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Dark Souls III

Dark Souls III Best Early Weapons

Best early weapons in Dark Souls 3 — Long Sword, Claymore, Rapier, and infusion basics before Cathedral.

Dark Souls III cover art

Early weapons matter less than upgrades. +6 standard beats unupgraded rare weapons.

Top early weapons

Weapon Type Notes
Long Sword Straight sword Balanced, refine infusion
Claymore Greatsword Stagger machine
Rapier Thrust Critical damage king
Mace Strike Good vs armored knights

Infusion tip

Match infusion to highest stat — Raw before scaling stats reach soft caps.

Bottom line

Long Sword refined to +6 carries early game. Claymore if you prefer stagger over speed.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best early weapon in Dark Souls 3?

Long Sword is the community favorite. Claymore for greatsword users. Both scale well with infusions.

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