FromSoftware's conclusion to the Dark Souls trilogy is the most action-packed game yet. Sure, Dark Souls 3 reduced the overall difficulty to appeal to a broader player base, but that won't prevent many from struggling to beat bosses like the Nameless King, Pontiff Sulyvahn, and the Dancer of the Boreal Valley.
To aid you on your journey, we've compiled a list ranking some of the most powerful Dark Souls 3 weapons. Many of these weapons have learning curves but are capable of decimating both bosses and PVP players if properly used.
Updated on November 23, 2021, by Reyadh Rahaman: What traits are considered the most "powerful" is subjective. Some may find that speed and overall damage per second is the best thing to look for in a weapon. Others may believe that doing a lot of damage in a single, albeit slow, attack is the best approach to combat. As such, each Ashen One will become powerful flames in their own, unique way. Be it by deftly wielding a straight sword or cleaving foes with a greataxe, and more, here are some of the strongest weapons in Dark Souls 3, meaning they have potentially the highest damage output.
15 Wolnir's Holy Sword
Wolnir's Holy Sword has odd stat requirements for a greatsword, scaling mostly with Strength and Faith, but with 276 physical attack at its +5 upgrade level, it can be a threat to most AI foes. With a moveset consisting of wide horizontal and quick vertical slashes, Wolnir's Holy Sword is one of the better weapons for open areas against multiple weak foes.
Being one of the lightest greatswords in the game at 7.5 weight makes it easy on one's equip load stat. Furthermore, its weapon skill Wrath of the Gods unleashes a mighty shockwave that is both excellent for spacing and great to shove foes off ledges or into other hazards.
How To Get Wolnir's Holy Sword
This hollowed-out blade once used by High Lord Wolnir can be transposed from his soul, the Soul of High Lord Wolnir, if one speaks with Ludleth of Courland in Firelink Shrine.
Wolnir's Holy Sword Stat Requirements
- Strength - 13
- Dexterity - 13
- Intelligence - N/a
- Faith - 13
Tips For Using Wolnir's Holy Sword
The biggest draw of using Wolnir's Holy Sword over other greatswords is for its lightness and for its weapon skill, Wrath of the Gods. Combined with the weapon's wide horizontal slashes, while this blade doesn't do the most damage, it's more designed to out-space foes and possibly to push them into poor situations. For example, when invading, one can use Wrath of the Gods to knock hosts off of ledges in certain places, essentially killing them with gravity. The advantage of trying this with Wolnir's Holy Sword instead as some sort of miracle build is that you can two-hand wield a greatsword at the same time.
14 Exile Greatsword
This curved greatsword is a quality blade to pick up if one wants one of the highest damage weapons in the game. It may have fairly high stat requirements, but it is worth the investment at 273 physical attack (at +10 Heavy infusion) per wicked slash.
The Exile Greatsword's Spin Slash skill is one that can be found on other swords, however, combined with the varied moveset and range of this weapon, it grants the wielder great control of both close and medium-range battles.
How To Get The Exile Greatsword
Scavenged from the body of an Exile Watchdog on the Road of Sacrifices, this blade can be picked up pretty easily if players trick the two hostile warriors into falling down the nearby shaft with the ladder that leads to a Bonfire.
Exile Greatsword Stat Requirements
- Strength - 24
- Dexterity - 16
- Intelligence - N/a
- Faith - N/a
Tips For Using The Exile Greatsword
The best advice for using the Exile Greatsword is to focus on reading the enemy's movements to capitalize on their mistakes. Players will need to get closer to their foes than when using other curved greatswords, as the Exile Greatsword is shorter than most others of this weapon class.
13 Crow Talons
Despite the lack of range as a claw weapon and relatively low base damage at 168 physical attack (at +10 Sharp infusion), these many thin blades can shred a foe to ribbons before they can blink.
The most notable feature about this incredible Dexterity-oriented armament is that its weapon skill, Raptor Flurry, launches the user forward and lets loose six furious swipes that not only hit for great damage but staggers and applies bleed to the target as well.
How To Get The Crow Talons
The Ashen One can collect them from the Corvian Settlement in the Ashes of Ariandel DLC, just be wary of the unpredictably and deadly Corvian Knights who patrol the area.
Crow Talons Stat Requirements
- Strength - 6
- Dexterity - 19
- Intelligence - N/a
- Faith - N/a
Tips For Using The Crow Talons
While Raptor Flurry is a powerful attack, it leaves the user vulnerable both immediately prior to the damage phase as well as directly after. If the opponent sees this attack coming, and they dodge, they could easily land a few hits on the player while Raptor Flurry's animation happens. As such, one should land a hit or two on the opponent to cause them to back off a bit before launching into a Raptor Flurry to catch them as they are stepping back.
