Top 5 Dark Souls 3 Best Weapons

Published 4 July 2026

In the desolate realm of Dark Souls 3, the choice of weaponry can determine one's survival or demise. As you traverse the perilous lands of Lothric, you will encounter an arsenal of formidable weapons, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Among the vast array of blades, hammers, and sorcery, certain armaments stand out as the pinnacle of combat prowess.

From the cursed Lothric Holy Sword, whose divine flames incinerate the undead, to the elusive Onyx Blade, a katana imbued with the power of darkness, the best weapons in Dark Souls 3 offer unparalleled power and versatility. The choice of which to wield will shape your playstyle and determine how you conquer the horrors that await you. Whether you seek finesse with a swift dagger or the crushing might of a colossal greataxe, the realm of Lothric holds a weapon that will become an extension of your will.

Prepare to delve into the depths of despair and unearth the weapons that will carry you through the desolate landscapes of Dark Souls 3. Every swing and thrust will be a testament to your skill and determination as you face the darkness that consumes this forsaken world. So, let us embark on a journey to uncover the legendary armaments that will forge your destiny in this unforgiving realm.

The Astora Greatsword: Classic and Reliable

The Astora Greatsword, a revered relic of the Astora Knights, is a formidable weapon that has stood the test of time. Its classic design exudes a sense of nostalgia, while its unwavering reliability makes it a steadfast companion in the treacherous world of Dark Souls 3. For those seeking a weapon with a rich history and a proven track record of effectiveness, the Astora Greatsword is an excellent choice.

Crafted from refined steel, the Astora Greatsword possesses an elegant yet robust appearance. Its wide blade features a slightly curved profile, providing a harmonious balance between slashing and thrusting capabilities. The weapon's weight provides a satisfying heft, ensuring that each swing delivers a resounding impact.

In addition to its physical attributes, the Astora Greatsword boasts an impressive moveset. Its standard attack pattern consists of a series of sweeping slashes and powerful thrusts. When fully charged, the weapon unleashes an earth-shattering heavy attack that can devastate even the most formidable of foes. Players can also utilize the weapon's two-handed moveset for increased damage and reach.

Furthermore, the Astora Greatsword exhibits a well-rounded stat distribution. It scales primarily with Strength, making it ideal for characters who prioritize melee combat. However, the weapon also has a decent Dexterity scaling, allowing it to be effective in the hands of more agile builds. Its modest Intelligence and Faith scaling provide additional flexibility for those who wish to explore hybrid builds.

Essential Stats

The Lothric Knight Straight Sword: Versatile and Accessible

The Lothric Knight Straight Sword is a well-rounded weapon that excels in both versatility and accessibility. Its balanced stats and low stamina consumption make it suitable for a wide range of playstyles. The sword's straightforward moveset allows players of all skill levels to master its techniques quickly.

Key Features

The Lothric Knight Straight Sword possesses several key features that contribute to its effectiveness:

The Ringed Knight Paired Greatswords: Devastating Twin Blades

The Ringed Knight Paired Greatswords are a fearsome weapon in Dark Souls 3, boasting incredible power and versatility. Dual-wielding these colossal blades grants players unmatched reach and devastating damage potential.

The greatswords excel in both close-range and mid-range combat. Their twin blades provide a wide arc of attack, allowing players to cleave through multiple enemies with ease. The vertical slashes deliver crushing force, while the horizontal swings offer sweeping devastation.

The paired greatswords have a special weapon art called "Spinning Weapon," which adds a unique twist to their combat style. Upon activation, the player spins their blades rapidly, creating a whirling vortex of steel. This move can decimate groups of enemies and even break through heavily armored foes. Additionally, the greatswords can be infused with various elements, allowing players to adapt to different situations and enemies.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the Ringed Knight Paired Greatswords' stats and capabilities:

The Dragonslayer Greataxe: A Mighty Weapon of Faith

The Dragonslayer Greataxe is a colossal weapon in Dark Souls 3, steeped in both divine power and formidable strength. Blessed by the Dragonslayer Ornstein, it is a weapon of choice for those who seek to slay the ancient dragons that plague the world.

Stats:

Moveset:

The Dragonslayer Greataxe boasts a devastating moveset that is both versatile and deadly. Its heavy attacks are sweeping and powerful, capable of crushing enemies with ease. The running attack is a devastating charge that can close the distance to an opponent quickly. Additionally, the weapon art, Lightning Stake, releases a powerful shockwave of lightning energy that is particularly effective against dragons and other ethereal foes.

Acquisition:

To obtain the Dragonslayer Greataxe, players must defeat the Dragonslayer Armour boss, found in the Archives of the Grand Cathedral. Upon defeating the boss, the greataxe can be looted from its remains.

The Moonlight Greatsword: Magic and Melee Combined

The Moonlight Greatsword is a unique and powerful weapon in Dark Souls 3, known for its exceptional versatility and ability to deal both physical and magical damage. It has a distinct appearance, with a blue aura surrounding its blade, and it scales with both strength and intelligence, making it suitable for a wide range of builds.

