- For other uses, see Moveset and Moveset (Dark Souls II).
Movesets are a weapon-based mechanic of Dark Souls III.
Overview and nomenclature[]
Movesets in Dark Souls III are slightly different than those of previous games, but follow the same principles of context-sensitive light and heavy attacks.
Standing
Means in a neutral stance or a state of walking or jogging; essentially, any motion that does not utilize the /
button. This stance is implied when one does not specify context.
Rolling
Implies that the move is executed directly after performing a dodge roll, executed by pressing /
while moving the left stick significantly.
Backstepping
Refers to the state of recovery shortly after performing a backstep, executed by pressing /
while neutral on the left stick.
Running
A state of dashing or sprinting, done by holding /
while moving the left stick significantly.
Thrusting
Refers to the sudden jerking forward of the left stick to initiate a kick or jump and is seldom context-sensitive.
Moves[]
Proper Name | Colloquialization | Input | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Standing Light | R1 | ![]() ![]() |
A generally fast move that will come out quite quickly and will generally chain into a second attack in PvP. |
Standing Heavy | R2 | ![]() ![]() |
A much slower and more powerful attack that on some weapons can initiate knock down: sometimes combos. One can hold R2 to charge their Strong Attack, the wind up will have heavy tracking. |
Running Light | Running R1 | Running + ![]() ![]() |
With no general consensus on speed, these attacks can be relatively fast or slow, deal less or equal damage to a standing light but do not combo |
Running Heavy | Running R2 | Running + ![]() ![]() |
A leaping attack with very heavy damage, but consumes a lot of stamina and neither tracks nor combos. |
Rolling Light | Rolling R1 | Rolling + ![]() ![]() |
A very fast move that is low damage, highly predictable and easy to parry, these can be used to great effect in dealing fast damage but never combo. |
Rolling Heavy | Rolling R2 | Rolling + ![]() ![]() |
Seems to not do a unique move; only mimicking a follow up Standing Heavy. |
Thrusting Light | Kick | Left Stick + ![]() ![]() |
A bash with the foot, sometimes replaced by a gimmick attack performed by the weapon in one's right hand. |
Thrusting Heavy | Jump Attack | Left Stick + ![]() ![]() |
Jump Attack - Leap forward and slam one's weapon into the ground or slash the air in front of oneself. Massive damage, cannot be parried. Oddly, one one handed movesets and discounting twin movesets, an additional will translate into a rolling attack. |
Backstep Light | Backstep Attack | Backstep + ![]() ![]() |
Mimics a Running Light. |
Backstep Heavy | Backstep R2 | Backstep + ![]() ![]() |
Does not do a unique move, but instead a Standing Heavy. |
Offhand | Powerstance, L1 or
Block |
![]() ![]() |
Sometimes blocks. When using a twin weapon, this will unleash an attack with both hands of varying quality. Some weapons will have a standard offhand attack. |
Running Offhand | Running L1 | Running + ![]() ![]() |
A Running attack using both weapons on a twin moveset. One can block while running. |
Rolling Offhand | Rolling L1 | Rolling + ![]() ![]() |
Special Rolling attacks exclusive to twin movesets. Often very fast. |
Skill | Weapon Art, Offhand L2 | ![]() ![]() |
Executes a unique attack specific to the player's chosen weapon or weapon class. Can also be used to execute standard offhand attacks. |