12 Crucifix Of The Mad King
As with other members of its weapon class, this skeletal polearm has excellent range and a moderate swing speed for nice spacing, albeit with a few openings for enemy counterattacks after each swing.
It has physical and dark attack for a combined 346 total at +5; a nice stat that speaks for itself. It may take quite a bit of Strength and Faith to wield effectively, but this is worth the farming or respecialization as the Crucifix of the Mad King comes with the poise of a greatsword, making it truly unique and one of the best from its weapon class in DS3.
How To Get The Crucifix Of The Mad King
After defeating Shira, Knight of Filianore in The Ringed City DLC, one can acquire this ominous and twisted halberd; an appropriate area for such a sinister and lore-rich weapon.
Crucifix Of The Mad King's Stat Requirements
- Strength - 19
- Dexterity - 10
- Intelligence - N/a
- Faith - 14
Tips For Using The Crucifix Of The Mad King
This halberd's weapon skill, Mad King's Folly, will randomly use one of three different effects. The first is a roar that causes those in front and to the side of the user to get pushed back, similar to the Force miracle. The second is essentially the same as Perseverance. Lastly, this weapon skill can summon a large, dark orb that explodes after a few seconds--which can also hurt the user. Since what is chosen is random, players will have to adapt to every situation by the second, however, this also will keep the enemy guessing and can allow you to take advantage of the chaos.
11 Demon's Greataxe
This weapon is a favorite among both demons and Strength builds in DS3 for its high damage scorching power. Combining its physical and fire attack results in 446 total at +5; a staggering amount, both figuratively and literally.
It scales mostly with Strength, however, also gets boosts from Faith and Intelligence, meaning that at a very high soul level (as in level 200+ with around 50 in each main scaling stat), it can do greater damage than most other weapons from the potential of three stacking scaling boosts. Its Demonic Flare weapon skill unleashes a violent AoE explosion that immolates any foe too close. To top it all off, the Demon's Greataxe also uses considerably less stamina per swing than any other greataxe.
How To Get The Demon's Greataxe
One can harness this awesome axe by transposing the Soul of a Demon when speaking with Ludleth of Courland in Firelink Shrine.
Demon's Greataxe Stat Requirements
- Strength - 28
- Dexterity - N/a
- Intelligence - 12
- Faith - 12
Tips For Using The Demon's Greataxe
The wielder will be able to unleash more back-to-back attacks compared to when wielding a lot of other great weapons. As such, one can overwhelm the opponent with attacks and keep up the pressure, possibly dominating the fight. Against many kinds of foes, players can cleave straight through them with this weapon.
10 Ringed Knight Paired Greatswords
This is actually two greatswords that have a combined power from physical and fire attack totaling 342 at +5, albeit heavily favoring the physical side. It is worth noting that this weapon unleashes its potential after successfully landing a combo with the offhand light attack (the input that usually parries with some shields). There is a learning curve behind using this weapon, but it's a challenge worth facing for some, as this is the only paired greatsword in the game and worth using if for nothing else than novel value.
The description of the Ringed Knight Paired Greatswords reads, "Paired black greatswords wielded by the Ringed Knights. The arms of early men were forged in the Abyss, and betray a smidgen of life. For this, the gods cast a seal of fire upon such weapons, and those who possessed them."
How To Get The Ringed Knight Paired Greatswords
Before the cathedral in The Ringed City where one fights the boss Halflight, Spear of the Church, there will be a Ringed Knight wielding these paired greatswords. The Ringed Knight Paired Greatswords they wield are guaranteed to be dropped the first time that the player defeats them.
Ringed Knight Paired Greatswords Stat Requirements
- Strength - 40
- Dexterity - 15
- Intelligence - N/a
- Faith - N/a
Tips For Using The Ringed Knight Paired Greatswords
Using this weapon will understandably require a lot of stamina, so be sure to invest one's stats accordingly. It would be best to get enough stamina to at least unleash a three-hit combo. The combo potential of this weapon is huge, as its reach and unique moveset will let its wielder potentially land a string of heavy hits. Furthermore, the weapon skill, Ember, can allow players to change up their combos with a few different moves to keep the enemy guessing.
9 Moonlight Greatsword
"Charge strong attack to its limit to unleash moonlight wave." The Moonlight Greatsword is one of the most desirable greatswords in Dark Souls 3 due to being a fan-favorite that has appeared in many past FromSoftware games.
