The Best Weapons In Dark Souls 3

The Best Weapons In Dark Souls 3

Summary

  • Choose wisely: A variety of weapons in Dark Souls 3 cater to all playstyles, with options to suit every preference.
  • Optimal selection: Great Club & Vordt’s Great Hammer are early-game powerhouses, offering formidable strength & utility.
  • Special weapons: Unique implements like Dragonslayer Spear & Farron Greatsword add flair and nostalgic vibes to combat.

Dark Souls 3‘s Lordran is a dangerous place, filled to the brim with fearsome foes and menacing bosses. As such, the chosen undead must choose a trusty weapon to focus on. Fortunately, there are many to choose from; there’s at least one to suit practically any play style. There’s enough variety here to keep playing Dark Souls 3 over a dozen different playthroughs if not more.

Straight swords, Greatswords, twin blades, bows — the list goes on. And don’t forget the boss weapons, quite a few of which are unique implements that exist in a class entirely of their own. To say the player is spoiled for choice would be an understatement, which proves that FromSoftware isn’t always set out to troll the player.

Updated on March 11, 2025, by Gerardo Molina: Dark Souls 3 arguably offers the most versatility out of all the installments in the trilogy, which makes it really entertaining for players to explore and try out the different builds they can create. While most players focus on a Strength or Dexterity build, others take more chances and try out Intelligence and Faith, which can sometimes be harder to master, but can be very powerful when used right. The weapon variety in Dark Souls 3 is quite extensive, eliminating the need to restrict players and putting control in their hands. Some of the weapons on the list are easier to obtain than others, but they’re all well worth it.

23

Onikiri And Ubadachi

A Late-Game Acquisition That’s Worth The Effort

Dark Souls 3 - Onikiri and Ubadachi

Stat Requirements

Str 13, Dex 25

Base Scaling

Str (D), Dex (C)

Base Max (+10)

Str (C), Dex (C)

Weapon Skill

Onislayer

Onikiri and Ubadachi are great paired weapons that can always come in handy during a challenging fight. They’re dropped by Black Hand Kamui on the top floor of the Grand Archives, so players should be ready for a difficult fight, as they’ll be facing several enemies simultaneously.

These weapons can be infused and buffed and are upgraded through the use of Titanite. They can be great for Quality and Hollow builds and are also outstanding for Dexterity builds, as the +10 Sharp variant has a scaling of A. The one downside to these weapons is that they’re a little short, so their range is a bit limited compared to other katanas like the Washing Pole.

22

Frayed Blade

A Just Reward For The Challenging Fight Against Darkeater Midir

Dark Souls 3 - Frayed Blade

Stat Requirements

Str 11, Dex 40

Base Scaling

Str (E), Dex (B)

Base Max (+10)

Str (D), Dex (A)

Weapon Skill

Hold

The Frayed Blade is one of the most coveted katanas in the entirety of Dark Souls 3 and with good reason, as not only is it a great choice for most builds, but it’s also extremely difficult to obtain. To get it, players will have to take down Darkeater Midir, one of the most powerful bosses in both the base game and the DLCs. This dragon boss has one of the largest health pools out there and can one-shot even the most advanced players if they fail to dodge some of its attacks.

Those who wish to upgrade the Frayed Blade can do so with Titanite Scales, which are hard to come by but can greatly improve the quality of this weapon. As opposed to other katanas, the Frayed Blade requires a whopping 40 Dexterity to wield. However, since it’s typically obtained once players have already completed the base game and potentially the Ashes of Ariandel DLC as well, they might have already reached this level anyway. Unfortunately, the Frayed Blade has very low durability, which is one of its main disadvantages. When fully upgraded to Regular +5, this weapon has a Strength scaling of D and a Dexterity scaling of A.

21

Moonlight Greatsword

An Ideal Weapon For Those Chasing An Intelligence Build

Dark Souls 3 - Moonlight Greatsword (1)

Stat Requirements

Str 16, Dex 11

Base Scaling

Str (E), Int (C)

Base Max (+10)

Str (E), Dex (B)

Weapon Skill

Moonlight Vortex

The Moonlight Greatsword is one of the most unique weapons in the game and has appeared in every installment of the Dark Souls franchise and even in Elden Ring. Older versions of this weapon did no physical damage and were completely transparent, which could indicate the version in Dark Souls 3 has probably been tainted in some way.

