Highlights

• Straight Swords in Dark Souls 3 offer fast attacks and versatile movesets, making them effective in both single-player and PVP.
• Personal preferences and player skill play a significant role in a weapon's effectiveness, so players shouldn't feel pressured to use the "best" weapon.
• Some weapons may have unique traits that offer unexpected advantages, such as the Shortsword's high critical hit damage and the Broadsword's sweeping strikes.

One of the most used weapon types in Dark Souls 3 is the group known as Straight Swords. They usually offer fast attack speed, decent range, a versatile moveset, and ideal scaling with certain upgrade paths. These noble blades can make parts of the normally challenging single-player game trivial and turn Dark Souls veterans into dangerous threats in PVP. However, it should still be mentioned that a weapon's true strength is in granting potential to the wielder, making its effectiveness reliant on a player's personal preferences, reflexes, and knowledgeability. There are a few that stand above the rest, in this regard, due to their unique traits that grant unexpected, yet very much welcome, advantages.

That being said, players shouldn't be forced into choosing the weapon of their choice simply because it's widely considered to be the best weapon in the game. All the weapons in Dark Souls 3 are viable in their own right and worth checking out for players if they want to freshen up their moveset. After all, some of the best weapons in the game may have effective attacks, but not necessarily the most stimulating ones. Meanwhile, other weapons look cool without being all that effective, and some players would prefer a moveset that looks more powerful than it really is.

Updated on February 8, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: Dark Souls 3 was a fitting end to the franchise, despite what some people felt about the lackluster level design and how the game retread elements of the first game. The combat learned its lessons from Bloodborne, being more fast-paced while still retaining that patented Dark Souls feel. Players who want to excel at this game's combat should focus on a particular weapon and learn its moveset as soon as possible, with straight swords being a safe and viable combination for players who don't want to take too many risks in combat.

17 Broken Straight Sword

Looted In The Cemetery Of Ash

• Damage: 140 Physical
• Stat Requirements: 8 Strength, 8 Dexterity
• Scaling: Strength (C), Dexterity (D)

Short of players trying out a challenge run, there is no reason whatsoever for players to even think about using the Broken Straight Sword in battle. True to its name, the blade is a shadow of what used to be a half-decent sword that has pitiful damage and range.

This weapon is great for players who want to punish themselves in a title that is incredibly difficult if players don't stick to an effective weapon. Sure, Dark Souls 3 is a game that is meant to be challenging, but that doesn't mean players should go out of their way to make themselves completely vulnerable in any combat scenario.

16 Cleric's Candlestick

Transposing The Soul Of The Deacons Of The Deep

• Damage: 115 Physical, 126 Magic
• Stat Requirements: 8 Strength, 12 Dexterity, 12 Faith
• Scaling: Strength (D), Dexterity (D), Intelligence (A)

Out of the many weapons in the game that deal magical damage, the Cleric's Candlestick is one of the oddest weapons that fans can check out in the game. Despite needing Faith to wield, the sword primarily scales with Intelligence to deal high damage.

This makes it an odd weapon that most players are better off avoiding. Still, players who don't mind challenging themselves while using a blade that doubles as a catalyst to cast powerful Sorceries will find the Cleric's Candlestick to be a decent weapon to stick to.

15 Morion Blade

Obtained By Giving Orbeck's Ashes To Yuria Of Londor

• Damage: 228 Physical
• Stat Requirements: 12 Strength, 17 Dexterity
• Scaling: Strength (C), Dexterity (D)

Dark Souls 3 is a game where it's important to maintain high health and not be in a vulnerable position. The Morion Blade goes against these two tenets, forcing players to stay at low health for extended periods of time if they wish to maximize this weapon's damage.

Unless players are confident in their skills, there's no reason for players to use the Morioh Blade in battle short of punishing themselves. Sure, the damage numbers can be addicting, but this fantasy will come crashing down in no time after a single hit from a weak enemy sends them back to the bonfire.

14 Lothric's Holy Sword

Transposing The Soul Of The Twin Princes

• Damage: 196 Physical
• Stat Requirements: 10 Strength, 18 Dexterity, 14 Faith
• Scaling: Strength (D), Dexterity (C), Faith (E)

For a weapon with such amazing lore, most people expected Lothric's Holy Sword to be one of the best weapons in the game. It's easy to see why most players assumed the same, given the amazing Weapon Art of this blade that unleashed a beam of light toward an enemy to hit them for serious damage.

However, players who form a build around this sword will quickly realize that the damage of this blade simply isn't up to par with other weapons. What this sword lacks in sheer power, it more than makes up for its range and Weapon Art, which makes it one of the more entertaining weapons to use in Dark Souls 3.

