Best Greatswords In Dark Souls 3

The Dark Souls series is known for challenging gameplay, difficult bosses, and terrifying environments, and Dark Souls 3 is no different. These games are also, however, known for the incredible customizability available to players. Players can change the appearance, stats, armor, and weapons of their designed characters. Dark Souls 3 has a massive gallery of different weapons for players to try out, from katanas to oversized hammers and everything in between.

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One weapon type has always been in the hearts of all Dark Souls fans, not only because these weapons often boast the best stats in the games, but they also have incredible designs, fun, and diverse move-sets, and can be a challenge to obtain and master. This is, of course, Greatswords. Here is a ranking of the best Greatswords in Dark Souls 3, and no, the Moonlight Greatsword will not be featured because of how underwhelming it is.

Updated February 9, 2025 by Vlad Mazanko: Greatswords are among the most popular and beloved weapon categories in any Soulslike, and it’s easy to see why. With their smooth and versatile moveset, a mix of fast and heavy attacks, and an ideal balance of size, speed, and weight, they suit both Strength and Dexterity builds in Dark Souls 3. They’re perfect for players who want to embody a knight-like playstyle and pair well with most medium to heavy armor sets.

The list has been updated to include more of the best Greatswords in Dark Souls 3, along with stat tables for each weapon, and instructions on how to get each Greatsword.

10

Firelink Greatsword

A Beautiful Fire Sword Straight From The Bonfire

One of the most visually stunning and iconic weapons in Dark Souls 3, the Firelink Greatsword is a solid choice, though its full potential is best realized in a New Game+ cycle due to how late it becomes available. Its weapon art enhances its damage output by adding fire damage, which is a nice touch.

However, the Firelink Greatsword has an oddly placed heavy charged attack, a wide swipe instead of a stab, which feels somewhat inconsistent with its design. Additionally, it’s best suited for PvE, as its weapon art is easily recognized and parried in PvP. Despite its less-than-ideal scaling, the weapon’s solid moveset, striking appearance, and added fire damage make it a respectable option.

How to get Firelink Greatsword:

This weapon is only available at the very end of the base game. After defeating the final boss, Soul of Cinder, at the Kiln of the First Flame, players must transpose the Soul of the Lords to acquire it.

9

Flamberge

Classy Long-Reaching Design, A Versatile Staple Of The Series

Relatively easy to obtain, infusion-ready, buffable, long-reaching, and hard-hitting, the Flamberge is a versatile Greatsword that excels in both PvE and PvP. With very few weaknesses, it remains one of the most popular choices and the staple in the Dark Souls series.

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On the downside, its scaling is somewhat underwhelming, placing it below the Claymore at higher character levels. Additionally, its classic wavy blade design may not appeal to every player, though that comes down to personal preference. Still, the Flamberge is a deadly weapon, particularly effective for Strength/Dexterity builds, especially in the first half of the game.

How to get Flamberge:

This Greatsword can be acquired fairly early in the game. To obtain it, players need to farm Hollow Slave enemies wielding it, commonly found in the Undead Settlement, particularly near the stone bridge by the Cliff Underside Bonfire.

8

Onyx Blade

One Of The Longest And Most Stylish Greatswords

Not only is the Onyx Blade one of the best-looking weapons in Dark Souls 3, but it also boasts the longest range of any Greatsword in the game, whether wielded one-handed or two-handed. This makes the sword particularly useful in PvP, as many Greatswords without a poke attack can be difficult to wield against opponents with longer-reaching weapons.

While it has decent stats, it scales poorly with strength and dexterity. Fortunately, it fills a unique niche by scaling well with intelligence and faith. Moreover, its weapon arts are really fun to use and effective, too.

How to get Onyx Blade:

The Onyx Blade is available through the Ashes of Ariandel DLC. Players can obtain this weapon by defeating Sir Vilhelm near the graveyard when he becomes hostile.

7

Executioner’s Greatsword

Deadly And Unique In Multiple Ways

Elden Ring players will instantly recognize the deadly Marais Executioner’s Sword in this weapon. In Dark Souls 3, the Executioner’s Greatsword is also a top-tier choice and one of the most powerful in its category. With solid damage, great scaling, FP leeching on kills, and the unique trait of dealing strike damage (unlike most other Greatswords slash damage), this weapon earns a well-deserved place among the best.

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Widely regarded as one of the most well-rounded PvE weapons, the Executioner’s Greatsword also boasts a rich lore background that further enhances its appeal. Interestingly, Gael’s Greatsword is a worn-out version of this weapon, making the final battle against Slave Knight Gael even more thematically compelling when wielding this one.

How to get Executioner’s Greatsword:

This weapon can be found on a corpse in the graveyard near the Cleansing Chapel Bonfire in the Cathedral of the Deep.

6

Wolf Knight’s Greatsword

Artorias’ Sword Returns With Extra Damage And A Fun Skill

The Wolf Knight’s Greatsword is one of the most popular weapons in the game, and it has fairly high damage. Fans of the series may guess by its name that yes, this is Artorius’ sword, boasting the familiar moveset for Str or Dex knight builds.

