Top 10 Dark Souls 3 Weapons for PvE (Ranked by Utility)

Dark Souls 3 still holds up as one of FromSoftware’s most replayable games—and a big reason why is its incredible weapon variety. With so many great choices, picking just ten is tough… but also a great excuse to revisit the best of the best for PvE.

This list ranks weapons based purely on Player versus Environment performance: how they handle bosses, clear mobs, and carry you through the game. Every pick was chosen not just for high damage, but for reliability, versatility, and sheer fun factor.

Let’s get straight to the rankings.

10. Great Corvian Scythe

The Great Corvian Scythe is the most balanced and versatile of its kind. While scythes don’t stagger enemies as well as greatswords, they make up for it with long reach and attacks that ignore shields. This one in particular is special: it gets fantastic S-tier scaling when infused, which means it works with Dexterity builds, quality builds, and everything in between.

It also has a hidden edge—a passive bleed buildup that’s higher than most other scythes. And yes, technically it gives you a tiny bit of self-bleed, but it’s so minor you’ll barely notice it in a fight.

Its Neck Swipe weapon art is a great crowd-control move that cuts through shields, dealing 80% of its usual damage. Fast, stylish, and hits like a truck when built right. It’s a top-tier choice that earns its spot on this list.

9. Ringed Knight Paired Greatswords

Few weapons in Dark Souls 3 are as cinematic and explosive as the Ringed Knight Paired Greatswords. These are twin ultra greatswords that let you unleash a relentless barrage of thrusts, sweeps, and smashes with incredible poise—perfect for shredding through armor and mobs.

Their Ember weapon art ignites the blades, letting you fire off fiery projectiles before launching into either a light or heavy combo. The heavy combo ends with a massive, screen-filling AoE slam that deals huge damage and knocks enemies flat.

They require high Strength and are pretty heavy, but there’s nothing else that gives you this mix of raw power, flashy style, and pure fun. You can’t two-hand them normally—they’re always used as a paired set—but that’s a small trade-off for feeling unstoppable.

8. Lothric Knight Greatsword

This is arguably the best ultra greatsword in the game, and it defines what a late-game Strength build should feel like. It hits brutally hard, scales incredibly well with either Sharp or Lightning infusions, and—unlike most ultra greatswords—it can even be buffed on top of that.

When infused with Lightning, you get a massive blend of physical and lightning damage that rivals some of the best boss weapons. Its heavy attack is a powerful thrust that works perfectly with the Leo Ring, letting you tear through armored enemies. The Stomp weapon art gives you hyper armor and a follow-up swing that lets you trade hits and come out on top.

Surprisingly light for its class and available relatively early from Lothric Knights, the Lothric Knight Greatsword is the perfect balance of risk and reward.

7. Great Mace

The Great Mace hits a sweet spot—it’s less cumbersome than something like Smough’s Hammer, but way more powerful than smaller strike weapons. It’s surprisingly efficient, with lower weight, manageable stat requirements, and massive staggering power.

It can be infused and buffed, which gives it an advantage over unique hammers like the Dragon Tooth. With the right build, the Great Mace can even out-damage the legendary Smough’s Great Hammer.

Its Perseverance skill is the real star—it gives you hyper armor and reduces incoming damage for a short time. This makes you unstoppable in a trade, letting you smash through bosses or stunlock groups of enemies. Pair it with a lightning or frost buff, and you’ll outclass even some ultra greatswords.

6. Moonlight Greatsword

A true Soulsborne classic. In Dark Souls 3, the Moonlight Greatsword stands as one of the best weapons for Intelligence builds. Its heavy attacks fire off free magic projectiles (no FP cost), giving spellcasters a reliable ranged option that saves their magic for when they really need it.

Up close, the projectile and the blade can hit simultaneously, dealing massive burst damage. Its weapon art, Moonlight Vortex, uses a bit of FP to unleash a spinning blast of energy—perfect for clearing groups or hitting larger bosses.

