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Dark Souls 3 Weapon Tier List (April 2024) Best Weapons Ranked

Dark Souls 3 Weapon Tier List (2023) Best Weapons
  Written By: Ashish Arya
Updated On: 07/31/2023
Est. Reading: 21 minutes

Welcome back, fellow Dark Souls 3 enthusiasts! As we enter 2024, it’s time for an updated tier list ranking the best weapons available in the game. Whether you’re a veteran player looking to refine your arsenal or a newcomer searching for optimal load-outs, this comprehensive list will provide top-notch recommendations to elevate your gameplay experience.

In this blog post, prepare to immerse yourself in the world of Dark Souls 3 as we explore the most powerful and efficient weapons across multiple categories: from daggers to ultra-great swords. With our Dark Souls 3 weapon tier list 2024, you can arm yourself with the knowledge and confidence to conquer the game’s most daunting challenges. So, roll up your sleeves, grab your favorite controller, and let’s dive right into the ranking!

Also Useful: Monster Sanctuary Tier List (2024)

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What To Look For While Choosing The Right Weapon in Dark Souls 3?

Choosing the right weapon in Dark Souls 3 is an essential aspect of mastering the game. Your weapon choice will significantly impact your playstyle, damage output, and overall gameplay experience. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a suitable weapon:

What to look for while choosing the right weapon in Dark Souls 3?
  • Scaling: Look for weapons that scale well with your character’s stats. Scaling determines how much bonus damage a weapon deals with based on your Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, and Faith. The better the scaling, the more damage you’ll deal as you level up and invest in these stats.
  • Skill Requirement: Be aware of the minimum skill requirement of a weapon before equipping it. If your character doesn’t meet the threshold, you’ll struggle to use the weapon effectively and deal reduced damage. Choose a weapon that aligns with your build’s strengths.
  • Damage Type: Dark Souls 3 features a variety of damage types such as Standard, Strike, Slash, Thrust, and Elemental (Magic, Fire, Lightning, and Dark). Different enemies have varying resistances and weaknesses to these damage types. Keep a mix of weapons in your arsenal to cover multiple damage types and exploit enemy weaknesses.
  • Weapon Art: Every weapon has a Weapon Art, a unique skill or ability that can turn the tide of battle. Choose a weapon with a Weapon Art that complements your playstyle or provides valuable strategic options.
  • Speed and Stamina Consumption: Faster weapons like daggers and curved swords consume less stamina per swing, allowing you to perform more actions in quick succession. Greatswords and ultra-greatswords hit hard but consume large amounts of stamina. Consider your desired playstyle and stamina management while choosing a weapon.
  • Range and Versatility: The reach of your weapon is crucial as it determines your engagement distance. Longer weapons like spears and halberds can help maintain a safe distance from enemies, while shorter weapons require better timing and positioning. Also, consider if the weapon offers versatility, such as a mix of slashing and thrusting attacks.
  • Upgrade Paths and Infusions: Some weapons can be upgraded and infused with elemental properties. Assess your character’s build and choose weapons that can benefit from upgrades and infusions that align with your stats and elemental preferences.

Also Related: Elden Ring Class Tier List (2024)

Dark Souls 3 Weapons Tier List (April 2024)

Descend into the world of Dark Souls 3 armed with our comprehensive weapon tier list. Unveil the most formidable blades and unleash their deadly potential as you battle through the unforgiving landscapes of this hauntingly challenging game. Find the perfect weapon to suit your playstyle and conquer the darkness that awaits.

Dark Souls 3 S Tier List 2024: The Creme de la Creme

S-Tier weapons are the best of the best, providing exceptional performance, versatility, and damage potential. These weapons dominate the battlefield and are perfect choices for players looking to obliterate their foes with ease. 

Dark Souls 3 S-Tier List 2024: The Creme de la Creme
  • Corvian Greatknife
  • Four-Pronged Plow
  • Demon’s Scar
  • Frayed Blade
  • Lothric Knight Sword
  • Black Knight Sword
  • Pontiff Knight Curved Sword
  • Friede’s Great Scythe
  • Saint Bident
  • Wolf Knight’s Great Sword
  • Crucifix of the Mad King
  • Murky Hand Scythe
  • Arbalest
  • Long Sword
  • Splitleaf Great Sword
  • Gael’s Great Sword
  • Valorheart
  • Gotthard Twinswords

Dark Souls 3 A Tier List 2024: Formidable and Powerful

A-Tier weapons are a force to be reckoned with. While they may not outshine the S-Tier options, these weapons are more than capable of dealing effective damage and providing exceptional combat utility. Loaded with powerful skills, A-Tier weapons should not be underestimated.

