One doesn't really 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.
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The combat is one of the many facets that makes Dark Souls great, with the sheer number of weapons that one can equip being quite extensive. However, depending on whether the player is going for a Strength or Dexterity build, the selection of weapons needs to change accordingly.
Updated December 15, 2020, by Reyadh Rahaman: The variety of weapons available further branches beyond being classified as ones better for Strength or Dexterity, as there are swords, axes, spears, and much more! The largest and heaviest implements of battle are usually, and understandably, meant for those looking to hit their adversaries really, really hard. Strength weapons are all about poising through weak enemy blows in order to bring down a veritable mass of wood, metal, or even bone onto the heads of hollows and any other creature foolish enough to stand in the Chosen Undead's way. If the player is pursuing a Strength build, then here are the ten weapons they can equip to make their trek through Dark Souls easier… and more epic to boot.
Updated August 6, 2021, by Ritwik Mitra: Most players end up going through Dark Souls with a Strength build, and it's easy to see why this is the case. The weapons that players can wield by using this build end up hitting for a ton of damage with powerful weapons that can potentially one-shot most enemies with ease! Of course, the true potential of a Dark Souls Strength build comes with the use of the appropriate weapons that scale properly with a player's Strength stat. Keeping this in mind, here are some of the best Dark Souls Strength weapons that will prove to be a massive help in battle.
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.
15 Reinforced Club
- Where to Find: Sold by the Undead merchant.
The Reinforced Club might not be the greatest Strength weapon around, but it's definitely a great option for players who are just starting out and don't want to grind or put themselves in a sticky situation in order to gain a particular weapon.
Keeping that in mind, it must be said that the Reinforced Club is definitely a great weapon to opt for in this regard. Players can genuinely finish the entire game with this weapon, making it a great early game Strength weapon.
14 Stone Greatsword
- Where to Find: Sold by Shiva of the East. Also a rare drop from the Great Stone Knight.
This moss-covered blade is most famous for being used against the Chosen Undead by the stone knights who guard Darkroot Garden as well as a few other places. Initially, it comes off as odd for it has moderate scaling in Strength and Dexterity, along with low scaling for Intelligence despite needing 40 Strength to even be wielded effectively.
However, it does magical damage in addition to physical, which can be useful against many enemies in PVE. On top of this, the two-handed strong attack casts a miracle similar to the Tranquil Walk of Peace, much like the one the stone knights use; a great way to slow down any invaders or adversaries in PVP.
13 Claymore
- Where to Find: On the bridge where the Hellkite Wyvern resides.
The Claymore is a great weapon that players can use for both PvE and PvP. The fact that it's found fairly early is definitely a huge plus for this weapon… although obtaining it is quite a task.
After dodging the Hellkite Wyvern's fire, the player can run for their lives to land right under this dragon, where a body with this weapon can be found. Upgrading this weapon turns it into an absolute beast in combat.
12 Zweihander
- Where to Find: In front of a tombstone in the Graveyard area near Firelink Shrine.
While the Claymore might be a great weapon in its own right, most people consider the Zweihander to be the superior greatsword for several reasons.
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The fact that it can be obtained even earlier than the Claymore — albeit through a suicide run of sorts — makes it an even easier recommendation, and the damage it can dish out in the early game is nothing to scoff at either.
11 Gravelord Sword
- Where to Find: Join the Gravelord Servant Covenant.
As the very same weapon used by Gravelord Nito, the First of the Dead, this curved greatsword matches its reputation. Low Strength scaling and low base damage make many overlook the Gravelord Sword at first but when one realizes its other effects, they quickly change their minds. Most curved swords and greatswords exclusively deal slash damage, though not this one, as Nito's sword has a moveset that includes trust attacks which can be immensely helpful in corridors and for armored enemies resistant to slash damage.
In addition, this weapon is one of the only two in the entire game that applies Toxic build-up, which when peaked will last on the target for a staggering ten minutes at five damage per second for what will feel like an eternity of suffering if in PVP.
10 Dragon Greatsword
- Where to Find: Cut the tail of the Everlasting Dragon.
It is likely many are well aware of the power of dragon weapons in Dark Souls. The might of these everlasting behemoths lives on in the blades formed from their tails. Dragon weapons cannot be augmented and do not have scaling, which places a ceiling over their usability, though they offer plenty of other benefits. The Dragon Greatsword, which can be acquired by cutting off the tail of the Everlasting Dragon found in Ash Lake, has one of the highest base damage of any weapon in the game.
