Dark Souls: Best Dexterity Weapons

Dark Souls needs no introduction. The magnum opus of FromSoftware is considered by many to be one of the greatest and most important video games of the last decade. The title defies modern AAA gaming tropes to craft an experience that is equal parts unique and sublime. The risks this title took to allow for a unique gameplay experience that rewarded players for learning how the game worked without holding their hands too much were critical to the success of this title, spawning an entire genre of its own and catapulting Miyazaki to the realm of superstardom.

One of the many great parts about Dark Souls was the amount of player freedom that was afforded when it came to creating a personalized character build. The player could choose to opt for the more traditional Strength-focused fighter or opt for a faster build by investing in Dexterity instead. For the players who took the latter approach, the game became more about landing quick hits in succession instead of landing just one or two solid blows before maintaining distance. So it’s a given that players would want to optimize their loadout and equip the best Dex weapon they can find to complement their playstyle.

Updated on September 24, 2025, by Ritwik Mitra: Dark Souls is one of the greatest video games ever made, with this title helping FromSoftware reach new heights as a developer. This action RPG is in a class of its own and lets players control the Chosen Undead in a hard-as-nails title where death can arrive at a moment’s notice. This makes it important for players to be well-versed regarding the many builds that can be pursued in the game. One of the most popular ways to enjoy this experience is by dumping a ton of points in Dexterity and using the game’s fastest weapons to slice and dice enemies with ease. These weapons will synergize well with a player’s build and ensure that they can obliterate most of the game’s challenging bosses in style.

Dexterity Weapon Upgrade Path Tips

• Opting for the Regular Upgrade Path is the best course of action to take for new players. This is especially true for new players who don’t have in-depth knowledge of the Upgrade Path system.
• Raw Upgrades are good, but not great for the long haul. They’re better reserved for weapons that will be discarded early on. Keep in mind that most Dark Souls Dex weapons have lower durability and require more hits to down enemies than their Strength counterparts; thus, it’s best to avoid the Crystal Upgrade Path.
• Players who want to pursue an Intelligence build should opt for the Magic or Enchanted Upgrade Path. Other players who pursue a Faith build should go for the Divine or Occult Upgrade Path instead.
• Low-level players can opt for the Lightning, Fire, or Chaos Upgrade Path instead.

Dagger

Initial Equipment For The Sorcerer Class

The Dagger may not seem like the most interesting weapon to use. After all, there are so many other best Dex weapons players can check out that relying on a seemingly boring weapon may not be the most appealing option for players. However, people who just want to mash the light attack button over and over again to whittle down an enemy’s health bar will love what the dagger brings to the table.

It may not have any special effects, but players won’t mind once they invest some points in Endurance and use their upgraded stamina to launch an unending flurry of fast attacks that can make for some decent DPS. However, enemies who don’t provide players with big attack windows may be a challenge, and players are better off switching to a weapon that hits harder, even if its attack speed is bound to be slower than the dagger. If players wish to start with the Dagger, they should choose the Sorcerer class, as this weapon is its default equipment. It can also be purchased from the Undead Merchant in the Undead Burg for 300 souls. Like any other short weapon, the dagger’s range isn’t great. However, it has one of the highest DPS stats in the entire game, which makes it ideal for players who want to deliver several blows in a split second.

Short Bow

Initial Equipment For The Hunter Class

The bow can be a hard sell for players. Despite the immense benefits they enjoy in terms of scaling, the idea of stocking up on arrows and taking out enemies from range feels uninteresting and doesn’t excite most fans. Still, players who want to keep a ranged attack option on their person will find bows to be a decent addition to their arsenal.

The Short Bow is not the strongest bow that players can invest in, but the golden rule of Dark Souls is that every weapon is viable in the right hands. With enough arrows, points in Dexterity, and skill, players can use the Short Bow to trivialize numerous encounters in Dark Souls as long as they know what they’re doing. Hunters are known for their quickness and ease in striking targets from a distance, which is why the short bow is the initial equipment for this class. This weapon can be purchased from the Undead Merchant in the Undead Burg for 1000 Souls, and it’s also a rare drop (2% chance) from Hollows in the Undead Burg, the Northern Undead Asylum, the Depths, and the Painted World of Ariamis. The same goes for Torch Hollows in those locations and for skeletons in the Firelink Shrine Graveyard and The Catacombs. Short Bows are generally faster than their Long counterparts, so if players want a fast weapon that can deal some damage from a distance, this is an excellent choice.

Longbow

On A Ledge In Darkroot Garden

The Longbow is another decent option for players who want to keep a bow on them as a secondary ranged option while exploring the world of Dark Souls. This weapon may not occupy a player’s main slot unless they want to actively challenge themselves, but a lot of people underestimate how effective this weapon can be in the right hands.