The Wolf Knight Greatsword deals extra damage against abyss enemies and abyss bosses so it’s great for PvE. This weapon is fairly fast and the weapon art is really fun to use, but unfortunately, it can be parried and that is really what holds this weapon back. Experienced players will punish users for using its weapon art in PvP.

How to get Wolf Knight’s Greatsword:

It’s available relatively early in the game. It can be acquired by transposing the Soul of the Abyss Watchers after defeating them in Farron Keep.

5

Gael’s Greatsword

Endgame Weapon With Outstanding Weapon Art

In Dark Souls 3, Gael’s Greatsword offers really good stats and scales well with strength. However, the best thing about this worn-out Greatsword, aside from its stylish looks, is its outstanding skill.

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Its weapon art is truly something, allowing players to leap in any direction, slamming the sword down, similar to Gael in his battle. Players can follow this up with a normal attack for a slash or with a strong attack for an overhead leap. This weapon not only looks good, and goes well with a host of armor sets, but it has solid stats all around.

How to get Gael’s Greatsword:

As the name suggests, players can obtain Gael’s Greatsword by defeating Slave Knight Gael in The Ringed City DLC and transposing his dark Soul. Given that Gael is essentially the final boss of the Fire Fades Edition, this weapon, alongside the Twin Princes’ Greatsword, is one of the hardest to acquire for new players.

4

Claymore

Simple Yet Incredibly Effective

The Claymore is the jack of all trades, and to be fair, it’s the master of most trades too. This weapon is readily available and can be infused and buffed, which is rare for Greatswords. The upgrade materials for it are easily available too, allowing players to experiment with all sorts of different Claymore builds.

There’s nothing wrong with the Claymore statistically, even its weapon art. The stance is pretty good and its different infusions can make it a good option for late-game fights and PvE as well. If players overlook the basic design, they’ll find a top-tier weapon.

How to get Claymore:

Claymore can be found on the plateau where the fire-breathing dragon rests in the High Wall of Lothric, right near the first Bonfire. Its early availability makes it one of the most popular Greatswords in the game.

3

Twin Princes’ Greatsword

Ultra-Rare Choice For The Most Dedicated Fans

Due to its rarity, the Twin Princes’ Greatsword is quite underrated. While it does take some effort to get this weapon, it has great stats and scales well with strength, dexterity, intelligence, and faith. While it doesn’t boast the highest damage, its weapon art compensates for it: players can enter a stance and then use either light or heavy attacks to cast Sacred Lothric Light or Flame of Lorian.

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These two spells have good range and deal additional fire damage. What holds this weapon back is the low range and low damage, but it’s quick and can surprise foes in PvP due to being underutilized.

How to get Twin Princes’ Greatsword:

Alongside Gael’s Greatsword, the Twin Princes’ Greatsword is one of the rarer weapons, as players can only obtain it by transposing the Soul of the Twin Princes, Lothric and Lorian, twice. This means players must be in NG+ and essentially beat the game twice before acquiring it.

2

Black Knight Sword

Powerful Anti-Demon Weapon For Tanky Builds

The Black Knight Sword might be one of the best weapons in the game, as it is easily obtainable and has incredible stats. The weapon skill increases the user’s poise and makes them much more tanky. One of its greatest advantages in PvE is the 20% extra damage it deals to Demons, making the Black Knight Sword especially effective against formidable bosses like the Old Demon King and the Demon Prince.

This weapon is great in both its one-handed and two-handed versions, it boasts great stats, is easily upgraded, and inflicts tons of poise damage. Perhaps its only weakness is its low range and its attacks may be a bit too telegraphed for PvP play at times.

How to get Black Knight Sword:

The Black Knight Sword can be found on a corpse behind an illusory wall in Smouldering Lake, near the Demon Ruins Bonfire.

1

Hollowslayer Greatsword

Wide-Slashing, Fast Attacks With Excellent Scaling

This is easily the all-around best Greatsword in Dark Souls 3. The Hollowslayer Greatsword has really wide weapon slashes making it effective at crowd control, its weapon art is readily spammable and breaks an opponent’s guard. Moreover, players can be in a nearly continuous state of hyper armor using its light attack combos. The Hollowslayer also scales well with Strength and notably has the best scaling with Dexterity out of any Greatsword in the game.

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Its speed makes it a useful tool for PvP too, the Hollowslayer isn’t that popular, so it can catch people off-guard, it isn’t that heavy either so can be carried by lighter build users, and overall there’s hard to find any metric it doesn’t excel in.

How to get Hollowslayer Greatsword:

The Hollowslayer Greatsword is accessible fairly early, as it can be obtained by transposing the Soul of the Curse-Rotted Greatwood after defeating the boss near the end of the Undead Settlement.

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March 24, 2016

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M for Mature: Blood Violence