Dark Souls: Best Dexterity Weapons, Ranked (2024)

Dark Souls needs no introduction. The magnum opus of FromSoftware is considered by many to be one of the greatest and most important video games of the last decade. The title defies modern AAA gaming tropes to craft an experience that is equal parts unique and sublime. The risks this title took to allow for a unique gameplay experience that rewarded players for learning how the game worked without holding their hands too much was critical to the success of this title, spawning an entire genre of its own and catapulting Miyazaki to the realm of superstardom.

One of the many great parts about Dark Souls was the amount of player freedom that was afforded when it came to creating a personalized character build. The player could choose to opt for the more traditional Strength-focused fighter or opt for a faster build by investing in Dexterity instead. For the players who took the latter approach, the game became more about landing quick hits in succession instead of landing just one or two solid blows before maintaining distance. So it's a given that players would want to optimize their loadout and equip the best Dex weapon they can find to complement their playstyle.

Updated on July 25, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Dark Souls is one of the greatest video games ever made, opening the floodgates for the Soulslike genre to dominate modern gaming and letting players enjoy hard-as-nails games that reward their skill and patience as they conquer major threats over and over again. The game can be intimidating to get into, but players need only perform a bit of research before jumping into this title and experiencing its brilliance. The first thing they'll learn is how stats like Strength and Dexterity work, with the latter being popular for players who prefer quick weapons that prioritize DPS over raw damage. Players who want to pursue such a build should keep the best Dex weapons on hand to beat down the numerous tough enemies and bosses that they'll encounter.

Dexterity Weapon Upgrade Path Tips

• Opting for the Regular Upgrade Path is the best course of action to take for new players. This is especially true for new players who don't have in-depth knowledge of the Upgrade Path system.
• Raw Upgrades are good, but not great for the long haul. They're better reserved for weapons that will be discarded early on. Keep in mind that most Dark Souls Dex weapons have lower durability and require more hits to down enemies than their Strength counterparts; thus, it's best to avoid the Crystal Upgrade Path.
• Players who want to pursue an Intelligence build should opt for the Magic or Enchanted Upgrade Path. Other players who pursue a Faith build should go for the Divine or Occult Upgrade Path instead.
• Low-level players can opt for the Lightning, Fire, or Chaos Upgrade Path instead.

31 Dagger

Initial Equipment For The Sorcerer Class

The dagger may not seem like the most interesting weapon to use. After all, there are so many other best Dex weapons players can check out that relying on a seemingly boring weapon may not be the most appealing option for players. However, people who just want to mash the light attack button over and over again to whittle down an enemy's health bar will love what the dagger brings to the table.

It may not have any special effects, but players won't mind once they invest some points in Endurance and use their upgraded stamina to launch an unending flurry of fast attacks that can make for some decent DPS. However, enemies who don't provide players with big attack windows may be a challenge, and players are better off switching to a weapon that hits harder, even if its attack speed is bound to be slower than the dagger.

30 Short Bow

Initial Equipment For The Hunter Class

The bow can be a hard sell for players. Despite the immense benefits they enjoy in terms of scaling, the idea of stocking up on arrows and taking out enemies from range feels uninteresting and doesn't excite most fans. Still, players who want to keep a ranged attack option on their person will find bows to be a decent addition to their arsenal.

The Short Bow is not the strongest bow that players can invest in, but the golden rule of Dark Souls is that every weapon is viable in the right hands. With enough arrows, points in Dexterity, and skill, players can use the Short Bow to trivialize numerous encounters in Dark Souls as long as they know what they're doing.

29 Longbow

On A Ledge In Darkroot Garden

The Longbow is another decent option for players who want to keep a bow on them as a secondary ranged option while exploring the world of Dark Souls. This weapon may not occupy a player's main slot unless they want to actively challenge themselves, but a lot of people underestimate how effective this weapon can be in the right hands.

With enough arrows and distance from enemies, players can whittle down an enemy's health bar quite a bit, if not defeat them outright. It may not be the most interesting way to take out enemies. However, players who have engaged with the regular gameplay loop of Dark Souls time and again will find it amusing to take potshots at enemies from afar.

28 Notched Whip

Drops From Xanthous King Jeremiah In The Painted World Of Ariamis

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One thing that players will hear time and time again regarding every Dark Souls game is that almost every weapon class is viable except for the whip. So, it can be puzzling to see the Notched Whip be hailed as one of the best Dex weapons around. It may not be the best weapon around, but players who want to punish their enemies in style will find this whip to be right up their alley.