Dark Souls 3 A-Tier List 2024: Formidable and Powerful
  • Lothric Knight Great Sword
  • Ringed Knight Straight Sword
  • Man Serpent
  • Astora Great Sword
  • Claymore
  • Dark Sword
  • Anri’s Straight Sword
  • Follower Sabre
  • Exile Great Sword
  • Hollowslayer Great Sword
  • Washing Pole
  • Rotten Ghru Dagger
  • Sunlight Straight Sword
  • Sellsword Twinblades
  • Great Corvian Scythe
  • Glaive
  • Winged Knight Twinaxes
  • Yhorm’s Great Machete
  • Harald Curved Great Sword
  • Crystal Sage’s Rapier
  • Heysel Pick
  • Uchigatana
  • Millwood Battle Axe
  • Onyx Blade
  • Barbed Straight Sword
  • Lothric Knight Long Spear
  • Spiked Mace
  • Ringed Knight Spear
  • Aquamarine Dagger
  • Great Sword of Judgement
  • Estoc
  • Avelyn
  • Scimitar
  • Warpick
  • Heavy Crossbow

Dark Souls 3 B Tier List 2024: Balanced and Versatile

B-Tier weapons are reliable and well-rounded choices for players who want flexibility and good damage output. While they may not top the charts in raw power, these weapons offer a solid balance between effectiveness and adaptability.

Dark Souls 3 B-Tier List 2024: Balanced and Versatile
  • Dragonslayer Swordspear
  • Black Knight Glaive
  • Reinforced Club
  • Dragonslayer Great Axe
  • Moonlight Great Sword
  • Mace
  • Mail Breaker
  • Fume Ultra Great Sword
  • Carthus Shotel
  • Crow Quills
  • Lothric War Banner
  • Greatlance
  • Broadsword
  • Composite Bow
  • Chaos Blade
  • Butcher Knife
  • Old Wolf Curved Sword
  • Gargoyle Flame Spear
  • Dragonslayer Spear
  • Lucerne
  • Bandit’s Knife
  • Tallbone Short Sword
  • Wolnir’s Holy Sword
  • Brigand Axe
  • Light Crossbow
  • Great Machete
  • Dragonslayer’s Axe
  • Great Club
  • Onikiri & Ubadachi
  • Ricard’s Rapier
  • Carthus Curved Sword
  • Irithyll Straight Sword

Dark Souls 3 C Tier List 2024: Reliable, but with Limitations

C-Tier weapons are decent choices for players who prefer a specific playstyle or aesthetic. Although they might not deliver the highest damage output, these weapons can still be effective in the right hands, with some requiring a bit more skill and finesse to unlock their full potential.

Dark Souls 3 C-Tier List 2024: Reliable, but with Limitations
  • Darkdrift
  • Dagger
  • Halberd
  • Short Sword
  • Smough’s Great Hammer
  • Bastard Sword
  • Drang Twinspears
  • Morning Star
  • Rotten Ghru Spear
  • Hand Axe
  • Great Scythe
  • Lothric’s Holy Sword
  • Astora Straight Sword
  • Farron Great Sword
  • Vordt’s Great Hammer
  • Great Mace
  • Flamberge
  • Morion Blade
  • Red Hilted Halberd
  • Storm Curved Sword
  • Lorian’s Great Sword
  • Partizan
  • Club
  • Dragon Tooth
  • Sniper Crossbow
  • Pontiff Knight Great Scythe
  • Twin Princes’ Great Sword
  • Quakestone Hammer
  • Painted Guardian’s Curved Sword
  • Claw
  • Profaned Great Sword
  • Black Blade
  • Winged Knight Halberd
  • Demon’s Great Axe
  • Repeating Crossbow

Dark Souls 3 D Tier List 2024: Situational and Niche

D-Tier weapons are niche choices that cater to specialized playstyles or unique situations. While they might struggle in certain scenarios or require specific builds to optimize, they can still provide a fun and challenging gameplay experience for daring players.

Dark Souls 3 D-Tier List 2024: Situational and Niche
  • Immolation Tinder
  • Winged Spear
  • Eleonora
  • Short Bow
  • Thrall Axe
  • Carthus Curved Great Sword
  • Morne’s Great Hammer
  • Shotel
  • White Birch Bow
  • Handmaid’s Dagger
  • Large Club
  • Black Bow of Pharis
  • Dancer’s Enchanted Swords
  • Cleric’s Candlestick
  • Black Knight Great Sword
  • Irithyll Rapier
  • Pike
  • Warden Twinblades
  • Dragonrider Bow
  • Crescent Moon Sword
  • Caestus
  • Manikin Claws
  • Firelink Great Sword
  • Golden Ritual Spear
  • Parrying Dagger
  • Earth Seeker
  • Drang Hammer
  • Executioner’s Great Sword
  • Tallbone Spear
  • Demon’s Fist
  • Zweihander
  • Arstor’s Spear
  • Bloodlust
  • Great Wooden Hammer

Dark Souls 3 F Tier List 2024: Challenging and Underperforming

F-Tier weapons often underperform compared to other options on this list, making them less practical and more difficult to use effectively. However, these weapons can still offer a challenging experience for players seeking to play the game in a non-traditional or unconventional manner.

