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Aside from the most hardcore players, equipment choice will greatly affect your Dark Souls 3 experience.

May 04, 2016  The Archer Build for Dark Souls 3. Ranged weapons include Onislayer Greatbow, Black Bow of Pharis, and Composite Bow. Definitely suited for those looking for a different aspect to Dark Souls 3. Best Dark Souls 3 starting class in terms of versatility. Pyromancer can offer decent attack and defense capabilities while also being able to use pyromancy. This guy cuts and burns his way through enemies with an axe and the wild flames that the Pyromancer controls.

Fortunately the game gives us lots of gear to mix and match according to our preferences.

These choices ultimately combine with stat distribution, infusions, buffs, and weapon upgrades to form what we like to call “builds”. Many players will opt into a melee playstyle to defeat their enemies by wielding swords, spears, axes, and more.

While you can reasonably use any number of weapons to complete the game, there are some picks that just stand a cut above the rest.

In this article I’ll focus on what I think are the best choices for players who want to get down and dirty in melee.

The weapons considered here will generally perform well in one or more of the following areas: solo/cooperative play against AI and bosses (PvE), player versus player combat (PvP), or a combination of both.

Now here’s my list of the best weapons you’ll want to “git gud” playing Dark Souls 3.

NOTE: Some of the listed weapons require Soul Transposition, which you access through Ludleth at Firelink Shrine. To get this option you’ll need to acquire the Transposing Kiln by defeating the Curse-Rotted Greatwood optional boss in the Undead Settlement.

15. Farron Greatsword

How to get: Craft via Soul Transposition with the Soul of the Blood of the Wolf, which you get after defeating the Abyss Watchers.

This unique ultra greatsword comes in the form of a dagger and greatsword pair.

It has one of the most aesthetically pleasing movesets with combos that let you flip and twirl between swings.

The Farron Greatsword works best with quality builds(which allocate 40 points in both Strength and Dexterity), though it performs well enough with pure Dexterity builds too.

For PvE its exaggerated sweeping attacks let you take on multiple enemies with ease.

However, the moveset often leaves you vulnerable to parries in PvP, making it a comparatively lackluster option.

14. Dark Sword

How to get: Dropped by Darkwraiths which you can easily find at High Wall of Lothric and Farron Keep.

Next up we have a straight sword that swings and hits like a greatsword.

This weapon was notoriously overpowered at the game’s release but has since received adjustments.

Even with these changes, the Dark Sword is still potent in both PvE and PvP. It works best with a Heavy infusion for Strength builds but also performs well with a Refined infusion for quality builds.

13. Black Knight Greataxe

How to getHow to deal maximum dmg as le blanc 2016. : Dropped by Black Knights wielding a Greataxe.

A fantastic choice for PvE, the Black Knight Greataxe features high damage, wide range, and a varied moveset.

It works best with a Refined infusion on quality builds due to its Strength and Dexterity scalings.

On top of that, its Weapon Art (Warcry) gives you another 10% damage boost for even more hurt! Like other Black Knight weapons, it also deals a bonus 20% damage to demons which is pretty nice.

12. Estoc

How to get: Characters that start as the Assassin class automatically get the Estoc. Others can purchase it for 3,000 souls from Greirat in Firelink Shrine after releasing him from his cell in High Wall of Lothric.

A great choice for sword-and-board—that is, fighting with a sword and shield.

Of all the straight swords, the Estoc boasts the best thrusting attacks and high damage output.

In PvP its fast moveset combines with deceptively long range to make you a truly terrifying opponent.

For the best results, infuse with either a Sharp or Refined gem, for a Dexterity or quality build respectively.

11. Moonlight Greatsword

How to get: Crafted via Soul Transposition using the Soul of Consumed Oceiros and 10,000 souls. You’ll need to defeat Oceiros, the Consumed King first.

A greatsword for Intelligence builds.

Characters should have enough Strength to comfortably wield it, but for best results make sure to pump up that Intelligence.

The Moonlight Greatsword cannot be infused or buffed, though this weapon already does split physical and magic damage.

With enough practice you can even weave its Weapon Art skill with normal swings to spike your damage output.

10. Long Sword

How to get: Characters that start as the Knight class automatically get this weapon. Others can get it as a drop from Hollow Soldiers at High Wall of Lothric, or you can purchase it from Greirat in for 1,000 souls.

From start to finish, the Long Sword can last you through most any PvE and PvP situations.

Best used with a shield, it has good attack range and a quick moveset that lets you dodge and weave between hits.

The Long Sword’s versatility lets it work well with many builds, though a Refined infusion would make the most of its base stats.

I personally start my characters with a Long Sword when I can. And I only ever switch it out in favor of one other weapon for sword-and-board.

