The Dark Souls series is one of FromSoftware‘s most beloved titles. It’s also one of the most customizable games ever, especially the latest entry in the franchise, Dark Souls 3, which is filled with tons of outfits, builds, magic, and all the weapons you can get your hands on.
However, with all the variety, one would need to separate the good from the bad and what works with a build and what doesn’t. As an example, we’ll be ranking the very best weapons one would need for a quality build.
Updated February 5th, 2021, by Reyadh Rahaman: The term “quality build” refers to the character development strategy of equally leveling up both the strength and dexterity stats in order to achieve greater damage output on certain weapons. There are a few armaments that are naturally inclined to this kind of build, though there are others that need to be infused to reach true quality build potential. Over the years since Dark Souls 3‘s release, players have found a few weapons that are ideal for this well-balanced build.
10 Dark Sword
The Dark Sword is a weapon that looks simple enough but weighs a ton and packs a punch. It is dropped by Darkwraiths, which can be found at the High Wall of Lothric, or close to the Abyss Watchers boss door at Farron Keep.
The weapon was quite overpowered at release but has since been nerfed. Nevertheless, it is a great weapon that works well with strength builds and quality builds alike.
The best infusion for this sinister Straight Sword is Refined, for at +10 this grants the Dark Sword B-tier scaling in both strength and dexterity. Combined with its 198 physical attack, when fully upgraded, can lead to an excellent attack rating.
9 Estoc
The Estoc is an assassin class weapon (that is automatically given to players choosing the Assassin class.) It can also be purchased for 3000 souls from Greirat once released from his cell in the High Wall of Lothric.
The Estoc is not only great for players choosing the quality build but also a good sword for thrusting enemies with a shield at hand, or for close-quartered but not too close combat. Its speed, as well as its range, will prove dangerous to any foe in PVP or PVE.
As with most other quality build weapons, the Estoc benefits the most from a Refined infusion. At the maximum level of upgrades, it will receive C-tier scaling in strength and dexterity that goes nicely with its 189 physical attack. Despite being a bit weaker than the Dark Sword, this piercing blade is a fair bit faster and its thrust-type attacks allow it to take advantage of the extra counterattack damage exclusive to this damage type.
8 Farron Greatsword
Right after players have cut down their first Lord of Cinder, the Abyss Watchers, and maybe even attained a Dark Sword from the Darkwraiths roaming the area, this weapon can then be transposed from the Soul of the Blood of the Wolf.
The Farron Greatsword is an Ultra Greatsword especially good for quality builds. It combines a Greatsword and a dagger and has a rather unique and pleasing moveset as well. In PVE, its wide swing based moveset is especially useful for attacking multiple enemies at a time. However, it’s quite lacking when it comes to PVP, as it can easily be parried mid-attack.
As a unique weapon, the Farron Greatsword cannot be infused and can only be upgraded to +5. Though, when boosted to the max with the help of Andre of Astora, it gains C-tier scaling in strength and A-tier scaling in dexterity. This is a bit strange for an Ultra Greatsword, though is likely due to this paired weapon’s lightness and the inclusion of a dagger in the offhand. It should also be noted that the Farron Greatsword does 20% additional damage to foes and bosses who are tied to The Abyss. This makes it great for taking out some more challenging enemies like Darkwraiths and Pus of Men as well as a few bosses like High Lord Wolnir and Darkeater Midir.
7 Black Knight Sword
The Black Knight Sword is regarded as one of the best weapons in the game for PVE. Mostly due to its high poise stance and perseverance, which can be capitalized on to deal a good amount of damage to enemies.
Players can find this sword in the Smouldering Lake on a corpse. It’s also a sword with decent reach and speed, and among the other Black Knight weapons, it is merciful to the stamina bar. The Black Knight Sword is a dependable sword that can take you all the way to the end of the game if treated right.
With moderate scaling in strength at C-tier and dexterity at D-tier, a player’s stats won’t add to the attack rating of the Black Knight Sword as much as its base damage will. At +5, it possesses a huge 302 physical attack as well as a 20% damage bonus against all demonic enemies.
6 Black Knight Greataxe
The Black Knight Greataxe is another fantastic choice for PVE. This weapon can be attained as a drop from Black Knights wielding a Greataxe. That is if RNG is on your side. It is an excellent weapon with incredible damage, a variety of moves, and a wide range to boot.
