Related: Here's What You Need To Level Up in Dark Souls. Strength Build Armors. A strength build is geared towards having heavy weapons that hit hard but slow while also having armor that limits quick movement but is able to take more hits. This build has also been referred to as a 'tank' build for somewhat obvious reasons. In Dark Souls, your weapon is your single most important possession. It characterizes and guides your build and upgrade progression. Weapons that deal normal, divine or magic damage scale on a specific stat (STR, DEX, INT, FAI).
Dark Souls 2 is a very different game from the other Dark Souls games, but that does not mean it is a bad game. I was not a huge fan of the game, but it was still fun playing through it. I had a lot of issues finding a good weapon to use, but in reality, there are a ton of great weapons that when you know exactly how to upgrade them, can be deadly to any enemy you come across. I have ten weapons on this list but don't be mad if I don't have your favorite weapon because everyone has a different style of how they play. Here are some of the best weapons in Dark Souls 2.
Related: There is an amazing guide to Dark Souls 2 that I found on Amazon if you want to check it out, and here is the link. Also, if you want to see a beginner's guide to Dark Souls 2, then check out this link here.
Zweihander
'An ultra greatsword, the heaviest of weapons.As the name suggests, the Zweihander is held with two hands, but its weight is such that even wielding it in this manner requires strength worthy of the blade.'
This is the perfect weapon if you want to have a heavy sword. Some say that it is overused, but that is because the weapon is soo good. If you can get it to +10 with Titanite, then you will be all set. It is actually pretty easy to find, but you must be at the Iron Fortress. When you get to the Smelter Demon boss fog, turn around and run straight, jump over a small gap and continue to the iron chest at the end. The chest contains the Zweihander. In SOTFS, ascend the ladder in the same area and you will find the same chest in another spot.
Heide Knight Sword
'Straight sword originating in Heide, A special alloy makes it very durable.The composition of the alloy of these swords remains a mystery, but in Drangleic the attempt to imitate it resulted in the similar bradden steel.'
If you like swords, then this is one of the best if you can fully upgrade it. It is upgraded with Titanite and is very easy to use. It is dropped by Heide Knight sitting at the base of the tree, located at the top of the ladder shortly after the first Bonfire in The Forest of Fallen Giants (not there in Scholar of the First Sin). It is also a very rare drop from one of the two red phantoms guarding the King's Door near The Place Unbeknownst Bonfire in The Forest of Fallen Giants in NG+ and above. If you can buff it with the Sunlight Blade, then you will be all set to destroy any enemy in your path.
The Mace
'A club fitted with a head crafted for battle.The mace is the archetypal blunt weapon. It has a primitive appearance, but also many advantages, including the ability to break the guard of a shield.Keep the proper distance from your foe, and this can be a very effective weapon.'
The Mace is probably the easiest to get on this list because it is the starting weapon for the Cleric class. If you want a weapon that has great damage all through your playthrough and also has great reach then choose this one. If you didn't choose Cleric, the Mace can be purchased from Blacksmith Lenigrast for 1,200 Souls. You can also find a Magic Mace in Huntsman's Copse. Go into the cave right next to the Undead Lockaway bonfire and find the item in a corpse. It is pretty easy to find.
Dragonslayer Spear
'A ranseur forged from the soul of the Old Dragonslayer.The spear of the knight known as the Dragonslayer was imbued with the power of lightning, and shattered the stone scales of dragons.Strong attack unleashes its latent power.'
Spears are always great weapons when it comes to Dark Souls because of its reach. You can take enemies out from far away very easily without putting yourself in too much danger. It is acquired from trading 1500 souls and Old Dragonslayer Soul to Weaponsmith Ornifex. You use Petrified Dragon Bone to upgrade this weapon and in order to leave the highest damage output, land the two-handed strong attack by having the spear tip and projectile hitting the target simultaneously.
Drakeblood Greatsword
'Greatsword wielded by the Drakeblood Knights, led by the honorable Sir Yorgh. The insignia chiseled upon its hilt symbolizes dragon's blood.To the Drakeblood Knights, fresh dragon blood was sacrosanct. They believed that by obtaining it, they could achieve a true understanding of life, transcending their own banal existence.'
