Highlights

• Drake Sword: Painful to obtain, useful early game, not worth upgrading mid-game due to lack of scaling.
• Sunlight Straight Sword: Decent weapon, but involves sacrificing a beloved character in the game.
• Falchion: Great dexterity weapon, hits fast, spammable light attack can stun-lock enemies.

Dark Souls is easily one of the best games of the 2010s. An action RPG that offered a punishing but still fair difficulty curve, Dark Souls built upon the foundation established by Demon’s Souls. Where stages were linear and segmented, the world was now interconnected. Where bosses often favored spectacle and gimmicks, Dark Souls’ bosses emphasized mechanical variety. That’s really where Dark Souls edges out its sister game. There are so many more weapon options available for the player to use.

For PvE in particular, just about any weapon can get the job done while being reasonably fun to use, but there’s something special about using the strongest weapons in Dark Souls. After all, DPS is a huge factor that players should keep into account in these games, and players would ideally want to use weapons that can churn out the most amount of damage in no time at all so that most enemies don't even have the opportunity to retaliate.

Updated on March 17, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: Dark Souls is one of the greatest video games ever made, and it's easy to see why players love this series to bits. The hard-as-nails combat coupled with amazing level design and an unmatchable sense of achievement after taking down some of the toughest enemies and bosses around are elements that help this game stand out as one of the greatest action RPGs of all time. There are many weapons that players can use to make progress in the game, with some armaments being more useful than others to take out tough enemies and bosses in no time. However, there are so many weapons, and so many of them are strong, that several more needed to be added to this list.

28 Drake Sword

Cut Off The Tail Of The Hellkite Wyvern

Most people consider the Drake Sword to be a weapon that is extremely painful to obtain and probably isn't even worth it. However, this is far from the case, and this weapon is actually extremely useful in battle early on in the game if players are struggling. The damage is high enough to make an early trek through the game easier, but there's a catch.

For starters, the weapon costs a bomb to upgrade, and the incremental increase in damage isn't even all that worth it. This, coupled with the lack of any scaling, turns this weapon into a disaster midway in the game. It's important to switch to another weapon that adheres to a player's stats and helps them dish out a lot more damage to the game's tougher enemies.

The Drake Sword weighs 6 and requires 16 Strength and 10 Dexterity to wield.

27 Sunlight Straight Sword

Kill Solaire Of Astoria

Most people would be heartbroken if they got this sword since it involves the death of one of the most beloved characters in the entire series. Solaire is a wonderful character to interact with in a game that can be oppressingly hopeless at times, and any player who decides to kill him just to get a weapon is heartless. Of course, he can also die if the player doesn't help him out, which is a pretty sad sight to behold.

While the Sunlight Straight Sword is a decent weapon in its own right that players can wield expertly in combat, most people don't feel like the sacrifice involved in getting this weapon is worthwhile. However, with enough skill, this weapon can be a ton of fun to use, and the novelty of using Solaire's blade is quite fun too.

The Sunlight Straight Sword weighs 4 and requires 12 Strength and 12 Dexterity to wield.

26 Falchion

Found Along With The Wanderer's Clothes In Blighttown

Dexterity weapons are a blast to use in Dark Souls because of how fast they can hit. The Falchion is a great option in this regard, and any player struggling with maintaining a Dexterity build should use this weapon to make the journey easier.

It is a guaranteed find in Blighttown and hits swiftly, allowing players to wail on enemies before dodging at the most opportune moment. Many players hate this weapon on invaders since the light attack can be spammed to essentially stun-lock enemies to their death.

The Falchion weighs 2.5 and requires 9 Strength and 13 Dexterity to wield.

25 Smough's Hammer

Ascend A +10 Hammer Or Great Hammer With The Soul Of Smough

Forged from a +10 hammer or great hammer, 5,000 souls, and, most importantly, the Soul of Smough, the gluttonous grand executioner of Anor Londo. Most remember this titanic mallet from their battles with the executioner and the dragon-slaying knight Ornstein. In the hands of the player, it can be equally mighty.

