For diehard fans of the Dark Souls series, navigating the brutal yet fair world of Lothric in Dark Souls 3 requires choosing the right weapons for your build and playstyle. Strength builds focus on slower yet heavy-hitting weapons that can smash through enemies and deal devastating blows to bosses.
I‘ve analyzed dozens of strength weapons in Dark Souls 3 and narrowed down the absolute best ones across several weapon classes. Whether you‘re a seasoned veteran or new to the series, read on to discover my top 10 strength weapon selections to dominate with in Dark Souls 3.
How I Evaluated The Best Strength Weapons
When determining the finest strength weapons, I considered several key factors:
- Raw damage output: The higher the attack rating, the better against tough enemies.
- Strength scaling: Weapons with an "A" or "S" grade scale exceptionally well with strength.
- Moveset: The entire repertoire of light/heavy attacks and weapon skills.
- Weight: Heavier weapons consume more stamina per swing.
- Obtainability: Ease of acquiring each weapon.
I aimed for a mix of early-game and late-game options suiting different stat investments and playstyles. Now let‘s jump into the weapons!
10. Butcher Knife
The Butcher Knife is a lethal great hammer offering fluid strikes and decent versatility. Its serrated edges rapidly build up bleed status on foes.
You can acquire it early from a merciless slave trader in Road of Sacrifices after beating Crystal Sage. It has moderate weight yet quick swings compared to heavier strength options.
An awesome weapon skill called "Sharpen" temporarily boosts damage and restores HP on successive hits. Overall, the Butcher Knife is an excellent starter strength weapon with strong PvE and PvP capabilities.
Butcher Knife Stats
- Attack Rating: 112 Physical
- Primary Stats: 25 Strength / 8 Dexterity
- Skill: Sharpen
- Weight: 16 units
9. Exile Greatsword
Wielded by the Exile Watchers, this massive curved greatsword delivers raw stopping power with each crushing blow.
It‘s acquirable by transposing the Soul of the Rotted Greatwood you receive after defeating the boss. For such an enormous weapon, it has deceivingly fast swings that catch opponents off guard in PvP.
Charged strong attacks flatten enemies with their generous forward range. And the "Spin Slash" weapon skill decimates groups while providing hyperarmor. It‘s one of the most reliable ultra greatswords that properly balances offense and defense.
Exile Greatsword Stats
- Attack Rating: 157 Physical
- Primary Stats: 16 Strength / 18 Dexterity
- Skill: Spin Slash
- Weight: 18 units
8. Winged Knight Twinaxes
These menacing twinaxes sparked terror within Lothric Castle as they effortlessly crush shields and armor. Their multi-hit combos stack damage rapidly with an onslaught of slices.
After progressing halfway through the grand archives, you‘ll discover hostile Winged Knights wielding the twinaxes. They require moderately high strength and dexterity to equip.
Quick steps complement the moveset nicely. And the spinning weapon skill builds frost status quickly. With practice, the Winged Knight Twinaxes become absolutely devastating in PvE and PvP.
Winged Knight Twinaxes Stats
- Attack Rating: 122 Physical
- Primary Stats: 20 Strength / 12 Dexterity
- Skill: Spinning Weapon Skill
- Weight: 8.5 units
7. Ledo‘s Great Hammer
Legends speak of the legendary Ledo and his monstrous great hammer. After discovering it in The Ringed City DLC, you can wield this epic weapon capable of one-shotting enemies. It demands insane strength levels however.
Each colossal slam with Ledo‘s Great Hammer triggers explosions and will flatten foes into pancakes. Both of its weapon skills also enhance damage temporarily:
- Call to Stone: Covers weapon in stone to strengthen attacks.
- Stone Flesh: Boosts defense and hyperarmor.
While demanding, Ledo‘s Great Hammer delivers terrifying power, making it a top choice for seasoned PvE veterans up for the challenge.
Ledo‘s Great Hammer Stats
- Attack Rating: 173 Physical
- Primary Stats: 60 Strength
- Skills: Call to Stone and Stone Flesh
- Weight: 28 units
6. Yhorm’s Great Machete
Cut from the blade of legendary giant Yhorm the Giant, this colossal machete can smash enemies into oblivion with ease.
By transposing Yhorm‘s soul, you can acquire this Greataxe, which scales purely in strength to increase devastation. Its charged heavy attacks can combo and even knock down large enemies.
Due to its weight, high stamina investment, and lack of range, it’s best for veterans comfortable with heavy weapon movesets. But if you enjoy staggering and launching enemies with outrageous power, Yhorm‘s Great Machete is extremely satisfying to use.
