The Best Dexterity Weapons In Dark Souls 3, Ranked

Summary

• Dex builds are key in Dark Souls 3, providing rapid attacks and counterattacks for efficient combat.
• Some weapons, like Demon’s Scar, offer unique advantages like pure fire damage for effective offense.
• Unique weapons like Crow Talons cater to varied playstyles for a fresh and fun experience in gameplay.

Dark Souls 3 is a game all about overcoming difficult encounters. This game has some of the hardest bosses and enemies in the franchise, meaning players will need everything they can get to beat this game and its brutal DLC content. With that said, few enemies in PvE can match the skill of some players one will face in Arenas or invasions. Builds help mitigate this, focusing on certain attributes and gear to make fighting tough bosses and players easier. Dexterity builds are always a solid choice, and Dark Souls 3 is no exception to this golden rule. Their weapons focus mostly on rapid attacks and counterattacks after parrying an opponent.

While some people love walloping enemies to kingdom come with bigger weapons that require a fair bit of investment in strength, there’s no denying that players will get a kick out of using faster weapons that will irritate enemies to no end. There’s something to be said about nailing a combo using a Dexterity weapon and watching an enemy’s health bar be whittled down in no time flat. It’s a truly cathartic experience, and players should make it a point to get the best Dex weapons in Dark Souls 3 to make things easier for themselves.

Updated on January 30, 2025, by Gerardo Molina: Dark Souls 3 allows players to use any build they want. Some prefer the unmatched power of a Strength and Poise build, whereas others like to fight from a distance using spells. Of course, there are also players who like quick action and fast dodges. For them, a Dexterity build is ideal. There are several Dexterity weapons in Dark Souls 3 that have decent Dexterity scaling and allow players to land numerous hits before having to back away from their enemies. A lot of them can be obtained simply by exploring, whereas others will require players to face and defeat formidable enemies and transpose their Souls.

29

Onislayer Greatbow

On The Bridge Near The Yhorm Boss Fight In The Profaned Capital

Bows can be a pain to use in Dark Souls 3. Players need to stay at a safe distance and have enough ammunition along with a decent ranged weapon to make these attacks viable. A lot of people may find this way too cumbersome for its own good, making it easy to see why the bulk of these weapons are ignored by players. However, there are some amazing bows that players are sleeping on if they don’t want to engage with ranged combat at all, with the Onislayer Greatbow being a great example of the same.

As long as players have a decent stock of heavy arrows, they should be able to knock down most enemies and make them eat dirt with one of the best DS3 Dex weapons. The sheer amount of fun players can have with this weapon as long as they use it correctly makes it a great weapon, especially since it boasts the longest range of any bow in the game. The act of drawing and firing a great arrow can take a long time, but most players will be aware of this drawback and maintain a safe distance before peppering their foes with huge projectiles.

The Onislayer Greatbow cannot be infused or buffed and requires Twinkling Titanite to be reinforced. With a range value of 63, it has the highest range of any kind of bow in the entirety of the game. While it requires 18 Strength to wield, bows cannot be used with one hand, which makes its true Strength requirement 12. This weapon has a Strength bonus peak of 27, and a Dexterity bonus peak of 36. One thing that makes this bow and other bows in Dark Souls 3 so great, is that the amount of damage it deals can greatly depend on the ammunition that’s being used.

28

Demon’s Scar

Obtained By Transposing The Soul Of The Demon Prince

Here’s a weapon that will likely only be usable after the Ashen One has beaten the game once since it requires the Soul of the Demon Prince to be attained via transposition. As it does pure fire damage, which is arguably the most effective damaging type in all of Dark Souls 3, Demon’s Scar is a very hard weapon to defend against.

The moveset of a standard light curved sword makes it very versatile at close range, though it can also be used as a Pyromancy Flame, which lets the wielder unleash scorching spells without having to change weapons. However, its high specialization leads to its downfall as a truly great weapon as it does not have heavy attacks and scales very poorly with Dexterity, making it only suitable for some close-range pyromancer builds.

27

Frayed Blade

Obtained Via Transposition With The Soul Of Darkeater Midir

A weapon with such ridiculously low durability that it has become the butt of many jokes in the Soulsborne community, the Frayed Blade is certainly an interesting weapon that players can use to dish out some serious damage. 40 points in Dexterity can sound downright unreasonable, but this sword is perfect for a pure Dex build and is obtained near the end of the game anyway, so it’s not a major loss.