Due to its massive weight of 28 and Strength requirement of 58, the highest in Dark Souls, Smough's Hammer will take some time to prepare. For those seeking to unleash huge base damage, it is an ideal weapon. Smashing foes into oblivion is very easy with this great hammer, especially with its rolling attack, which has a larger hitbox than others and can catch even the wiliest of foes. On top of this, it heals the wielder for 10 HP per attack that lands. Nominal, but can be handy in a pinch.

Smough's Hammer weighs 28 and has a Strength requirement of 58.

24 Ricard's Rapier

Kill Ricard The Archer

Ricard's Rapier is far from the easiest weapon to wield in the game. Rapiers, in general, have tricky movesets to master, which can make it rather hard for players already struggling with a game to get a hang of this tough weapon.

However, veterans of Dark Souls love Ricard's Rapier because of its incredibly powerful charged R2 attack. It can be chained to unleash a total of seven stabs that will take out most enemies if they all hit their mark. However, it's very easy to get locked in this animation, making it easy for players to dodge and counter if their opponent telegraphs this move.

Ricard's Rapier weighs 2 and requires 8 Strength and 20 Dexterity to wield.

23 Silver Knight Straight Sword

Rare Drop From Silver Knights

The Silver Knights are some of the toughest enemies in Dark Souls, and they will annoy players time and time again as they make their way through Anor Londo. Both the archers and the knights with melee weapons take no prisoners, and players will need to upgrade their equipment quite a bit to even stand a chance of beating these foes.

If players are lucky, then they'll be lucky enough for one of these enemies to drop a Silver Knight Straight Sword, which is one of the rarest drops in the entire game. Most players tear their hair out trying to farm this weapon, so those fortunate enough to get their hands on this blade will be more than happy to test it out against the very enemy they looted it from.

The Silver Knight Straight Sword weighs 6 and requires 16 Strength and 22 Dexterity to wield.

22 Painting Guardian Sword

Rare Drop From Painting Guardians

The Painted World of Ariamis is one of the best optional locations in Dark Souls, looking absolutely beautiful and having a huge part to play in the series' lore. To reach this world, players will need to fight against numerous Painting Guardians in Anor Londo.

These enemies are pretty easy, but it's what they can potentially drop that makes them such valuable foes to fight for many players. They have a chance of dropping the Painting Guardian Sword, which boasts some of the highest DPS of any dexterity-focused weapon in the game. This comes at the cost of low reach, so players need to get up close and personal with their enemies to make the most of this blade.

Painting Guardian Sword weighs 1.5 and requires 7 Strength and 20 Dexterity to wield.

21 Dragon King Greataxe

Cut Off The Tail Of The Gaping Dragon

Those familiar with dragons in the first Dark Souls game are likely well aware of tail-cut weapons: arms that can be harvested by doing enough damage to a draconic foe's tail for it to be destroyed. The Dragon King Greataxe is arguably the most powerful, at least in terms of single-hit damage potential. It can be obtained from the Gaping Dragon.

Like all dragon weapons, this huge axe grants one increased resistance to fire and magic damage and comes with a unique two-handed strong attack, one that sends out a savage shockwave from the player in a devastating AOE attack. However, uncharacteristic of a dragon weapon, the Dragon King Greataxe can be upgraded, further increasing the sheer amount of raw damage that can be used to bifurcate any obstacle.

The Dragon King Greataxe weighs 24 and requires 50 Strength and 8 Dexterity to wield.

20 Demon's Spear

Sold By Shiva Of The East For 15,000 Souls

Wielded, and possibly dropped, by the batwing demons of fleshy gargoyle-like nature that fly about Anor Londo, this wicked spear was created from the bones of their kin and holds shocking strength. As one of the longest spears in Dark Souls, the Demon's Spear can keep a great number of foes at bay, though there are greater reasons to consider this as one's weapon of choice.