13 Shortsword

Sold By Shrine Handmaiden In Firelink Shrine

• Damage: 198 Physical
• Stat Requirements: 8 Strength, 10 Dexterity
• Scaling: Strength (C), Dexterity (C)

Despite its short reach and initially low base damage, the Shortsword can be an excellent early-game weapon that has seen most players through much of the game due to its low stat requirements and easiness to attain from the Shrine Handmaiden. The Shortsword functions much like the legendary Lothric Knight Sword in that it has a very similar moveset that combines slashes and thrusts while also possessing higher critical hit damage for deadlier backstabs and riposte attacks.

The Shortsword also has multiple upgrade paths that can be viable. The most obvious is Refined infusion, which grants the Swortsword unexpectedly high potential as a quality build weapon for its B-tier scaling in Strength and Dexterity. Even more unforeseen is this blade's excellent capabilities as a Faith-build weapon due to it gaining an impressive S-tier scaling with Faith when infused with Lightning.

The common Stance weapon skill is nothing groundbreaking, however, it can break a foe's guard sufficiently and open them up to a variety of attacks, whether they are normal ones or the critical variety. At the +10 Refined infusion, the Swortsword gets 178 physical attack, while with the Lightning infusion, it gets 94 physical and 128 lightning attack.

12 Broadsword

Looted From A Corpse In The High Wall Of Lothric, Hidden Behind Some Crates

• Damage: 234 Physical
• Stat Requirements: 10 Strength, 10 Dexterity
• Scaling: Strength (C), Dexterity (D)

Found in the same room at the High Wall of Lothric where Greirat's cell key is located, the Broadsword can be obtained fairly early in the game. This lends it to a lot of use from players who are looking for a weapon that deals primarily slashing damage. It sacrifices the thrusting attacks common for this weapon type in favor of sweeping strikes that are ideal for open areas and against multiple weak foes, which are common in the location where it is found.

This stellar slasher can be infused and upgraded in a variety of viable ways, as most paths will lead it to at least gaining A-tier scaling in one, or more, stats. It can be especially handy as a side-arm for pyromancers and users of dark sorceries, for both the Chaos and Dark infusions will offer up A-tier scaling for Intelligence and Faith simultaneously.

Stance again appears as the weapon skill here and can be equally usable as on other Straight Swords. After being fully upgraded along the Chaos path, the Broadsword receives 123 physical and 128 fire attack while receiving identical stats down the Dark infusion path, but the fire attack boost is swapped for dark attack.

11 Longsword

The Knight Class Starts Out With This Blade

• Damage: 220 Physical
• Stat Requirements: 10 Strength, 10 Dexterity
• Scaling: Strength (C), Dexterity (D)

Sometimes, players don't need to be flashy or flamboyant to win in this game. Instead, what matters most is to be efficient in combat and deplete an enemy's health as quickly as possible in the series. A weapon that's reliable, flexible, and can be used in a wide variety of situations is perfect in this regard. That weapon, the Longsword, is encountered early in the game, being available as a standard starting weapon for the Knight class and can also be purchased from Greirat. The sword can be buffed, infused, and reinforced.

It provides maximum physical damage of 309 points when fully reinforced and infused with a Raw gem. It also provides A scaling in Strength when infused with a Heavy gem, A scaling in Dexterity when infused with a Sharp gem, A scaling in Intelligence with a Crystal gem, A scaling in Intelligence and Faith with a Chaos gem, A scaling in Faith with a Lightning Gem, and A scalings in Intelligence and Faith when infused with a Dark gem. It also gives players S scaling in Intelligence with a Simple Gem and another S scaling in Faith with a Blessed gem.

The sword is a good starting item and will set players on their path to slay their enemies nicely. Players can use the Longsword comfortably up to at least the Abyss Watchers, but it is recommended to switch weapons to something better as they progress further.

10 Barbed Straight Sword

Looted From Dark Spirit Longfinger Kirk In Cathedral Of The Deep

• Damage: 222 Physical
• Stat Requirements: 11 Strength, 11 Dexterity
• Scaling: Strength (C), Dexterity (D)

Most people assume that inflicting raw damage on enemies is the only metric that the weapons of Dark Souls 3 should be judged on. However, given how challenging and strategic the game can get at times, it's easy to see why the Barbed Straight Sword is considered to be a great weapon that players can use to spice up the gameplay.

The fact that this sword inflicts Bleed is good enough for many players who love inflicting this status effect on enemies and invaders alike, especially since it's so satisfying to see a foe's health bar drop in a flash after players manage to slice them up multiple times using this blade. While the pure damage of this weapon isn't anything to write home about, the sheer entertainment factor of using the Barbed Straight Sword to decimate someone's health in seconds more than makes it worth the price of admission.