It loses a tiny bit of durability with each special attack, but that’s a small price for its power and style. For any mage who wants to mix magic with melee, this sword is a must-have.

5. Dragonslayer Greataxe

A staple for Faith builds, the Dragonslayer Greataxe is all about thunderous, divine punishment. Its swings are slow but devastating, and its weapon art, Falling Bolt, is one of the flashiest in the game.

You slam the axe down and channel a massive lightning explosion from the ground—ideal for wrecking slow or grounded bosses. It costs 35 FP per use, but it’s absolutely worth it. Almost anything weak to lightning doesn’t stand a chance.

At 20 weight, it’s heavy, and its rolling attack feels awkward. But if you build around it, this axe turns PvE into a lightning-powered spectacle.

4. Hollowslayer Greatsword

Many players call this the best quality sword in the game, and for good reason. The Hollowslayer combines the Claymore’s versatile moveset with extra range, better poise, and a hidden 20% damage bonus against hollow enemies—which, conveniently, is most common enemies in the game.

It feels quick and responsive, with strong vertical and horizontal swings. Its Stance weapon art gives you two great options: a shield-piercing thrust or a heavy, high-damage slash. It’s the perfect sword for players who like to be aggressive but smart.

If you love the Claymore but want more reach and built-in damage, this is your upgrade.

3. Exile Greatsword

The Exile Greatsword is strength, perfected. This curved greatsword hits absurdly hard for its class, with high stagger, fast combos, and a moveset that never lets up.

Its Spin Slash weapon art turns crowd control into a breeze—you become a whirlwind of blades that stunlocks groups of enemies with ease. It also scales incredibly well, reaching double-A or even S scaling with Chaos or Dark infusions.

The only downside is its slightly shorter range compared to other curved greatswords. But what it lacks in reach, it more than makes up for with raw, relentless power.

2. Lothric Knight Sword

There’s a reason you see this sword recommended everywhere. Straight swords are incredibly strong in Dark Souls 3—fast, reliable, and easy on stamina. And the Lothric Knight Sword is the best of them all.

It has excellent scaling (often reaching S-tier with the right infusion), a moveset that blends quick pokes and sweeping slashes, and the useful Stance weapon art. It also has a 110 critical modifier, making your backstabs and ripostes hit even harder.

Well-balanced, deadly, and available early in the game, this is a sword you can comfortably use from start to finish.

1. Sellsword Twinblades

If any weapon defines the PvE “meta,” it’s the Sellsword Twinblades. These starting weapons for the Mercenary class can outdamage almost every late-game find once upgraded.

Their power comes from their rapid L1 combo attacks, which shred enemies and scale beautifully with Dexterity. Add a buff like Carthus Rouge or a spell, and you can melt boss health bars in seconds.

Their Spin Slash weapon art adds AoE crowd control and keeps pressure high. Pair them with rings like Pontiff’s Right Eye, and your damage—and style—go through the roof.

The playstyle is simple: ditch the shield, dodge, and keep attacking. Once you get the rhythm, these blades turn every fight into a damage showcase. Cheap, fast, and brutally efficient—they’re the ultimate PvE weapon in Dark Souls 3.

Honorable Mentions

• Friede’s Great Scythe: Incredible style and frost buildup, but its slower attack pattern keeps it off the main list.
• Dragonslayer Spear / Twinaxes (Power-Stance Weapons): All have exceptional damage, though a bit situational in general PvE.
• Claymore: Still a versatile and well-balanced entry weapon, overshadowed slightly by the Hollowslayer.

Final Thoughts

The best part of Dark Souls 3 is that even “average” weapons can become amazing with the right build. Still, these ten stand out for their consistent top-tier performance, whether you like slow, heavy hitters or lightning-fast combos.

In the end, play what feels best to you. The “meta” can change, but the feeling of taking down a tough boss with your favorite weapon never gets old.