The Definitive Guide To The Best Weapons In Dark Souls 3

Determining the "best" weapons in Dark Souls 3 depends entirely on your character's stat allocation, playstyle, and whether you are focusing on Player vs. Environment (PvE) or competitive Player vs. Player (PvP) scenarios. Generally, top-tier weapons are defined by high base damage, scaling efficiency, versatility in movesets, and the ability to be infused or buffed. Whether you are navigating New Game+ or starting a fresh character in 2026, finding a weapon that complements your build is the most critical factor in overcoming Lothric’s challenges.

Understanding Weapon Scaling and Infusion

Before selecting a weapon, you must understand how stats interact with damage. Every weapon in Dark Souls 3 possesses scaling letters ranging from E (worst) to S (best) for Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, and Faith. These letters indicate how much extra damage you receive based on your character's attributes.

Infusions further modify these scalings. By using specific gems—such as the Sharp gem for Dexterity-heavy builds, Heavy for Strength-based characters, or Refined for quality builds (even Strength and Dexterity)—you can shift a weapon’s scaling to match your stats. For hybrid caster-melee builds, Chaos or Dark infusions are frequently cited as the most powerful options because they allow weapons to scale off both Intelligence and Faith, often providing the highest potential After-Defense damage output in the game.

Top-Tier Weapons for Strength Builds

Strength builds prioritize high-impact, heavy-hitting weaponry capable of staggering enemies and breaking shields.

The Exile Greatsword

Widely considered one of the most efficient weapons in the game, the Exile Greatsword combines the damage output of an Ultra Greatsword with the speed of a standard Curved Greatsword. When Heavy-infused, it provides massive returns on Strength investment. Its hyper-armor—a mechanic that prevents you from being interrupted during an attack animation—makes it nearly unstoppable in trade-heavy combat scenarios.

Ledo’s Great Hammer

Available through the The Ringed City downloadable content, Ledo’s Great Hammer offers the highest raw damage potential for pure Strength builds. Its weapon art, "Call to Stone," buffs the weapon with a rock coating, increasing damage and providing an area-of-effect shockwave. While it requires a significant 60 Strength to wield effectively, it remains the gold standard for high-damage blunt force.

Elite Choices for Dexterity Builds

Dexterity weapons rely on speed, critical hit multipliers, and high-frequency attacks to maximize damage-per-second (DPS).

Sellsword Twinblades

For many veterans, the Sellsword Twinblades represent the peak of PvE performance. When two-handed, the L1 attack hits twice in rapid succession. Because of the way multiple-hit attacks function in Dark Souls 3, pairing these blades with the Pontiff’s Right Eye ring and the Mercenary starting class allows you to shred boss health bars with unmatched efficiency. They are the go-to choice for speedrunners and challenge-run players.

Lothric Knight Sword

The Lothric Knight Sword is arguably the most versatile Straight Sword in the game. It possesses an innate critical multiplier of 110, making it an excellent candidate for players who prioritize parrying or backstabbing. With a Sharp infusion, it achieves an S-scaling in Dexterity, allowing it to remain highly relevant from early game all the way through the end of the journey.

Quality and Elemental Weaponry

Quality builds (equal Strength and Dexterity) offer the widest range of weapon variety, while elemental builds provide consistent damage against targets resistant to physical types.

The Claymore

The Claymore is the quintessential "all-rounder." Its moveset includes horizontal slashes for crowd control and a thrust attack for closing gaps or punishing rolling enemies. Its base requirements are low, and its scaling is excellent across all infusion types, making it the perfect weapon for a first-time player or a seasoned veteran looking for reliability.

Onyx Blade

For players investing heavily in Intelligence and Faith (a "Pyromancer" or "Dark" build), the Onyx Blade is a top-tier choice. It provides long reach and a unique weapon art that coats the blade in black flame. Because it deals Dark damage—a type that few late-game bosses are resistant to—it maintains a high damage floor regardless of the enemy type.

Comparison of Popular Weapon Classes

Tactical Considerations for Weapon Selection

When choosing your main weapon, consider its "Moveset" and "Weapon Art." A weapon with high damage is useless if its attacks are too slow to hit agile bosses. Conversely, a fast weapon might struggle against armored enemies with high poise.

1. Hyper-Armor: If you play aggressively, choose weapons that provide hyper-armor. This allows you to "poise through" enemy attacks, ensuring your strike lands even if you get hit mid-swing.
2. Buffability: In Dark Souls 3, weapons that can be buffed with spells like Darkmoon Blade or resins often outperform weapons with innate elemental damage during boss encounters where you can apply a specific weakness.
3. Weapon Arts: Don’t ignore these unique skills. Some, like the Stance art on straight swords, allow for a guard-break that can instantly open a boss for a visceral attack.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many players fall into the trap of over-upgrading secondary weapons early in the game. Titanite Slabs are limited in each playthrough. Before committing your final upgrade material, ensure the weapon's moveset feels natural to you. Additionally, do not ignore the "Weight" of your weapon. If your equipment load exceeds 70%, your roll speed decreases significantly, turning a fast-paced combat encounter into a death sentence. Always balance your weapon choice with armor that keeps your roll snappy and responsive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which weapon is the best for beginners?

The Longsword or the Claymore are the best choices for beginners. They have simple, predictable movesets, low attribute requirements, and can carry you through the entire game if upgraded properly.

Should I prioritize raw damage or scaling?

Early in the game, "Raw" infusions are superior because your stats are too low to benefit from scaling. As you level up (typically past level 50-60), you should remove the Raw infusion and switch to Sharp, Heavy, or Refined to maximize your stat bonuses.

Can I finish the game using only one weapon?

Yes. Every weapon in Dark Souls 3 is viable for completing the game. The "best" weapon is ultimately the one whose moveset you have mastered, as understanding attack timing and range is more important than raw statistical superiority.

What is the advantage of using a "Quality" build?

A Quality build allows you to use a wide variety of weapons. If you find a new sword, spear, or axe, you can likely wield it effectively. This flexibility is highly beneficial for first-time players exploring the game’s vast arsenal.

Do shields matter if I have a good weapon?

Shields serve as a backup, but the combat system in Dark Souls 3 incentivizes active dodging (rolling) over static blocking. If your weapon requires two-handed usage to maximize damage, learning to dodge effectively is more important than carrying a heavy shield.

How do I optimize a weapon for endgame bosses?

Check the boss's weaknesses. Some bosses are highly susceptible to lightning, while others are weak to dark or fire. Carrying two weapons—one physical and one elemental—is a common strategy for endgame survival.

Final Recommendation

For the most balanced and effective experience, obtain the Claymore early in the High Wall of Lothric and focus on a "Quality" build, leveling both Strength and Dexterity to 40. This allows you to test almost any weapon you encounter. If you prefer high-speed combat, switch to the Sellsword Twinblades and prioritize Dexterity. Regardless of your choice, ensure you keep your weapon upgraded to the maximum level available for your current area to maintain consistent damage output.