It's the hardest-hitting whip in the game and features an interesting moveset that makes up for its perceived lack of damage. With enough upgrades and investments in Dexterity, players can turn a weapon many people deride into one of the best Dex weapons in the game that makes the Chosen Undead look cool as they take out enemies in a humiliating fashion.

27 Black Bow Of Pharis

Drops From Pharis In Darkroot Garden

A bow with immense range, the Black Bow of Pharis is immensely powerful in the right hands. If players make the most of this bow's range, they can effectively take out most enemies without even aggroing them. This makes for one of the funnier ways to take out enemies in this legendary game, even if the process can be a bit arduous for some.

Using a bow is simple, but players should always have a close-range backup. This will come in handy when enemies cover the distance, as they can decimate the Chosen Undead if they're too busy fiddling around with their bow. This is fairly obvious, and it's a shame that a bow can never be a player's primary weapon. Still, that doesn't mean weapons like the Black Bow of Pharis can't be used for some sound strategies against both enemies and bosses.

26 Rapier

Sold By Undead Merchant; Rare Drop From A Rapier-Wielding Balder Knight

Most people would assume that the Rapier is a boring weapon to use, as its moveset is anything but memorable. However, that is far from the main strength of this weapon. Rather, it's the immense damage dealt by ripostes and backstabs that makes the Rapier such a blast to use.

That being said, there's no denying that its moveset is a bit uninspired and its best application is situational and might not be to the taste of every player. Some of the toughest enemies in the game aren't even vulnerable to these attacks, and better outright damage dealers would be preferred by some instead.

25 Ricard's Rapier

Drops From Ricard The Archer At The Top Of Sen's Fortress

Ricard's Rapier is a unique version of the rapier with a unique caveat of its own. Most of its moveset is similar to the standard Rapier, barring one particular move. Pressing the heavy attack button twice leads to the Chosen Undead unleashing four quick and damaging thrusts. While this is extremely effective in PvE, the same isn't recommended against another human player since this move can be parried quite easily.

With enough practice, Ricard's Rapier can become a valuable weapon in any player's arsenal. While people have complaints about this weapon's usefulness in the late game, most people wouldn't mind a tougher challenge if it allows them to look dazzling in combat.

24 Gargoyle Tail Axe

Obtained After Cutting Off The Tail Of Any Gargoyle

There are several gargoyles that players can fight during their adventure across the many expansive areas in Dark Souls. Slicing off their tail nets a unique Dexterity weapon that can serve as a valuable tool in any player's arsenal.

The Gargoyle Tail Axe hits like a truck and even bends after certain heavy attacks. As a bonus, it increases the toxic, bleeding, and poison resistance of a player as well. Obtaining this weapon may be a pain, but this exercise in patience yields a decent reward that fans would appreciate.

23 Silver Knight Straight Sword

Rare Drop From A Silver Knight

The Silver Knight Straight Sword may seem like an unremarkable weapon, but that doesn't make it ineffective by any stretch of the imagination. If anything, the reliable nature of this weapon makes it worth checking out for any player pursuing a Dexterity build.

Of course, acquiring this weapon can prove quite a chore. However, players who get lucky in this regard will be rewarded with a pretty strong sword that players can potentially use till the end of the game. It's the rarity of this weapon that doesn't let it stand out too much, and players can only grind for so long before they settle for a different alternative instead.

22 Dragonslayer Spear

Ascend A +10 Spear Using The Soul Of Ornstein

Players who love the Ornstein and Smough boss fight and wish to get their hands on the spear that the former uses should beat down his companion first. Super-charged Orstein may be harder than his bulkier counterpart, but players won't mind the heightened college as long as they get Ornstein's soul and use it to ascend a fully upgraded spear and get one of the best Dex weapons in the game.

Truth be told, using the Dragonslayer Spear with a pure Dex build doesn't make the most of this weapon. Players should also invest a few points in Faith to make the most of this weapon's lightning damage and bring a world of trouble to enemies who have no idea what they're in for.

21 Flamberge

Sold By Shiva Of The East, or A Rare Drop From Serpent Mages

The Flamberge is a greatsword that scales admirably with Dexterity. The unique look of this sword alone makes it worth checking out for players who love stylish weapons.

It helps that each hit with the Flamberge leads to the buildup of the Bleed status. Players who are skillful with this sword will be taking out invaders and enemies in no time. Given how there aren't many large weapons that scale with Dexterity, players can consider this blade to be a safe pick to eviscerate most enemies.