The Moonlight Greatsword cannot be buffed or infused but can be reinforced with Titanite Scales. It’s great for Intelligence builds, as it has a scaling of B with this attribute as early as Regular +2.

20

Flamberge

A Greatsword Perfect For A Quality Build

Dark Souls 3 Flamberge

Stat Requirements

Str 15, Dex 14

Base Scaling

Str (D), Dex (D)

Base Max (+10)

Str (D), Dex (D)

Weapon Skill

Stance

Given that the Flamberge is a rare drop obtained from Hollow Slaves, it’s easy to see why a lot of players don’t get an opportunity to wield this weapon. Trying to farm this blade from these enemies can be an exercise in patience, but players who put in the grind, or get lucky enough to obtain one without any problems, will have found themselves a unique greatsword perfect for quality builds.

The Flamberge may not be as viable as its previous appearances in the series, but that should take nothing away from the inherent simplicity of this weapon. Players can dish out decent damage with one of the best weapons in Dark Souls 3 while keeping enemies at range, and leveling up both Strength and Dexterity ensures that the Flamberge’s damage will be high enough in the late game to ensure that enemies continue to fall to the might of the Ashen One’s strength.

How To Get Flamberge

A rare drop from Hollow Slaves wielding this weapon in Cathedral of the Deep, Grand Archives, and Undead Settlement.

19

Zweihander

A Classic Two-Handed Sword That’s Still Viable In The Third Game

dark souls 3 pure strength tank build (1)

Stat Requirements

Str 19, Dex 11

Base Scaling

Str (D), Dex (D)

Base Max (+10)

Str (C), Dex (D)

Weapon Skill

Stomp

It can be hard to get used to a Zweihander that pokes enemies, but players who get used to rolling and stabbing with this blade will find it to be one of the best Dark Souls 3 weapons they can get their hands on. It helps that the Zweihander is perfect for PvP, since parrying this beast is incredibly challenging.

Slicing and dicing enemies with this blade is quite satisfying, even if the collection of greatswords in Dark Souls 3 might make this less viable in the eyes of some. However, there’s nothing wrong with wielding a weapon that’s comfortable to use, and the Zweihander more than fits the bill in this regard.

How To Get Zweihander

Sold by Greirat or the Shrine Handmaid (the latter obtains this weapon after giving her Greirat’s Ashes).

18

Warden Twinblades

Fast-Attacking Twin Blades That Inflict Bleed

Dark Souls 3 Warden Twinblades

Stat Requirements

Str 10, Dex 18

Base Scaling

Str (D), Dex (D)

Base Max (+10)

Str (D), Dex (C)

Weapon Skill

Spin Slash

Dark Souls 3 graced fans with the inclusion of several dual-wielding weapons that are a joy to use in combat. The flashy combos and moves players can pull off with these weapons never get old, and players who want to make the most of these movesets should try out the Warden Twinblades, which are one of the best Dark Souls 3 weapons they can get their hands on.

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Players who think that the raw damage of these weapons isn’t as high as the other dual-wielding weapons are overlooking one of its strongest aspects. Bleed is a powerful status in the Dark Souls games, and the third game is no exception. Being able to cause a huge chunk of the enemy’s health bar to drop is a great reason to land successive combos with this stylish weapon.

How To Get Warden Twinblades

Dropped by the Cathedral Grave Wardens.

17

Great Club

Bonk Enemies Into Oblivion

dark souls 3 great club

Stat Requirements

Str 28

Base Scaling

Str (C)

Base Max (+10)

Str (B)

Weapon Skill

War Cry

The Great Club is one of the best weapons DS3 players can get relatively early into the game, depending on how fast they can get through a few key areas. The Great Club scales extremely well with Strength, though it does require a relatively high 28 Strength to wield it effectively in one hand.

The Great Club hits hard, but also staggers and flattens enemies outright from further away than other heavy weapons. The Great Club is one of DS3‘s best weapons because of its reach and its ability to be infused and buffed with consumables, further increasing its power. It helps that its attack animations are pretty wide-ranging, too, giving lots of ways to take down opponents.

How To Get Great Club

The Great Club can only be found as a random drop from Farron Watchdog enemies, in the swamp outside of Farron Keep.