9. Fume Ultra Greatsword

How to get: Dropped by Knight Slayer Tsorig, located under the Smoldering Lake.

Slow and steady wins the race.

That’s the story of this weapon which has the honor of being the heaviest ultra greatsword in the game.

Each swing boasts massive power and range, and it has a thrust attack that doubles as a knockdown for smaller enemies.

It even lets you block to passable results even without a shield.

Unsurprisingly the Fume Ultra Greatsword works best with a pure Strength build (though it cannot be infused).

8. Yhorm’s Great Machete

How to get: Crafted through Soul Transposition using the Soul of Yhorm the Giant, acquired after defeating Yhorm the Giant.

The big daddy of big daddy weapons!

Yhorm’s Great Machete has the highest damage of all great hammers and greataxes.

What makes it so great compared to other heavy weapons is that it has an obscenely large hitbox on top of a relatively quick swing speed despite its size.

Yhorm’s Great Machete makes for a monstrous choice in both PvP and PvE. It’s practically a must-have for any Strength-focused build.

7. Sellsword Twinblades

How to get: The Mercenary class gets the Sellsword Twinblades as a starting weapon. For everyone else, head over to the Halfway Fortress bonfire in the Road of Sacrifices; the Twinblades will be in a hallway past the Black Knight near the entrance to the keep.

These blades combine quick strikes with a fluid moveset, making them one of the best weapons for a pure Dexterity build.

Make sure to infuse it with Sharp for the best results so you can just slice and dice your way through any PvE content.

The short range may prove disadvantageous in PvP, but you can still shred opponents with a thorough understanding of your hitbox and timing your dodges precisely.

6. Profaned Greatsword

How to get: After defeating Pontiff Sulyvahn, crafted via Soul Transposition using the Soul of Pontiff Sulyvahn and 3,000 souls.

The Profaned Greatsword is a personal favorite of mine for both PvE and PvP.

It hits super hard and has a moveset that combos very nicely with dodge rolls and thrust attacks.

Unfortunately you can’t buff or infuse this weapon, but its Weapon Art Profaned Flame offsets that by giving it a significant fire damage buff for about a minute or so.

The Profaned Greatsword reaches peak damage levels with a quality build, though it can still perform fine with pure Strength builds too.

5. Ringed Knight Paired Greatswords

How to get: In The Ringed City DLC, defeat the Ringed Knight near the cathedral.

What’s better than one greatsword?

Two greatswords!

The Ringed Knight Paired Greatswords are notoriously effective in PvP, especially against anyone who lacks experience with the pair’s moveset.

Potential users are highly encouraged to stack enough poise to keep stagger chains going, though many non-greatsword matchups will already be in your favor.

Understanding hit range and windows for opponents to dodge your attacks will be crucial to using these swords effectively.

4. Claymore

How to get: Found at High Wall of Lothric, on the plateau with the perched fire-breathing dragon. Also dropped by enemies wielding claymores in Irithyll of the Boreal Valley.

The Claymore is a versatile weapon that works with Strength, Dexterity, and quality builds—just make sure to infuse it with the right gem.

Out of all the greatswords I’d say it arguably gives the most balanced mix of range, damage, and speed, along with a great moveset.

In PvP its thrust attacks make it potent for wearing down a foe and dodging.

The Claymore also swings quickly enough for a greatsword while potentially staggering enemies, making it a great choice for most PvE content.

3. Astora Greatsword

How to get: Loot it off a corpse in the graveyard near the Cleansing Chapel in the Cathedral of the Deep area.

The Astora Greatsword holds the title of lightest ultra greatsword in the game, which inherently gives its users more flexibility in allocating attributes and equipment choice.

In combat, expect lower stamina consumption compared to other ultra greatswords while benefitting from similarly long reach.

It works best with a Sharp infusion for Dexterity builds, although quality build players can still get a lot of mileage from infusing this weapon with Refined.

In PvP its charge Weapon Art can be a source of devastating damage so make use of it when you can.

2. Hollowslayer Greatsword

How to get: After defeating the Curse-Rotted Greatwood, crafted via Soul Transposition with the Soul of the Rotted Greatwood and 1,000 souls.

The Hollowslayer is a personal favorite in the greatsword category.

It deals an additional 20% damage against hollowed enemies, which makes it particularly fantastic in PvE since most creatures in the game are, in fact, hollow.

This weapon works marvelously with quality builds and is arguably the best greatsword for it.

However, pure Strength and Dexterity builds would have better options earlier in this list(like the weapon right above this one).

Due to its surprisingly quick moveset, players can comfortably wield it 1-handed with a shield for some extra defense, or just go 2-handed for maximum damage; the former setup can be very potent in PvP.

