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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 PlayStation - Circle - 01 / Xbox 360 - Button B - 01 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 PlayStation - Circle - 01 / Xbox 360 - Button B - 01 while moving the left stick significantly.

Backstepping
Refers to the state of recovery shortly after performing a backstep, executed by pressing PlayStation - Circle - 01 / Xbox 360 - Button B - 01 while neutral on the left stick.

Running
A state of dashing or sprinting, done by holding PlayStation - Circle - 01 / Xbox 360 - Button B - 01 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 PlayStation - R1 - 01 / Xbox 360 - Bumper Right - 01 A generally fast move that will come out quite quickly and will generally chain into a second attack in PvP.
Standing Heavy R2 PlayStation - R2 - 01 / Xbox 360 - Trigger Right - 01 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 + PlayStation - R1 - 01 / Xbox 360 - Bumper Right - 01 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 + PlayStation - R2 - 01 / Xbox 360 - Trigger Right - 01 A leaping attack with very heavy damage, but consumes a lot of stamina and neither tracks nor combos.
Rolling Light Rolling R1 Rolling + PlayStation - R1 - 01 / Xbox 360 - Bumper Right - 01 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 + PlayStation - R2 - 01 / Xbox 360 - Trigger Right - 01 Seems to not do a unique move; only mimicking a follow up Standing Heavy.
Thrusting Light Kick Left Stick + PlayStation - R1 - 01 / Xbox 360 - Bumper Right - 01 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 + PlayStation - R2 - 01 / Xbox 360 - Trigger Right - 01 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 + PlayStation - R1 - 01 / Xbox 360 - Bumper Right - 01 Mimics a Running Light.
Backstep Heavy Backstep R2 Backstep + PlayStation - R2 - 01 / Xbox 360 - Trigger Right - 01 Does not do a unique move, but instead a Standing Heavy.
Offhand Powerstance, L1 or 

Block

PlayStation - L1 - 01 / Xbox 360 - Bumper Left - 01 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 + PlayStation - L1 - 01 / Xbox 360 - Bumper Left - 01 A Running attack using both weapons on a twin moveset. One can block while running.
Rolling Offhand Rolling L1 Rolling + PlayStation - L1 - 01 / Xbox 360 - Bumper Left - 01 Special Rolling attacks exclusive to twin movesets. Often very fast.
Skill Weapon Art, Offhand L2 PlayStation - L2 - 01 / Xbox 360 - Trigger Left - 01 Executes a unique attack specific to the player's chosen weapon or weapon class. Can also be used to execute standard offhand attacks.
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