The fact that this katana is acquired at such a late stage in the game and loses durability quickly can make it a pain to use at times, but players willing to work around these limitations can find themselves equipped with one of the most unique blades in the game. The Weapon Art essentially allows players to unleash Dark Souls 3‘s take on Ichigo’s Getsuga Tensho, which makes for an awe-inspiring moveset. Similar to other weapons in the game, the Frayed Blade cannot be buffed or refused and must be reinforced with Titanite Scales, which are hard to come by. If players truly want to maximize this weapon’s potential, they’ll have to reach 60 Dexterity and 16 Strength, at which point, the weapon has an AR of 468, surpassing the Chaos Blade in critical hits.

26

Bloodlust

A Rank 1 Reward In The Mound-Makers Covenant

The katanas in Dark Souls 3 are a bit of a mixed bag, to the point where most fans were angered by their supposed nerf in the third game. However, players can still have a great time with the weapon of their choice as long as they’re aware of its drawbacks, and Bloodlust is no exception here. The lack of reach may be a major detriment for most fans, but players who give this katana its time in the spotlight will realize that Bloodlust is one of the best DS3 Dex weapons in the game.

Players can make up for its smaller reach by using the Weapon Art to turn it into a Dark Souls 3 Chikage-lite that benefits from enhanced damage while inflicting the Bleed status. It may be far from the most optimal weapon in the game, but players who want to have fun with a cool-looking katana will find the Bloodlust to be right up their alley.

25

Dragonslayer Spear

Found Near The Dragon-Kin Mausoleum Bonfire At Archdragon Peak

Split damage weapons can be a pain to use, with the damage of these armaments feeling rather underwhelming as opposed to other weapons that specialize in one form of damage. It takes a well-thought-out build to maximize the damage of these weapons, which is precisely why the Dragonslayer Spear can be so daunting to use in combat. Despite being one of DS3‘s best Dex weapons, dumping stats into Faith also helps boost the damage of this weapon.

It takes a while to bring this weapon’s damage up to par, but players who want to pay their respects to Dragon Slayer Ornstein will love using this weapon to stab and shock their enemies in style. It’s an excellent and unique spear that stands out from other weapons in this category that feel rather mundane, in comparison.

24

Carthus Curved Greatsword

Dropped By Grave Warden Skeletons In The Catacombs Of Carthus

Most people would argue that the Carthus Curved Greatsword is one of the best weapons in the game, and perfect for players pursuing a Dexterity or Quality build. However, these players are the ones who had good RNG, since this weapon has the unfortunate reputation of being one of the toughest weapons to farm in the game.

Even if players get this weapon, it will be questionable if this grind was a worthwhile endeavor. However, with high damage and a fun Weapon Art, players who take time to master this weapon’s moveset and use a Sharp Infusion will find it to be perfect for a Dexterity build. While it doesn’t have the highest Bleed damage in the game, it does inflict some of this passive effect, which means that with enough consistent hits, players can quickly melt their enemies’ health bars. Players who want to maximize the Bleed effect of this weapon must upgrade it to +10, infuse it with Blood and spend their Souls to reach 40 Luck, which will bring the Bleed status up to 99.

23

Crescent Moon Sword

Dropped By Ringfinger Leonhard After Fulfilling Certain Conditions

This unique weapon is a pretty easy one to miss, as attaining it requires the player to invade the world of the NPC Ringfinger Leonhard whilst inside Gwynevere’s chambers in Anor Londo. After defeating Leonhard and looting his weapon, one will now possess one of the most versatile split-damage swords in the game. Essentially an extremely curved shotel, the Crescent Moon Sword functions at close range like the Scimitar and similar curved swords, though it stands out in that it also does Magic damage and scales with Intelligence as well as Dexterity.

Though, with no actual Intelligence requirement to be wielded, it can be an excellent choice for any Dex build struggling with more physically defensive foes without having to put points into other stats. It should also be mentioned that its weapon art unleashes ranged magic attacks that can make this moon-powered blade effective at a greater range than many alternative arms. The Crescent Moon Sword has an in-built shield piercing attribute of 65% while doing a heavy attack and 45% on the slash from its weapon skill. It also has a 15% attribute for all other attacks in the same category. While this weapon scales decently with both Dexterity and Intelligence, it gains more from the former than it does from the latter.