This piercing pole deals both thrust and lightning damage. Two of the best offensive damaging types in the game, particularly on bosses and tougher foes. It also scales moderately well with both Strength and Dexterity, making it an able companion for many builds.

The Demon's Spear has a weight of 4 and requires 12 Strength and 10 Dexterity to wield.

19 Astora's Straight Sword

In Front Of The Undead Dragon In The Valley Of Drakes

While it's all well and good to go for tried-and-tested builds with a variety of options to help players excel at the game, there are many veterans who love to pursue builds revolving around intelligence and faith. For these players, the pool of weapons they can test out is limited, which is why Astora's Straight Sword can prove to be extremely useful for them.

Players who use the Master Key can get this weapon in record time, helping Clerics and other such builds vanquish most enemies in the game without too much trouble. Given how much of a struggle it can be to use Faith properly in the game, fans are glad to see that weapons like Astora's Straight Sword can save them from a tight spot.

Astora's Straight Sword weighs 3 and requires 10 Strength, 10 Dexterity, and 14 Faith to wield.

18 Dragon Tooth

Behind A Hidden Wall In Anor Londo

This weapon is the last thing most new players see as they descend that fated, curved stairway leading to where a warrior in Havel's set awaits. A single swing from the colossal club, Dragon Tooth, has been the end of countless players. There are few other weapons that deal more poise damage than this massive fang hewn from the mouth of an everlasting dragon.

As with other weapons born from the death of a drake, Dragon Tooth grants its wielder greater defense against fire and magic damage. Strange for this class of combat equipment, it can be upgraded to enhance its already deadly potential. Blows from this behemoth cannot be parried, or blocked efficiently, making it an eternal offensive threat to all enemies.

The Dragon Tooth weighs 18 and has a Strength requirement of 40.

17 Quelaag's Furysword

Ascend A +10 Curved Sword Or Curved Greatsword With The Soul Of Quelaag

Many people write off Quelaag's Furysword as nothing more than a situational weapon, which is a shame. While it's true that this weapon loses its edge in both the Demon Ruins and Lost Izalith, that doesn't mean this weapon is completely useless in any way, shape, or form.

In fact, the majority of areas in Dark Souls are completely trivialized by the high damage of this weapon. Along with this, the fact that players carry around a flame-wreathed sword makes for a pretty cool sight as well!

Quelaag's Furysword weighs 3.5 and requires 11 Strength and 13 Dexterity to wield.

16 Flamberge

Purchase From Shiva Of The East; Also A Rare Drop From Serpent Mages

One of the most unique-looking weapons in the game, the Flamberge's wavy shape makes it one of the more eccentric weapons that Dark Souls veterans can bring into battle. Given how popular Dexterity is among Dark Souls fans, it's easy to see why this blade was such an instant hit with fans.

While the strength requirement for this weapon can catch some people off-guard, it's a small price to pay for a blade that is very fun to wield in combat. Sure, the moveset may not be anything special, but Fashion Souls is something fans take seriously, and this blade is perfect for players who want to enjoy a unique look to traipse around in.

The Flamberge weighs 6 and requires 16 Strength and 14 Dexterity to wield.

15 Washing Pole

Purchase From Shiva Of The East

For a katana, it's ridiculous just how long the Washing Pole is. Fans can channel their inner Sephiroth as they use the reach of this blade to take out enemies from a distance without breaking a sweat.

Sure, the slow attacks may turn some people off of using the Washing Pole, but PvP veterans know just how important it is to abuse reach in battle. The Washing Pole is perfect in this regard, and ensures that players can take out a multitude of enemies with a few swift combos.

The Washing Pole weighs 8 and requires 20 Strength and 16 Dexterity to wield.

