Aside from the most hardcore players, equipment choice will greatly affect your Dark Souls 3 experience.
Fortunately the game gives us lots of gear to mix and match according to our preferences.
Dark Souls 3 weapons attack calculator, additional effects, spell buff, requirements and scaling. Titanite is the most common item in Dark Souls 3, and it can range in quality from Shard, Large Shard, Chunk, all the way up to a Slab. Shards drop from just about every type of enemy in the game.
These choices ultimately combine with stat distribution, infusions, buffs, and weapon upgrades to form what we like to call “builds”. Many players will opt into a melee playstyle to defeat their enemies by wielding swords, spears, axes, and more.
While you can reasonably use any number of weapons to complete the game, there are some picks that just stand a cut above the rest.
In this article I’ll focus on what I think are the best choices for players who want to get down and dirty in melee.
The weapons considered here will generally perform well in one or more of the following areas: solo/cooperative play against AI and bosses (PvE), player versus player combat (PvP), or a combination of both.
Now here’s my list of the best weapons you’ll want to “git gud” playing Dark Souls 3.
NOTE: Some of the listed weapons require Soul Transposition, which you access through Ludleth at Firelink Shrine. To get this option you’ll need to acquire the Transposing Kiln by defeating the Curse-Rotted Greatwood optional boss in the Undead Settlement.
15. Farron Greatsword
How to get: Craft via Soul Transposition with the Soul of the Blood of the Wolf, which you get after defeating the Abyss Watchers.
This unique ultra greatsword comes in the form of a dagger and greatsword pair.
It has one of the most aesthetically pleasing movesets with combos that let you flip and twirl between swings.
The Farron Greatsword works best with quality builds(which allocate 40 points in both Strength and Dexterity), though it performs well enough with pure Dexterity builds too.
For PvE its exaggerated sweeping attacks let you take on multiple enemies with ease.
However, the moveset often leaves you vulnerable to parries in PvP, making it a comparatively lackluster option.
14. Dark Sword
How to get: Dropped by Darkwraiths which you can easily find at High Wall of Lothric and Farron Keep.
Next up we have a straight sword that swings and hits like a greatsword.
This weapon was notoriously overpowered at the game’s release but has since received adjustments.
Even with these changes, the Dark Sword is still potent in both PvE and PvP. It works best with a Heavy infusion for Strength builds but also performs well with a Refined infusion for quality builds.
13. Black Knight Greataxe
How to get: Dropped by Black Knights wielding a Greataxe.
A fantastic choice for PvE, the Black Knight Greataxe features high damage, wide range, and a varied moveset.
It works best with a Refined infusion on quality builds due to its Strength and Dexterity scalings.
On top of that, its Weapon Art (Warcry) gives you another 10% damage boost for even more hurt! Like other Black Knight weapons, it also deals a bonus 20% damage to demons which is pretty nice.
12. Estoc
How to get: Characters that start as the Assassin class automatically get the Estoc. Others can purchase it for 3,000 souls from Greirat in Firelink Shrine after releasing him from his cell in High Wall of Lothric.
A great choice for sword-and-board—that is, fighting with a sword and shield.
Of all the straight swords, the Estoc boasts the best thrusting attacks and high damage output.
In PvP its fast moveset combines with deceptively long range to make you a truly terrifying opponent.
For the best results, infuse with either a Sharp or Refined gem, for a Dexterity or quality build respectively.
11. Moonlight Greatsword
How to get: Crafted via Soul Transposition using the Soul of Consumed Oceiros and 10,000 souls. You’ll need to defeat Oceiros, the Consumed King first.
A greatsword for Intelligence builds.
Characters should have enough Strength to comfortably wield it, but for best results make sure to pump up that Intelligence.
The Moonlight Greatsword cannot be infused or buffed, though this weapon already does split physical and magic damage.
With enough practice you can even weave its Weapon Art skill with normal swings to spike your damage output.
10. Long Sword
How to get: Characters that start as the Knight class automatically get this weapon. Others can get it as a drop from Hollow Soldiers at High Wall of Lothric, or you can purchase it from Greirat in for 1,000 souls.