22

Ricard’s Rapier

Dropped By A Hostile Summoned NPC In Archdragon’s Peak

It’s a shame that this weapon doesn’t enjoy S scaling with Dexterity even after a Sharp Infusion, since Ricard’s Rapier has the potential to become one of the swiftest and most damaging weapons in the entire game. As things stand, this weapon boasts decent damage and a fun Weapon Art that is a blast to whip out once players master how it works.

Ricard’s Rapier is a fun weapon for players who’ve exclusively used this weapon from the very first game. Getting it in Dark Souls 3 can take a while, but is worth the wait. Fans familiar with this weapon will appreciate its large damage numbers and effective mobility in no time.

21

Scimitar

Sold By The Shrine Handmaid & Dropped By Scimitar-Wielding Skeletons In Catacombs Of Carthus

As one of the better Dexterity weapons in Dark Souls 3 that one can acquire from the Shrine Handmaid very early on at Firelink Shrine, the Scimitar is very much capable of seeing the Ashen One through the entire game if upgraded and infused accordingly. It not only gains insane damage boosts from Sharp, Chaos, or Dark infusions but it is also very light and has low stat requirements, making it an excellent choice for nearly any build looking to specialize in Dexterity.

The downside to this blade is that it does not have a way to deal with heavily armored foes or enemies who excessively use shields since its moveset come with a distancing attack-and-retreat move instead of one that breaks an adversary’s guard. However, its rapid attacks, low stamina cost, and easily usable weapon art let one cleave through most other challenges easily enough.

20

Aquamarine Dagger

Found On A Pile Of Rubble Near The Dreg Heap Bonfire

The daggers in Dark Souls 3 are pretty disappointing and are usually best avoided. The damage of most daggers is pitiful, and this can prove to be a huge pain for players who are struggling with the game and want to use a weapon that lets them feel competent in battle instead of rendering them helpless. However, while most daggers can be avoided, the same can’t be said for the Aquamarine Dagger.

This weapon is fun to use, although players have to invest in both Dexterity and Intelligence to make the most of this blade. The Weapon Art extends the reach of this blade using crystals, making it feel more like a regular sword that players can use to turn the tide of battle in a flash and show off the unique power of this weapon.

19

Drang Twinspears

Dropped By The Drang Knight Encountered After The Pontiff Sullyvahn Bonfire

There are many dual-wield weapons present in Dark Souls 3 that are a blast to use, and the Drang Twinspears are no exception to this golden rule. This weapon seems rather weird at first, but players need only use the dual-wield stance to make things harder for their opponent in every way. This weapon is a blast in PvE but can be a bit predictable in PvP if players don’t switch up their movesets.

Of course, the biggest reason why players love this weapon so much is the rolling special attack that most people spam in PvP. It’s hard to read, deals a lot of damage, and is pretty effective to boot. Suffice it to say, players who spend some time learning how this weapon works will be able to duke it out with skilled Dark Souls 3 players without breaking a sweat!

18

Darkdrift

Dropped By Yuria Of Londor At Firelink Shrine (Can Also Be Obtained After Completing Her Quest)

The quest featuring Yuria of Londor is one of the more long-winded and complicated quests to complete in Dark Souls 3. It can be pretty hard to get through this quest without a guide, but doing so is worthwhile since it lets players access a different ending. Players also gain access to a pretty powerful katana that can slash and dice enemies in style.

Of course, impatient players can just kill Yuria to get this weapon instead. While it may not seem all that powerful, the fact that Darkdrift can be buffed makes it a force to be reckoned with. By making sure that players enhance the effectiveness of this weapon during fights, most enemies can be whittled down with ease using this weapon.

17

Irithyll Straight Sword

Dropped By Outrider Knight At The Bottom Of The Elevator Shaft Just Before The Road Of Sacrifices

Most famous for being used by the savage and tricky-to-fight Boreal Outrider Knights, these frigid blades are as brutal as their former masters. One can be acquired after slaying the Outrider Knight found near the beginning of the Road of Sacrifices. The Irithyll Straight Sword, like some other rare Irithyll-originated weapons, comes already imbued with Frost: arguably the most devastating status effect in the game.

With relatively low scaling in both Strength and Dexterity, it may seem underwhelming. Though with its decent base damage and the classic moveset of a Longsword, this decent-range straight sword can apply a fair bit of pressure to foes if one uses the threat of Frost build-up in conjunction with standard attacks.

