Summary
TheDark Soulsseries is home toan impressive array of boss fights, unforgettable locations, and an endless list of enemies to keep the players hooked to their seats for hours on end. Part of the draw is the variety of options available in terms of both customization and, of course, weaponry.
There is no shortage of god-killing swords or gigantic hammers to decimate enemies with, with each entry in the series introducing a new arsenal for players to acquire and play with. Some offer ridiculous levels of power, while others focus entirely on the awesome factor, giving players mighty weapons to decimate enemies in insane and satisfying ways. Out of them all, however, these are thecoolest weapons in theDark Soulsgames.
Special
Parry
Boss weapons have always been a treat for players to enjoy upon taking down the toughest foes, and they never disappoint in their levels of coolness and strength. The Farron Greatsword is pulled straight from the hands of the Abyss Watchers, requiring the boss to be defeated, and then transposing the soul at the Firelink Shrine. If the weapon itself wasn’t cool enough, both it and the boss itself directly reference Artorias, adding someextra lore and flavor outside the combat.
Having both the ability to dish out crazy damage and parry oncoming blows makes for some exciting moments and provides players with a lot of agency when it comes to how they tacklethe next big fight. It feels fluid and crisp to swing around and has the added bonus of dealing additional damage to abyss enemies and bosses like Aldritch and Midir.
Dancer’s Grace
Swinging around one sword is fine and all, but how about two flaming, magical ones that combo together in a dance of destructive proportions?Dark Souls 3breaks down all the expectations and limits for what a weapon can and should be, with the Dancer’s Enchanted Swords being a prime example of a reward in power and fun.
The fun, of course, comes from the aggressive playstyle afforded by the moves and special on this weapon. Dishing out ridiculous mixed damage is incredibly powerful against a range of enemies, and when combined with a super-cool spinning slash, the player turns into an unstoppable Beyblade-like machine that cantake down hordes of enemiesin seconds.
Ember
Thanks toDark Souls 2, power-stancing with two gigantic weapons has become a staple in all later FromSoftware titles. But with this particular weapon, rather than needing two separate items, the game gifts the player with a set of two flaming greatswords that candecimate enemies with its heavy swingsand launch a flaming wave of fire to take out those shooting from afar.
This absurd weapon can be picked up from a ringed knight that patrols outside the Spears of the Church, who shows off the weapon in all its glory before players are able to equip it themselves and take on the final few bosses in the series. It gives a real rush and a power-high that is hard to beat, and it absolutely destroys any and all foes who might be unlucky enough to stand in its way.
Knockdown, Perseverance
Smough’s Hammer is as iconic as the owner himself. One of themost beloved and challenging bosses in all ofDark Souls, Smough’s hammer is heavy and bulky, dishing out incredible slams and some serious damage with its immense size and power. It is almost comedic in its size, taking up a huge portion of the screen and making every attack feel like an earth-shattering blow.
Initially found in the originalDark Soulsby defeating Super Smough and ascending a hammer with the soul, it turns up once again at the end of the trilogy in Irithyll of the Boreal Valley, in a chest shortly after finding Siegward of Catarina taking a well-needed rest. It’s a gigantic golden hammer that smashes through everything in its path. It’s the perfect tool for any heavy weapon lover.
Efriede’s Stance
Sometimes, heavy weapons won’t do the trick, and something more graceful fits the fight better. Friede’s Great Scythe gives players exactly that, a long-range, razor-sharp reaper that slices through weaker enemies and provides some insanesustained damage against the larger ones. The combination of physical damage and frost also adds a level of power that can’t be found on any other scythe.
Friede is no push over herself, proving to be one of the most challenging and long fights in the series, thus rewarding the player with an incredible weapon that can be transposed with her soul. The satisfaction that comes with taking her down and the joy of swinging around this scythe and hitting the sweet spots makes it easily the coolest scythe in the series and a weapon that every player should try.
Stomp
Sometimes, simple weapons can be among the best. The Greatsword is a plain yet amazing weapon that directly referencesBerserk, a big influence on the series as a whole, mirroring the dimensions and appearance of Gut’s sword. In a way, it turns the gameplay into an anime, even more than what it already was, providing gamers witha ginormous tool for decapitation and decimation.
Dropping from knights in Undead Parish and Drangelic Castle or found in Farron Keep, the sword is a fan-favorite, and this is for good reason. Its simplicity is more than made up for by the power and joy that comes from wielding it, making the player feel like Guts taking on enemy after enemy, particularly when used against gigantic foes and bosses.
Knockback
An amazing boss with an amazing weapon to go with it, the Greatsword of Artorias is not only an awesome weapon, but it is one that is rooted heavily in lore and is seen more than a few times in the sequels. Players need to ascend a maxed-out broken straight sword or straight sword hilt with the soul of Sif, the protector of Artorias’s grave. The sword can be acquired long before Artorias even appears in the DLC, adding so much foreshadowing and anticipation for the fight that is to come.
The multi-damage type capabilities of this sword are impressive, and it feels like a dream to play with, knowing full well that the player can only harness a small portion of its power when compared to Artorias himself. It also comes with a cursed version, requiring the ascension of a straight sword, which gives players the ability to take on ghosts and maintain the same damage and awesome moves as the original.
Moonlight Vortex/Beam/Blade
An obvious choice and a beloved weapon across all the titles in the series and beyond, the Moonlight Greatsword has been a staple for FromSoftware for virtually every game they have released. InDark Souls, players can maim Seath the Scaleless, taking his tail to be used as a mighty weapon and get a super-cool reward for accomplishing a difficult feat. The other two are also boss-related, hiding an incredible weapon behind some equally incredible foes: Duke’s Dear Freya and Oceiros the Consumed King, respectively.
If the aesthetic of the glowing turquoise blade wasn’t glorious enough, each iteration introduces a slightly different magical ability, from firing off ranged beams to creating blasts of moonlight to destroy enemies up close. It’s recognizable instantly and serves as an incredible reference for long-time fans to enjoy again and again, wielding its power across every city, setting, and ending possible.