9 Astora Straight Sword

Located In A Chest In The High Wall Of Lothric

• Damage: 258 Physical
• Stat Requirements: 10 Strength, 10 Dexterity
• Scaling: Strength (D), Dexterity (D)

Found in a room in the High Wall of Lothric just above the room with 3 large undead and 2 dogs, the Astora Straight Sword is a fast-attacking straight sword that can aid players during the early stages of the game. In terms of stats, the weapon doesn't offer much giving 129 points of physical damage. However, its value lies in its fast swing speed and low stamina cost.

Players will find that the weapon leaves a bit to be desired when it comes to scaling and infusions, but players can make up for the fact by buffing the weapon with resins and such. The weapon can carry players easily to at least mid-game level. The weapon shares models with Anri's Straight Sword and fits well with the Elite Knight Set for cosplay purposes. For maximum utility out of this weapon, players can infuse the weapon with a Raw gem and upgrade it fully to level 10 giving them a total of 301 points of damage with no scaling. They can then use different resins to buff their weapons with different damage types to be effective against different enemies.

8 Sunlight Straight Sword

In A Mimic Chest Near The White Dragon In Lothric Castle

• Damage: 196 Physical
• Stat Requirements: 12 Strength, 12 Dexterity, 16 Faith
• Scaling: Strength (D), Dexterity (D), Faith (B)

There is no better weapon for jolly cooperation or praising the sun. On the surface, the Sunlight Straight Sword seems just like the generic Longsword, though this is far from the truth.

It cannot be infused, though upgrading it to +5 yields 196 physical attack and B-tier scaling with Faith. The strongest trait of one of the best Dark Souls 3 Straight Swords, however, is its weapon skill: Oath of Sunlight.

Using this skill grants virtually the same effect as casting the Sacred Oath miracle, which boosts the wielder's attack along with that of nearby allies as well as increasing the damage reduction for friendly individuals against all damage types.

7 Dark Sword

A Small Chance Of Being Dropped By Darkwraiths

• Damage: 220 Physical
• Stat Requirements: 16 Strength, 15 Dexterity
• Scaling: Strength (C), Dexterity (D)

Wielded initially by the dreaded darkwraiths who hunt down individuals for their humanity, the Dark Sword has an understandably fearful reputation. Much like the Broadsword, it possesses a moveset geared towards slashing attacks, though its rolling attack performs a thrust for some surprising versatility.

The ideal upgrade path for this heftier-than-average Straight Sword is appropriately Heavy, which leads it to an A-tier scaling and 203 physical attack when fully upgraded

An awesome feature of this blade is its Stomp skill, a weapon skill usually only found on Greatswords and Ultra Greatswords, which grants the wielder temporary Hyper Armor invulnerability as they unleash a devastating upward slash.

6 Gotthard Twinswords

Found On Black Hand Gotthard's Corpse Near The Grand Archives

• Damage: 200 Physical
• Stat Requirements: 12 Strength, 18 Dexterity
• Scaling: Strength (C), Dexterity (C)

As is common among paired weapons, the Gotthard Twinswords are capable of high damage-per-second. Also, much like its brethren paired weapons, it lacks defensive capabilities due to the inability to hold a shield or even a spell-casting catalyst alongside it.

Forcing its wielder to focus on offense is not necessarily bad, as these twin swords can unleash a deadly flurry of slashes with its Spin Slash skill. It has even scaling between Strength and Dexterity, making it an ideal weapon for quality builds, especially at +10 Refined infusion. It gains B-tier scaling in both of these physically oriented stats.

With 180 physical attack in every swing, there is no denying that these paired Straight Swords can unleash sufficient devastation on an enemy's health bar, especially to unarmored adversaries. Their fast strikes are hard to parry as well, making them a solid choice for PVP players seeking aggressive playstyles.

5 Lothric Knight Sword

Dropped By The Lothric Knight & Sold By Greirat After Going Through The Irithyll Valley

• Damage: 206 Physical
• Stat Requirements: 11 Strength, 18 Dexterity
• Scaling: Strength (C), Dexterity (C)

This king among weapons needs no introduction. Fast attack speed, combined with one of the longest reaches of the best Dark Souls 3 Straight Swords, high relative damage, and bonus critical attack impact results in one of the most powerful weapons in Dark Souls 3.

The diverse moveset of the Lothric Knight Sword consisting of slashing and thrust attacks makes it useful in any environment, especially when given a Sharp infusion and upgraded to +10 for 190 physical attack combined with a significant S-tier scaling with the Dexterity stat.

Stance returns as the weapon skill and is as handy as ever, allowing one to keep up the offensive pressure granted by the Lothric Knight Sword's many excellent traits.

4 Valorheart

Dropped By Champion's Gravetender & Gravetender Greatwolf

• Damage: 210 Physical
• Stat Requirements: 12 Strength, 12 Dexterity
• Scaling: Strength (D), Dexterity (C)

As a weapon that can only be obtained in the Ashes of Ariandel DLC, Valorheart is mostly considered to be an endgame weapon. Wielded by the Champion Gravetender, players get a first-hand chance to experience this unique paired weapon's potential. It cannot be infused and has a moderate damage output when compared to other Straight Swords in DS3, though its true power is in its moveset.

