Recommended Endgame Weapons is a Dark Souls guide created by used Aierce. Please be mindful that the recommendations on this page are not "official" and they sum up to one player's opinion on the best approach. Therefore, please do your own research before committing to any one build.
- Guides like this one but updated to Dark Souls Remastered will likely be added under the page so keep an eye out.
Author's note:
I have seen countless "Best weapon" threads around the internet, and all of them were pretty inconclusive, so I decided to take it upon myself to find out what the REAL best weapon is. After HOURS of calculations, testing, and speed runs, I understood why these treads were inconclusive; the weapons are way too different from one another to even compare them. But, I still didnt give up. I divided the weapons in different categories according to their speed and damage. and managed to find a group of "Best" weapons for each. If anything, use this little "guide" to know what weapons to look out for as you play.
BEFORE YOU READ: Be aware that these calculations were made using a stat calculator as well as personally testing them with my own test character. In both of these cases, damage calculations were done using max stats (All stats 99). This means that if your character has all stats more or so well rounded (Str, Dex, Int, and Faith are all around 30), then these numbers SHOULD apply. In other cases I WILL post other runner up weapons at the bottom that are worth considering. If you are reading this BEFORE building your character then take into consideration that after 30 each stat gives horrible returns per level. After 40 any increase to damage is almost nonexistent unless you buy like 20 levels at a time. So I wouldn't consider raising any of these stats beyond 40 unless you're going for a max level character. Throughout this block of text you will realize that I mention some weapons before showing their stats. this is because before calculating all this I did a rough overlook to define the best weapons in each category. For example for the piercing weapons, the Estoc owns all the other upgradable piercing weapons by a long shot, So I didn't even consider the others.
Damages are shown in the following format: 720(378/342/0/0) This means that this weapon does 378 Physical Dmg, 342 Magic Dmg, 0 Fire Dmg and 0 Lighning Dmg, for a grand total of 720 Dmg.
Final Note: Notice that I did not take into consideration enemy defenses in this guide, which is something you should do. If you are using a weapon with 2 types of damage (refer to example above). Then the ACTUAL damage would have to be calculated against the defense of BOTH types of the enemy, this usually lowers the actual damage you deal. This is SPECIALLY true in PVP. Dual types deal roughly 100 LESS damage in PVP due to enemy defenses.
Recommended End Game Weapons
Table of Contents
Recommended End Game Weapons
DAGGERS
SMALL WEAPONS
LARGE WEAPONS
ULTRA LARGE WEAPONS
SPEARS/POLEARMS
CONCLUSIONS:
OTHER WEAPONS TO CONSIDER DUE TO SCALING:
Credits:
DAGGERS
I don't think many people actually USE daggers, but for the sake of completition, I'll Include them as well. There are only 3 upgradable daggers in the game, and the Parrying Dagger has a significantly lower damage, while the Dagger and the Bandit's Knife have the exact same damage. The only difference is that the Bandit's knife has a higher Critical Stat (147 vs 131). Because of this I won't include the name of the weapon in this section since it should be the Bandit's knife for most if not all.
- Normal: 303(303/0/0/0)
- Crystal: 327(327/0/0/0)
- Lightning: 310(154/0/0/156)
- Raw: 231(231/0/0/0)
- Magic: 350(138/212/0/0)
- Enchanted: 355(123/232/0/0)
- Divine: 348(137/211/0/0)
- Occult: 347(140/207/0/0)
- Fire: 312(156/0/156/0)
- Chaos: 319(148/0/171/0)
- Unique: Priscilla's Dagger: 315(315/0/0/0)
- BEST: Enchanted Bandit's Knife+5: 355(123/232/0/0)
SMALL WEAPONS
Small weapons includes Straight/Short Swords and Hand Axes as well as Curved Swords and Katanas and Piercing Swords. They all have more or less the same speed (Katanas are a tad slower and Curved Swords are a tad faster, but it's close enough toput them together. Piercing Swords are faster, but weaker and most of them are purely thrust). Since we are including so many different weapons, I will put 3 different ones if the damages are really close.
Additional Notes: for the Straight/Short swords, the BroadSword, DarkSword, and Sunlight StraightSword all have the exact same stats, so I'll refer to them as one (namely the Darksword because it looks best). For newer players, the broadsword is the easiest to get, so consider it as well. The Battle Axe totally owns this category... but since it is also the slowest, I will also include the Damages of the Washing Pole, Darksword and Falchion. The Estoc, being the fastest but the weakest will not be included because the difference in damage is way too large.
