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.
