BEST Dark Souls 3 Boss Soul Weapons [800 Hours Tested]

Boss souls can be consumed for a decent amount of souls or can be transposed for unique Boss Soul weapons in Dark Souls 3, each very distinct and often equipped with very cool attacks.

This guide will cover what I believe to be the best boss soul weapons in Dark Souls 3. I hope you find this guide useful. For more Dark Souls 3 guides, check out The Best Dark Souls 2 Boss Weapons and Dark Souls 3 Guts Builds.

Boss Soul Weapons 

Dark Souls 3 boss soul weapons are unique, scaling with multiple stats and featuring distinctive attacks and buffs. The Dragonslayer Greataxe, for instance, inflicts lightning damage. These weapons sport a distinct, otherworldly appearance that sets them apart from their basic counterparts. Moreover, they all require a titanite scale for leveling up.

Here is a comparison table for the Best Dark Souls 3 Weapons. You can sort the table according to the highest or lowest values:

No.	Weapons	Best for	Physical Attack	Physical Defence	Magical Attack	Magical Defence	Fire Attack	Fire Defence	Light Attack	Light Defence	Dark Attack	Dark Defence	Critical Attack	Critical Defence	Weight	Skill
1	Frayed Blade	Best Boss Soul Weapon for Bleed Damage.	101	45.0	0	25.0	0	30.0	0	15.0	41	40.0	100	-	8.0	Hold
2	Hollowslayer Greatsword	Best Boss Soul Weapon for Strength/Dexterity Hybrid.	145	50.0	0	35.0	0	30.0	0	30.0	0	35.0	100	-	8.5	Stance
3	Dragonslayer Great Axe	Best Boss Soul Weapon for Pure Strength Builds.	200	55	-	45	-	40	74	40	-	-	100	-	20.0	Falling Bolt
4	Demon’s Scar	Best Boss Soul Weapon for Pyromancy.	0	25	-	35	99	65	-	30	-	-	110	-	0.5	Spin Slash
5	Gundyr’s Halberd	Best Boss Soul Weapon for Strength Builds.	145	45.0	0	30.0	0	25.0	0	25.0	0	30.0	100	-	13.0	Champion’s Charge
6	Vordt’s Greathammer	Best Boss Soul Weapon for High Damage.	176	55.0	0	45.0	0	35.0	0	35.0	0	45.0	100	-	17.0	Perseverance
7	Lorian’s Greatsword	Best Boss Soul Weapon for Strength Pyro Builds.	151	60.0	0	45.0	79	40.0	0	40.0	0	45.0	100	-	6.0	Flame of Lorian

1. Frayed Blade

Best Boss Soul Weapon for Bleed Damage.

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Dark	Critical
Attack	101	0	0	0	41	100
Defence	45.0	25.0	30.0	15.0	40.0	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	E	B	-	-
Requirement	12	15	0	0
Skill	Hold
Stability	30
Range	-
Durability	20
Weapon Category	Katana
Wgt.	8.0
Attack type	Slash/ Thrust
FP Cost	-(18/11)
Purchasing Value	5000
Soul Value	1500

Beating Darkeater Midir rewards you with the Frayed Blade, an exceptional Dark Souls 3 boss weapon. This Katana boasts a swift, powerful moveset and unique, rapid-fire attacks that deal substantial damage.

To obtain the Frayed Blade, transpose Darkeater Midir’s soul, an optional boss in the Ringed City DLC. A minimum Dexterity level of 40 is required, making it the game’s highest Dexterity weapon.

Its repertoire includes a swift combo of slashes and striking attacks, along with special L2 and R1/R2 attacks. One delivers a devastating shockwave with an overhead strike, while the L2=R2 combo unleashes a series of quick strikes that stagger foes and deal massive damage.

The Frayed Blade excels in both PvP and PvE. Its high damage, agility, and unique moves make it a top choice. In PvE, it’s perfect for various encounters, from small ads to formidable foes, thanks to its rapid attacks and low stamina consumption.

2. Hollowslayer Greatsword

Best Boss Soul Weapon for Strength/Dexterity Hybrid.

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Dark	Critical
Attack	145	0	0	0	0	100
Defence	50.0	35.0	30.0	30.0	35.0	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	D	C	-	-
Requirement	14	18	0	0
Skill	Stance
Stability	35
Range	-
Durability	70
Weapon Category	Katana
Wgt.	8.5
Attack type	Standard/ Thrust
FP Cost	-(-17/20)
Purchasing Value	1000
Soul Value	100

Acquired through the transposition of the Curse-rotted Greatwood, this greatsword necessitates a Strength level of 14 and Dexterity level of 18, but for optimal performance, a Pure Quality build with 40/40 STR/DEX is recommended.

