How Does The Ds3 Onyx Blade Moveset Compare To Other Swords?

The 'Onyx Blade' in 'Dark Souls 3' is one of those weapons that just oozes style and power, especially if you're into hybrid builds. This greatsword scales with both Intelligence and Faith, making it perfect for pyromancers or dark magic users. Its base moveset is similar to other greatswords, featuring horizontal slashes for crowd control and a strong vertical chop for single targets. The weapon art, 'Elfriede’s Blackflame,' is where it truly shines—it buffs the blade with dark fire, adding extra damage and a cool visual effect. One thing I love about the 'Onyx Blade' is its versatility. The R2 attacks have decent range, and the rolling R1 is quick enough to catch opponents off guard. The buff lasts a solid 45 seconds, so you can pre-buff before engaging. It’s also surprisingly lightweight for a greatsword, letting you stay mobile. Pair it with the 'Prisoner’s Chain' or 'Ring of Favor' for extra survivability. If you’re looking for a weapon that balances raw power and dark aesthetics, this is it.

I can confidently say the 'Onyx Blade' stands out for its unique blend of magic and physical damage. Unlike traditional greatswords like the 'Claymore' or 'Black Knight Sword', the 'Onyx Blade' scales with both Intelligence and Faith, making it a powerhouse for hybrid builds. Its weapon art, 'Elfriede’s Blackflame', buffs the blade with dark damage, adding a layer of versatility that most greatswords lack. What really sets it apart is its range and moveset. The 'Onyx Blade' has a deceptive reach, often catching opponents off guard in PvP. While it may not hit as hard as the 'Fume Ultra Greatsword' in pure physical damage, the dark damage buff more than compensates, especially against enemies weak to magic. It’s also lighter than many ultra greatswords, allowing for better mobility. For spellswords or dark builds, it’s easily one of the top choices.

If you're gearing the Onyx Blade for duels in 'Dark Souls III', the first thing I tell myself is: pick the role you want it to play. The Onyx Blade can be a jukey, spacing-heavy sword or a heavy-hitting trade machine depending on how you upgrade and what stats you pump. Start by fully upgrading it to +10 at the blacksmith — that’s non-negotiable for PvP; all scaling bonuses and infusion effects are most useful at max upgrade. From there, match the infusion to your stat spread: Heavy if you’re stacking Strength, Sharp if you lean Dex, Refined if you’re splitting Strength/Dex, and elemental or deep infusions if you’re pairing with Faith/Int/hexes. Raw is only for weird low-stat builds and usually not PvP-friendly. Mechanics matter as much as the numbers. Aim your primary offensive stat to the softcap (around 40 for most builds) so the Onyx Blade actually converts that scaling into damage. Don’t skimp on Vigor and Endurance — you need HP and stamina to win trades. Consider boosting equip load so you can wear decent armor without fat-rolling; being able to tank a hit and retaliate with the weapon art or a strong R1 string makes a massive difference. And experiment with weapon buffs or temporary resins if your build supports them — they turn the Onyx Blade into a surprise threat against turtles. On the practical side, work on timing: the weapon art and R2s cover space and create openings, while R1 flurries and mixups punish rolls. Change your approach in each match: sometimes bait a roll and raw punish, other times play spacing and poke until you can commit. I spend a lot of practice time in 1v1 duels testing different infusions and swap a ring or two depending on whether I’m facing heavy armor or glass cannons — small adjustments go a long way. Try a few builds in casual duels, note what opponents struggle with, and lean into that; the Onyx Blade rewards patience and smart reads more than reckless swinging.

Honestly, the 'Onyx Blade' in 'Dark Souls 3' always felt like one of those weapons that sits a little outside the usual sword archetypes — it’s a hybrid weapon with physical plus dark damage and it rewards investment into the right stats rather than raw upgrade numbers. From what I’ve seen playing and poking at item screens, the base attack at +0 is middling for a unique sword: it has moderate physical AR with a secondary dark component that makes it good for bypassing some resistance checks. The important part is the scaling: it starts with low scaling in Strength and Intelligence (usually Ds or Cs at +0) and grows significantly as you upgrade the blade. By mid-upgrade (+5 or so) those Ds/Cs often jump to C/B, and at max (+10) you typically see B or even A in the primary scaling stat, with the dark split staying consistent. I like to think of it as a quality/intelligence hybrid — it doesn’t compete with dedicated pure-strength greatswords for raw physical damage, nor with full-sorcery catalysts for casting, but with a roughly even spread between physical and dark it becomes deadly for Faith/Int builds or quality builds that want a dark edge. Infusions and Ashen Estus choices can tilt it more toward magic or physical playstyles. For exact numerical ARs, the game’s item screen shows the detailed breakdown and the scaling letters; in practice I check the actual AR after applying my stat levels and upgrades to judge whether it hits damage soft caps for my build. If you want, I can walk you through the math on how the scaling letters translate into extra AR for a specific Strength/Intelligence spread.