Unlike other paired weapons that utilize two offensive armaments, Valorheart comes with a medium-sized shield that completely removes the defensive drawbacks that are usually associated with such arms. The unique moveset covers many of one's attacks with the shield for much less damage taken, which results in many net-positive damage trades in PVP. The ability to perform shield pokes and thrust-type attacks also lets its wielder strike from safety while being able to land punishing counter-attacks.

Since it is a unique weapon, Valorheart can only be upgraded to +5, and when it is, it attains 210 physical attack, as well as D-tier scaling in Strength and C-tier scaling in Dexterity. Its weapon skill, Lion Stance, grants the capability to unleash a couple of special attacks: with the light attack, there is a thrust while raising the shield for a relatively safe strike, and with the strong attack players launch a shield bash that is accompanied by the roar of a lion.

3 Anri's Straight Sword

Obtained From Anri Of Astora By Either Killing Or Marrying Her

• Damage: 204 Physical
• Stat Requirements: 10 Strength, 10 Dexterity
• Scaling: Strength (D), Dexterity (E), Faith (E)

Although this Astora-originated sword cannot be infused, it still gains great potential when upgraded with certain builds. Rare among weapons, Anri's Straight Sword inherently scales with the user's Luck stat. This trait makes it great for Hollow builds, especially since it slowly restores its wielder's HP over time.

Much like Hollow-infused weapons, it deals bonus damage against hollowed enemies as well as bosses and can also prevent skeletal enemies from reforming after they've been shattered. Its lightweight and typically versatile moveset common to many DS3 Straight Swords means that Anri's Straight Sword is one of the best blades if one has a build-plan in mind.

Unsurprisingly, Stance is the weapon skill for this armament and is appropriate for the Longsword-like moveset of this straight-edged blade. Players should be sure not to ignore this weapon due to its mediocre scaling and average attack, as its other traits notably boost the damage dealt. When fully upgraded to +5, Anri's Straight Sword gains 204 physical attack and is slightly backed by triple scaling: D-tier in Strength, E-tier in Dexterity, and E-tier in Faith.

2 Irithyll Straight Sword

Dropped By The Outrider Knight In The Undead Settlement

• Damage: 216 Physical
• Stat Requirements: 12 Strength, 14 Dexterity
• Scaling: Strength (C), Dexterity (D)

Held in the frigid grasps of the savage outrider knights, the Irithyll Straight Sword is always intimidating to go up against, regardless if it is during PVE or PVP. It cannot be infused, though at +5 gains 216 physical attack for sufficiently dangerous hits.

With lackluster scaling in Strength (C-tier) and Dexterity (D-tier), this weapon clearly breaks the mold when it comes to close-ranged combat, for its frost build-up is its deadliest aspect. Given a very similar moveset to the generic Longsword allows players to unleash many easy-to-use attacks on foes who have no way of avoiding frostbite unless they continuously roll away. This allows the wielder of this frosty fiend to control the flow of battle with the threat of decreasing the foe's Stamina regeneration along with out-spacing that results from the Irithyll Straight Sword's excellent reach.

The Stance weapon skill is incredibly deadly on the Irithyll Straight Sword, as the potential for even more frost build-up increases. In fact, this chilly chopper of challengers is probably the weapon that makes the best use of Stance thanks to its innate frost build-up, relatively long reach, and ability to pressure the opponent.

1 Ringed Knight Straight Sword

In The Ringed City, On A Hill Next To A Locust Preacher

• Damage: 210 Physical, 20 Fire
• Stat Requirements: 17 Strength, 15 Dexterity
• Scaling: Strength (B), Dexterity (D), Intelligence (E), Faith (E)

As arguably the most powerful Straight Sword in Dark Souls 3, it makes sense that the aptly named Ringed Knight Straight Sword can only be found in The Ringed City DLC. With the longest reach out of all Straight Swords, it is ideal for out-spacing foes. The Ringed Knight Straight Sword cannot be infused, though at +5 it gets a solid B-tier scaling with Strength as well as minimal scaling with Dexterity (D-tier), Intelligence (E-tier), and Faith (E-tier) that make it even more potent at higher levels.

However, the Ringed Knight Straight Sword's unique skill, Ember, is what places it above other weapons in this class. This skill extends the already long reach of this blade much more while simultaneously buffing it with fire damage. Players can unleash weak and strong attacks while this burning effect is active for combos that result in nothing less than obliteration for most adversaries.

Its 210 physical and 20 fire attack make it capable of decent enough damage, however, the Ember skill buffs the fire attack by a flat 90 for 110 total fire attack, which allows it to scorch and sunder any foe who gets in the Ashen One's way.