With enough arrows and distance from enemies, players can whittle down an enemy’s health bar quite a bit, if not defeat them outright. It may not be the most interesting way to take out enemies. However, players who have engaged with the regular gameplay loop of Dark Souls time and again will find it amusing to take potshots at enemies from afar. If the Longbow is not obtained at Darkroot Garden, it can also be acquired as a rare drop (2% chance) from Undead Crystal Archers at the Duke’s Archives. This weapon can’t be enchanted, which might be disappointing to some players.

Notched Whip

Drops From Xanthous King Jeremiah In The Painted World Of Ariamis

One thing that players will hear time and time again regarding every Dark Souls game is that almost every weapon class is viable except for the whip. So, it can be puzzling to see the Notched Whip be hailed as one of the best Dex weapons around. It may not be the best weapon out there, but players who want to punish their enemies in style will find this whip to be right up their alley.

It’s the hardest-hitting whip in the game and features an interesting moveset that makes up for its perceived lack of damage. With enough upgrades and investments in Dexterity, players can turn a weapon many people deride into one of the best Dex weapons in the game that makes the Chosen Undead look cool as they take out enemies in a humiliating fashion.

Black Bow Of Pharis

Drops From Pharis In Darkroot Garden

A bow with immense range, the Black Bow of Pharis is immensely powerful in the right hands. If players make the most of this bow’s range, they can effectively take out most enemies without even aggroing them. This makes for one of the funnier ways to take out enemies in this legendary game, even if the process can be a bit arduous for some.

Using a bow is simple, but players should always have a close-range backup. This will come in handy when enemies cover the distance, as they can decimate the Chosen Undead if they’re too busy fiddling around with their bow. This is fairly obvious, and it’s a shame that a bow can never be a player’s primary weapon. Still, that doesn’t mean weapons like the Black Bow of Pharis can’t be used for some sound strategies against both enemies and bosses.

Scimitar

Starting Weapon For Wanderer; Sold By The Undead Merchant; Rare Drop From Scimitar-Wielding Skeleton

The “boring” weapons in Dark Souls have an unfair reputation for not being used by the community all that often. It’s a shame, since the effectiveness of these weapons far outweighs the lack of flourish in their moveset. The Scimitar is a great example of the same.

It may be a starting weapon, but that shouldn’t diminish its strengths in the slightest. In the right hands, the scimitar is a force to be reckoned with. Sure, most people feel that the Falchion is a direct upgrade in every way, but the scimitar is lighter, which is more than enough to sell fans on this weapon.

Spear

Sold By Male Undead Merchant; Drops from Spear Wielder Infested Ghoul, Phalanx, And Undead Soldier

Many people consider the Spear to be one of the best starting weapons in the game, especially for players who want to manage enemies from a distance without putting themselves in harm’s way. Getting a feel for this weapon makes it easier to check out other weapons in the same class.

Of course, some people will love this weapon so much that they’d want to use it all the way to the end. This is totally viable, and players can also use unique infusions to enhance this weapon’s damage and help it reach new heights.

Rapier

Sold By Undead Merchant; Rare Drop From A Rapier-Wielding Balder Knight

Most people would assume that the Rapier is a boring weapon to use, as its moveset is anything but memorable. However, that is far from the main strength of this weapon. Rather, it’s the immense damage dealt by ripostes and backstabs that makes the Rapier such a blast to use.

That being said, there’s no denying that its moveset is a bit uninspired and its best application is situational and might not be to every player’s taste. Some of the toughest enemies in the game aren’t even vulnerable to these attacks, and better, outright damage dealers would be preferred by some instead. Unlike other weapons in the game, the Rapier can be enchanted, which can be very useful in combination with the great things it already has to its advantage.

Winged Spear

Found In The Firelink Shrine Graveyard

Players who want a great spear to poke enemies to death early on need to brave a run into the graveyard near Firelink Shrine early on and grab this weapon as quickly as they can. The Winged Spear is very powerful in the right hands, especially with a shield for added defense.

Using measured strikes to take out opponents and avoiding any damage by staying out of harm’s way and rolling around is a very effective strategy with this spear. Most spears are great for PvE, and the Winged Spear is no exception.

Ricard’s Rapier

Drops From Ricard The Archer At The Top Of Sen’s Fortress

Ricard’s Rapier is a unique version of the rapier with a unique caveat of its own. Most of its moveset is similar to the standard Rapier, barring one particular move. Pressing the heavy attack button twice leads to the Chosen Undead unleashing four quick and damaging thrusts. While this is extremely effective in PvE, the same isn’t recommended against another human player since this move can be parried quite easily.

With enough practice, Ricard’s Rapier can become a valuable weapon in any player’s arsenal. While people have complaints about this weapon’s usefulness in the late game, most people wouldn’t mind a tougher challenge if it allows them to look dazzling in combat.