16

Vordt’s Great Hammer

An Early-Game Weapon, Good For Clobbering Enemies

The Vordts Great Hammer armor in Dark Souls 3

Stat Requirements

Str 30

Base Scaling

Str (C)

Base Max (+5)

Str (B)

Weapon Skill

Perseverance

Vordt of the Boreal Valley is one of the first true bosses players come across in Dark Souls 3, and after being defeated, players can then wield his enormous hammer. Vordt’s Great Hammer, as its name would suggest, is a giant Strength-based weapon that requires its user to have at least 30 Strength in their build to wield it with one hand, and level 20 for two-handed wielding.

Though it’s rather powerful on its own in terms of base damage, it’s the Frostbite it inflicts that takes it over the top in terms of usefulness. The ability to obtain and use it from an early point in the game means players can upgrade and become familiar with it as their journey through Dark Souls 3 only escalates in difficulty.

How To Get Vordt’s Great Hammer

Defeat Vordt, then Soul Transposition the Soul of Boreal Valley Vordy with Ludleth of Courland, found on his throne above the Firelink Shrine.

15

Dragonslayer Greatbow

One Of The Strongest Long-Range Weapons In The Game

Dark Souls 3 Dragonslayer Greatbow

Stat Requirements

Str 20, Dex 20

Base Scaling

Str (D), Dex (D)

Base Max (+10)

Str (D), Dex (C)

Weapon Skill

Puncturing Arrow

A bow and arrow as a primary weapon in a FromSoftware Souls game? That may sound blasphemous to some, but the Dragonslayer Greatbow holds its own, which should be obvious from anyone who has ever had one shot at them in Dark Souls 3. It’s safe to assume that a weapon designed to shoot down large dragons would be rather effective against smaller targets.

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Those wanting to roll the dice can also come upon it as a rather rare drop by Silver Knights who happen to be wielding it themselves.

How To Get Dragonslayer Greatbow

The Dragonslayer Greatbow is found on a body in Irityhll of the Boreal Valley. Progress through the area and look for a body with a glowing white item, just past an area with other bow-wielders attacking the player.

14

Lothric Knight Sword

A Simple, Effective Weapon Perfect As A Jack-Of-All-Trades

Dark Souls 3 - Lothric Knight Sword

Stat Requirements

Str 11, Dex 18

Base Scaling

Str (D), Dex (D)

Base Max (+10)

Str (C), Dex (C)

Weapon Skill

Stance

Sometimes the best value is in something’s availability. That doesn’t mean on its own the Lothric Knight Sword isn’t solid, but it is a huge boost that players can grab early by simply taking on Lothric Knights in the High Wall of Lothric section of Dark Souls 3. Farming items isn’t for everyone, but this is one of the few cases where it isn’t too much of a task and is worth the payoff.

When fully upgraded, the Lothric Knight Sword can have its scaling reach A or S-Tier, and that happens regardless of what infusion the player puts on it. These types of swords attack in a certain pattern, so it’s best for players to test it out in combat and on air to see if it’s something they feel they want to commit to for the foreseeable future.

How To Get Lothric Knight’s Sword

The Lothric Knight’s Sword can only be acquired by killing Lothric Knights throughout DS3. These can be found in the High Wall on the stairs between Vordy and the Dancer.

13

Irithyll Straight Sword

A Frosty Weapon That Takes Enemies By Surprise With Its Flowing Combos

Dark Souls 3 - Irithyll Straight Sword

Stat Requirements

Str 12, Dex 14

Base Scaling

Str (D), Dex (D)

Base Max (+5)

Str (C), Dex (D)

Weapon Skill

War Cry

The Irithyll Straight Sword is for players who like the idea of wielding Vordt’s Great Hammer, but want some of the same benefits in a quicker and easier-to-handle package. Thanks to its combination of applying Frostbite to enemies and coming in with high levels of damage at its base form, many players consider this a superstar weapon in the earlier half of Dark Souls 3.

Unlike other early game showpiece weapons, it’s able to scale into the latter parts of Dark Souls 3 thanks in large part to its attack pattern and long thrust reach.

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How To Get Irithyll Straight Sword

Players looking to acquire it will need to head down the elevator in the Undead Settlement after meeting Siegward of Catarina and facing off against the Outrider Knight. It’s a smaller, quicker version of Vordt of the Boreal Valley, but the fight takes place in a small room, so approaching with caution is required.

12

Hollowslayer Greatsword

A Great Weapon To Defeat Hollow Enemies

A character holding the Hollowslayer Greatsword in Dark Souls 3

Stat Requirements

Str 14, Dex 18

Base Scaling

Str (D), Dex (C)

Base Max (+10)

Str (D), Dex (C)

Weapon Skill

Stance

As the name suggests, the Hollowslayer Greatsword is great for using against hollow enemies, as it deals an additional 20% of damage to them.