Normal:
- Battle Axe: 492(492/0/0/0)
- Washing Pole: 461(461/0/0/0)
- DarkSword: 455(455/0/0/0)
- Falchion: 444(444/0/0/0)
Crystal:
- Battle Axe: 532(532/0/0/0)
- Washing Pole: 498(498/0/0/0)
- DarkSword: 490(490/0/0/0)
- Falchion: 479(479/0/0/0)
Lightning:
- Battle Axe: 527(261/0/0/266)
- Washing Pole: 498(247/0/0/251)
- DarkSword: 454(225/0/0/229)
- Falchion: 454 (225/0/0/229)
Raw:
- Battle Axe: 379(379/0/0/0)
- Washing Pole: 357(357/0/0/0)
- DarkSword: 342(342/0/0/0)
- Falchion: 340(340/0/0/0)
Magic:
- Battle Axe: 569(228/341/0/0)
- Washing Pole: 537(219/318/0/0)
- DarkSword: 516(204/312/0/0)
- Falchion: 512(204/308/0/0)
Enchanted:
- Battle Axe: 579(205/374/0/0)
- Washing Pole: 549(197/352/0/0)
- DarkSword:533(183/350/0/0)
- Falchion:524(182/342/0/0)
Divine:
- Battle Axe: 568(225/343/0/0)
- Washing Pole: 535(212/323/0/0)
- DarkSword: 519(202/317/0/0)
- Falchion: 510(198/312/0/0)
Occult:
- Battle Axe: 572(234/338/0/0)
- Washing Pole: 539(220/319/0/0)
- DarkSword: 519(205/314/0/0)
- Falchion: 513(207/306/0/0)
Fire:
- Battle Axe: 532(266/0/266/0)
- Washing Pole: 504(252/0/252/0)
- DarkSword: 458(229/0/229/0)
- Falchion: 458(229/0/229/0)
Chaos:
- Battle Axe: 536(250/0/286/0)
- Washing Pole: 508(236/0/272/0)
- DarkSword: 466(218/0/248/0)
- Falchion: 466(218/0/248/0)
Unique:
- Crescent Axe: 562(249/313/0/0)
- Quelaag's Furysword: 529(221/0/308/0)
BEST:
- Enchanted Battle Axe+5: 568(225/343/0/0)
- Enchanted DarkSword+5:533(183/350/0/0)
LARGE WEAPONS
Personally, my favorite category. These are weapons that are larger than normal weapons (Player usually carries them over the shoulder) but are faster that Ultra large weapons. These include some greatswords and all curved greatswords.
NOTE: Again, the Murakumo totally owns this category, but given how hard it is to find more than one of it, I'll include the man-serpent greatsword or the bastard sword which are both relatively easy to find.
Normal:
- Murakumo: 611(611/0/0/0)
- Bastard Sword: 581(581/0/0/0)
Crystal:
- Murakumo: 661(661/0/0/0)
- Bastard Sword: 628(628/0/0/0)
Lightning:
- Murakumo: 626(310/0/0/316)
- Man- Serpent Greatsword: 610(302/0/0/308)
Raw:
- Murakumo: 470(470/0/0/0)
- Bastard Sword: 440(440/0/0/0)
Magic:
- Murakumo: 704(279/425/0/0)
- Man- Serpent Greatsword: 657(269/388/0/0)
Enchanted:
- Murakumo: 715(250/465/0/0)
- Bastard Sword:678(234/444/0/0)
Divine:
- Murakumo: 701(275/426/0/0)
- Bastard Sword: 666(261/405/0/0)
Occult:
- Murakumo: 707(288/419/0/0)
- Bastard Sword: 664(265/399/0/0)
Fire:
- Murakumo: 632(316/0/316/0)
- Man- Serpent Greatsword: 616(308/0/308/0)
Chaos:
- Murakumo: 640(299/0/341/0)
- Man- Serpent Greatsword: 622(290/0/332/0)
Unique:
- Greatsword of Artorias: 720 (378/342/0/0)
BEST:
- Greatsword of Artorias+5: 720(378/342/0/0) [It ain't one of the best weapons in the game for nothing]
- Enchanted Murakumo+5: 715(250/465/0/0)
ULTRA LARGE WEAPONS
The big shots of the game. These swords do the highes damage in the game, but boy are they slow. Once you get used to it though, you'll be able to tear through almost any non-boss enemy in 1-2 hits.
NOTE: This particular category was extremely hard to rate. The Great Club owns several upgrades, but you can get only one per playthough, same goes for the Demon's Great hammer. The only other possible choices were the Demon great machete, the Demon's Greataxe and the greataxe, and the greataxe owns it in many ways. Keep this in mind please. I was also surprised to see the Demon's greataxe own this category in more than one upgrade.
