From Turf Battles Wiki

These items are used for combat and in most cases are essential for fighting. While mages do not need staffs and blades and fists do not need shields or protectors, swords, gauntlets and bows are necessary in order for their respective classes to battle. Always remember to check the stat requirements of weapons you have equipped to your character so that losing an accessory or other item that enhances your stats does not negate that weapon. If you have recently died and lost a piece of your equipment or changed a piece of equipment and your character is doing less or no damage at all, make sure you are still stated correctly to use your equipped weapon. Classes have specific options for their weapon sets and additional options cannot be added besides the options specified for them. Other items like Shields and Protectors seem similar to weapons yet provide defensive power.