Dark Souls: The Best Strength Weapons, Ranked

One doesn't need to describe the monumental achievement that was Dark Souls. After all, the massive legacy of the game pretty much speaks for itself. From ushering in the golden age of From Software to inspiring a ton of modern games (indie or otherwise) to emulate what made it great, there's no end to the sheer number of ways in which Dark Souls has impacted the gaming industry. The combat is one of the many facets that makes Dark Souls great. The sheer number of weapons that one can equip is quite extensive. However, depending on whether the player is going for a Strength or Dexterity build, the selection of weapons needs to change accordingly.

Strength weapons are generally quite beloved by Dark Souls veterans, who love the idea of walloping enemies with their powerful weapons and seeing their health bars deplete in no time flat. Players need to time their swings with the majority of the best DS1 Strength weapons properly if they don't want to be caught out in the middle of a blow. This is easier said than done, but players who get enough practice in Dark Souls will eventually be able to wipe out most tough enemies without too many problems as long as their poise is high enough.

Updated on March 11, 2025, by Gerardo Molina: The original Dark Souls not only kicked off a massive franchise that keeps on giving, but it also introduced some of the best weapons in the trilogy—many of which also made appearances in the second and third installments. Strength is one of the most popular attributes in the Dark Souls universe, as it allows players to deliver incredibly powerful blows to their enemies, decimating them and melting bosses’ health bars without too much effort. Granted, most Strength weapons are rather slow and not ideal for those looking for a more agile build that allows them to get a couple of hits in before backing away to safety, but for all other players, they’re definitely the way to go.

Strength Weapon Upgrade Path Tips

• For the most part, players new to Dark Souls should go down the regular upgrade path for their Strength weapons. It's the only upgrade path to reach a +15 modifier and makes the most of the player's Strength stat to maximize damage with the appropriate weapons.
• Players who want to use a weapon early on and know they'll discard it later down the line can pursue either the Crystal or Raw Upgrade Paths. The Lightning Upgrade Path is also great, especially for low-level PVP, when most players don't have any armor with good lightning resistances.
• Aside from this, there is a slew of Magical Upgrade Paths that the player can opt for as well. Just keep in mind that the player's Intelligence needs to be at an acceptable level so that damage levels aren't hampered, thereby negating the effectiveness of a Dark Souls Strength build.

32 Dragon Bone Fist

Ascend A +10 Upgraded Caestus Or Claws With The Core Of An Iron Golem

Sometimes, weapons in Dark Souls don't need to be practical, with long reaches, huge damage numbers, and the like. Instead, the major part of playing Dark Souls — or any other video game for that matter — is to have fun and be as creative as possible just to see how far players can push the systems of any game.

The Dragon Bone Fist is exactly the ridiculous weapon players should use if they want to humiliate the enemies of Dark Souls. Punching enemies into a pulp and expertly parrying their attacks makes for a great time if players are skilled enough to use this weapon. Sure, it may not be the strongest Strength weapon around, but there's something immensely satisfying about using a joke weapon to embarrass enemies in a game that is notorious for its high difficulty.

31 Pickaxe

Drops From Infested Barbarians In Blighttown

Most people would assume that something as simple as a pickaxe can't hack it against some of the other weapons that are more flamboyant, in comparison. However, one place where Dark Souls excels is balance, and a player who likes the moveset of the pickaxe can very much turn it into the weapon of their choice if they wish.

The pickaxe is a thing of beauty in the right hands, able to pierce and destroy enemies once players invest enough points in Strength. Given how much players love to challenge themselves, it's easy to see why some people wouldn't mind completing a run using the pickaxe as their main weapon.

30 Hand Axe

Starting Equipment For Pyromancers

It's easy to write off the Hand Axe as a forgettable weapon given the sheer number of creative armaments players can get their hands on in the game. However, players who want to get their hands on one of the best DS1 strength weapons with high attack speed and DPS will love what the Hand Axe has to offer.

The swift attacks make it one of the best PvE weapons players can use if they want to hack down most enemies without too much of a fuss. It can be a bit boring to use after a point, but players who only care about ensuring that the weapon they're using is as viable as possible against Dark Souls' toughest foes will find this simple and lovable weapon to be right up their alley.