Dark Souls 3 F-Tier List 2024: Challenging and Underperforming
  • Old King’s Great Hammer
  • Spear
  • Gargoyle Flame Hammer
  • Blacksmith Hammer
  • Follower Javelin
  • Crescent Axe
  • Longbow
  • Darkmoon Longbow
  • Black Knight Great Axe
  • Rapier
  • Dark Hand
  • Cathedral Knight Great Sword
  • Onislayer Great Bow
  • Yorshka’s Spear
  • Brigand Twindaggers
  • Rose of Ariandel
  • Dragonslayer Great Bow
  • Ringed Knight Paired Great Swords
  • Millwood Great Bow
  • Great Axe
  • Storm Ruler
  • Crow Talons
  • Scholar’s Candlestick
  • Broken Straight Sword
  • Great Sword

Dark Souls 3 Curved Sword List 2024 – Speed and Precision

Curved Swords are known for their rapid attacks and swift response time, making them perfect for players who prefer agility and precision. S-Tier 

Dark Souls 3 Curved Sword List 2024- Speed and Precision:
  • Pontiff Knight (S-Tier)
  • Demon’s Scar(S-Tier)

Dark Souls 3 Curved Great Sword List 2024 – Balanced Might and Maneuverability

This category offers a blend of the power from great swords and the versatility of curved swords, suitable for players who seek a well-rounded weapon.

Dark Souls 3 Curved Great Sword List 2024- Balanced Might and Maneuverability:
  • Murakumo (A-Tier)
  • Exile Great Sword (A-Tier)

Dark Souls 3 Paired Hammers List 2024 – Dual-Wielded Destruction

For those who enjoy wielding two weapons simultaneously, Paired Hammers deliver devastating damage through rapid and powerful strikes.

Dark Souls 3 Paired Hammers List 2024- Dual-Wielded Destruction:
  • Drang Hammers (C-Tier)

Dark Souls 3 Paired Curved Swords List 2024 – Elegant Dance of Death

These dual-wielded curved swords deliver a flurry of rapid slashing attacks, making them perfect for players striving for style and finesse in combat.

Dark Souls 3 Paired Curved Swords List 2024- Elegant Dance of Death:
  • Gotthard Twinswords (S-Tier)
  • Sellsword Twinblades (A-Tier)

Dark Souls 3 Paired Daggers List 2024 – Assassin’s Arsenal

Wielding two daggers at once provides exceptional attack speed and maneuverability, offering an assassin-like fighting style with precise and deadly strikes.

Dark Souls 3 Paired Daggers List 2024- Assassin's Arsenal:
  • Brigand Twin daggers (D-Tier)

Dark Souls 3 Paired Ultra Great Swords List 2024 – Colossal Twin Titans

If you’re looking to dominate the battlefield with sheer power and intimidation, Paired Ultra Great Swords provide the hard-hitting strength you need.

Dark Souls 3 Paired Ultra Great Swords List 2024- Colossal Twin Titans:
  • Ringed Knight Paired Great Swords (F-Tier)

Dark Souls 3 Great Bow List 2024 – Long-Range Devastation

Great Bows allow for immense damage output from a distance, providing players with a strategic advantage and the ability to pick off enemies safely from afar.

Dark Souls 3 Great Bow List 2024- Long-Range Devastation:
  • Onislayer Great Bow (C-Tier)
  • Dragonslayer Great Bow (C-Tier)

Dark Souls 3 Bow-Ranged Precision List (2024)

Bows offer a versatile and accurate approach to combat, allowing players to deal precision damage from a distance while remaining nimble.

Dark Souls 3 Bow-Ranged Precision List 2024:
  • Composite Bow (A-Tier)
  • Short Bow (C-Tier)

Dark Souls 3 Fists/Claws List 2024 – Hand-to-Hand Havoc

Players seeking a unique and challenging combat style will find Fists/Claws provide an intense, up-close-and-personal fighting experience.

Dark Souls 3 Fists/Claws List 2024- Hand-to-Hand Havoc:
  • Demon’s Fist (C-Tier)
  • Caestus (C-Tier)

Dark Souls 3 Thrusting Sword List 2024 – Deadly Strikes and Penetration

Thrusting Swords focus on quick, sharp, and piercing attacks, perfect for players who value speed, accuracy, and precision in their engagements.

Dark Souls 3 Thrusting Sword List 2024- Deadly Strikes and Penetration:
  • Estoc (A-Tier)
  • Crystal Sage’s Rapier (A-Tier)

Dark Souls 3 Ultra Great Sword List 2024 – Unstoppable Force

The Ultra Great Swords are designed for players who value sheer strength, delivering devastating blows with unrivaled power.

Dark Souls 3 Ultra Great Sword List 2024- Unstoppable Force:
  • Lothric Knight Great Sword (A-Tier)
  • Astora Great Sword (A-Tier)

Dark Souls 3 Great Axe List 2024 – Imposing and Mighty

Great Axes are perfect for players looking to make a statement, as their massive size and crushing force instill fear in enemies.