Normal:
- Demon's Greataxe: 712(712/0/0/0)
- Demon Great Machete:690(690/0/0/0)
Crystal:
- Demon's Greataxe: 767(767/0/0/0)
- Demon Great Machete: 746(746/0/0/0)
Lightning:
- Greataxe: 777(385/0/0/392)
- Demon's Great Hammer: 765(379/0/0/386)
Raw:
- Greataxe: 763(763/0/0/0) (Don't consider ANY other weapon for this upgrade, the Greataxe wins by 200+ damage)
Magic:
- Great Club: 808(327/481/0/0)
- Greataxe: 805(327/478/0/0)
- Demon Great Machete: 805(325/480/0/0)
Enchanted:
- Great Club: 819(292/527/0/0)
- Greataxe: 812(297/515/0/0)
Divine:
- Greataxe: 806(322/484/0/0)
- Demon Great Machete: 803(319/484/0/0)
Occult:
- Great Club: 805(332/473/0/0)
- Demon Great Machete: 805(328/477/0/0)
Fire:
- Greataxe: 784(392/0/392/0)
- Demon's Great Hammer: 772(386/0/386/0)
Chaos:
- Greataxe: 792(369/0/423/0)
- Demon's Great Hammer: 780(363/0/417/0)
Unique:
- Grant: 779(358/421/0/0)
BEST:
- Enchanted Great Club+5: 819(292/527/0/0)
- Enchanted Greataxe+5: 812(297/515/0/0)
SPEARS/POLEARMS
These weapons have the best range, kinda good speed, and defendable damage. I used them quite a bit in my early game. The biggest advantage being that you can use spears from behind your shield without having to break your blocking.
NOTE: The pike has better stats amongst the spears, but the winged spear has very close damage and weighs much less. If you are having weight problems and don't mind losing a little damage, consider the winged spear.
Normal:
- Halberd: 563(563/0/0/0)
- Pike: 451(451/0/0/0)
Crystal:
- Halberd: 608(608/0/0/0)
- Pike: 487(487/0/0/0)
Lightning:
- Gargoyle's Halberd: 638(316/0/0/322)
- Winged Spear: 476(236/0/0/240) [same damage as pike for this upgrade, but lower requirements and much lighter]
Raw:
- Gargoyle's Halberd: 438(438/0/0/0)
- Winged Spear: 340(340/0/0/0)
Magic:
- Gargoyle's Halberd: 659(270/389/0/0)
- Pike: 525(212/313/0/0)
Enchanted:
- Halberd: 670(240/430/0/0)
- Pike:534(187/347/0/0)
Divine:
- Gargoyle's Halberd: 662(267/395/0/0)
- Pike: 520(204/316/0/0)
Occult:
- Halberd: 658(269/389/0/0)
- Pike: 523(212/311/0/0)
Fire:
- Gargoyle's Halberd: 644(322/0/322/0)
- Winged Spear: 480(240/0/240/0)
Chaos:
- Gargoyle's Halberd: 653(303/0/350/0)
- Winged Spear: 488(226/0/262/0)
Unique:
- Titanite Catch Pole: 620(317/303/0/0)
- Dragonslayer Spear: 563(369/0/0/194)
BEST:
- Enchanted Halberd+5: 670(240/430/0/0)
- Enchanted Pike+5:534(187/347/0/0)
CONCLUSIONS:
There is no absolute best weapon, since it's mostly a matter of opinion. If you go for damage, then go for the Great Club or Great axe. If you are more of an STR/DEX build, then the crystal or Normal Demon's greataxe. For faster weapons go for the crystal or enchanted Battle Axe or DarkSword. Consider the Crescent Axe since it is also quite strong. In my opinion the best weapon for my build which is quite balanced. Is either the Murakumo or the Greatsword of Astorias. They both have decent speed and enough damage to defend myself. If you find yourself taking a lot of damage, then hide behind a good shield and use a Pike or the Dragonslayer Spear. I would also take into consideration the Black Knight Weapons... They are a LITTLE (barely noticable) faster than their counterparts, and look a LOT better. I would especially reccomend the Black Knight Greataxe, which has an incredible range.
OTHER WEAPONS TO CONSIDER DUE TO SCALING:
- Balder Side Sword (DEX)
- Black Knight Greatsword (STR)
- Painting Guardian Sword (DEX)
- Moonlight Greatsword (INT)
- Uchigatana (DEX)
- Velka's Rapier (INT)
- Ricard's Rapier (DEX)
- Butcher Knife (STR)
- Club (STR) [yes, it has an A str rating]
- Large Club (STR) [same]
- Channeler's Trident (INT)
- Moonlight Butterfly Horn (INT)
- Lifehunt Scythe (DEX)
Credits:
BIG THANKS to ( ) for most of the calculators I used. Thanks to ( https://darksouls.wiki.fextralife.com/) for information on weapon scaling and location. Thanks to for the additional note on considering defenses.
