One-handed weapons are ideal for builds that want to utilize multiple weapons or shield combat and are usually great in terms of speed, effectiveness, and general versatility, being on the lighter side of the weight spectrum. They are extremely fun to use in most cases and can adapt themselves to different situations, more so than other weapon classes, which fill other gameplay niches. This article will cover some of the best one-handed weapons, why they’re fun and how to find them.

10. Broadsword

How to get the Broadsword

The Broadsword is one of those weapons that isn’t amazing in any sense, but it is incredibly useful when you’re trying to get through the game, making it quite reliable. It has wide, slashing attacks that are good against groups, good scaling, and a strong moveset that will not fail you.

What makes the Broadsword great:

• Very good overall weapon
• Great moveset
• Strong Weapon Art
• Versatile
• Light

Broadsword stats:

• Regular: 117 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C
• Regular +3: 152 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C
• Regular +6: 187 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C
• Regular +10: 234 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C

9. Estoc

How to get the Estoc (0:32)

The Estoc is the weapon of choice for many players that want to focus on Dexterity as a primary attribute, as it has fast thrusting attacks that deal a lot of damage to enemies and bosses alike. It can have good scaling which can further be increased with a Sharp Gem and consistent upgrades. You will find some decent mobility in the moveset, that allows you to move around a lot, avoiding direct combat.

What makes the Estoc great:

• Fast thrusting attacks
• Good Weapon Art
• Good scaling
• Reliable

Estoc stats:

• Regular: 105 attack damage | Preferred scaling: D
• Regular +3: 136 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C
• Regular +6: 168 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C
• Regular +10: 210 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C

8. Rapier

How to get the Rapier (2:06)

An excellent thrusting sword, the Rapier excels with a quick moveset guaranteed to prove itself effective in battle. It is quite light, the lightest of all the thrusting swords, and has great critical damage, which increases your DPS considerably. Consider this for a top-notch Dexterity build.

What makes the Rapier great:

• Good Weapon Art
• Can parry when offhanding
• Lightest sword in its class
• Fast Thrusting attacks

Rapier stats: 

• Regular: 95 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C
• Regular +3: 123 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C
• Regular +6: 152 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C
• Regular +10: 190 attack damage | Preferred scaling: B

7. Hand Axe

How to get the Hand Axe

Pyromancers start with the Hand Axe as it’s quite useful for what they usually do – fight at a distance, but be very strong when you need to go up close and personal. After using its great Weapon Art, Warcry, the fast aspect of its one-handed moveset is boosted even further, so you can attack relentlessly. 

What makes the Hand Axe great:

• Safe choice of weapon
• Good damage
• Good scaling
• Strong Weapon Art

Hand Axe stats:

• Regular: 110 attack damage | Preferred scaling: D
• Regular +3: 132 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C
• Regular +6: 176 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C
• Regular +10: 220 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C

6. Sunlight Straight Sword

How to get the Sunlight Straight Sword

A staple in Faith builds, the Sunlight Straight Sword is an amazing weapon with high Faith scaling and a great Weapon Art. The Weapon Art, called Oath of Sunlight, acts as a temporary buff that increases absorption, so it’s great for dicey situations. Other than that, it has pretty straightforward attacks and is great for basically any situation.

What makes the Sunlight Straight Sword great:

• Weapon Art is a great buff
• Good damage
• Very good Faith scaling
• Thrusting attacks

Sunlight Straight Sword stats:

• Regular: 112 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C
• Regular +3: 156 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C
• Regular +5: 196 attack damage | Preferred scaling: B 

5. Lothric Knight Sword

How to get the Lothric Knight Sword

A favorite among many players, the Lothric Knight Swords is a jack of all trades among weapons, with its great Quality scaling, strong moveset, and a high critical modifier. While it is tricky to get the weapon if you choose to farm the knights on the High Wall, whenever you do manage to get it, you’re basically guaranteed to have a good experience.

What makes the Lothric Knight Sword great:

• Jack of all trades
• High damage
• Good scaling
• Great moveset

Lothric Knight Sword stats: 

• Regular: 103 attack damage | Preferred scaling: D
• Regular +3: 133 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C
• Regular +6: 164 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C
• Regular +10: 206 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C

4. Dagger

How to get the Dagger (1:26)

A weapon that is usually very reliable, the Dagger has high Dexterity scaling and a strong moveset designed to overwhelm enemies and let you weave in and out of battle as you please. The Weapon Art is a must-have when you’re crossing annoying areas such as the swamp in the Road of Sacrifices. Also, the Dagger is compatible with a large number of infusions, namely Chaos and Simple infusions.

What makes the Dagger great:

• Good scaling
• Decent damage
• Fast attack speed
• Good with certain infusions
• Useful Weapon Art

Dagger stats: 

• Regular: 65 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C
• Regular +3: 84 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C
• Regular +6: 104 attack damage | Preferred scaling: B
• Regular +10: 130 attack damage | Preferred scaling: B

3. Irithyll Straight Sword

How to get the Irithyll Straight Sword

A long-reaching straight sword, the Irythill Straight Sword is a great weapon wielded by the Pontiff’s Outrider Knights, so it’s quite hard to get it early, as these enemies are very powerful and annoying to deal with. When you do manage to take them down, they should drop the sword, and then you’re essentially sailing into the endgame, as this weapon is incredible, with innate Frostbite build-up and great damage.

What makes the Irythill Straight Sword great:

• Good damage
• Long range
• Thrusting attacks
• Frostbite build-up

Irythill Straight Sword stats: 

• Regular: 124 attack damage | Preferred scaling: D
• Regular +3: 172 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C
• Regular +5: 216 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C 

2. Valorheart

How to get Valorheart

Valorheart is found in the Ashes of Ariandel DLC for Dark Souls 3, and it is dropped by the Champion’s Gravetender and Gravetender’s Greatwolf. The fight is relatively difficult so you might face challenges, but persevere and you’ll have a great paired weapon that is amazing in many regards. It has great damage, a unique moveset, and a Weapon Art that utilizes the shield and sword in tandem as an offensive monster.

What makes Valorheart great:

• Good moveset
• Unique pairing of sword and shield
• Decent scaling
• Good damage

Valorheart stats:

• Regular: 120 attack damage | Preferred scaling: D
• Regular +3: 168 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C
• Regular +5: 210 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C 

1. Dark Sword

How to get the Dark Sword

Darkwraiths drop these weapons on the High Wall of Lothric and Farron Keep, so it’s a weapon you’re supposed to farm for, but it is well worth it! It has a great moveset, good scaling, decent damage, and it is the only Straight Sword that has the Stomp Weapon Art, which is unusual. Consider this weapon for any playthrough that requires consistent and good damage output, as well as a unique take on gameplay.

What makes the Dark Sword great:

• Good scaling
• Interesting Weapon Art for its class
• Unique attacks
• Solid damage

Dark Sword stats:

• Regular: 110 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C
• Regular +3: 143 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C
• Regular +6: 176 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C
• Regular +10: 220 attack damage | Preferred scaling: C

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