Dark Souls 3 Great Axe List 2024- Imposing and Mighty:
  • Yhorm’s Great Machete (A-Tier)
  • Black Knight Great Axe (B-Tier)

Dark Souls 3 Hammer List 2024 – Brute Force and Perseverance

Hammers are the ideal choice for those who prioritize raw damage output and solid impact when engaged in close-quarters combat.

Dark Souls 3 Hammer List 2024- Brute Force and Perseverance:
  • Warwick (A-Tier)
  • Mace (B-Tier)

Dark Souls 3 Whip List 2024 – Disarming and Versatile

Whips offer a unique combat style characterized by their broad attack arcs and ability to bypass shields, providing range control and flexibility.

Dark Souls 3 Whip List 2024- Disarming and Versatile:
  • Rose of Ariandel (C-Tier)

Dark Souls 3 Halberd List 2024 – Reach and Control

Halberds present a fantastic blend of reach and control, granting players the ability to dictate the course of battle with extended range.

Dark Souls 3 Halberd List 2024- Reach and Control:
  • Crucifix of the Mad King (S-Tier)
  • Splitleaf Greatsword (S-Tier)

Dark Souls 3 Spear/Pike List 2024 – Tactical Purity

With their impressive range and strong piercing attacks, spears/pikes enable players to keep their enemies at bay while dishing out consistent damage.

Dark Souls 3 Spear/Pike List 2024- Tactical Purity:
  • Saint Bident (S-Tier)
  • Four-Pronged Plow (S-Tier)

Dark Souls 3 Straight Sword List 2024 – All-Purpose Reliability

The Straight Sword category is perfect for players who appreciate a dependable weapon that performs well in almost any situation.

Dark Souls 3 Straight Sword List 2024- All-Purpose Reliability:
  • Lothric Knight Sword (S-Tier)
  • Long Sword (S-Tier)

Dark Souls 3 Weapons Explained

Gain invaluable insights into the arsenal of Dark Souls 3 with our Weapons Explained guide. Unravel the strengths and weaknesses of each weapon, empowering you to make the wisest choices in your perilous journey. Discover the weapons to avoid, and those to wield with unwavering confidence as you face the nightmarish foes that lie ahead.

1. Murky Hand Scythe:

Murky Hand Scythe

Pros: Excellent critical damage, high DPS, and quickstep weapon art that greatly improves mobility.

Cons: Short reach and limited scalability.

Ideal users: Players emphasizing speed, dps, and quick invasions. 

Avoid if: You prefer long-range or heavy-hitting weapons.

Explanation: This dark-infused dagger is perfect for players looking for a nimble playstyle with strong invader potential. 

2. Lothric Knight Sword:

Lothric Knight Sword

Pros: Excellent scaling, strong critical attacks, and versatile stance weapon art.

Cons: Limited horizontal attack range.

Ideal users: Players aiming for a quality build or looking for a balanced and reliable straight sword.

Avoid if: You need sweeping attacks.

Explanation: This straight sword is a popular choice due to its balanced moveset and scaling, making it suitable for various playstyles.

3. Long Sword:

Long Sword

Pros: Solid damage output, versatile moveset, and stance weapon art.

Cons: Outperformed by Lothric Knight Sword in terms of scaling and damage.

Ideal users: Players seeking an easily accessible and reliable straight sword.

Avoid if: You require maximal damage output from a straight sword.

Explanation: The Long Sword is a beginner-friendly weapon that remains viable throughout the game.

4. Pontiff Knight Curved Sword:

Pontiff Knight Curved Sword

Pros: Fast attack speed, frostbite buildup, and a unique weapon art, Frost Blade.

Cons: Limited range and lower attack power than some other curved swords.

Ideal users: Players who want a swift weapon with a unique status effect.

Avoid if: You prioritize range in your curved sword.

Explanation: This curved sword offers fast attacks and frostbite buildup to pressure opponents and deal additional damage.

5. Demon’s Scar:

Demons Scar

Pros: Acts as both a melee weapon and a pyromancy catalyst, lightweight, strong scaling with INT and FTH.

Cons: Lower physical damage, and lack of a traditional strong attack.

Ideal users: Pyromancers and players incorporating pyromancies into their build.

Avoid if: You aren’t investing in pyromancy or require high physical damage output.

Explanation: Demon’s Scar excels at providing a flexible and powerful approach for pyromancers, combining melee combat with spell casting.

6. Saint Bident:

Saint Bident

Pros: Good range, faith scaling, and suits faith-based builds.

Cons: Low base damage and slower attack speed.

Ideal users: Faith-oriented players requiring a spear weapon.

Avoid if: You don’t invest in faith or need high base damage from a spear.

Explanation: Saint Bident is a faith weapon that combines spear playstyle with faith scaling, offering spell casting flexibility.

7. Four-Pronged Plow:

Four-Pronged Plow

Pros: Above-average reach, solid damage, and good stamina consumption.