14 Murakumo

Kill Shiva Of The East

The Murakumo is a great curved greatsword, but it has a catch. Despite being a weapon that scales with Dexterity, the Murakumo requires a whopping 28 points in Strength before players can even wield it!

This makes it really hard to recommend this weapon for Dexterity builds, but investing in these stats is worth it just to see the Murakumo in its full glory. The long range of this weapon means that players can stay out of harm's way and batter their enemies with this massive weapon.

The Murakumo weighs 12 and requires 28 Strength and 13 Dexterity to wield.

13 Uchigatana

Kill The Undead Merchant In The Undead Burg

A great starting weapon of choice for Dexterity builds, the Uchigatana can prove to be a massive boon against enemies early on if players are struggling. This weapon hits hard and fast, allowing players to exploit those dodge windows without worrying about a limited offense.

Over time, this katana can end up feeling rather weak compared to the many other Dexterity weapons in the game. However, players who are smart when it comes to upgrading this weapon will decimate most enemies with ease!

The Uchigatana weighs 5 and requires 14 Strength and 14 Dexterity to wield.

12 Demon's Greataxe

Sold By Shiva Of The East For 10,000 Souls

This weapon is one that can be missed pretty easily, as it is an uncommon item that drops after beating the mighty Taurus Demon. Demonic weapons, like their former masters, and known for great potency of flame and fury. Powerful allies for one seeking to smite adversaries with a flurry of annihilating assaults.

The Demon's Greataxe may have short range but is swung surprisingly fast for its size and weight. The most notable feature, however, is the potential to be the strongest weapon in Dark Souls for high-level Strength builds. It can be upgraded to +15 and gains S-class damage scaling from one's Strength stat, making its damage output insane.

The Demon's Spear has a weight of 22 and requires 46 Strength.

11 Black Knight Greataxe

Rare Drop From Axe-Wielding Black Knights

Black Knight weapons are incredibly rare drops, but one of them is bound to drop sooner rather than later. The Black Knight Greataxe may not be the best weapon in Dark Souls, but it more than pulls its weight in a fight. While slow, the Black Knight Greataxe hits incredibly hard and has surprisingly good reach.

With the right timing, tearing down enemies with the Black Knight Greataxe is no problem. It’s an especially useful weapon for Dark Souls bosses with larger health pools. Of course, its speed is a bit of a problem, but that’s really the only major point against the Black Knight Greataxe.

The Black Knight Greataxe's weight is 16, while players need to have 36 Strength and 18 Dexterity to effectively use this weapon.

10 Lifehunt Scythe

Ascend A +10 Scythe, Whip, Or Halberd With The Soul Of Priscilla

Players can use Priscilla's Soul to obtain the Lifehunt Scythe, which is one of the most unique and powerful weapons in the entire game. It hits like a truck and the Bleed damage is the highest in the entire game, although it inflicts the same on the wielder as well.

This is why it's recommended to pair this weapon with the Bloodbite Ring, allowing wielders to manage the Bleed buildup of this weapon with ease. The running light attack is one of the best parts of this weapon, although some people may struggle to use this weapon efficiently in PvP.

The Lifehunt Scythe weighs 6 and requires 16 Strength and 14 Dexterity to wield.

9 Great Scythe

In The Catacombs Near The Second Spiked Rotating Bridge

The Great Scythe is an easy weapon to underestimate. It’s so non-traditional that it almost feels like it’s bound to make a mess in Dark Souls. It even clips through the ground in movement. At the same time, the Great Scythe has a wickedly delightful playstyle that keeps players moving and attacking almost rhythmically.

It’s an incredibly fun weapon to learn how to play, but it’s no slouch in a fight either. The Great Scythe can tackle most of the main game with no major roadblocks. The fact that the weapon has such a unique control scheme really is the main reason to use it, though. Few weapons are as fun.

The Great Scythe only weighs 5 and can be wielded with a manageable 14 Strength and Dexterity.