1. Lothric Knight Sword

How to get: Dropped by Lothric Knights found in the High Wall of Lothric, the Grand Archives, and Lothric Castle.

This is my weapon of choice for most of my Dark Souls 3 experience (and my go-to replacement for the Long Sword).

The Lothric Knight Sword has been a reliable pick since the game first released, and for good reason.

It has great scaling for Sharp, Refined, and even Blessed infusions, though it marginally performs best with pure Dexterity builds.

In combat, the Lothric Knight Sword’s thrust attacks give it a longer reach compared to other weapons in the category.

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Sword-and-board is the typical loadout for it, though you’ll have some choice here. The moveset encourages a fast attacking, calculated playstyle of wearing down opponents. Though some may go with the option of getting a bit more reckless while wielding it two-handed.

The icing on the cake: it even has an above-average critical modifier.

Overall the Lothric Knight Sword is a fast, powerful, and versatile sword that will serve anyone well in both PvE and PvP.

This guide covers the best classes and burial gifts to select when you first start Dark Souls 3. Experienced players will already know the main advantages and disadvantages of each class and burial item, but new players may have difficulty figuring out what’s best to start with on their long journey through Dark Souls 3. You can play the game a number of different ways, and even reset your stats and appearance up to five times per play through, but it’s still important to get off to a good start.

Each class starts with different stats and unique armor. Your selection will have a great impact on how you play when you first start Dark Souls 3. The available classes are Knight, Mercenary, Warrior, Herald, Thief, Assassin, Sorcerer, Pyromancer, Cleric and Deprived. For new players we highly recommend starting as the Knight class, but let’s take a closer look at each of these classes and what they have to offer.

For more tips, strategy and advice, be sure to check out our Dark Souls 3 walkthrough and guide!

Dark Souls 3 Starting Class Level Chart

Assassin

The Assassin is another well-rounded class that has a bit higher Dexterity than most other classes. You also have a higher Intelligence stat compared to the other melee classes and you get a spell that prevents fall damage and increases stealth (so you can sneak up behind enemies easier) to go along with that. You also start with a staff so you can use sorcerer spells right from the get-go.

Select the Assassin class if you want to focus on sorcery spells later in the game, but want to start with more melee power and better defenses than the Sorcerer class. It’s a good combination of the two and you can always put more points in Intelligence if you want more of a sorcery focus as you move further into the game.

Cleric

Starting as the Cleric isn’t a bad idea, as it’s not one of the hardest classes to play as, but it still requires a bit of knowledge to use properly. You start with the highest Faith stat of the starting classes, and a moderate Strength stat to help you in combat. You also get a talisman and two miracle spells, as well as a basic axe and shield for close quarters combat.

The biggest advantage of the Cleric class is that you can heal with miracles instead of relying primarily on your Estus Flask. With the severe lack of healing items in Dark Souls 3, this can be a huge benefit. However, remember that you need to have a few Ashen Estus Flasks or stop at bonfires frequently so you can replenish your FP gauge and continue to cast spells.

Deprived

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If you are a Dark Souls veteran, or simply want a significant challenge from an already difficult game, start as the Deprived class. This is the only class that starts at level one and essentially has nothing. You begin with a low-damage club and shield that’s basically falling apart. You can craft your character however you like, but this will not be an easy journey.

You should not select the Deprived class if you know very little about Dark Souls. You will die early and often as you struggle to find better weapons. Even when you do find better weapons, you will likely need to increase your Vitality stat in order to equip most of them and remain at a good weight. Only true Dark Souls masters should select the Deprived class.

Herald

Healing items are few and far between in Dark Souls 3. You have an Estus Flask and not much more to heal yourself during combat. The Herald isn’t the strongest class in the game, but they have a good balance of stats and they start with a healing spell and corresponding talisman so you can use the spell immediately. Like the Knight, you also start with a shield that absorbs 100 percent physical damage and with high Faith this class is also good for anyone planning to use miracle spells, but wants a bit more offensive power than the Cleric.

While you have a healing spell that will come in handy, if you plan to use it frequently you will need to put some points into Attunement early on to increase your FP gauge. Alternatively you can adjust your Estus Flask to Ashen Estus Flask ratio so you can refill your FP gauge more often, but that also gives you less overall healing since you would be sacrificing Estus Flasks in order to carry more Ashen Estus Flasks.

Knight

Our recommendation for new players is to begin with the Knight class. You get some of the best (and heaviest) starting armor, as well as a shield that absorbs 100 percent physical damage. That means you can block any physical attack and you won’t take any damage from the hit. However, if you block a magic or elemental (fire, ice, etc.) attack, you will still take some damage.