Cons: Less appealing moveset compared to other spears and misleading appearance.

Ideal users: Players valuing reach and intelligent stamina usage in a spear.

Avoid if: You prefer a more visually appealing weapon with a diverse moveset.

Explanation: The Four-Pronged Plow is an underrated spear with its range and stamina management, making it a practical choice for spear enthusiasts.

8. Frayed Blade:

Frayed Blade

Pros: Unique weapon art, excellent bleed buildup, and strong DEX scaling.

Cons: Fragile with low durability and no infusion or buffing options.

Ideal users: DEX-build players who want a unique katana with strong bleed potential.

Avoid if: You need a durable weapon or plan to use buffs.

Explanation: Frayed Blade is a powerful but fragile katana that offers exceptional bleed damage and a unique moveset for experienced players.

9. Gael’s Greatsword:

Gael's Greatsword

Pros: High damage output, versatile moveset, and strong weapon art, Blade of Peril.

Cons: Heavy and slower swing speed.

Ideal users: Players who thrive with a heavy-hitting, mobile greatsword with a unique weapon art.

Avoid if: You need a lightweight weapon with fast swings.

Explanation: Gael’s Greatsword deals high damage with a versatile moveset, while Blade of Peril offers both offensive and evasive options, suitable for adaptive players.

10. Black Knight Sword:

Black Knight Sword

Pros: Efficient stamina usage, high base damage, and strong perseverance weapon art.

Cons: Limited infusion options and lower damage output compared to other greatswords.

Ideal users: Players seeking a highly efficient weapon that offers survival opportunities.

Avoid if: You need to focus on weapon infusion.

Explanation: The Black Knight Sword is an iconic weapon offering an ideal combination of stamina efficiency, protecting its user with the perseverance weapon art.

11. Wolf Knight’s Greatsword:

Wolf Knight's Greatsword

Pros: Unique weapon art that performs flip and spin attacks, good reach, and excellent for aggressive playstyles.

Cons: Outclassed in damage output by other greatswords.

Ideal users: Players focusing on a more aggressive, mobility-based playstyle with a greatsword.

Avoid if: Maximum damage potential is your priority in a greatsword.

Explanation: This Artorias-inspired greatsword is perfect for players who want a weapon that offers strong offense and mobility in one package.

12. Crucifix of the Mad King:

Crucifix of the Mad King

Pros: Unique weapon art that provides random buffs, solid damage output, and unpredictable moveset.

Cons: Unreliable weapon art that can backfire, and complex moveset.

Ideal users: Players who like unpredictability and randomness in their playstyle.

Avoid if: You prefer a consistent and easily manageable weapon.

Explanation: The Crucifix of the Mad King is a wild card weapon with a high risk, high reward approach, making it an exciting and fresh experience for players.

13. Splitleaf Greatsword:

Splitleaf Greatsword

Pros: Great reach, versatile moveset, and powerful Wind Wheel weapon art.

Cons: Heavy and requires high strength to wield.

Ideal users: Players with a heavy build who seek a strong, long-reaching halberd.

Avoid if: Your build has limited strength or agility.

Explanation: The Splitleaf Greatsword is a powerhouse halberd with massive reach and damage that suits heavy-hitting players in need of a sweeping, spinning moveset.

14. Friede’s Great Scythe:

Friede's Great Scythe

Pros: Magic-scaling, versatile moveset, and unique Elfriede’s Stance weapon art.

Cons: Requires investment in both DEX and INT for optimal damage output.

Ideal users: Players with a DEX/INT hybrid build who want a unique and powerful scythe.

Avoid if: Your build focuses solely on either DEX or INT.

Explanation: Friede’s Great Scythe offers a unique combination of damage sources, and its weapon art allows for deadly and elegant attacks, suitable for players who invest in both DEX and INT.

15. Arbalest:

Arbalest

Pros: High damage output, effective at both close and long ranges, and rapid-fire capability.

Cons: Heavy and slow reload.

Ideal users: Players who want to snipe opponents with a powerful crossbow.

Avoid if: You prefer fast reloading or lighter-ranged weapons.

Explanation: Arbalest is a high-damage output crossbow that excels in picking off opponents from a distance, making it a suitable option for players who want the firepower of a bow with a mechanical twist.

16. Gotthard Twinswords:

Gotthard Twinswords

Pros: A paired weapon with a versatile moveset, strong L1 L2 L3 combo, and good DEX scaling.

Cons: Requires high levels of stamina and outperformed other paired weapons in terms of damage.

Ideal users: Players who want to combo their attacks and focus on stylish dual-wielding.

Avoid if: You need a high-damage paired weapon or rely on a focused single weapon style.

Explanation: The Gotthard Twinswords allows players to execute fluid, chaining attacks, perfect for those who appreciate visually impressive and flexible dual-wielding.

17. Valorheart:

Valorheart

Pros: Excellent guard and defense, Lion Stance weapon art that allows for both evasion and offense.