It is a DLC weapon and is found in the treasure in Crown of the Sunken King DLC. From Dragon's Sanctum, at the bonfire with the two-legged mouth monsters, continue through the level until you reach the 'Eternal Sanctum Key'. Before continuing further through the level, look for a cave opening. Follow this path and the sword is on a dead body. You can upgrade it with Petrified Dragon Bone and is very deadly if you have it maxed out. A very great weapon to use.
Loyce Greatsword
'Greatsword of the Knights of Loyce.The Knights of Loyce were commanded to strike down each malformed terror that arose from chaos, and they would not hesitate even it if were their own king.'
The Loyce Greatsword s a very good weapon that is also another DLC weapon. You get it by trading the Soul of Lud, the King's Pet and 3000 souls to Weaponsmith Ornifex. It's 2 handed normal attacks is a sideways slash that is shared with some straight swords, and followed by the upward slash from many greatswords. Strangely, if infused with fire, magic, lightning, or dark, and have less then 14 in the respective stats, it will have a lower AR if it were not infused at all.
Fume Ultra Greatsword
'Ultra Greatsword forged from the soul of the Fume Knight.The Exile swordsman Raime had the ability to expunge the black fog, but chose to live alongside it, in company of the child of dark that haunts his sword.'
It is another DLC weapon that you get from trading the Soul of Fume Knight and 25,000 souls to Weaponsmith Ornifex. Coupling the ability to block an attack while attacking, and having high poise, will allow you to absorb two hits from your opponent without disrupting the attack animation. This can be very useful in PvP. Because of its high stability and reasonable durability along with decent reductions except for magic, this sword's guard is superior to most weapons.
Majestic Greatsword
'An ancient greatsword of unknown origin.This sword was passed down through generations, until it reached Gordin, wandering knight of Forossa, and was lost upon his death.Uncannily, every last one of the prominent swordsmen who inherited this weapon was left-handed.'
It is located in a metal treasure chest at the bottom of a cursed tower, across the chain bridge before you go to the Foyer bonfire in Brume Tower. It is reinforced with Twinkling Titanite and can't be buffed by any resin or spell. Use this sword in your left hand to use the moveset of the Abyss Greatsword from Dark Souls, as well as gain a scaling bonus. This sword has unique dual wield power stance moves like Knight Artorias from Dark Souls: Jumping overhead slash.
Sacred Chime Hammer
'Great hammer of the Royal Aegis.The power of the hammer's blessing has not faded completely, despite being exposed to the dark of the Undead Crypt.Unleash its latent power with a strong attack.Sir Velstadt, known as the Royal Aegis, gave himself to the King both in life and death.'
This weapon is acquired by trading in the Soul of Velstadt and 3,000 Souls to Weaponsmith Ornifex. Fulfilling all the stat requirements allows the two-handed strong attack to emit a spread of dark orbs after a small cast time, similar to that of Velstadt. These orbs drain stamina if they are not blocked much like all dark magic. It also has homing similar to Affinity, and the sigil of Scraps of Life, but the orb's landing location is fixed once it's locked on, unlike Affinity. It is slow but deadly.
Smelter Hammer
'Weapon wielded by the iron warriors that wander Brume Tower.Appears to have once been an axe, but in this terribly melted state it is little more than a great lump that crushes its foes by virtue of its sheer weight.'
It is a very rare drop from the Iron Warrior that wields the weapon itself (Also drops from the Iron Warrior using the bleed mace, such as outside the bonfire near Fume Knight). Encountered several times throughout the Crown of the Old Iron King DLC. Despite requiring 70 STR to wield one-handed, you can power stance the Smelter Hammer with 99 STR. If you want something super powerful, then this is the weapon for you. It is a little difficult to get so keep that in mind.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are hundreds of weapons to choose in Drak Souls 2, but there are only 10-20 that are actually worth using. My first playthrough, I only used the Broadsword which was a mistake in of itself. If you can, try to change up the weapons that you use just so you don't get bored of one single weapon. If you are partially through the game and you are thinking about giving up, try a different weapon and maybe you will have better luck. Just don't give up. Have fun and don't die too much.
In the world of Dark Souls you need to do more than just git gud.
Most players need the right tools for the job. And when the job is killing a lot of things, you'll want to do it with some pretty sweet weapons.