The Moonlight Greatsword's unique ability lies in its transformation. When fully charged, it transforms into a magical version of itself, with increased damage, range, and additional magic damage. The charged form also has a potent weapon art, the Moonlight Wave, which unleashes a devastating magical attack.

In addition to its impressive combat capabilities, the Moonlight Greatsword also has a rich lore associated with it. It is said to have belonged to Seath the Scaleless, a powerful sorcerer and one of the four original lords of Gwyn. Legend has it that the Moonlight Greatsword contains a fragment of Seath's immense power, making it a coveted weapon among those seeking to wield arcane magic.

Obtaining the Moonlight Greatsword requires players to complete a series of challenging tasks. It is initially found in the Archives, a late-game area, and requires the player to traverse a treacherous path filled with traps and powerful enemies. However, the effort is well worth it, as the Moonlight Greatsword is one of the most formidable weapons in the game.

Moonlight Wave

The Winged Knight Twinaxes: Agile and Aggressive

The Winged Knight Twinaxes are a formidable pair of weapons, renowned for their agility and relentless aggression. Wielded by the winged knights of Lothric, these twinaxes embody the essence of swift, deadly combat.

Agility

The Winged Knight Twinaxes excel in close-quarters combat, where their short length and quick animations allow for precise strikes. The weapons' vertical spin attacks and running attacks punish opponents who underestimate their reach. Their adaptability to various attack patterns makes them a versatile choice for any combat situation.

Aggressive Moveset

Despite their agility, the Winged Knight Twinaxes are renowned for their aggressive moveset. Their dual-wielding allows for rapid strikes, while the axe blades inflict substantial damage on both humanoid and monstrous enemies. The weapons' L2 attack unleashes a devastating dual-handed overhead slam, capable of breaking through guards and shattering poise.

Stats and Scaling

The Winged Knight Twinaxes require 12 Strength and 18 Dexterity to wield. They scale primarily with Dexterity, receiving a solid B scaling, making them ideal for Dexterity-based builds. Their innate Strength scaling of D provides a decent damage boost for hybrid characters.

The Greatsword of Judgement: A Sacred Executioner's Tool

Crafted by the executioners of the Cathedral of the Deep, the Greatsword of Judgement is a colossal weapon steeped in religious fervor and sanctified steel.

The blade, etched with ancient runes, gleams with an ethereal radiance that belies its deadly purpose. Its massive hilt, adorned with intricate carvings of angels and demons, provides a firm grip for the executioner's unrelenting strikes.

When wielded, the Greatsword of Judgement emits a sonorous hum, its sheer weight and momentum channeling the user's wrath with devastating effect. Its Sacred damage, amplified by the user's Faith, makes it a formidable weapon against the undead and demonic foes that plague the world.

Attributes and Scaling

The Greatsword of Judgement's scaling with Faith makes it an ideal choice for Clerics and other Faith-based characters. Its high Strength and Dexterity requirements ensure that it's wieldable by skilled warriors as well.

Unique Abilities

• Judgement: When the weapon art is activated, the user slams the Greatsword of Judgement into the ground, creating a shockwave that damages and stuns enemies in a wide area.
• Heavy Swing: By holding down the weapon art, the user charges up a devastating overhead swing that deals immense damage and knockback to a single target.

The Greatsword of Judgement's unique abilities make it a formidable weapon in close combat, allowing the user to control the battlefield with its area-of-effect attacks and punish isolated foes with its powerful heavy swing.

The Yhorm's Great Machete: Unstoppable Heavy Swinging

The Yhorm's Great Machete, a colossal weapon of immense weight, is a terrifying tool in the hands of those who wield it. Its colossal blade, capable of cleaving through barriers and enemies alike, makes it a formidable force on the battlefield. While demanding immense strength to handle effectively, the Great Machete offers unparalleled power and reach, capable of devastating foes with each bone-crushing swing.

Unstoppable Impact

The key to the Great Machete's prowess lies in its ability to shatter poise, the stability stat that determines an enemy's ability to resist knockbacks and interruptions. With every colossal swing, the Great Machete inflicts immense poise damage, staggering even the most resilient of adversaries. This makes it an ideal weapon for creating openings for critical attacks and controlling the flow of combat.

Complementing its extraordinary poise damage is the Great Machete's staggering reach. Its extended blade allows for wide-sweeping attacks, capable of hitting multiple enemies simultaneously. This makes it an effective tool for clearing crowds and controlling the battlefield, keeping foes at bay and preventing them from overwhelming the wielder.

To ensure maximum damage output, it is crucial to time one's attacks carefully. The Great Machete's slow swing speed requires precise strikes to avoid retaliation. However, with proper timing and positioning, the Great Machete can deliver devastating blows that leave enemies reeling and vulnerable.

