Boss fights andDark Soulsare practically synonymous with each other. Every game in the series is known for having tough PvE encounters and surprisingly deep PvP combat, yet there are plenty of rewards for players that push through the game’s hardest content. Covenant rewards, upgrade materials, and even boss weapons are available throughout theDark Soulsgames for those skilled enough.
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Dark Souls 2managed this better than any otherSoulstitle. Dozens of boss weapons were available for players to craft, each granting unique properties or stats that were build-enabling. Even with how great the variety of boss weapons were inDark Souls 2, some were much better than others. From the base game to DLC weapons, here are the five best and worst boss weapons players can use inDark Souls 2.
Updated July 15th, 2022 by Talha Bin Rizwan:Dark Souls games are notorious for being challenging and brutal on players, punishing them at every available chance. Players do have a fighting chance, but more often than not they will face powerful enemies that will shred their health bars in a few seconds. The games allow players to equip themselves, however, with formidable weapons to take down their foes including some special weapons they can acquire from the souls of felled bosses. These unique weapons are unlike any in the game offering movesets or special effects in that weapon class. While these weapons may provide players with a fair bit of utility, some boss weapons are better than others while some may leave the players wanting.
12Best: Bewitched Alonne Sword
Weapon Stats
One ofDark Souls 2’sDLC weapons, Sir Alonne’s Bewitched Sword is arguably the strongest katana not just inDark Souls 2but in the entire franchise. This weapon requires a massive 30 dexterity to wield, but it more than makes up for that withan S scaling in dexterity.
On top of being buffable, it also has a unique attack that damages the player in exchange for a damage increase. This stacks with buffs. Few weapons are as devastating yet easy-to-use as this one.
11Worst: Dragonrider Twinblade
Dragonrider Twinblade is a potential reward from defeating the Dragonrider in Heide’s Tower of Flame. It has the benefit of being a Twinblade, meaning it has a fantastic moveset.
With that said, the weapon’s damage stats and scaling are pitifully low, bundled with a D-scaling in strength, C in dexterity, and C in intelligence when fully upgraded. This weaponcertainly isn’t the worst boss weapon in the game, but nothing is going for this weapon when compared to the Dragonrider Bow—the second weapon players can make out of the Dragonrider’s Soul. Fans of Twinblades are better off using the Red Iron Twinblade.
10Best: Drgonslayer Greatbow
The Dragonslayer Greatbow is a colossal bow that was originally designed and used to take down dragons inDark Soulslore. It provides maximum damage of 333 when fully upgraded and infused with a Raw Gem. Players will get a B scaling in Strength and a C in Dexterity with this Greatbow.
The weapon uses special ammunition and takes a bit to load but the damage and knockback more than makes up for that fact. The Dragonslayer Greatbow is utterly destructive against smaller enemies, quickly taking them out in a hit or two, and does substantial damage against some of the bigger enemies in the game.
The Dragonslayer Greatbow is perfect for long-range, sniper-style builds that like to take out enemies from a distance. However, you should have a close-ranged secondary weapon on hand as well.
9Worst: Crypt Blacksword
Fans of the famous manga series Berserk will be compelled to acquire the Crypt Blacksword for their characters since the weapon resembles the sword wielded by Guts in the manga. The weapon offers impressive physical attack damage reaching a maximum of 425 damage when infused with a Raw Gem and fully upgraded.
However, it leaves a lot to be desired in the scaling department offering a maximum of C scaling in Strength. The Crypt Blacksword is slow to swing and cumbersome to wield, opening up the players’ character to enemy attacks. Players will need to carefully time their attacks when facing their enemies which may become frustrating to some. It is certainly not the “absolute worst” weapon in the game, but better options exist.
8Best: Yorgh’s Spear
Obtained from Sinh, the Slumbering Dragon’s Soul, Yorgh’s Spear is easily one of the strongest weapons in the entireDark Soulsfranchise. Two-handing this weapon deals some serious damage thanks to its B scaling in both strength and dexterity alongside a whopping 300 base damage.
What truly makes this weapon great, however, is its moveset. It has a blend of attacks from the spear, greatsword, lance, and twinblade family of weapons. Rapid attacks and great reach allow this weapon to devastate PvE opponentswhile punishing roll-spamming invaders for PvP. If this weapon could be obtained much earlier and didn’t consume so much Stamina, this could have easily made it on the top spot.
7Worst: Spider Fang
Considering that Duke’s Dear Freja can summon hordes of spiders and shoots lasers from her mouth, calling the Spider Fang disappointing is a massive understatement. This curved sword has mediocre damage and range and lackluster durability.
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The tradeoff is this weapon’s alternate attack, firing a web at a target to slow them considerably. Sadly, this attack is predictable in PvP after a few uses. PvE enemies are never fast enough to warrant slowing down either. Even worse, it takes a significant chunk of the weapon’s already lacking durability on use, making an already mediocre weapon much worse. Only use this weapon in builds that focus on power stancing, as this weapon’s web attack works while in that state.
6Best: Pursuer’s Ultra Greatsword
One of the first bosses the player will fight is the Pursuer, a hulking suit of armor with a devastating weapon and shield. The good news is that the Pursuer’s Ultra Greatsword more than lives up to the name. With an A scaling in strength and 273 base damage without upgrades, this greatsword packs a serious punch.
No investment is required to make this weapon shine in the early to mid-game, but it begins to carve through foes once players begin to invest in their strength stat. Obtaining 40 strength and upgrading the blade to +5 is enough to carry any build through New Game and even New Game+.Quality builds can also benefit from this weapon.Considering how early players can find this weapon, the Pursuer’s Ultra Greatsword is a must for any melee character.
5Worst: Shield Crossbow
Conceptually, the Shield Crossbow is one of the coolest weapons in theDark Soulsfranchise. Unfortunately, it proves to be a terrible shield and crossbow due to its lackluster damage output and horrible shield stats.
Obtained from the Executioner’s Chariot, players will immediately notice that the shield has a shockingly low stability stat at only 30. Players can only block once between firing the crossbow, meaning it can’t be used as a dedicated shield. Worse, it can’t be infused with damaging effects such as poison or bleed. This will be a hard pass for most builds.
4Best: Ivory King Ultra Greatsword
A weapon that does live up to its boss fight is the Ivory King Ultra Greatsword. Whenever the player two-hands this weapon, the blade ignites with a sheen of light that deals substantial damage to any foe it hits. It also shares the Zweihander’s amazing moveset, effectively making it a lightsaber Zweihander.
It deals insane damage to a target’s Poise, and it has a fantastic range for a sword. Infusing this weapon takes it to another level, granting it the best bleed effects in the archetype or superb elemental damage. The Ivory King Ultra Greatsword’s only downside is how far players must reach in their playthrough before obtaining this weapon, requiring players to delve into theCrown of theIvoryKingDLC and defeat the Ivory King himself before they can craft this beast of a greatsword. However, it’s more than worth the hassle.
3Worst: Spitfire Spear
Slaying the Guardian Dragon at Aldia’s Keep will allow players to craft the Spitfire Spear, easily one of the worst weapons inDark Souls 2. It has the ability to shoot flame projectiles with its strong attack, but the durability on this weapon is so pitiful thatmost will need a Bracing Knuckle Ringto even consider using it.
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Damage scaling is stuck to an E when not infused, and its damage scaling with fire is too lacking for pyromancers to consider using this weapon for any content. It does serve as a solid power stance weapon since it activates the special attack of other spears, but this comes at the cost of a good weapon. For most players, this is a hard pass.