I can confidently say the 'Onyx Blade' is a hidden gem for Pyromancer builds. This greatsword scales primarily with Intelligence and Faith (both at C), making it ideal for hybrid casters. The base damage is respectable, but the true magic happens when you buff it—its Weapon Art, 'Queen's Darkflame,' adds a hefty 145 fire damage for 45 seconds. The scaling isn’t as aggressive as pure physical weapons, but the split damage (physical and dark) and the buff make it devastating in PvE and PvP if you build around it. One thing to note is that its scaling doesn’t improve much beyond 30 Int/Faith, so soft-capping at those stats is efficient. It’s also lightweight for a greatsword, allowing for more flexibility in armor choices. If you’re running a 30/30 Int/Faith build, this weapon outperforms many others in its class, especially against enemies weak to dark or fire. Just be mindful of foes with high dark resistance—it can feel a bit lackluster there.

The Onyx Blade in 'Dark Souls 3' is such an interesting weapon choice! I mean, it stands out not just for its design—it’s sleek and ominous—but also for its unique mechanics. The weapon has a sort of dual nature, combining physical damage and a special dark elemental property. Right off the bat, you notice it has a really high base damage for a straight sword, which already puts it ahead of so many other options! Plus, its scaling with intelligence and faith means you can experiment with builds that are a bit different and fun, especially for folks who like to cast spells alongside melee combat. One of the coolest features is the weapon art: a special feat that allows you to unleash a dark attack, perfect for breaking enemy poise. Compared to traditional weapons like the trusty Claymore or even the infamous Estoc, the Onyx Blade feels fresher, with that unique dark magic twist. The trade-off, however, is you need a well-balanced build to make the most of it, unlike those other weapons that often have straightforward scaling. Playing with the Onyx Blade offers a totally different vibe; it creates that empowerment feeling when you can deal high damage while simultaneously unleashing those dark sorceries. Honestly, it’s versatile and gives you that awesome “look at me, I'm unique!” flair in-game. Experimenting with different setups and combos while grinding through Lothric makes each encounter feel exhilarating and fresh!

the Onyx Blade is a weapon that stands out for its unique blend of aesthetics and practicality. The weapon’s dark flame buff not only looks cool but adds significant fire damage, making it a solid choice for hybrid builds focusing on pyromancy. Its moveset is versatile, with a greatsword’s sweeping attacks that can catch multiple opponents in invasions. However, the Onyx Blade does have drawbacks. Its range is slightly shorter than other greatswords like the 'Claymore,' and the buff duration is limited, requiring careful timing. In high-level duels, experienced players can exploit its slower recovery frames. That said, if you enjoy a mix of spellcasting and melee, the Onyx Blade’s burst damage potential makes it a fun and viable option for both invasions and casual duels.

I can tell you the Onyx Blade is one of those hidden gems that’s totally worth the hunt. You'll find it in the 'Ashes of Ariandel' DLC, specifically in the Corvian Settlement. From the bonfire, head past the bridge where the giant wolf attacks, then drop down into the ruined buildings. There’s a tower with a ladder—climb it, and you’ll find a NPC named Vilhelm. Defeat him, and the Onyx Blade is yours. This weapon is a beast for dark builds, scaling with both intelligence and faith. Its weapon art buffs it with dark damage, making it perfect for pyromancers or dark spellcasters. The area itself is tricky, though, with those creepy Corvian knights lurking around. Pro tip: Bring a shield with high stability or learn to parry—Vilhelm hits hard but is manageable if you stay calm. The Onyx Blade’s sleek design and lore ties to the Sable Church of Londor make it a favorite among lore hunters too.

Man, I've been messing around with the Onyx Blade in 'Dark Souls 3' for ages and I can say straight up: it’s totally playable on either build, but it rewards different styles. If you lean into Strength you'll feel the weight and raw stagger — it likes to make enemies wobble and it hits like a truck when you two-hand or stack buffs. I usually pump enough Strength to meet its requirements, slap on a Heavy or Refined infusion if the weapon allows it, and pair it with a ring or two that boost physical damage. That gives you big hits and reliable poise damage in most PvE fights. On the flip side, if you're a Dex fan, you can still make the Onyx Blade work, but it forces a more surgical approach. A Sharp or Refined infusion (again, only if the weapon is infusable) plus Dex investment turns it into something with faster follow-ups and better scaling with dexterity—less raw blunt force, more swift punishing combos and riposte setups. I like to mix in quickstep/roll punishes and weapon arts that lengthen reach. In PvP it’s a mixed bag: Strength builds tend to win trades, Dex builds win at spacing. Personally, I experiment with both and end up favoring Strength for invasions and Dex for duel-focused, mobile playstyles — try both and see which fits how you enjoy skirmishes.

Oh man, the Onyx Blade question always gets me excited — I love tinkering with weapon combos. From my time testing weapons in Dark Souls 3, the short version is: most weapon buffs from sorceries and miracles will work on normal melee weapons, so you can cast things like Magic Weapon or Lightning Blade (or even Crystal Magic Weapon) to add elemental damage to a blade. That said, there are a few caveats that matter in practice. I usually check two things before I buff: whether the Onyx Blade already has an innate elemental or unique damage type, and whether I’ve infused it at the blacksmith. If the weapon is already elementally infused, some buffs may overwrite or interact strangely, so the resulting damage split can change and sometimes be less effective than you expect. Buffs consume FP and last a limited time, so for PvE I tend to buff before big fights; in PvP you’ll want to be careful because many buffs are visible and predictable. Personally, I love pairing a caster-friendly sword with a buff that complements my main stat — it feels rewarding to see the damage numbers pop differently based on the buff I chose.