Starting as the Knight you will have to put some points into Vitality to avoid being too heavy if you want to change your armor or weaponry, but you start with the second highest Vigor (health). This isn’t the strongest starting class (that would be the Warrior), but it’s the easiest for beginners because of the shield and your starting stats.

Mercenary

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Starting as the Mercenary is good if you plan to use dual swords or ranged weaponry. Mercenaries start with the highest Dexterity stat of the classes, which determines most ranged weapon damage. Having a ranged weapon is extremely important, especially for newer players who may not be ready to handle several enemies at once.

Getting a bit more damage out of your ranged attacks is good, but being able to get more damage out of dual-wielding can be even more beneficial. Just remember you won’t have a proper shield if you end up dual-wielding, which makes it a bit more advanced than some other weapon options. This is a decent starting class, but much better if you decide to dual-wield later on down the line.

Pyromancer

If you want to use some magic, but don’t really like miracles or sorcery, the Pyromancer is the way to go. As a Pyromancer you start with the basic pyromancy weapon and spell, along with a short-range axe and a basic shield. Most of your damage early on will come from your axe, but you have a moderately high Strength stat so you can get a bit of damage from your axe attacks.

Leveling the Pyromancer is a bit trickier than some of the other classes because you need to strike a balance between Intelligence and Faith for your pyromancy spells, and Strength and Dexterity for your melee attacks. In addition, you will want to put some points into Attunement to increase your FP gauge and the number of spells you can use at a time. This isn’t for the Dark Souls newcomer, but it’s also not overly difficult to learn.

Sorcerer

If you’re experienced with Dark Souls and plan to focus on sorcery spells, the Sorcerer is the best class to start with. You’ll still have a basic sword and shield to go along with the two sorcery spells and staff that you get at the start, but with the highest Attunement and Intelligence of any starting class you are built to cast spells frequently.

It’s important to remember that Dark Souls 3 uses the FP gauge to control how frequently you can cast spells. Every time you cast a spell you use a bit of your FP gauge, and that means you will want to use Ashen Estus Flasks quite a bit to replenish that gauge. This cuts into the amount of normal Estus Flasks you have available to you, which cuts into your healing a bit. This isn’t the best class for new players, so only experienced sorcerers should apply.

Thief

Do not start as a Thief if you’re new to Dark Souls. This is a class that works well if you have a firm grasp of how the Dark Souls combat engine works. If you’re not all that familiar, selecting the Thief could mean a difficult road ahead. You start with a dagger, which has limited range and attack power, but good speed. Ideally you want to get behind you enemies and back stab them for big damage, but if you’re new to the game that could be easier said than done.

You also start with a bow and some arrows, which means you have a ranged attack right off the bat. This is a huge benefit, but it also means you’ll be spending souls on arrows fairly early on. In addition, you start with higher Luck than any other class, which means you’ll get better and more frequent drops from enemies.

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Warrior

Start as a Warrior if you want as much attack power as you can get. The Warrior class begins with the highest Strength stat of any class in the game, but they also favor heavier, slower weapons. If you want to eventually move to a two-handed weapon such as a greatsword or even an ultra greatsword, the Warrior is a good starting class for you.

More than likely you’re going to want to put some points into Vitality so you can carry more items, but overall this is a good pick if you want to wield heavier weapons. Keep in mind these heavy weapons attack slower than most other weapons, so you need good positioning to make sure you don’t get interrupted by enemies.

Burial Gifts

In addition to selecting your initial class, you can also select a burial gift, which is essentially an item you begin the game with. We recommend starting with the Life Ring because it’s the only item you can potentially use for the entire game, but let’s go over all of the options available to you.

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Black Firebomb - This one time use item works well as a ranged attack against most enemies.

Cracked Red Eye Orb - This one time use item allows you to invade another world and initiate player vs. player battles.

Divine Blessing - This one time use item fully restores your health gauge and removes all status ailments. With limited healing items in the game, this isn’t a bad choice for emergency use.

Fire Gem - This one time use item allows you to upgrade a weapon with the power of fire. This is useful because many enemies in the game are weak to fire-based attacks.

Hidden Blessing - This one time use item full restores your FP gauge. It’s a good item to go with if you’re starting with an FP-based class such as a Cleric or Sorcerer.

Life Ring - Equip this ring to increase your health gauge. As long as you have the ring equipped your health will be higher than normal, making this our recommended choice for your burial gift.

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Rusted Gold Coin - When you’re farming for items this one time use item can be very helpful by increases your Luck stat for a limited time so you get better and more frequent drops from enemies.

Sovereignless Soul - If you start as a Deprived class this one time use item is a good choice. It gives you a small number of souls that you can use to level up your character or purchase items.

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Young White Branch - This one time use item is primarily used to help you blend into the environment so it’s harder for enemies to spot you.

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