The Dark Souls series is famous for its vast arsenal of weapons, each catering to a different playstyle. While iconic choices like the Claymore or Black Knight Halberd often dominate discussions, many weapons fly under the radar despite offering unique advantages and fun mechanics. Whether you're replaying the series or seeking a fresh experience, these 10 underrated weapons in Dark Souls deserve a closer look.
1. Balder Side Sword
Type: Straight Sword
Location: Dropped by Balder Knights in Sen’s Fortress and Undead Parish.
The Balder Side Sword, affectionately nicknamed the "Baller Swag Sword" by the community, is a lightweight weapon with excellent reach and precise thrusting attacks. Its moveset is versatile, making it effective in both PvE and PvP.
Why It’s Underrated:
- Fantastic scaling with Dexterity.
- Thrusting attacks are perfect for tight spaces or narrow corridors.
- Highly stamina-efficient, allowing for longer combos.
Pro Tip: Pair it with a shield for a defensive playstyle or infuse it with Lightning for extra PvE damage.
2. Great Scythe
Type: Halberd
Location: Found in the Catacombs near a spiked bridge.
The Great Scythe boasts an unusual moveset, combining wide sweeps with deadly overhead slashes. Its bleed build-up makes it particularly devastating against enemies with high health pools.
Why It’s Underrated:
- High Dexterity scaling with fast attack speed.
- Bleed effect adds significant burst damage.
- Exceptional crowd control thanks to its wide arcs.
Pro Tip: Two-handing this weapon maximizes its damage and helps maintain stamina for dodging.
3. Ricard’s Rapier
Type: Thrusting Sword
Location: Found on Ricard the Archer in Sen’s Fortress.
This weapon is a specialist’s dream, excelling in precise, high-DPS thrusting attacks. Ricard’s Rapier shines with buffs like Magic Weapon or Darkmoon Blade, making it a monster in PvP.
Why It’s Underrated:
- Unique R2 attack delivers rapid multi-hit combos.
- Buffs amplify its damage to extreme levels.
- Lightweight and stamina-friendly for Dex builds.
Pro Tip: Use it with a Catalyst or Talisman for buff-heavy hybrid builds.
4. Demon’s Spear
Type: Spear
Location: Dropped by Batwing Demons in Anor Londo or purchased from Shiva of the East.
The Demon’s Spear offers incredible reach, allowing players to poke enemies from a safe distance. Its lightning damage is especially useful against enemies weak to elemental attacks.
Why It’s Underrated:
- Exceptional range, perfect for staying out of harm’s way.
- Scales decently with Strength, Dexterity, and Faith.
- Allows blocking while attacking with a shield.
Pro Tip: Use it in tight corridors or against large enemies to capitalize on its range.
5. Man-Serpent Greatsword
Type: Greatsword
Location: Dropped by Man-Serpents in Sen’s Fortress.
Don’t let its crude appearance fool you—the Man-Serpent Greatsword is a powerhouse weapon. Its scaling with Strength and raw damage output make it a sleeper pick for melee-focused builds.
Why It’s Underrated:
- High base damage with excellent Strength scaling.
- Easier to farm than other powerful Strength weapons.
- Surprisingly fast swings for a greatsword.
Pro Tip: Upgrade it along the Regular path for pure Strength builds or infuse it with Chaos for added fire damage.
6. Dragon Slayer Spear
Type: Spear
Location: Crafted from the Soul of Ornstein.
The Dragon Slayer Spear combines a spear’s range with the added utility of lightning-infused projectiles. Its unique heavy attack lets you fire a lightning bolt, making it a versatile weapon for ranged and melee combat.
Why It’s Underrated:
- Hybrid damage (physical and lightning).
- Aesthetically stunning and lore-rich.
- Strong Faith scaling makes it ideal for hybrid builds.
Pro Tip: Pair it with a high Faith stat to maximize its potential.
7. Jagged Ghost Blade
Type: Dagger
Location: Dropped by ghosts in New Londo Ruins.
This overlooked dagger is a surprising gem for bleed-based builds. Its innate ability to damage ghosts without the need for a Transient Curse makes it a valuable tool in New Londo Ruins.
Why It’s Underrated:
- No need for Transient Curses in ghost-filled areas.
- Fast attacks with quick bleed build-up.
- Lightweight, making it easy to pair with heavier armor or shields.
Pro Tip: Upgrade it along the Chaos path to boost its damage with Humanity.
8. Crescent Axe
Type: Axe
Location: Purchased from Patches in the Firelink Shrine.
This weapon features a unique mix of physical and magic damage, making it effective against enemies with low magic resistance. Its range is longer than most axes, and its Faith scaling adds versatility to hybrid builds.
Why It’s Underrated:
- Hybrid damage output makes it useful against various enemy types.
- Great Faith scaling for Cleric builds.
- Long reach compensates for its slower attack speed.
Pro Tip: Use it against magic-resistant foes to exploit its physical damage component.
9. Barbed Straight Sword
Type: Straight Sword
Location: Dropped by Kirk, Knight of Thorns.
This unique straight sword features a bleeding effect, which isn’t common among weapons in its class. It’s lightweight and fast, making it ideal for Dex builds that want to add bleed damage to their repertoire.
Why It’s Underrated:
- Fast attack speed paired with bleed build-up.
- Easy to wield with low Strength and Dexterity requirements.
- Good for both PvE and PvP.
Pro Tip: Pair it with a bleed-enhancing item like the Bloodbite Ring to maximize its bleed potential.
10. Blacksmith Giant Hammer
Type: Hammer
Location: Dropped by the Giant Blacksmith in Anor Londo (if killed).
The Blacksmith Giant Hammer is a sleeper pick for Strength builds, offering high base damage and excellent scaling. Its moveset is surprisingly quick for a hammer, making it effective in both PvE and PvP.
Why It’s Underrated:
- High Strength scaling makes it a heavy hitter.
- Faster swing speed compared to most great hammers.
- Rarely seen in PvP, making it an unpredictable choice.
Pro Tip: Infuse it with the Regular upgrade path for raw Strength scaling or go with Lightning for PvE versatility.
Conclusion
These underrated weapons may not receive as much attention as the heavyweights of the Dark Souls arsenal, but they offer unique movesets, utility, and plenty of surprises. Experimenting with these lesser-used options can reinvigorate your playthrough and provide new ways to conquer Lordran’s toughest challenges. Which weapon will you try next? Prepare to die—and then triumph!