From start to finish, the Long Sword can last you through most any PvE and PvP situations.
Best used with a shield, it has good attack range and a quick moveset that lets you dodge and weave between hits.
The Long Sword’s versatility lets it work well with many builds, though a Refined infusion would make the most of its base stats.
I personally start my characters with a Long Sword when I can. And I only ever switch it out in favor of one other weapon for sword-and-board.
9. Fume Ultra Greatsword
How to get: Dropped by Knight Slayer Tsorig, located under the Smoldering Lake.
Slow and steady wins the race.
That’s the story of this weapon which has the honor of being the heaviest ultra greatsword in the game.
Each swing boasts massive power and range, and it has a thrust attack that doubles as a knockdown for smaller enemies.
It even lets you block to passable results even without a shield.
Unsurprisingly the Fume Ultra Greatsword works best with a pure Strength build (though it cannot be infused).
8. Yhorm’s Great Machete
How to get: Crafted through Soul Transposition using the Soul of Yhorm the Giant, acquired after defeating Yhorm the Giant.
The big daddy of big daddy weapons!
Yhorm’s Great Machete has the highest damage of all great hammers and greataxes.
What makes it so great compared to other heavy weapons is that it has an obscenely large hitbox on top of a relatively quick swing speed despite its size.
Yhorm’s Great Machete makes for a monstrous choice in both PvP and PvE. It’s practically a must-have for any Strength-focused build.
7. Sellsword Twinblades
How to get: The Mercenary class gets the Sellsword Twinblades as a starting weapon. For everyone else, head over to the Halfway Fortress bonfire in the Road of Sacrifices; the Twinblades will be in a hallway past the Black Knight near the entrance to the keep.
These blades combine quick strikes with a fluid moveset, making them one of the best weapons for a pure Dexterity build.
Make sure to infuse it with Sharp for the best results so you can just slice and dice your way through any PvE content.
The short range may prove disadvantageous in PvP, but you can still shred opponents with a thorough understanding of your hitbox and timing your dodges precisely.
6. Profaned Greatsword
How to get: After defeating Pontiff Sulyvahn, crafted via Soul Transposition using the Soul of Pontiff Sulyvahn and 3,000 souls.
The Profaned Greatsword is a personal favorite of mine for both PvE and PvP.
It hits super hard and has a moveset that combos very nicely with dodge rolls and thrust attacks.
Unfortunately you can’t buff or infuse this weapon, but its Weapon Art Profaned Flame offsets that by giving it a significant fire damage buff for about a minute or so.
The Profaned Greatsword reaches peak damage levels with a quality build, though it can still perform fine with pure Strength builds too.
5. Ringed Knight Paired Greatswords
How to get: In The Ringed City DLC, defeat the Ringed Knight near the cathedral.
What’s better than one greatsword?
Two greatswords!
The Ringed Knight Paired Greatswords are notoriously effective in PvP, especially against anyone who lacks experience with the pair’s moveset.
Potential users are highly encouraged to stack enough poise to keep stagger chains going, though many non-greatsword matchups will already be in your favor.
Understanding hit range and windows for opponents to dodge your attacks will be crucial to using these swords effectively.
4. Claymore
How to get: Found at High Wall of Lothric, on the plateau with the perched fire-breathing dragon. Also dropped by enemies wielding claymores in Irithyll of the Boreal Valley.
The Claymore is a versatile weapon that works with Strength, Dexterity, and quality builds—just make sure to infuse it with the right gem.
Out of all the greatswords I’d say it arguably gives the most balanced mix of range, damage, and speed, along with a great moveset.
In PvP its thrust attacks make it potent for wearing down a foe and dodging.
The Claymore also swings quickly enough for a greatsword while potentially staggering enemies, making it a great choice for most PvE content.
3. Astora Greatsword
How to get: Loot it off a corpse in the graveyard near the Cleansing Chapel in the Cathedral of the Deep area.