Elemental Infusions

The Great Machete's adaptability extends to its ability to be infused with various elemental effects. While it lacks the natural scaling of lighter weapons, the Great Machete can be enhanced with infusions to exploit enemy weaknesses and deal additional damage. Popular infusion choices include:

The Darkdrift Dagger: Subtle and Deadly

The Darkdrift Dagger is a unique and highly effective weapon in Dark Souls 3. It's a small, curved dagger that deals both physical and dark damage. While it may not seem as impressive as some of the larger weapons in the game, the Darkdrift Dagger more than makes up for its size with its speed, versatility, and unique moveset.

One of the most notable advantages of the Darkdrift Dagger is its incredibly fast attack speed. This allows you to land multiple hits in a short amount of time, which can be devastating against both human and AI opponents. The dagger also has a very low stamina cost, so you can swing it multiple times without worrying about running out of stamina.

In addition to its speed, the Darkdrift Dagger also deals a significant amount of dark damage. Dark damage is particularly effective against enemies that are weak to dark, such as the Abyss Watchers and the Nameless King. This makes the Darkdrift Dagger a great choice for players who are looking to take on these bosses.

Unique Moveset

The Darkdrift Dagger also has a unique moveset that sets it apart from other weapons in Dark Souls 3. One of its most notable moves is the "Dancer's Step," which allows you to quickly close the distance between you and your opponent. This move can be used to surprise your opponents or to quickly get out of a dangerous situation.

The Darkdrift Dagger also has a unique "Shadowstrike" ability. This ability allows you to throw the dagger at your opponent, dealing dark damage and inflicting the Toxic status effect. The Toxic status effect deals damage over time, making it a great way to finish off your opponents.

Stat Requirements and Scaling

The Darkdrift Dagger has the following stat requirements:

The Darkdrift Dagger scales primarily with Dexterity and Intelligence. This means that its damage output will increase as you level up these stats.

Overall, the Darkdrift Dagger is a versatile and powerful weapon that can be used to great effect both in PvP and PvE. Its fast attack speed, low stamina cost, and unique moveset make it a great choice for players of all skill levels.

The Lothric War Banner: A Unique and Versatile Catalyst

The Lothric War Banner stands as a formidable weapon in Dark Souls 3, offering a plethora of versatile abilities that cater to various playstyles. One of its defining attributes lies in its innate ability to regenerate Focus Points (FP) over time, empowering spellcasters with sustained magical prowess. This unique feature renders the banner indispensable for prolonged engagements, ensuring that sorcerers and pyromancers never run short of ammunition.

Enhanced Magic Damage:

In addition to its regenerative abilities, the Lothric War Banner also excels at amplifying magic damage. When wielded, it grants an impressive 15% bonus to all spell damage, empowering incantations, sorceries, and pyromancies alike. This potent enhancement can significantly augment the offensive capabilities of spellcasters, unleashing devastating magical barrages upon their adversaries.

Extended Range and Homing:

The Lothric War Banner offers a further tactical advantage by extending the range of spells and enhancing their homing capabilities. This allows spellcasters to engage enemies from afar, outmaneuvering them and maximizing their offensive potential. By broadening the effective distance of spells, the banner provides a significant edge in ranged combat, allowing spellcasters to control engagements and maintain a safe distance from danger.

Unique Weapon Art:

The Lothric War Banner possesses a unique weapon art known as the "War Banner Emulation." When activated, it summons a spectral banner that deals significant damage to nearby enemies while simultaneously buffing the caster's physical attacks. This versatility grants a hybrid combat capability, enabling spellcasters to swiftly transition between magical and physical offense as the situation demands. The spectral banner's aggressive nature and damage output make it a formidable tool in close-quarters combat, especially against highly resistant enemies.

Other Attributes:

Beyond its primary attributes, the Lothric War Banner offers additional benefits:

Dark Souls 3 Best Weapons

Dark Souls 3 offers players a vast arsenal of weapons to choose from, each with its unique strengths and weaknesses. Selecting the "best" weapon depends on the player's individual playstyle, build, and preferences. However, there are some weapons that consistently rank highly among Dark Souls 3 veterans.

One standout is the Lothric Knight Straight Sword. This weapon offers an excellent balance of damage, range, and speed, making it a versatile option for both PvE and PvP. Its refined moveset and relatively low stamina consumption also make it a popular choice for beginners.

For those seeking a heavy-hitting weapon, the Greatsword is a formidable choice. Its high damage output and impressive reach make it a deadly weapon in the hands of skilled players. However, its slow swing speed and high stamina consumption require careful timing and management.

People Also Ask About Dark Souls 3 Best Weapons

What are some other great weapons in Dark Souls 3?

In addition to those mentioned above, other highly rated weapons include the Claymore, the Black Knight Sword, the Hollowslayer Greatsword, and the Zweihander.

What is the best weapon for beginners in Dark Souls 3?

The Lothric Knight Straight Sword is an excellent option for beginners due to its balanced stats, easy-to-use moveset, and low stamina consumption.

What is the best weapon for PvP in Dark Souls 3?

The Lothric Knight Straight Sword and the Greatsword are both strong choices for PvP, as they offer a good combination of damage, speed, and reach.