The Type-40 Sword in NieR: Automata is a swift blade earned through Operator 6O's quest chain, perfect for players who favor speed over power.
Small swords in NieR: Automata are the go-to weapons for anyone who enjoys a dance of speed and precision. They don't have the sweeping arcs of large blades, but their rapid strikes can tear through machines before the contraptions even wind up an attack. If you're the type of player who likes to weave in and out of danger, the Type-40 Sword is a weapon you absolutely do not want to miss. But here's the catch: this isn't a weapon you stumble across inside a random chest. It's locked behind a chain of side quests involving your friendly operator, 6O.

The Type-40 Sword is a reward for the quest "Find a Present," which is the final part of a small story arc centered on Operator 6O. To even unlock "Find a Present," you must first complete two other side missions: "Investigating Communications" and "Terminal Repairs." It sounds like a lot of legwork, but tracking them down is quite manageable once you know the right moments to pick up your calls. If you've already finished the game and are using Chapter Select, you can jump straight to the required chapters; otherwise, pay close attention to your communicator during the mid-game.
Everything kicks off right after the dramatic battle against Adam and Eve at the end of Chapter 5. Once the dust settles, you'll receive an incoming transmission from Operator 6O. She asks you a simple favor, and that message triggers the very first quest in the chain: "Investigating Communications." This quest is famously easy to miss. If you ignore the call and push forward with the main story, the opportunity vanishes. So when that call comes in, accept it immediately. Don't worry about what lies ahead—just listen to 6O and follow the objective marker. It won't take long, and it sets the entire machine in motion.
With "Investigating Communications" out of the way, you can breathe for a moment. Continue with the main narrative and complete Chapter 6, which takes you deep into the eerie Forest Castle. Once you defeat the boss there and wrap up the area's events, you'll find yourself at the start of Chapter 7. This is where things get interesting. After your conversation with Pascal—specifically when you ask about A2—begin roaming around the city ruins. Sometime during your exploration, Operator 6O will call again. She tells you to check your inbox at any nearby access point. That message is the start of "Terminal Repairs."
Now you've got the second quest underway. The city ruins are large, but the task itself is straightforward: simply follow the instructions and repair the terminal as 6O requests. Once that task is finished, you're on the home stretch. As you make your way back toward the Resistance Camp, still within Chapter 7, your communicator will ring one final time. This time, 6O sounds different. She talks about flowers, about something beautiful she wants you to find. It's a soft, almost melancholic conversation, and it ends with her sending yet another message to your inbox. Interact with that message, and you'll begin the final quest: "Find a Present."
Completing "Find a Present" does not require tackling some colossal foe or solving a cryptic puzzle. The mission is rather gentle by NieR standards, but it does send you to a specific location to pick up something special for 6O. Once the objective is satisfied and the quest log updates, the Type-40 Sword gets delivered directly to your inbox as a reward. You'll also receive a generous bundle of extras to sweeten the deal.
Here's a quick breakdown of everything you get when you finish "Find a Present":
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A130: Bomb – a pod program that adds explosive flair to your arsenal
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Amber ×4 – a valuable upgrade material
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5,000 G – a handy injection of in-game currency
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800 EXP – a nice bump for your current level
Now, let's talk about the sword itself. At level 1, the Type-40 Sword comes with a 5-hit light attack combo and a 3-hit heavy attack combo. The blade feels snappy and responsive right out of the box, perfect for juggling enemies or shredding through armor. But the true potential of this weapon reveals itself when you invest some resources into upgrading it. By bringing the Type-40 Sword all the way to level 4, the light attack combo stretches from five hits to seven. That may not sound dramatic on paper, but in the heat of combat those extra slashes mean more damage, more stun potential, and more time spent with an enemy locked in your rhythm.
Speaking of stun, the higher upgrade levels also grant a bonus to stunning enemies. This synergizes beautifully with chips and pod programs that exploit vulnerable machines, turning every encounter into a deadly ballet. To push the sword from its base form to max level, you'll need Titanium Alloy—a material that commonly drops from larger machine lifeforms and can also be purchased from certain vendors later in the game. Don't be shy about farming a bit if you want to see this weapon's full glory.
Table: Type-40 Sword Upgrades at a Glance
| Upgrade Level | Light Attack Combo | Heavy Attack Combo | Stun Bonus | Material Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 hits | 3 hits | No | – |
| 2 | 5 hits | 3 hits | Slight | Titanium Alloy |
| 3 | 6 hits | 3 hits | Moderate | Titanium Alloy |
| 4 (Max) | 7 hits | 3 hits | High | Titanium Alloy |
If you're using Chapter Select to pick up any missed quests, here's a handy roadmap:
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Jump to Chapter 5 after defeating Adam and Eve. Accept the call from Operator 6O to start "Investigating Communications."
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Move to Chapter 6 and complete the Forest Castle sequence.
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Enter Chapter 7 and speak with Pascal about A2. Then roam the city ruins until the call for "Terminal Repairs" comes in. Finish it.
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While still in Chapter 7, head back toward the Resistance Camp and answer the final call about flowers to begin "Find a Present." Complete that to get the sword.
One final tip: many players rush through Chapter 7 without realizing they are missing the softest but most meaningful side story in the game. Operator 6O's quest chain doesn't ask you to save the world, but it does ask you to be human. The Type-40 Sword you earn is more than a stat stick; it's a keepsake from a gentle soul who just wanted to see something beautiful. Take the time to do these quests, even if you've already rolled credits. The blade will serve you faithfully through any ending you chase.
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