Now, there can be a lot to sift through in the game, so here's a list to help narrow your choices. Let's look at some of the best weapons to be found.
NOTE: I'm judging weapons mainly suited for melee-focused playstyles as well as how they would do generally in both PvE and PvP.
12. Ice Rapier
How to get: Dropped by Rampart Soldiers from the Crown of the Ivory King DLC.
The Ice Rapier has a good bit of notoriety amongst Dark Souls 2 fans, particularly if you use it for PvP.
Dexterity builds will favor this piercing sword, and its moveset focuses on thrust attacks that combo well with infusions and the Leo Ring for significant damage.
Its strong attacks also unleash bolts of ice that you can shoot at range.
When unleashed point black against an enemy, the bolts can stack on top of its normal weapon damage for additional hurt!
11. Crypt Blacksword
How to get: Acquired by trading Old Dead One Soul (dropped by the Rotten on a NG+ save) and 10,000 souls to Weaponsmith Ornifex.
Here we have the first of many ultra greatswords on this list.
The Crypt Blacksword has some pretty high requirements: 40 Strength, 10 Dexterity, 12 Intelligence, 12 Faith.
Considering when you can even get it, this weapon isn't meant for the early game, but players that manage through that will find themselves armed with a weapon that truly packs a wallop in PvE and PvP!
The Crypt Blacksword has a slow, albeit wide-reaching moveset. Plus, its two-handed strong attack can knock down enemies on impact. Its Strength and Dexterity scaling isn't all that great, but it boasts S-scaling on Dark.
Your best bet at making the most of this weapon would be to focus on Intelligence and Faith with a Dark infusion. It also has a resemblance to Guts' sword from Berserk.
10. Sun Sword
How to get: Received by offering at least 20 Sunlight Medals to reach Rank 2 of the Heirs of the Sun covenant.
The Sun Sword poses a fantastic choice to 'quality' (which means investing about evenly in both Strength and Dexterity) players looking to play with a straight sword.
This blade provides the highest Strength/Dexterity scaling of any other weapon in the category.
The Sun Sword has a fast moveset with a notable thrust attack and low stamina consumption overall. Plus, you can even pair it off with a shield for some delicious parries!
9. Grand Lance
How to get: If you only have the base game, then you can find it in a chest in the Memory of Orro. If you have the Scholar of the First Sin version, then you can find it on a corpse right outside the King's Gate in the Forest of Fallen Giants.
A Lance weapon favored by quality builds and just about anyone who favors powerful thrust attacks.
While its scaling isn't the best in the category, the Grand Lance is a great choice for players who don't mind going all-in on one attack.
However, it can also accommodate safer playstyles that prefer guarding with a shield while poking out with its extended range. A notable trick to using the Grand Lance is to not lock onto your target during the running attack.
Players who master maneuvering their charge (and stack Poise) can practically become unstoppable.
8. Rapier
How to get: Bought from Blacksmith Lenigrast for 1,000 souls.
The Rapier is a relatively cheap weapon that you can access early in the game.
It scales well enough with Dexterity, and if you're decent at getting off parries, then you can take advantage of its impressive critical damage. Its fast-striking moveset can help you lock up your enemies while boasting excellent stamina consumption.
As with other weapons, you can wield the Rapier with an off-hand weapon for higher damage or instead go with a shield for additional defense.
7. Longsword
How to get: You have a few ways to get the Longsword: bought from Blacksmith Lenigrast for 1,300 souls or dropped by Darkdwellers in No Man's Wharf. A Fire-infused variant can also be found near the Cardinal Tower bonfire.
For the Longsword, the name of the game is versatility.
While you're still leveling to get your priority stats up, this weapon can serve you reliably through several early game areas, especially if you manage to get the Fire variant.
Normal Longsword-users will typically favor Strength builds with smatterings of Dexterity, though the Fire Longsword allows for a greater focus on Intelligence/Faith.
Plus it has a fast moveset with a powerful thrust attack for poking at an extended range.
Overall the Longsword is a great, balanced choice for both PvE and PvP.
6. Smelter Hammer
How to get: Dropped by Iron Warriors from the Crown of the Ivory King DLC.
On top of being one of the heaviest weapons in the game, the Smelter Hammer boasts the highest Attack Rating (AR) of any Great Hammer.
