- For other uses, see Weapon Types (disambiguation).
Weapon types are a property of weapons in Dark Souls.
All weapons have a weapon type that aids the player in determining the basic functionality of that weapon. Weapons of the same weapon type have similar forms of attack.
List of weapon types[]
Swords[]
- Straight Swords
- Well balanced swords for either one or two handed use. They possess a relatively quick and versatile moveset, and as a result of their light weight, consume little stamina per swing.
- Greatswords
- Larger swords suitable for two-handed usage; slower and more powerful than straight swords. Their wide swing radius is suitable for catching agile opponents.
- Ultra Greatswords
- Very large swords that more or less require two hands to use accurately. These weapons deal incredible damage, but the user is open to heavy counterattacks if they miss.
- Curved swords
- Curved Swords have shorter range than other swords and are slightly faster. They are well-suited to confined spaces and lightly armored enemies who will be unable to dodge or block the rapid attacks, but their slashing movesets are ineffective against heavier armor.
- Curved Greatswords
- Larger and more damaging than normal Curved swords, designed for two-handed use. Generally slower than Curved Swords, but faster than normal Greatswords.
- Thrusting swords
- Thrusting swords are thin and lightweight. As their name implies, they focus on thrusts, which excel at piercing thick armor and scales. Suited to more patient playstyles that focus on counter-attacks.
- Katanas
- Katanas are powerful alternatives to the Straight Swords. They deal high damage, swing fast, and always have some bleed build-up. However, they're unusually heavy and must be repaired much more frequently than any other weapon type, due to their low durability.
Axes[]
- Axes
- Small axes are somewhat slower, but more damaging alternatives to the many sword types. They have shorter range, but swing in wide arcs. Primarily used one-handed.
- Greataxes
- Generally the largest and heaviest weapons that require the highest strength. Their attacks are more concentrated than normal axes, and although their swings are unwieldy and leave the user open to counterattack, they are often unblockable.
Polearms[]
- Spears
- Spears are excellent weapons for tactical combat, as most spears' one-handed light attacks can be used while still blocking and their range is impressive. However, their stabs cover a very specific area and they are easily blocked. Spear players must take special care to let down their shield to recover stamina and avoid a guard break.
- Halberds
- Halberds combine the stabs of a Spear with the slashes of an Axe. They are slower and less accurate than Spears, but their slashing attacks allow use against a wider range of enemies. Swinging a halberd without hitting an enemy will stagger the wielder for a significant amount of time.
Hammers[]
- Hammers
- Hammers are slow weapons designed for single, powerful strikes. If the enemy staggers, however, another strike can usually connect. Hammers, oddly, are about evenly split between Striking and Thrust attacks.
- Great Hammers
- Great Hammers are very slow weapons with good range designed for heavy strikes. All of the Great Hammers are immensely heavy, and this weight is used in large, powerful swings.
Other melee[]
- Daggers
- Daggers have short range, but are extremely rapid and have high critical modifiers. They are best-suited towards fighters with a penchant for counters and backstabs. Daggers have both slashing and thrusting attacks.
- Gauntlets
- As they are merely covers for the hands, Gauntlets have the shortest range of all weapon types, but are also extremely rapid.
- Whips
- Whips are ineffective against any kind of armor, but have an excellent attack arc and cannot be parried. They cannot perform backstabs or ripostes.
- Lantern
- The Skull Lantern is the only weapon in this class and cannot be upgraded. By holding in the left hand, the light attack produces light, while its strong attack inflicts some Fire and Strike Damage.
Ranged[]
- Bows
- Bows must be held two-handed to attack, and in this stance the Block button allows manual aiming. Useful for eliminating enemies from a distance, but vulnerable at close range.
- Crossbows
- Crossbows are generally more powerful than bows, but take longer to reload and cannot be manually aimed.
Casting Instruments[]
- Catalysts
- Catalysts are primarily used to cast sorceries but can also be used as melee weapons when executing their strong attack. Most inflict either Strike or Thrust Damage.
Talismans are used to cast miracles and can also be used as melee weapons when executing their strong attack, inflicting Strike Damage.
- Pyromancy Flame
- The Pyromancy Flame's primary use is that of casting pyromancy and also deals Fire Damage when its strong attack is used.