29 Gough's Greatbow

Either Talk To Gough After Defeating Black Dragon Kalameet Or Kill Him

Ranged weapons can be tricky to use in Dark Souls, and most beginners would prefer to just stick to melee weapons instead of doing anything fancy. However, if players don't mind experimenting, then investing in Gough's Greatbow can be a wise decision indeed.

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Taking out enemies from a distance is always a welcome bonus, even if players have to invest in a ton of arrows to ensure that they don't run out during a particularly harrowing run. Gough's Greatbow is massive, requires a lot of strength, and hits like a truck when upgraded to its fullest potential.

28 Warpick

Purchase From Andre Of Astora In Undead Parish

Despite boasting the moveset of a hammer, the Warpick deals thrusting damage and scales with Dexterity too. This makes it a better recommendation for a Quality build. Nevertheless, Strength builds can still squeeze out a lot of damage from this weapon.

The focus on thrusting damage means that players can use the bonuses of Leo's Ring to make things easier for themselves. It's far from the most optimal Strength weapon, but a great pick for players who are seeking out something new and interesting.

27 Club

Starting Weapon For The Deprived Class, Sold By The Undead Merchant

Dark Souls is full of fantastic and awe-inspiring weapons that are a blast to use. So, at a glance, it's easy to see why using a basic club may seem like a waste of the game's expansive list of the best DS1 strength weapons that players can use to great effect.

However, players who care more about utility than anything else know just how useful of a weapon the Club is, especially in the early game. Players can purchase this weapon for a pittance and use it to deal great damage, although missing a hit with this weapon can leave players pretty vulnerable. Some players have gone the extra mile and completed the entire game with this weapon, showing just how underrated the Club is in the grand scheme of things.

26 Morning Star

Found In A Chest When Players Drop From A Staircase In Firelink Shrine

The Morning Star is one of the most brutal weapons used in medieval times, and players who get their hands on this armament during their adventures in Dark Souls won't be disappointed. Not only does this weapon hit like a truck at early levels, but it also causes the Bleed status effect on unsuspecting enemies.

This means that players need only land a few consecutive hits on players to watch their health bars melt in no time. The acquirement of this weapon in the game coupled with its low strength and excellent viability in combat makes the Morning Star one of the best DS1 strength weapons players can get their hands on.

25 Giant's Halberd

Most Easily Bought From The Giant Blacksmit In Anor Londo

The Giant’s Halberd isn’t special in any kind of way, but it’s still a great weapon to use for a Strength build. When fully upgraded, it deals 210 Physical damage and has a Strength and Dexterity scaling of D at any level. It requires Twinkling Titanite to be upgraded, which is often hard to come by, but if players manage to scrounge enough of this resource, they’ll be justly rewarded.

The Giant’s Halberd has a 2% chance to be dropped by Sentinels in Anor Londo, and the same goes for Royal Sentinels. However, if players want a surefire way to get this weapon without having to spend hours farming for it, it can also be purchased from the Giant Blacksmith at the same location.

24 Stone Greataxe

Rare Drop From The Stone Guardian

The Stone Guardian is a powerful enemy in Dark Souls that is encountered in Royal Wood, an area added in the Artorias of the Abyss DLC. This enemy can hit for serious damage, so players should exploit its slow moves to take it down without getting too greedy.

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If the axe that this monstrous enemy wields interests the player, then they need to settle in for a serious grind. This enemy has a 2% chance of dropping the Stone Greataxe, which is one of the best DS1 strength weapons to use and something players can flaunt if the RNG gods are kind to them.

23 Gargoyle Tail Axe

Obtained By Cutting Off The Tail Of Any Gargoyle

The Gargoyle Tail Axe not only looks amazing, but it can also deal pretty heavy blows and help players make their experience much simpler. It is obtained by cutting off the tail of any gargoyle in the game, such as those encountered in Anor Londo and the Undead Parrish. The Physical damage it deals when fully upgraded isn’t the best compared to other weapons like Smough’s Hammer, but it’s still a formidable weapon. Some would argue that the Gargoyle Tail Axe is better for Dexterity builds, as the scaling stats for that Attribute are better than those for Strength.

However, it can also be used as a great quality weapon. One of the greatest things about the Gargoyle Tail Axe, is that is increases Bleeding, Poison and Toxin resistance. However, these do not improve as the weapon is upgraded. That said, this weapon can be a great choice for Blighttown, to reduce some of the harmful elements present in this widely-hated area.