Cons: Lower damage output and limited range.

Ideal users: Players who prioritize defense and guard break potential in their weapon.

Avoid if: You require strong damage output or longer reach.

Explanation: Valorheart is a unique straight sword that combines offensive capabilities with strong defensive opportunities, making it suitable for tactical close-combat players.

18. Aquamarine Dagger:

Aquamarine Dagger

Pros: Unique Crystal Blade weapon art, good DEX, and INT scaling, and quick attack speed.

Cons: Low base damage and heavy FP consumption for weapon art.

Ideal users: DEX/INT hybrid build players who want a magical dagger.

Avoid if: You need high base damage or minimal FP use.

Explanation: The Aquamarine Dagger offers a mystical element to the traditional dagger playstyle, allowing DEX/INT build players to wield a unique magic-infused weapon.

19. Rotten Ghru Dagger:

Rotten Ghru Dagger

Pros: Good poison buildup, fast attack speed, and Quickstep weapon art.

Cons: Mediocre damage output and situational effectiveness.

Ideal users: Players who want to focus on poison-strategy gameplay and fast invasions.

Avoid if: You prioritize high damage output.

Explanation: The Rotten Ghru Dagger is a niche weapon well-suited for players utilizing poison as a primary strategy, allowing them to wreak havoc with a swift and toxic approach.

20. Anri’s Straight Sword:

Anri's Straight Sword

Pros: Scales with luck, built-in health regeneration, decent base damage.

Cons: Limited upgrade level and less effective for non-luck builds.

Ideal users: Players investing in a luck-based build with an emphasis on healing.

Avoid if: You focus on a build independent of luck or require optimal potential in a straight sword.

Explanation: This unique straight sword is tailored towards luck builds and offers added utility with its passive health regeneration, providing a balanced and versatile option to players aligned with luck stats.

21. Dark Sword:

Dark Sword

Pros: High damage output, excellent STR scaling, and Stomp weapon art.

Cons: Limited reach and a simplified moveset.

Ideal users: Players with a focus on strength and heavy-hitting action.

Avoid if: You prioritize a versatile moveset.

Explanation: The Dark Sword is known for its relentless damage output and high DPS, suitable for players who want a straightforward yet powerful straight sword for their strength-oriented playstyle.

22. Ringed Knight Straight Sword:

Ringed Knight Straight Sword

Pros: Strong fiery weapon art that deals high damage, solid scaling, and versatile moveset.

Cons: Weapon art is payable and takes some time to execute.

Ideal users: Players who want to deal fire-based damage in combination with a balanced straight sword.

Avoid if: You require instantaneous weapon art execution.

Explanation: The Ringed Knight Straight Sword offers a dynamic gameplay style, mixing fire-enhanced attacks with a solid straight sword performance, perfect for players seeking aggressive tactics with a tactical approach.

23. Barbed Straight Sword:

Barbed Straight Sword

Pros: High potential for bleed buildup, useful Stance weapon art, and good scaling.

Cons: Lower base damage and slower attack speed compared to other straight swords.

Ideal users: Players who want to integrate bleed into their straight sword-oriented gameplay.

Avoid if: You prioritize raw damage output.

Explanation: The Barbed Straight Sword provides added pressure to opponents with its bleed buildup potential, creating opportunities for additional damage while maintaining the advantages of a straight sword.

24. Sunlight Straight Sword:

Sunlight Straight Sword

Pros: Integrated Sacred Oath weapon art that buffs both damage output and defense, well-rounded scaling.

Cons: Higher FP consumption for weapon art and lower base damage than other straight swords.

Ideal users: Players want a balanced straight sword that provides a built-in buff for both offense and defense.

Avoid if: You prefer a straight sword with a focus on raw damage output.

Explanation: The Sunlight Straight Sword offers versatility and utility with its integrated Sacred Oath buff, allowing players to enhance their offensive and defensive capabilities during combat.

25. Millwood Battle Axe:

Millwood Battle Axe

Pros: High base damage, decent STR scaling, and unique War Cry weapon art.

Cons: Limited moveset and relatively short reach.

Ideal users: Players with a focus on strength-based gameplay wanting an aggressive axe weapon.

Avoid if: You need an axe with high elemental scaling.

Explanation: The Millwood Battle Axe is a powerful weapon for strength-oriented players, dealing high damage and offering an intimidating War Cry weapon art for additional damage potential.

26. Man Serpent Hatchet:

Man Serpent Hatchet

Pros: Persistent chip damage through shields, decent STR, and DEX scaling.

Cons: Shorter reach compared to other axes and underwhelming damage output.

Ideal users: Players who want an axe to counter shield-heavy enemies and capitalize on aggressive playstyles.

Avoid if: Your main focus is on damage output.

Explanation: The Man Serpent Hatchet offers a persistent pressure playstyle by steadily chipping away at an opponent’s health through their shield, making it valuable to aggressive players who look to shut down defensive opponents.