16

Carthus Curved Sword

Dropped By Skeletons Wielding This Weapon In Catacombs Of Carthus

Dropped by the mighty Skeletal Swordsmen in the Catacombs of Carthus, this bloody blade requires one to have sufficient stats in both Strength and Dexterity to even be used. The requirements may be worth it, however, as the Carthus Curved Sword has one of the best reaches and highest potential damage out of any curved sword.

Due to its weight and Bleed build-up, it is an ideal choice for facing more defensive foes as there is no way to block the Bleeding applied by this wicked blade and it is a difficult one to parry. The Stamina consumption may be high but the other attributes of this super-sized saber more than make up for it.

15

Washing Pole

Sold By The Shrine Handmaid After Giving Her The Easterner’s Ashes

The Washing Pole gives Greatswords a run for their money with how massive this weapon is. The range on this Katana is unmatched in its archetype, and its scaling with Dexterity is rather impressive.

An A scaling can be expected with a +10 Washing Pole with the Sharp infusion. It has an average moveset that can catch rolling players, and its damage output is the third-best in its weapon class. It’s a good weapon that can be acquired early game by turning in the Easterner’s Ashes to the Shrine Handmaid and buying the Washing Pole for 7,500 souls.

14

Onikiri And Ubadachi

Dropped By Black Hand Kamui At The Top Floor Of The Grand Archives

Dual-wielding blades in Dark Souls 3 make for a great time, which is why most people would salivate at the prospect of getting their hands on the Onikiri and Ubadachi. The weapons hit like a truck, inflict Bleed damage, and feature a weapon art that hits for serious damage if players time this move properly.

A unique caveat about these dual blades that most people may not be aware of is that these blades do more damage when they’re not infused. Of course, a Dexterity build will still benefit from a sharp infusion, but players who don’t mind experimenting can opt for a quality build to tear most enemies to shreds with this powerful dual blade that takes no prisoners.

13

Old Wolf Curved Sword

Received After Reaching Rank 1 Of The Watchdogs Of Farron Covenant

A dexterous Greatsword sounds oxymoronic, but that is exactly what the Old Wolf Curved Sword is. With a B rating in Dexterity when upgraded, this Greatsword packs a punch with a pure Dex build.

Many weapons beat the Old Wolf Curved Sword when it comes to scaling, but this weapon’s strength is the moveset. Rapid and intuitive swings allow it to cleave hordes of enemies or easily catch rolling invaders. Better yet, this weapon’s moveset is one of the game’s best that allows one to mimic Sif’s gracious attacks from the first Dark Souls.

12

Warden Twinblades

Dropped By Cathedral Grave Wardens

Twinblades are one of the deadliest weapon archetypes in Dark Souls 3 thanks to their fast moveset. A few rapid strikes from these weapons can kill any player or a common enemy.

Warden Twinblades are one of the lesser-used Twinblades due to their poorer scaling and damage. With that said, Warden Twinblades come with innate bleed to deal massive chunks of damage after consecutive strikes. Infusing with a Sharp Gem can make these have an A rating with Dex, but it is usually better to make these a Hollow weapon and use Carthus Rouge for some serious bleed damage per strike.

11

Black Blade

Looted From A Mimic Chest Near The Flame Demon

Size isn’t the Black Blade’s strong suit, having the shortest Katana range in Dark Souls 3. It does make up for this with its great base damage and scaling potential.

With a Sharp infusion, the Black Blade has an A scaling in Dex and a whopping 225 base physical damage. With enough Dexterity, a player can deal 800 damage with its R1 combo that can catch enemies mid-roll. It is somewhat lacking in PvE content due to its short range, but don’t underestimate this weapon in PvP encounters. It can shut down invaders after a weapon art parry or a few quick slashes.

10

Uchigatana

Dropped By Sword Master Outside Firelink Shrine

Many people feel like the iteration of the Uchigatana in Dark Souls 3 is one of the weakest in the Soulsborne series, so it’s a pretty great achievement that this weapon is still held in high regard nevertheless. This blade is a classic that players love to wield in the game, with this beginner-friendly katana being quick, effective, and deadly in the right hands.

While some people aren’t a huge fan of the Uchigatana’s relatively low damage, it’s still a blast to play through in every way and fans should give this weapon a whirl despite all the negative things the community has to say about it. There’s always something amazing about parrying an enemy with a katana before hitting them with a critical attack that shaves off a ton of their health in no time flat.