This weapon brings 'hammer time' to a whole new level for any Strength-focused character!
In a fight, you have to commit to very slow swings in exchange for massive damage and a wider threat range (as it's also the largest weapon in its category).
Your enemies will see you coming from a mile away wielding this gigantic, chicken drumstick-shaped weapon, and they'll know you mean business.
5. Fume Ultra Great Sword
How to get: Acquired by trading the Soul of Fume Knight (dropped by the Fume Knight boss from the Crown of the Old Iron King DLC) and 25,000 souls to Weaponsmith Ornifex.
This ultra greatsword is another prime pick for quality builds.
However, it's a very heavy weapon that requires some decent weight management to avoid the 'fat roll.' Thus, the stat requirements to wield this weapon can seem steep.
For players who make it work, they are rewarded with a weapon that deals ludicrous amounts of damage; on top of it all, it has versatile movesets that includes block frames, sweeps, smashes, and longer range thrusts.
The Fume Ultra Great Sword has some notoriety amongst players—bouncing between a great to bad to OP-broken weapon depending who you ask—but it's definitely worth trying for anyone who wants to bring on the hurt.
4. Red Iron Twinblade
How to get: Found on a corpse in the Shrine of Amana.
The Red Iron Twinblade is a boss shredder in PvE and a notorious choice for PvP.
This weapon primarily scales off Strength for some great base damage, and infusions can provide additional scaling.
Not to mention the Red Iron Twinblade provides a more unique moveset; while it can be predictable at times, it also features a thrust attack that can take opponents for a surprise with its increased range.
Plus it's great for dealing Poise damage—more so when you combo it with the Stone Ring.
3. King's Ultra Greatsword
How to get: Acquired by trading the Soul of King (dropped by Vendrick) and 10,000 souls to Weaponsmith Ornifex.
This massive sword looks more akin to a club than a blade. It has a 50 Strength/10 Dexterity requirement that makes it viable mainly for Strength-builds.
In exchange, its S-scaling in Strength lets it hit an AR that exceeds other equally heavy weapons, such as the Smelter's Hammer.
It also shares its smash-y moveset with the Crypt Blacksword. Suffice to say, you're liable to knock down your opponents, that is if you don't smash them to a pulp first.
On top of being pretty durable itself, it deals durability damage to the enemy's armor and rings each time you connect a hit. Plus the King's Ultra Greatsword can hold its own in blocking physical damage due to high stability and physical damage reduction.
Offense and defense? Now that's some real power right there!
2. Greatsword
How to get: You have a few ways to get the Greatsword: bought from the Head of Vengarl for 5,000 souls, dropped by Greatsword Phantoms and Syan Soldiers that wield it, or found in a treasure chest in the upper area of No-man's Wharf.
Despite its name, this ultra greatsword is a popular two-handed choice for many players that prefer mostly Strength builds.
It's a pretty newbie-friendly option that you can acquire early on and play with throughout the game. Fully upgraded, the Greatsword boasts an S/D scaling for Strength and Dexterity, respectively.
Its wide reach helps offset its slow animation and recovery time, and each hit resounds with a satisfyingly heavy metallic thunk.
As an added bonus, the Greatsword bears a striking resemblance to Guts' Dragon Slayer from Berserk.
1. Sacred Chime Hammer
How to get: Acquired by trading the Soul of Velstadt (dropped by Velstadt, the Royal Aegis) and 3,000 souls to Weaponsmith Ornifex.
This Great Hammer's stat requirements will have players focus mainly on Strength with just enough Dexterity, Intelligence, and Faith to actually wield it.
However the Sacred Chime Hammer has very versatile scaling options based on its infusion, which allows players to branch into Intelligence or Faith builds beyond the requirements.
At the Sacred Chime Hammer's maximum upgrade level, the Dark infusion offers the best potential damage, and that doesn't account for the many shenanigans you could achieve with stances and magic.
On top of its unique moveset, its two-handed strong attack provides the added utility of launching orbs around you that home in on your enemies.
In PvE that can give you some much-needed solace amidst mobs of enemies.
And in PvP the orbs can disrupt an attacker's movements, giving you an opportunity to strike away at them.
This combination of damage and options makes Sacred Chime Hammer the top contender for this list.
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