The Astora Greatsword holds the title of lightest ultra greatsword in the game, which inherently gives its users more flexibility in allocating attributes and equipment choice.
In combat, expect lower stamina consumption compared to other ultra greatswords while benefitting from similarly long reach.
It works best with a Sharp infusion for Dexterity builds, although quality build players can still get a lot of mileage from infusing this weapon with Refined.
Just dance 2019 wii game. In PvP its charge Weapon Art can be a source of devastating damage so make use of it when you can.
2. Hollowslayer Greatsword
How to get: After defeating the Curse-Rotted Greatwood, crafted via Soul Transposition with the Soul of the Rotted Greatwood and 1,000 souls.
The Hollowslayer is a personal favorite in the greatsword category.
![Dark Souls 3 Best Quality Weapon Dark Souls 3 Best Quality Weapon](/uploads/1/1/7/7/117755495/428820389.jpg)
It deals an additional 20% damage against hollowed enemies, which makes it particularly fantastic in PvE since most creatures in the game are, in fact, hollow.
This weapon works marvelously with quality builds and is arguably the best greatsword for it.
However, pure Strength and Dexterity builds would have better options earlier in this list(like the weapon right above this one).
Due to its surprisingly quick moveset, players can comfortably wield it 1-handed with a shield for some extra defense, or just go 2-handed for maximum damage; the former setup can be very potent in PvP.
1. Lothric Knight Sword
How to get: Dropped by Lothric Knights found in the High Wall of Lothric, the Grand Archives, and Lothric Castle.
This is my weapon of choice for most of my Dark Souls 3 experience (and my go-to replacement for the Long Sword).
The jinx the life and deaths of robert durst downloads. The Lothric Knight Sword has been a reliable pick since the game first released, and for good reason.
It has great scaling for Sharp, Refined, and even Blessed infusions, though it marginally performs best with pure Dexterity builds.
In combat, the Lothric Knight Sword’s thrust attacks give it a longer reach compared to other weapons in the category.
Sword-and-board is the typical loadout for it, though you’ll have some choice here. The moveset encourages a fast attacking, calculated playstyle of wearing down opponents. Though some may go with the option of getting a bit more reckless while wielding it two-handed.
The icing on the cake: it even has an above-average critical modifier.
Overall the Lothric Knight Sword is a fast, powerful, and versatile sword that will serve anyone well in both PvE and PvP.
Browse:Dark SoulsVideo GamesStay Connected
Related Posts
Nicholas Bashore
Dark Souls 3 is a phenomenal conclusion to the franchise, adds plenty of new weapons and equipment, and brings some returning favorites back into the light. With the new weapon arts and the addition of the FP system, there’s plenty to love when picking a weapon right for you.
The game’s weapon selection is easily the most varied in the franchise, with many great weapons available to you early on in the game. You’ll also have access to many unique weapons if you trade in boss souls to Ludleth of Courland after giving him the Transposing Kiln, but make sure it’s the item you want because he doesn’t offer refunds.
Here’s some of our favorite weapons from Dark Souls 3 and how you can find them within the game.
Dark Souls 3 Best Quality Faith Weapon
Farron Greatsword
The Farron Greatsword is easily one of the most interesting and fun weapons to use within Dark Souls 3. Classified as an Ultra Greatsword, the Farron Greatsword gives the wielder access to a series of sweeping slashes that cascade into a powerful overhead backflip for the final attack. The nice thing about the Farron Greatsword is that this specific move isn’t considered a weapon art, meaning that you can do it as many times as you’d like without exhausting your FP. The greatsword also comes with an off-handed dagger that can be used to parry incoming attacks if timed properly, setting you up for perform a critical hit on your enemy.
In order to obtain this weapon, you’re going to have to progress up to the Abyss Watchers boss fight and defeat them. As a reward, they’ll drop the Soul of the Blood of the Wolf which can be exchanged to Ludleth of Courland for the Farron Greatsword. In order to upgrade this weapon Titanite Scales are required however, which will be difficult to find until later in the game.