It can be reinforced to gain physical and magic attack power of 364 total at +5. It is worth noting that with the weapon skill, if players can connect a blow with both the energy released and the blade itself, they will do a great deal more damage to a target than hitting with either alone. This is one of the best weapons in DS3 for Intelligence builds.
How To Get The Moonlight Greatsword
It is crafted by transposition using the Souls of Consumed Oceiros if one speaks to Ludleth of Courland in Firelink Shrine.
Moonlight Greatsword Stat Requirements
- Strength - 16
- Dexterity - 11
- Intelligence - 26
- Faith - N/a
Tips For Using The Moonlight Greatsword
As this weapon can deal damage at close and mid-range, proper usage can prevent enemies from escaping if they try to back off and get some space. Since using the Moonlight Greatsword scales the best with Intelligence, it would be useful to combine it with the use of a staff or another catalyst in the offhand. This would turn the player into a battlemage of some sort that can deal damage in many different ways.
8 Dragonslayer Greataxe
"Thickly imbued with the power of lightning. Use skill to draw upon the techniques used to slay the archdragons." The Dragonslayer Greataxe has a weight of 20.0, meaning it will require a lot of one's equip load to wield. It is the heaviest greataxe weapon found in Dark Souls 3.
With 500 combined physical and lightning attack, this greataxe is a monster and is arguably the highest total damage weapon in Dark Souls 3. Its weapon skill, Falling Bolt, essentially allows one to use the Lightning Stake miracle at will to bring a massive bolt of lightning down onto the head of an adversary.
How To Get The Dragonslayer Greataxe
Players must head to Firelink Shrine and speak to Ludleth of Courland to transpose the Soul of Dragonslayer Armour in order to obtain this powerful weapon.
Dragonslayer Greataxe Stat Requirements
- Strength - 40
- Dexterity - N/a
- Intelligence - N/a
- Faith - N/a
Tips For Using The Dragonslayer Greataxe
While hefty, the Dragonslayer Greataxe can take advantage of its slow swing speed by using manual aiming to roll-catch the more evasive enemies. Manual aiming is the trait many great weapons have that allows the user to alter the direction of their attack in mid-swing. Many less experienced players may initially interpret their swings going in weird directions as a bug of some sort, however, this is them simply holding their control stick in that direction after triggering their attack animation. This same mechanic can be used to roll-catch enemies by altering the direction of your attacks toward the spot where they are rolling to.
7 Morne's Great Hammer
According to the description of Morne's Great Hammer, "Greathammer bestowed upon Carim Knights who demonstrate outstanding strength and unwavering faith. Decorated by a ward of Carim Temple, and imbued with the twisted rage of Apostle Morne."
348 physical attack at +5 makes Morne's Great Hammer a heavy hitter. It is often compared to the Bramd from Demon Souls, the first game in the Souls franchise.
How To Get Morne's Great Hammer
One can obtain the Mourne's Great Hammer by killing Eygon of Carim in the Undead Settlement. He is located close to the lift that leads to the Road of Sacrifices.
Morne's Great Hammer Stat Requirements
- Strength - 50
- Dexterity - N/a
- Intelligence - N/a
- Faith - 30
Tips For Using Morne's Great Hammer
The weapon skill, Morne's Rage, will cause a small shockwave to appear around the user and will also apply the same effects as Perseverance, which temporarily increases poise and damage absorption. Use this as one would use any great hammer, including manual aiming tricks, while occasionally using Morne's Rage to buff and shove foes with the shockwave effect.
6 Smough's Great Hammer
This is not the first time we've seen Smough's Great Hammer since it was obtainable in the first Dark Souls game. Along with Smough's Great Hammer, Smough's ridiculously heavy armor can also be acquired. "Twisted great hammer associated with Smough, the last knight to remain at his post, guarding the ruined cathedral."
With 358 physical attack at +5 and high poise health of 32.9, Smough's Great Hammer is a useful weapon for anyone who can carry its notable 24.0 weight. It is one of the best weapons in DS3 for players who want to trade blows with enemies.
How To Get Smough's Great Hammer
On the second floor of the building in Irithyll of the Boreal Valley full of paintings and Silver Knights, players can find a chest that houses Smough's Great Hammer.
Smough's Great Hammer Stat Requirements
- Strength - 45
- Dexterity - N/a
- Intelligence - N/a
- Faith - N/a
Tips For Using Smough's Great Hammer
The best way to use Smough's Great Hammer is to tank through enemy hits by taking advantage of this weapon's high poise health. Combining this with heavy armor and the effects of the Perseverance weapon skill, which this great hammer possesses, will allow most players to trade hits optimally with almost any enemy at melee range.