Yhorm’s Great Machete Stats
- Attack Rating: 172 Physical
- Primary Stats: 39 Strength
- Skill: Warcry
- Weight: 23 units
5. Fume Ultra Greatsword
Raime, the Fume Knight from Dark Souls 2, gracefully wielded this enormous fused sword which you discover in his old resting place within Carthus Catacombs.
It demands insane strength (50) and dexterity (10) to wield one-handed. Heavier than a boulder yet quicker than expected, the Fume Ultra Greatsword explodes enemies with deadly strikes and boasts 20% higher AR than most ultra greatswords.
Sacrificing defense for offense, you must carefully time charged heavy swings to poise through attacks. It lacks a weapon skill but the sheer strength scaling and AR make the Fume Ultra Greatsword a top choice for veterans.
Fume Ultra Greatsword Stats
- Attack Rating: 184 Physical
- Primary Stats: 50 Strength / 10 Dexterity
- Skill: (None)
- Weight: 25.5 units
4. Dragonslayer Greataxe
Forged from the soul of an ancient dragon, the Dragonslayer Armour‘s treasured greataxe buzzes with the strength of lightning miracle. It‘s an absolute monster in PvE and PvP.
You can acquire it by transposing Dragonslayer Armour‘s soul after an intense showdown. It demands considerable Strength and scales with Dexterity and Faith, giving flexibility.
In addition to huge damage, charged strong attacks knock down enemies. And "Falling Bolt" smites groups with a devastating lightning smash. With power, versatility, and reach, the Dragonslayer Greataxe is among my personal favorites.
Dragonslayer Greataxe Stats
- Attack Rating: 200 Physical / 74 Lightning
- Primary Stats: 40 Strength / Some Dexterity / Faith
- Skill: Falling Bolt
- Weight: 20 units
3. Cathedral Knight Greatsword
The knights of the Cathedral of the Deep brandish these beastly greatswords with pride. After claiming one as your own, the Cathedral Knight Greatsword outmatches most ultra greatswords in speed and damage.
It‘s reasonably quick for its size with versatile slash or thrust attacks mixed in. The heavy thrust especially catches people off guard. And it scales purely with strength while permitting weapon buffs to amplify devastation.
You can discover Cathedral Knights wielding the treasured sword in the Cathedral‘s upper rafters. It‘s an easy top-pick for strength builds only requiring 16 strength to wield one-handed with plenty of AR for a big sword.
Cathedral Knight Greatsword Stats
- Attack Rating: 167 Physical
- Primary Stat: 16 Strength
- Skill: (None)
- Weight: 15 units
2. Great Club
This colossal club forged from an archtree‘s giant branch aggravates enemies as you golf-swing them with raw might. Located in Farron Keep, the Great Club offers incredible value for early-game strength builds.
It boasts high base damage and "S" scaling in Strength once reinforced. Slow windups transition to quick consecutive strikes that easily break guards in PvP while dealing massive damage. Its moveset stays simple yet effective.
By collecting Titanite Chunks, you can carry the Great Club through the entire game thanks to tremendous performance.
Great Club Stats
- Attack Rating: 165 Physical
- Primary Stat: 28 Strength
- Skill: (None)
- Weight: 12 units
1. Lorian‘s Greatsword
Contender for the absolute best strength weapon in Dark Souls 3, Prince Lorian‘s cursed sword of fire delivers destruction in style. You can obtain it by transposing Lorian and Lothric‘s combined soul.
This ultra greatsword uniquely allows wielding with only 18 strength and dexterity, yet packs hefty damage and even scales with intelligence and faith. It outranges all ultra greatswords with fiery projectile strikes and wide slashes.
The weapon skill "Blaze" enchants the blades in scorching flames for over 80 extra fire damage on follow-up attacks. Lorian‘s Greatsword offers versatile options for various specializations. And in PvE, everything before you will melt instantly.
Lorian’s Greatsword Stats
- Attack Rating: 130 Physical / 322 Fire
- Primary Stats: 18 Strength / 18 Dexterity (Can scale with Intelligence/Faith)
- Skill: Blaze
- Weight: 12 units
Conclusion
And those are my picks for the top 10 strength weapons to obliterate enemies with in Dark Souls 3. I aimed to highlight picks suiting various stat requirements and weight limits.
From lighter axes and greathammers to the chunkiest ultra greatswords, you hopefully discovered worthy strength weapons to decide between for your next build. Upgrading your favorites into vicious boss destroyers feels incredibly rewarding.
Let me know if you agree or disagree with any placements or have a special favorite strength weapon of your own in Dark Souls 3! I‘m always seeking knowledgeable perspectives from fellow experienced players.