Fume Ultra Greatsword
The Fume Ultra Greatsword is currently considered to be one of the most powerful weapons in the game. Classified as an Ultra Greatsword, Fume gives the wielder access to heavy slashes and staggering attacks that can punish enemies even if they are behind shields. You’ll also have a weapon art that allows you to stomp down increasing your poise and follow through with a heavy overhead smash. While the base damage of the weapon was recently decreased, it’s still an absolute powerhouse on the battlefield that yields brutal kills when used properly. Plus, it’s a fantastic looking weapon that will easily intimidate invaders.
Dark Souls 3 Best Dex Weapon
In order to obtain the Fume Ultra Greatsword, you’ll have to defeat an NPC named Knight Slayer Tsorig. You’ll find him in Smouldering Lake which is an area branching off of the Catacombs of Carthus. From the Demon Ruins bonfire, head down into the giant hallway filled with fire orbs and mobs. At the back of this hallway you’ll find a path filled with rats to the right. Follow this path down into a hallway with a large rat and take the stairway to your right into an area with tree roots. Right before the stairs leading up to a bridge over the lava, take a left and follow the passageway down to find Knight Slayer Tsorig. He hits extremely hard so be careful while dealing with him – I’d recommend a light weapon you’re good at backstabbing with.
Sunlight Straight Sword
The Sunlight Straight Sword is perfect for those of you who are allied with the Warriors of Sunlight or making a sunbro-type build for jolly co-operation in Dark Souls 3. Classified as a longsword, the Sunlight Straight Sword has the same moveset as any regular one-handed sword within the game. That being said, it gives you access to a powerful weapon art called the Oath of Sunlight that increases your damage output (both physical and elemental) while decreasing the damage you take. This buff also applies to allies around you.
In order to obtain the Sunlight Straight Sword, you’ll have to reach Lothric Castle. From the Lothric Castle bonfire head back across the bridge and over to the ledge on your right with a small hole in the battlements. Jump down and immediately enter the small room through the archway directly behind you with a chest inside. Take a swing to wake up the Mimic and defeat it to get the sword.
Wolf Knight’s Greatsword
Best Dex Weapon Ds3
Easily one of my favorite weapons in the game due to the lore implications behind it, the Wolf Knight’s Greatsword is a powerhouse previously wielded by Artorias the Abysswalker. Originally one of the four knights of Lord Gwyn, Artorias was sent to hold back the inevitable spread of the abyss with his wolf companion Sif. As Artorias was being consumed by the darkness, he used his shield to save Sif’s life – who wields his sword and defends his masters grave. The sword gives you access to a set of heavy attacks like any other greatsword within the game, but the weapon art provides you with a series of moves similar to Artorias. These moves are a low spinning slash with a wide spread to hit multiple targets and a powerful vertical jump that smashes down against targets.
Dark Souls 3 Best Early Quality Weapon
The Wolf Knight’s Greatsword is obtained in the same way as the Farron Greatsword by exchanging the Soul of the Blood of the Wolf with Ludleth of Courland. Only one of the two may be chosen with the ability to unlock the other on subsequent playthroughs.
Dark Souls 3 Best Weapons For Quality Build
Uchigatana
The Uchigatana is one of Dark Souls 3’s katana-class weapons that features a dangerous moveset in PvP if used properly. Like most katanas, Uchigatana gives you access to a very fast series of sweeping and vertical slashes that build up bleeding damage as you strike continuously. If utilized properly the bleeding damage will build up ending in a burst of damage draining a significant portion of your opponent’s health instantly. Bleeding only applies to certain enemies within the game however. You’ll also gain access to the hold weapon art which allows you to perform a fast lunging slash and a deflecting parry with the strong attack.
Unlike the other weapons on this list, the Uchigatana can be found within the first hour of the game outside of the Firelink Shrine hub area. Move around to the left of the entrance towards the tower – where you’ll find Sword Master Saber who drops the katana. He’s a difficult enemy to face at the beginning of the game due to his high damage output, but you can easily take him out with a few dozen arrows and a bow.