warning about insufficient level for using the weapon.
Using a weapon with a level requirement higher than the equipper's Character Level results in increased stamina use for Skill use, Running, Climbing, together with reduced stamina regeneration. Additionally weapon Core Skills will start to use stamina.
The game warns the player when attempting to equip the weapon unsuitable for his level. Sadly, only once.
In general it is unlikely that the party will find or acquire any weapons with level requirement above their level during the main quest line of Dragon's Dogma.
Levels
Weapons | Requirement |
---|---|
Weapons from Bitterblack Weapon Lv.3 | 51 |
Weapons from Bitterblack Weapon Lv.2 | 46 |
Ur-Dragon Weapons | 41 |
Weapons from the post-Dragon Everfall ‡ | 29 |
Dragon Weapons | 28 |
Post-Game weapons from Gransys ‡ | 21 |
Weapons found in Gransys † | below 20 |
Golden Weapons | 15 |
† Lower quality weapons have a lower requirement
‡ Bitterblack Weapon Lv.1s purify to these weapon types |
Notes
- The usual way with which high level weapons are obtained by low level parties is through Trading and Gifting of weapons.
- High level weapons might also be obtained by suicide runs through Bitterblack Isle to obtain Bitterblack Weapons early.
- Former DLC weapons may not have significant level requirements. (e.g. Legion's Might)
- The level threshold is a Hidden Stat and can not be found in game.