20 Dark Silver Tracer

Either Kill Lord's Blade Ciaran Or Give Her The Soul Of Artorias

Most people don't enjoy using daggers all that much in Dark Souls, mainly due to their low damage and reach. However, the Dark Silver Tracer is unique in the sense that it offers a massive critical damage bonus, making it perfect for backstabs and ripostes.

It also has a unique strong attack that causes Toxic buildup in enemies, making it great for PvP as well. Players who want to flex their skills can do so with this cool Dark Souls dex weapon. Players can use this weapon comfortably as a secondary weapon if dealing as much damage as possible with a special attack is a priority.

19 Priscilla's Dagger

Cut Off Priscilla's Tail

The Painted World of Ariamis is one of the most beautiful locations in Dark Souls. The fresh change of pace offered by this area makes it invaluable for many. At the end of this area is a boss whose tail can be cut off to get Priscilla's Dagger.

This blade deals decent damage and also inflicts Bleed on the enemy making it a perfectly serviceable Dark Souls dex weapon. Cutting Priscilla's tail shouldn't be too hard, and the weapon's scaling in Dexterity certainly helps too.

18 Gold Tracer

Either Kill Lord's Blade Ciaran Or Give Her The Soul Of Artorias

Along with the Dark Silver Tracer, Lord's Blade Ciaran will also give the player the Gold Tracer dagger if they decide to give her Artorias' soul...or straight-up murder her for the weapons. Combining this Dark Souls dex weapon with the Dark Silver Tracer makes for a unique dual-wielding moveset.

The Gold Tracer is a great weapon for the off-hand since it boasts a unique moveset of its own. Players can transform into a whirlwind of dagger strikes and slashes by equipping both this weapon and the Dark Silver Tracer.

17 Bandit's Knife

Thief Starting Gear, or A Very Rare Drop From Undead Assassins

The Bandit's Knife might not sound all that powerful, but it's an amazing weapon that Dex builds can make the most of. Investing in this weapon allows players to pull off backstabs and ripostes that deal massive damage.

Along with this benefit, the Bandit's Knife also allows for Bleed buildup. This makes it one of the most underrated Dark Souls dex weapons of all time, mainly because most people write this weapon off. In the right hands, this weapon can decimate most enemies once they're caught off-guard.

16 Titanite Catch Pole

A Rare Drop From The Titanite Demon

This is a rare drop found after defeating the non-respawning Titanite Demons; thus, it is understandable if players have completed multiple playthroughs without ever seeing this strange halberd. With its split damage that favors the magical side, it is truly unique among polearms.

It scales with Intelligence as well as Dexterity and Strength, which makes it a great choice for a variety of builds that need a long weapon that can get around a foe's physical defenses. This is particularly true of Dexterity builds who already have a bit of Intelligence.

15 Guardian Tail

Cut Off The Sanctuary Guardian's Tail

As the most intimidating-looking whip in the game, the Guardian Tail's appearance suits its combat potential. After acquiring this from severing the Sanctuary Guardian's tail while entering Oolacile, the Chosen Undead can then use it to inflict pain similar to the kind its former owner did.

It may not have the highest Dexterity scaling of the whips to be found in Dark Souls. However, it does have the highest base damage and the ability to poison one's adversary, making it arguably the best of these flexible armaments.

14 Iaito

In Blighttown On A Platform Next To The Upper Bonfire

Dark Souls has a ton of katanas that scale with Dexterity, and the Iaito is a standout in this regard. This fast katana has a deceptively long reach and can cause Bleed to build up in opponents, which can be quite helpful in a PvP situation as well.

Needless to say, it developed an infamous (and well-deserved) reputation in the PvP circuit. Of course, the weapon is pretty effective in PvE too, even if some people may find it a bit too intricate to deal damage as quickly as possible.

13 Painting Guardian Sword

Rare Drop From The Painting Guardian

The Painting Guardian Sword is a favorite of many people who play a Dexterity build, and it's easy to see why this is the case. With a great moveset and even better damage, this sword is a great tool to have in anyone's arsenal.

The only problem with the Painting Guardian Sword is obtaining it. Players can only obtain this weapon as an enemy drop, which is incredibly rare. Unless the player is lucky, there's going to be a ton of grinding involved to get this weapon.

12 Claws

Sold By Shiva Of The East

Despite having one of the shortest reaches in Dark Souls, the Claw has many advantages that make up for this. They allow the wielder to strike blindingly fast with very little penalty for missing a hit.

Since these handheld talons inherently apply bleed build-up, their fast strikes and low stamina cost are factors that should make all PVP foes wary. To top it all off, this slashing tool can get up to an A-rank scaling bonus after being fully upgraded for excellent Dexterity-based damage.