5 Best Weapons in Dark Souls

Dark Souls retains its spot on the climbing wall as one of the most demanding third-person action-adventure games on the planet, and understandably so. Given the fact that FromSoftware poured just about every last bit of blood, sweat, and tears into building its complex combat system, it's a plausible status that many would gladly reinforce even today. The one thing that makes the Soulslike the powerhouse that it is—surprise, surprise—is its brutal encounters, most of which often come loaded with razer-sharp weapons going head-to-head for a chance to draw first blood.

Speaking of which, Dark Souls holds its hand out to quite the number of weapons, many of which come pre-built with their own strengths, weaknesses, and perks. Question is, which ones are actually worth going out of your way to find, and which ones are worth keeping buried in the dirt? Here's everything we can tell you.

5. Black Knight Greatsword

It takes a certain type of warrior to be able to wield a Greatsword and have the patience to unlock its true potential. On one hand, they're rather slow, and can require more time before making contact with an enemy, which is a problem in itself. But on the other hand, Greatswords boast some of the highest strength stats in the whole game, which means one well-placed strike can annihilate weaker enemies, smash shields, or whittle down chunkier health bars.

If you do happen to be on the hunt for a new weapon, then your best bet is the Black Knight Greatsword. Although slow and somewhat sluggish, its power comes second to none, and can quite easily pummel anything it so much as grazes. To get your hands on such a beastly blade, simply beat the Black Knight NPC after emerging from the Undead Parish biome. Alternatively, head to Kiln of the First Flame for a second shot at the Black Knight. You will need 32 Strength and 18 Dexterity to wield it once obtained.

4. Claymore

At face value, the Claymore won't necessarily strike you as being the most powerful weapon in all of Dark Souls. And it isn't, as it goes. But where it lacks in power it most definitely makes up for in flare and swiftness. Bottom line here is this: if you're one for speed and precision, then it's a no-brainer, and hands down one of the better choices you can make throughout your time in the dead realms.

The good news is, the Claymore isn't all that difficult to obtain. In fact, you can loot it from the corpse heading through upper Undead Burg. The only downside to this is that said area is guarded by the Hellkite Wyvern, a trigger-happy foe that'll definitely test your dynamism as you make a bolt for the Claymore. Pull it off, though, and you'll walk away with one of the best swords in the game, which will serve you well as you gear up to take on the later stages with even tougher enemies.

You will need to have 16 Strength and 10 Dexterity to be able to wield the Claymore blade.

3. Moonlight Greatsword

The Moonlight Greatsword is as aesthetically appealing as it is beastly in combat, which alone makes it a must have for anyone traipsing through the final legs of the journey. In spite of its unlock criteria punching a little too high for comfort, its elemental power and sturdiness definitely make it an asset worth savouring. That is, if you can not only defeat Seath, but also cut off its tail mid-battle, too.

If you're able to slice the tail from the crystalized boss in either Duke's Archive or the Crystal Cave, then you will automatically unlock and have the power to wield the Moonlight Greatsword. Just note that you will of course need 16 Strength, 10 Dexterity, and 28 Intelligence to match the criteria. You will also need to take into account its weight of 6, which is actually a lot heavier than most bog-standard swords and scythes.

2. Zweihander

As far as quality all-rounders with a lot of bark and bite go, Zweihander is an ideal candidate, and perhaps one that not too many will consider onboarding in place of other, more appealing substitutes. Needless to say that its lightweight design and swift attack patterns make it an absolute pleasure to work with out on the battlefield. And better yet, it also works a charm when wielded with two hands instead of the one, giving it double the attack power and range.

As luck would have it, the Zweihander can be unlocked relatively early on in the game, in the Asylum region. It is worth noting before you stash it in your inventory, though, that the requirements for wielding it are 24 Strength and 10 Dexterity. It also consumes 10 weight, which makes it incredibly heavy compared to most other greatswords in and around the in-game world.

1. Black Knight Halberd

Like most Black Knight weapon types, the Halberd comes equipped with one of the best move sets and attack power in all of Dark Souls. What sets the Halberd aside from its counterparts, however, is its ability to adapt and evolve as time progresses forward. It's also an absolute unit when up against demon enemies, too, which alone makes it well worth the effort of scavenging.

If you're interested in owning the best weapon in the game, then look no further than Black Knight Halberd. It's lightning quick, super strong, and essentially loaded up with all the boons you could ever want when facing Dark Souls' biggest and baddest bosses. The only issue is its rarity; you will need to slay Black Knights wielding a halberd to be able to ramp up your chances of looting one. Oh, and not to mention the fact that you will also need 32 Strength and 18 Dexterity to wield it, too.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? Are there any weapons you'd recommend? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.