Best Early Game Weapons DS3 Powerful Starting Equipment Guide

Beginning a journey through Lothric can be an incredibly daunting experience for both newcomers and returning veterans. The early zones throw punishing encounters at you before your character stats are fully developed, making your initial equipment choice critical for survival. Selecting the right tool early on ensures you can overcome the steep difficulty curve without wasting valuable upgrade materials.

The Reliable Standard of the Long Sword

The Knight class begins the game with the Long Sword, which remains one of the most versatile weapons in the entire trilogy. It features a highly adaptable moveset that combines quick horizontal sweeps for crowd control with precise thrusting attacks for narrow corridors. This balance allows players to safely manage stamina while delivering consistent physical damage to aggressive hollows.

As you progress through the High Wall of Lothric, investing in a Raw Infusion can significantly boost this weapon's base damage without relying on high scaling stats. This optimization frees up your early levels, allowing you to focus entirely on increasing your Vigor and Endurance for better survivability. It provides a highly efficient baseline that can easily carry your character into the mid-game zones.

Devastating Power of the Claymore

For players who prefer heavier armaments, the Claymore offers incredible striking power and excellent stagger potential very early in the game. Located on the high platform guarded by the fire-breathing wyvern, retrieving it requires careful timing but rewards you with a premier greatsword. Its heavy attacks can easily break the guard of shielded Lothric knights, turning difficult duels into manageable encounters.

Wielding this weapon effectively requires a bit more strength, but its stance skill provides excellent utility against aggressive bosses. The heavy vertical chops allow you to trade damage effectively while maintaining a safe distance from enemy counterattacks. It stands out as a perfect choice for anyone looking to build a powerful strength-oriented character from the start.

High Dexterity and Bleed with the Uchigatana

If you prefer an agile playstyle, defeating the aggressive Sword Master outside the Firelink Shrine unlocks the iconic Uchigatana. This katana scales exceptionally well with Dexterity and introduces an inherent bleed effect that drains enemy health pools rapidly over time. The swift slashing animations allow you to land multiple hits during the narrow attack windows provided by early bosses.

Using this weapon demands precise positioning because it lacks the defensive capabilities and staggering potential of heavier alternatives. However, the unique parry skill built into its combat stance offers advanced players a rewarding high-risk gameplay loop. It rewards patience and sharp reflexes, making it an exceptional option for mastering fast-paced combat encounters.

Raw Power from the Deep Axe

Hidden inside a chest guarded by a dangerous Mimic beneath the High Wall tower, the Deep Axe provides an immediate elemental advantage. This weapon comes pre-infused with dark damage, which completely bypasses the standard physical resistances of many early-game enemies. It allows you to deal massive flat damage without needing to invest heavily in specialized magical attributes.

Because elemental infusions remove stat scaling entirely, this axe performs exceptionally well during the initial hours when your attributes are still low. It serves as an excellent secondary option for overcoming specific bottlenecks or bosses vulnerable to dark energy. Eventually, you will want to transition back to scaling weapons, but its early utility is undeniably powerful.