Embarking on your journey through the fading world of Lothric can be an incredibly daunting task for newcomers and veterans alike. While your starting gear can carry you through the first few zones, upgrading to a more specialized armament is crucial for surviving tougher encounters. Finding the dark souls 3 best early weapons gives you a massive tactical advantage before the game's difficulty spikes significantly.
The Reliable Choice for Standard Physical Builds
The Longsword remains an absolute staple for players who want a balanced and versatile approach to melee combat. You can purchase this reliable weapon early on from Greirat of the Undead Settlement after freeing him from his cell. Alternatively, it can drop randomly from the hollow soldiers roaming the High Wall of Lothric if you prefer to save your souls.
Its straightforward moveset features excellent horizontal sweeps that make crowd control manageable in cramped corridors. The weapon also possesses an incredibly useful stance skill that breaks through enemy shields with minimal effort. This balanced combination of speed and power ensures it stays relevant well past the opening hours of your playthrough.
Unlocking Massive Raw Power Early On
For players dedicated to optimizing strength, the Claymore provides exceptional reach and high stagger potential. This heavy greatsword is located on the High Wall of Lothric, resting on a stone platform guarded by a fire-breathing dragon. Timing your sprint across the fiery plaza carefully allows you to grab this powerful blade without perishing.
The physical damage output can easily carry you through multiple bosses when paired with heavy reinforcement infusions. Its sweeping heavy attacks are perfect for managing multiple aggressive knights simultaneously. While it requires more stamina per swing than smaller blades, the sheer defensive utility it provides makes it well worth the stat investment.
High Dexterity and Rapid Attack Options
The Uchigatana is the premier choice for agile characters looking to inflict massive damage through rapid successive strikes. You can obtain this traditional katana immediately after arriving at Firelink Shrine by defeating the hostile Sword Master residing just outside the tower. The battle can be tough for low-level characters, but utilizing parries or baiting him off the cliff makes victory easier.
This weapon excels at applying the bleed status effect, which drains huge chunks of health from resilient bosses once fully built up. The weapon skill allows for quick, reactionary slashes that can deflect incoming physical attacks while launching immediate counteroffensives. Its scaling ensures that your offensive capabilities will grow exponentially as you continue to invest points into your dexterity attribute.
Strategic Magic Options for Spellcasters
Players focusing on faith or intelligence should seek out specialized armaments that complement their spellcasting stats early on. The Broadsword, found in a room filled with hidden items on the High Wall of Lothric, serves as a perfect candidate for elemental infusions. Transforming it into a Raw or Fire weapon provides high base damage without requiring heavy investment in strength or dexterity.
Another excellent option for magic users is the Deep Battle Axe, which is located inside a chest guarded by a mimic beneath the dragon platform. This weapon inflicts a static amount of dark damage that bypasses the natural physical armor of many early game enemies. It gives sorcerers and clerics a dependable melee fallback while they build up their attunement and spell selection.