Notably, the Hollowslayer Greatsword can’t be buffed or infused. Its moveset is distinct from others in its class, featuring a potent dual-wielded R2 thrust attack.

In Dark Souls 3, the Hollowslayer Greatsword is a versatile choice, excelling in both PvE and PvP. Its extended reach, high damage, and user-friendly mechanics make it highly effective.

Chaining the powerful R1 and R2 attacks yields impressive results against both small foes and bosses, maintaining a balanced attack speed despite the substantial damage.

3. Dragonslayer Greataxe

Best Boss Soul Weapon for Pure Strength Builds.

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Dark	Critical
Attack	200	0	0	74	41	100
Defence	55.0	45.0	40.0	40.0	45.0	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	D	E	D	-
Requirement	40	0	0	0
Skill	Falling Bolt
Stability	40
Range	-
Durability	165
Weapon Category	Greataxe
Wgt.	20.0
Attack type	Standard/ Thrust
FP Cost	-35(-/-)
Purchasing Value	-
Soul Value	1000

This Greataxe specifically caters to pure Strength builds, requiring a hefty 50 Strength. Acquiring it involves transposing the soul of Dragonslayer Armor.

Dual-wielding this weapon is recommended for optimal results, with both R1 and R2 attacks dealing substantial damage. The standout feature is the formidable L2 move, “Falling Bolt,” delivering a powerful overhead strike accompanied by a lightning AOE attack.

The slow yet powerful attacks prove devastating in PvE encounters. As you become more accustomed to the Dragonslayer Greataxe’s handling, you’ll find it an excellent choice for all in-game situations, whether facing small enemies or bosses with substantial health pools.

In summary, if you seek a weapon for maximizing damage output and raw power, the Dragonslayer Greataxe stands as the top choice. Arguably, it ranks as one of the most potent boss weapons in Dark Souls 3.

4. Demon’s Scar

Best Boss Soul Weapon for Pyromancy.

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Dark	Critical
Attack	0	0	99	0	0	110
Defence	25.0	35.0	65.0	30.0	-	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	-	E	D	D
Requirement	0	16	17	17
Skill	Hold
Stability	30
Range	-
Durability	70
Weapon Category	Curved Sword
Wgt.	0.5
Attack type	Slash
FP Cost	-(18/11)
Purchasing Value	10000
Soul Value	1500

The Demon’s Scar, a weapon from the Ringed City DLC, stands out as one of Dark Souls 3’s most unique visually and functional offerings. As one of the lightest weapons in the game, it’s tailored for pyromancers, primarily scaling with Faith and Intelligence.

To wield the Demon’s Scar, a Dexterity level of 16 and Faith and Intelligence levels of 17 each are required. For optimal performance, I recommend meeting the Dexterity requirement and raising both Intelligence and Faith to at least 40.

It features swift R1 attacks inflicting fire damage and R2 moves for Pyromancy casting. Consider equipping the Fire Clutch ring for enhanced performance, which amplifies the weapon’s effectiveness.

The Demon’s Scar also boasts a spinning L2 attack delivering moderate damage. While it may not excel as a standalone sword, its unique ability to combine melee damage with Pyromancies makes it an exceptional choice for Pyromancers, particularly those embracing a melee Pyro hybrid build.

5. Gundyr’s Halberd

Best Boss Soul Weapon for Strength Builds.

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Dark	Critical
Attack	145	0	0	0	0	100
Defence	45.0	30.0	25.0	25.0	30.0	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	E	B	-	-
Requirement	12	15	0	0
Skill	Champion’s Charge
Stability	25
Range	-
Durability	500
Weapon Category	Halberd
Wgt.	13.0
Attack type	Standard
FP Cost	15(-/15)
Purchasing Value	-
Soul Value	1000

To obtain Gundyr’s Halberd, you must transpose the soul of Champion Gundyr. It mandates a base Strength level of 30 and a base Dexterity level of 15, making it a versatile choice for both Strength and Quality builds.

Being a halberd, it excels in both PvE and PvP. Its impressive reach, high damage, and versatile moveset make it suitable for all types of encounters, with its length being especially advantageous in PvP. Its relatively quick attack speed allows for agile hit-and-run tactics in player-versus-player situations.