Given how early into the game the Curse-Rotted Greatwood can be defeated in the Undead Settlement, the Hollowslayer Greatsword is a great option for players who like to stick with the same weapon throughout their playthrough. This will give them a chance to master its moveset and extensively upgrade it.

How To Get Hollowslayer Greatsword

Defeat the Curse-Rotted Greatwood boss, then Soul Transposition the boss’s soul with Ludleth of Courland in Firelink Shrine. Will cost 1000 Souls to transpose.

11

Executioner’s Greatsword

Damage Enemies And Leech FP At The Same Time

Executioner's Greatsword

Stat Requirements

Str 19, Dex 13

Base Scaling

Str (C), Dex (E)

Base Max (+10)

Str (B), Dex (D)

Weapon Skill

Stomp

The Executioner’s Greatsword is the weapon used by Slave Knight Gael when he is summoned, and it’s similar to Gael’s Greatsword aside from being in far better condition appearance-wise.

The Executioner’s Greatsword is a fantastic option for magic builds, as it leeches 6FP off fallen foes. However, its 19 Strength requirement may mean Magic users will have to reallocate some levels into a stat they will only need for this weapon.

How To Get Executioner’s Greatsword

To obtain the greatsword, go to the Cleansing Chapel in the Cathedral of the Deep. Then, head to the graveyard and look for two items next to a broken fence. The Executioner’s Greatsword will be on the right.

10

Astora Greatsword

An Excellent Greatsword With Amazing Scaling For Elemental Infusions

Dark Souls 3 - Astora Greatsword

Stat Requirements

Str 16, Dex 18

Base Scaling

Str (D), Dex (C)

Base Max (+10)

Str (C), Dex (C)

Weapon Skill

Charge

The Astora Greatsword is the lightest Ultra Greatsword in the game at 8.0, which is close to standard greatswords. The weapon is ideal for players who want to use elemental infusions, thanks to its rare combination of high scaling potential and low requirements.

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There is one issue with the sword for some builds, however, as it requires 18 Dexterity. Dexterity can be useful for casters, as it speeds up spellcasting speed, but otherwise, it’s a stat many players avoid, unless they are aiming for a Dex build in particular. Be prepared to spend a few level-ups in Dex to be able to equip this weapon.

How To Get Astora Greatsword

Like the Executioner’s Greatsword, the Astora Greatsword can be found in the Cleansing Chapel’s graveyard. Head through the graveyard’s gates and take a left up the slope until reaching a corpse resting against a gravestone.

9

Black Knight Sword

Great For Banishing Demon Enemies To Oblivion

Dark Souls 3 Black Knight Sword

Stat Requirements

Str 20, Dex 18

Base Scaling

Str (D), Dex (D)

Base Max (+10)

Str (C), Dex (D)

Weapon Skill

Perseverance

The Black Knight Sword can be reinforced with Twinkling Titanite and deals an additional 20% of damage against demon enemies. This includes the tough boss Old Demon King who resides in the depths of the Smouldering Lake, a hidden area in the game.

It has great reach, high damage, and extremely high Poise damage, increasing its ability to stagger enemies mid-attack (or mid-spell cast). Thankfully, the Black Knight Sword can be found just before the Old Demon King boss fight.

How To Get The Black Knight Sword

After reaching the hidden Smouldering Lake area, which can be accessed by cutting down the bridge leading to the High Lord Wolnir boss fight, head to the secret room where a Black Knight is fighting a Ghru. The sword will be in the same room.

8

Claymore

A Legendary Dark Souls Weapon That’s More Than Viable In The Third Game

Dark Souls 3 Claymore Blocking

Stat Requirements

Str 16, Dex 13

Base Scaling

Str (D), Dex (D)

Base Max (+10)

Str (C), Dex (D)

Weapon Skill

Stance

The Claymore is one of the most popular and recognizable weapons in the entire Souls series. It can be found in all three Dark Souls games, as well as Demon’s Souls. The sword doesn’t have any real gimmicks, it’s just a solid, powerful greatsword that deals a ton of damage when two-handed.

Its dependability has earned it the affectionate “Ol’ Reliable” nickname from the Souls community. It came back in Elden Ring alongside the Zweihander, and as ever, it’s a great choice for both two-handed builds and builds that use a shield alike.