When wielded, it also grants the user damage reduction from fire and magic attacks as well as greatly increases resistance to all status effects. Despite being as slow as other ultra greatswords, the two-handed strong attack unleashes a fast vertical cleave that extends farther than one expects, making it ideal to catch nimble adversaries.
9 Demon Great Machete
- Where to Find: Sold by Shiva of the East. Also obtained as a rare drop from the Capra Demon.
This list could honestly fit pretty much every Demon weapon in the game — and to an extent it does — so it's no surprise that one of these weapons has made the list.
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The Demon Great Machete might be slower than most other greatswords, but the massive damage they can dish out with the greatest of ease can easily make up for this deficit.
8 Butcher's Knife
- Where to Find: Defeat Maneater Mildred.
It might seem odd to see a knife rank so high on the list, but veterans of Dark Souls will instantly recognize the power of the legendary Butcher's Knife. This weapon is a knife only by name — the Butcher's Knife has massive reach, damage, and an interesting moveset that will keep players guessing in PvP.
Another great thing about the Butcher's Knife is that it heals 5HP with each hit. While this might seem like a minor amount, successive hits can go a long way in restoring the player's health and conserving Estus Flasks.
7 Man-Serpent Greatsword
- Where to Find: Rare drop from the Man-Servant in Sen's Fortress.
The Man-Serpent Greatsword is considered by many to be one of the best weapons in the entire game, and a must-have for anyone pursuing a Strength build. This is mainly due to the fact that this Greatsword hits like a truck and can decimate enemies in a few shots.
However, the main reason why the Man-Serpent Greatsword is held in such high regard is mainly that the moveset is an absolute blast to use, making it an interesting choice for both PvE and PvP encounters.
6 Black Knight Halberd
- Where to Find: Dropped by a Black Knight who wields said Halberd.
Before getting to the reason why the Black Knight Halberd is such a great weapon, keep in mind that this weapon is absolutely horrible in PvP. It's incredibly slow, takes up a ton of stamina, and leaves players wide open when they miss a hit.
However, it must be said that the sheer damage output of this weapon is incredible, especially if obtained in the early game. This weapon can absolutely decimate enemies without any problems and is unanimously chosen by speedrunners to make their battles much easier.
5 Demon's Great Hammer
- Where to Find: Beat the Asylum Demon without running away.
The Demon weapons make another appearance in the form of the Great Hammer. The damage output of this weapon is simply insane, and is one of the biggest reasons why so many players hold this weapon so close to their hearts.
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This weapon could've easily been the most damaging weapon on this list, had it not been for another weapon of the same series that just does everything this weapon does… but better.
4 Great Club
- Where to Find: In Blighttown, right next to the entry for Quelaag's Domain.
The Great Club is a legendary weapon in the Dark Souls community. One look at the moveset and damage of this weapon is more than enough to indicate why this is the case.
While the act of finding this weapon might force players to roam around Blighttown way more than they would like, there's no denying that the payoff is more than worth it.
3 Dragon King Greataxe
- Where to Find: Cut off the Gaping Dragon's tail.
Many consider this regal axe to be the best of the dragon weapons, as it is one of the very few that can be augmented. This, combined with its monstrous base damage, makes it one of the melee weapons capable of the highest single-hit destruction in the game. It has a hefty Strength requirement of 50 to wield, yet the level-grinding is worth it if the Chosen Undead seeks a devastating armament.
As with other dragon weapons, the Dragon King Greataxe grants damage reduction to fire and magic as well as the usual status resistance, though the cherry on top is this axe's two-handed strong attack, which lets out a shockwave around the player for an excellent AOE assault.
2 Dragon Tooth
- Where to Find: Behind a hidden wall in Anor Londo.
There are few weapons that strike fear into the hearts of players as much as the infamous Dragon Tooth that was once wielded by the legendary Havel the Rock. In addition to all the usual benefits of other dragon weapons, Dragon Tooth can also be augmented and even scales, albeit lowly, with one's Strength stat.
Typical for great hammers, this fallen fang of an ancient beast does ridiculous poise damage and can stunlock foes into submission if the user has the stamina to do so. It's a great weapon for any Dark Souls Strength Build.
1 Demon's Greataxe
- Where to Find: Sold by Shiva of the East. Also a rare drop from the Taurus Demon.
When one talks about the Strength weapon that does the most damage, the Demon's Greataxe is a clear winner. A single shot with this weapon can take away chunks of health if not one-shot an opponent altogether.
This, coupled with the fact that this weapon has a solid S scaling for Strength, makes this weapon a highly viable option for any character pursuing a Strength build.
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