For more reasons as to why this weapon is so great, its weapon art, War Cry, adds a 10% damage boost. It also naturally deals with 20% damage to demons, like all black knight weapons, making it a solid choice for a particular location in the game.
Much like the Black Knight Sword, this devastating Greataxe possesses C-tier scaling in strength and D-tier scaling in dexterity. However, its massive 350 physical attack at +5 makes it a fair bit more dangerous. The weapon skill also grants it a unique attack combo that bestows some hyper armor for a great way to poise through almost any attack while unleashing devastation in return.
5 Profaned Greatsword
After players have finally defeated Pontiff Sulyvahn, some would either use up his Soul due to the sheer annoyance and frustration of the fight or transpose it with 3000 souls to acquire the Profaned Greatsword, which is a fantastic weapon for both PVP and PVE.
It deals an impressive amount of damage, but the damage levels of the sword, unfortunately, peaks with a quality build. Nevertheless, it is still an excellent weapon to use before moving on to a better one for your build.
With C-tier scaling in both strength and dexterity, the Profaned Greatsword is pretty much locked into a quality build-only niche. However, its 294 physical attack when fully upgraded to +5 is nothing to laugh at. Especially when one uses its unique skill, Profaned Flame, to give it a natural fire buff that enhances its deadliness.
4 Claymore
The Claymore can either be attained from enemies wielding it in Irithyll of the Boreal Valley, or in the High Wall of Lothric near the firebreathing dragon. It is perhaps the most balanced of all the Greatswords with a mix of range, speed, and damage.
It has a great move set and works well with strength and quality builds especially. It has a wide swing that easily staggers and crushes weaker foes and a good thrust that’s good for fighting other players in PVP.
With a Refined infusion, the Claymore gains C-tier scaling in strength and dexterity at +10, as well as a sufficient 248 physical attack stat. This Greatsword’s weapon skill, Stance, is the variant that can break a foe’s guard with a light attack and deliver a devastating upward slash and lunge with the strong attack.
3 Astora Greatsword
The Astora Greatsword is the lightest Ultra Greatsword in the game, which gives players more flexibility when allocating points. It can be found off a corpse in the graveyard near the Cleansing Chapel in the Cathedral of the Deep.
The Astora Greatsword is a sword that generally favors the stamina bar. Like other Ultra Greatswords, it has a long reach, and while it’s better for PVE, in PVP, its Weapon Art can deal a devastating amount of damage to opponents. For quality builds, infusing it with Refined is the best.
At +10, Refined infusion grants excellent B-tier scaling in both strength and dexterity; some of the highest dual-scaling of any quality build weapon alongside the Dark Sword. 237 physical attack may not be much compared to other Ultra Greatswords, though its stamina-conservative attacks mean that it can unleash more of them without needing to rest for higher overall damage per second.
2 Exile Greatsword
The Exile Greatsword is by far the best curved Greatsword as it deals the most damage of any curved sword but at the cost of terrible range. Its weapon art, Spin Slash, is an especially useful skill that deals massive damage to enemies around the wielder.
The weapon can be attained from the Farron Keep and is held by one of the Exile Watchdogs. When it comes to curved Greatswords, it is the most used for quality builds.
B-tier scaling in strength and dexterity yields an excellent attack rating when combined with the Exile Greatsword’s 266 physical attack at +10 Refined infusion. This weapon, like many others in its class, is ideal for staggering foes and stunlocking them into an early grave.
1 Hollowslayer Greatsword
When it comes to quality builds, you can do no wrong with the Hollowslayer Greatsword, as it is the best weapon for it. It can be earned after defeating the Curse-Rotted Greatwood, via Soul transposition with the Soul of the Rotted Greatwood and 1000 souls.
As the name suggests, it is especially useful against hollows as it deals an additional 20% damage to them, which is a plus as most would notice, most enemies in the game are hollowed. It is also very adaptable as players can wield it with one hand and a shield, which is especially useful in PVP situations.
D-tier scaling in strength and C-tier in dexterity offset this blade’s power for game-balancing, though 264 physical attack at the max +5 is more than enough to slay hollows, as this Greatsword’s name implies. Beyond common hollowed foes, its damage bonus can be quite handy on certain bosses as well, such as the Deacons of the Deep and the later phases of Slave Knight Gael.
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