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How To Get The Claymore

The Claymore is dropped by enemies who wield it in Irithyll of the Boreal Valley. It can also be found in the High Wall of Lothric in front of the fire-breathing dragon.

7

Dragonslayer Spear

A Long-Distance Spear Perfect For Orstein Fans

dark souls 3 dragonslayer swordspear-2

Stat Requirements

Str 20, Dex 20

Base Scaling

Str (D), Dex (C), Faith (D)

Base Max (+10)

Str (C), Dex (B), Faith (D)

Weapon Skill

Lightning Charge

Melee combat in any Dark Souls game can be brutal; it is part of what attracts challenge-hungry gamers. However, one way to give the Ashen One an advantage is reach. Spears are great for poking and prodding from a distance, especially if it happens to be imbued with an element.

Enter the Dragonslayer Spear. The lightning-based weapon can be a force of nature in the right hands. Bosses such as the Abyss Watchers will fall victim to its lightning-imbued goodness. Moreover, for longtime fans of the franchise, the Dragonslayer Spear will offer a sense of nostalgia and a trip down memory lane. After all, this spear belonged to the legendary Ornstein.

How To Get Dragonslayer Spear

In Archdragon Peak, head up the stairs opposite the Dragonkin Mausoleum and look for the item on the ground on the upper platform.

6

Exile Greatsword

A Huge Cool-Looking Weapon That Hits Like A Truck

Dark Souls 3 Exile Greatsword

Stat Requirements

Str 24, Dex 16

Base Scaling

Str (C), Dex (D)

Base Max (+10)

Str (B), Dex (D)

Weapon Skill

Spin Slash

When comparing swords, the Exile Greatsword is a serious contender. It’s huge, it’s deadly, and it boasts a solid moveset — that’s most of the important checkboxes marked off. Any strength build could fall in love with this thing, though it’ll take a slight investment in dexterity to wield it properly. It is efficient as either a two-handed weapon or a single-handed one.

It can also be imbued with all kinds of resin, meaning it can be adapted for all foes. Moreover, if players are up for some PVP action, the Exile Greatsword is a great choice for destroying fellow Ashen Ones.

How To Get Exile Greatsword

The Exile Greatsword can only be found as a random drop from Farron Watchdog enemies, in the swamp outside of Farron Keep.

5

Sellsword Twinblades

A DPS Machine That’s Objectively The Best PvE Weapon

Dark Souls 3 - Sellsword Twinblades 2

Stat Requirements

Str 10, Dex 16

Base Scaling

Str (E), Dex (C)

Base Max (+10)

Str (D), Dex (B)

Weapon Skill

Spin Slash

This dual weapon is an excellent choice for a dex build. It is fast, offers great trick attacks, and can be imbued with all types of resin. Not only that, but the Sellwrod Twinblades can be acquired early in the game at the Crossroads. Unless the Ashen One chose the Mercenary as a starting class, of course, then they will start with these formidable swords.

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Moreover, they do not require ridiculously high stats to be used. If a player is unfamiliar with dexterity builds but wants a chance to try out the agile play style, sellswords are an excellent and easily accessible choice for beginners that happens to double as one of the best offensive choices in the game.

How To Get The Sellsword Twinblades

Start as the Mercenary class, or head to The Road of Sacrifices and past the two Black Knights that attack when players get close. Found in overlooking a hallway in the Keep behind the Black Knights.

4

Farron Greatsword

One Of The Best And Most Entertaining Movesets In The Game

Dark Souls 3 - Farron Greatsword

Stat Requirements

Str 18, Dex 20

Base Scaling

Str (D), Dex (C)

Base Max (+5)

Str (C), Dex (A)

Weapon Skill

Parry

The Farron Greatsword is unique in the sense that it’s a dexterity-scaling greatsword — a rare niche to fill. It also boasts a highly unique (and visually impressive) moveset that longtime fans might recognize as similar to a style employed by one of the franchise’s most famous knights.

It also has the distinction of being naturally paired with a parrying dagger of sorts. If a player is a parry king, then they’re likely to be well aware that there are tons of shields with much better parry windows, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that it’s a cool gimmick and convenient to boot.

How To Get The Farron Greatsword

This is a boss weapon wielded by the Abyss Watchers. Defeat them, then head to Ludleth in Firelink Shrine to transpose the Soul of the Blood of the Wolf into the Farron Greatsword for free.

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