6. Vordt’s Greathammer

Best Boss Soul Weapon for High Damage.

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Dark	Critical
Attack	176	0	0	0	0	100
Defence	55.0	45.0	35.0	35.0	45.0	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	C	-	-	-
Requirement	30	0	0	0
Skill	Perseverance
Stability	45
Range	-
Durability	170
Weapon Category	Great Hammer
Wgt.	17.0
Attack type	Strike
FP Cost	-(18/11)
Purchasing Value	5000
Soul Value	1500

To acquire Vordt’s Greathammer, you must transpose the soul of Vordt of the Boreal Valley, the game’s second boss. This hammer heavily relies on Strength scaling and demands a minimum Strength level of 30. In addition to its potent moveset and frostbite effect, it boasts a unique L2 powerup known as “perseverance,” substantially boosting damage and providing some poise for a brief duration.

When upgraded to +5 and wielded with a Strength level of 50, Vordt’s Greathammer stands among the highest-damaging weapons in Dark Souls 3, making it an obvious choice for Strength-focused builds.

Due to its exceptional damage output and frostbite capability, Vordt’s Greathammer excels in both PvE and PvP situations. However, I’d recommend using it primarily for PvE due to the abundance of superior PvP alternatives. The weapon does have a learning curve, especially for those new to slow-hitting Strength weapons. Without mastering its moveset, it may prove lacking in PvP.

7. Lorian’s Greatsword

Best Boss Soul Weapon for Strength Pyro Builds.

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Dark	Critical
Attack	151	0	79	0	0	100
Defence	60.0	45.0	40.0	40.0	45.0	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	D	D	D	D
Requirement	26	10	0	0
Skill	Flame of Lorian
Stability	20
Range	-
Durability	70
Weapon Category	Ultra Greatsword
Wgt.	6.0
Attack type	Standard/ Thrust
FP Cost	-10(-/18)
Purchasing Value	-
Soul Value	1000

To acquire Lorian’s Greatsword, you must transpose the soul of the Twins Princes. This ultra greatsword cannot be buffed or infused. It offers a versatile moveset consisting of strikes and powerful thrust attacks. Wielding Lorian’s Greatsword requires a minimum Strength level of 26 and a Dexterity level of at least 10.

Lorian’s Greatsword serves as an excellent choice for Pure Strength, Strength Pyro, and Quality builds. Its high raw damage, combined with the added fire damage, makes it a formidable weapon for various encounters in Dark Souls 3. Additionally, it boasts an L2 buff that adds fire damage and triggers fire AoEs and outbursts with every attack.

Thanks to its numerous advantages, Lorian’s Greatsword excels in both PvE and PvP. Its potent moveset, capacity for fire damage, L2 buff, and scaling make it a versatile weapon in the game.

Lorian’s Greatsword is not just about its aesthetics; it delivers high damage output and quicker hitting speeds than other weapons in the same category. This makes it an excellent choice for progressing through the game, even when PvP battles are mixed in. There’s no type of encounter where Lorian’s Greatsword falls short; it excels in almost any situation.

Why Others Were Not Chosen

Here are some worthy contenders for the best boss soul weapons that I excluded from this guide:

• Arstor’s Spear: Doesn’t allow wide swings and has no poison damage.
• Crystal Sage Rapier: Weak against different forms of physical damage.
• Farron Greatsword: Much slower as compared to other Dex weapons.
• Wolf’s Knight Greatsword: Has a much lower range as compared to other boss soul weapons.

My Recommendation for the Boss Soul Weapon

As the author of this guide, I’ve delved into the world of Dark Souls 3’s boss soul weapons, and a few have left a lasting impression. The Frayed Blade is a standout, acquired from Darkeater Midir. Its swift and powerful moveset, coupled with unique attacks, makes it a top choice for both PvP and PvE.

Gundyr’s Halberd is another personal favorite. It’s a versatile weapon, offering an extended reach and adaptable moveset, making it excel in various encounters. The Dragonslayer Greataxe is memorable not just for its strength but for the battles it has won. While it may not be ideal for PvP due to its slower attacks, in PvE, it’s a force to be reckoned with.

Lorian’s Greatsword is a work of art, both in appearance and performance. Its versatile moveset and added fire damage make it a top contender in both PvE and PvP. Ultimately, the choice of a boss soul weapon is a matter of personal preference and playstyle. Dark Souls 3 offers a diverse array of weapons, each with its own allure and potential.