27. Follower Sabre:

Follower Sabre

Pros: Good scaling, versatile moveset, and Prying Wedge weapon art that allows for guard-breaking potential.

Cons: Lower base damage and less effective for non-poise builds.

Ideal users: Players wanting a curved sword that can break through enemy defenses.

Avoid if: You prefer curved swords with superior base damage.

Explanation: The Follower Sabre offers a dynamic gameplay experience by combining swift curved sword action with a unique guard-breaking weapon art that punishes heavily defensive opponents.

How To Get Better at Dark Souls 3?

Getting better at Dark Souls 3 requires patience, practice, and perseverance. Here are some helpful tips to improve your gameplay:

How to get better at Dark Souls 3?
  • Learn from each death: Dark Souls 3 is known for its difficulty and frequent player deaths. Use each death as a learning experience to understand what went wrong and how to avoid making the same mistake again.
  • Master the controls: Familiarize yourself with the game’s controls, including dodging, blocking, parrying, and attacking. This will help you react quickly and effectively when facing enemies.
  • Study enemy patterns: Each enemy in the game has its attack patterns and weaknesses. Learn these patterns and exploit their weaknesses to defeat them more easily.
  • Manage your stamina: Stamina management is crucial in combat. Make sure not to use all your stamina in attacking, leaving you defenseless and unable to dodge enemy attacks.
  • Upgrade your character and weapons: Level up your character and improve your weapons to increase your chances of survival. Focus on upgrading the stats that suit your playstyle, like Dexterity for faster weapons or Strength for heavier weapons.
  • Explore the game world: Dark Souls 3 rewards exploration with hidden items, shortcuts, and powerful gear. Take time to explore every corner and look for secrets that may help you in your journey.
  • Know when to retreat: Sometimes, it’s smarter to retreat from a battle and return when you’re better prepared. This is particularly true when facing bosses or challenging enemies.
  • Use the environment: The game world can be used to your advantage. Lure enemies into traps or use environmental hazards, like cliffs or heavy objects, to defeat them.
  • Vary your strategies: Experiment with different weapons, armor, and playstyles to find what works best for you. A balanced combination of offense and defense will make you a more adaptable player.
  • Be patient: Dark Souls 3 is a game that rewards patience and persistence. Don’t rush into battles or try to take on more enemies than you can handle. Take your time, learn from your mistakes, and keep pushing forward.

Practice these strategies, and you’ll gradually gain the skill and confidence needed to succeed in Dark Souls 3.

How To Unlock Weapons in Dark Souls 3?

Unlocking weapons in Dark Souls 3 involves finding them while exploring the game world, purchasing them from merchants, looting them from corpses or as rewards for completing quests, covenant ranking, or defeating specific enemies. Here are some general tips to help you unlock weapons in the game.

How to unlock weapons in Dark Souls 3?
  • Exploration: Many weapons can be found throughout the game world simply by exploring the different areas and keeping your eyes open. These weapons can be hidden in off-the-map areas, laying on corpses, or locked in secret rooms or chests. Make sure to thoroughly explore each area to find as many weapons as possible.
  • Merchants: Some weapons can be purchased from specific merchants within the game. Merchants will often have a rotating stock of items, so it’s worth checking back with them after certain events or after progressing further through the game. Merchants can be found in the Firelink Shrine hub area, as well as within different levels of the game.
  • Looting corpses: Some weapons can be looted off of enemy corpses or from corpses you find while exploring. These drops can range from common to rare, so it’s always a good idea to check every nook and cranny and defeat enemies for a chance at obtaining new weapons.
  • Boss soul weapons: Many bosses in Dark Souls 3 will drop unique souls when defeated. These souls can later be traded to specific NPCs (such as Ludleth of Courland in Firelink Shrine) who will then craft special and powerful weapons for you based on the soul you provide.
  • Quests and Covenant rewards: Completing NPC questlines or ranking up in covenants can reward you with unique and powerful weapons that can’t be found elsewhere. Make sure to engage with the different NPCs in the game and join covenants that align with your playstyle to unlock these exclusive weapons.
  • Farming enemies: Certain enemies in Dark Souls 3 have a chance to drop specific weapons upon defeat. In some cases, you may have to farm these enemies multiple times in order to acquire the desired weapon. If you’re after a particular weapon drop, you may want to equip items that boost your item discovery rate to increase the chances of the weapon dropping.
  • Trading: Dark Souls 3 features a trading system with a crow-like creature called “Pickle Pee, Pump-a-Rum.” This non-playable character can be found at Firelink Shrine on the roof. You can trade specific items with it to receive rare or unique weapons in return.

Also Check: Elden Ring Weapon Tier List (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What weapons are considered the best in Dark Souls 3?

Some of the best weapons in Dark Souls 3 are Murky Hand Scythe, Corvian Greatknife, Lothric Knight Sword, Long Sword, and Demon’s Scar.

2. What is a tier list in the context of Dark Souls 3?

A tier list is a ranking system that helps players categorize weapons and equipment in the game based on their strength, utility, and overall effectiveness.

3. How do you upgrade weapons in Dark Souls 3?

You can upgrade your weapons by using Titanite Shards, Large Titanite Shards, Titanite Chunks, and Titanite Slabs at the Blacksmith, Andre, located in the Firelink Shrine.

4. What are weapon infusions, and should I use them?

Weapon infusions are modifications applied to your weapons by infusing them with different gems. They can change the weapon’s scaling, damage type, or add special abilities to it. Infusions can be beneficial if they synergize well with your character’s stats and playstyle.

5. How can I choose the best weapon for my playstyle?

Experiment with different weapons and find one that feels good to use, matches your preferred playstyle (ranged, melee, magic, etc.), and scales well with your current stats.

6. Is there a way to respec my stats in Dark Souls 3?

Yes, you can respec your stats by using the “Reallocate Attributes” option when talking to Rosaria, the leader of Rosaria’s Fingers covenant, found in the Cathedral of the Deep.

7. How do I obtain unique weapons in Dark Souls 3?

Unique weapons can be obtained by defeating bosses, finding them as treasure, trading with NPCs, completing covenants, or transposing boss souls.

8. How many times can I upgrade a weapon in Dark Souls 3?

You can upgrade a weapon up to +10 using a Titanite Slab for the final upgrade.

9. Which weapon infusions are considered the best in Dark Souls 3?

Refined, Sharp, and Heavy infusions tend to be the best for physical damage due to their improved scaling with stats.

10. What are the differences between the different weapon classes in Dark Souls 3?

Each weapon class has unique movesets, attack speed, damage output, and scaling with stats, allowing them to cater to different playstyles and build strategies.

11. How important are weapon skills in Dark Souls 3?

Weapon skills can be an essential part of a weapon’s utility, providing additional moves, damage, or buffs that can complement your playstyle.

12. Can I dual-wield weapons in Dark Souls 3? 

Yes, you can dual-wield weapons by equipping a weapon in each hand. This can allow for the use of unique weapon combinations and higher damage output.

13. What’s the difference between infusing a weapon with a gem and buffing it with a spell or resin?

Infusing a weapon with a gem permanently changes its scaling and/or damage type, while buffing with a spell or resin temporarily adds elemental damage or a specific effect to the weapon for a short period.

14. How do I find and equip new weapons in Dark Souls 3?

You can find new weapons by exploring the game world, defeating enemies, looting chests, or purchasing them from vendors. To equip a new weapon, go to the equipment menu, select an available hand slot, and choose the desired weapon.

15. How do I improve my weapon’s scaling in Dark Souls 3?

To improve a weapon’s scaling, you can infuse it with a gem that correlates with the desired scaling stat (Sharp for Dexterity, Heavy for Strength, etc.) at the blacksmith, Andre.

16. What are boss weapons in Dark Souls 3?

Boss weapons are unique weapons made by using the souls of defeated bosses in a process called Transposition, which requires the Transposing Kiln obtained by defeating the Curse-rotted Greatwood.

17. Can I trade or share weapons with other players in Dark Souls 3?

Yes, you can drop weapons for other players to pick up when playing in multiplayer. However, the weapon’s upgrade level must be equal to or lower than the receiving player’s highest upgraded weapon.

18. What do the letter grades (S, A, B, C, D, E) represent for weapon scaling?

The letter grades represent the effectiveness of a weapon’s scaling with specific stats. S is the best, A and B are strong, C and D are average, and E is the weakest.

19. Can I use more than one weapon at a time in Dark Souls 3?

Yes, you can have multiple weapons equipped in your hand slots, allowing you to switch between them during combat.

20. How do I learn new weapon skills in Dark Souls 3?

Weapon skills are unique to each weapon, so to learn a new weapon skill, you need to find and equip a weapon that has the desired skill.

Conclusion

The world of Dark Souls 3 presents players with a vast array of weapons to suit every play style and preference. Our comprehensive tier list for 2024 is designed to help you make the best choice for your character build and playstyle by ranking the weapons in terms of their overall performance, versatility, and usefulness. Remember that experimenting with different weapons and finding a setup that works best for you is the key to enjoying your adventure in Lothric.

As the game continues to grow older and as players devise new strategies and techniques, some weapon rankings may shift over time, making it exciting to test new builds and loadouts. So, don’t hesitate to explore and discover the possibilities hidden within the rich arsenal of Dark Souls 3. Happy hunting, Ashen One!

Author

  • Ashish Arya

    I'm a tech enthusiast and lifelong gamer, hailing from the beautiful city of Chandigarh. My passions range from immersing myself in worlds like GTA V, COD, SIMS, Roblox and Minecraft to exploring the latest innovations in laptops and technology. Armed with a Bachelors Degree in Computer Application, I love sharing my insights through writing and engaging with fellow enthusiasts. Join me on my journey through the ever-evolving realms of gaming and tech!