4 Answers2025-08-12 11:47:21
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.
4 Answers2025-08-12 01:27:57
As someone who's spent countless hours exploring every nook and cranny of 'Dark Souls 3', 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.
4 Answers2025-08-08 22:39:30
As someone who's spent countless hours experimenting with different weapons in 'Dark Souls 3', 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.
4 Answers2025-08-12 00:48:53
As someone who's spent countless hours experimenting with different greatswords in 'Dark Souls 3', 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.
4 Answers2025-08-12 20:16:33
As someone who's spent countless hours experimenting with 'Dark Souls 3' builds, I can confidently say the 'Onyx Blade' is one of the most versatile weapons for elemental infusion. While it already has innate dark damage, you can infuse it with other elements like fire or chaos to create a hybrid powerhouse. Fire infusion boosts its raw fire damage, making it deadly against enemies weak to flame, while chaos infusion adds fire scaling with intelligence and faith, perfect for pyro builds.
The 'Onyx Blade' also shines with dark or deep infusions, further amplifying its dark damage. However, lightning or crystal infusions aren’t as effective since they don’t synergize well with its natural stats. If you’re running a dark or pyro build, this weapon is a dream. Pair it with the right rings and buffs, and you’ll melt through enemies like butter. Just remember, its true potential unlocks when you embrace its dark roots and complement it with fire or chaos for maximum devastation.
4 Answers2025-08-12 22:15:38
' I can confidently say the 'Onyx Blade' is one of the most visually striking and functionally unique greatswords in the game. Its weapon art, 'Elfriede’s Blackflame,' is a spectacle to behold. When activated, it engulfs the blade in dark fire, significantly boosting its damage output for a limited time. This buff not only adds extra dark damage but also extends the weapon’s reach slightly, making it deadly in both PvE and PvP scenarios.
The 'Onyx Blade' is a favorite among hybrid builds, especially for those investing in both intelligence and faith. The weapon art’s animation is smooth, and the dark flames add a layer of intimidation during invasions. What’s even better is that the buff persists through rolls and swaps, giving players tactical flexibility. Pair this with its innate dark damage and scaling, and you’ve got a weapon that’s perfect for punishing overconfident foes. Just remember, the buff lasts about 45 seconds, so timing is key to maximizing its potential.
4 Answers2025-08-12 18:52:53
I can confidently say the Onyx Blade is one of the most versatile weapons for a pyromancer hybrid. The key stats to focus on are Faith and Intelligence, both at 40, to maximize its dark damage scaling. Strength should be around 16 to meet the minimum requirement, while Dexterity can stay at 12. Vigor and Endurance are crucial too—aim for 30-35 Vigor to survive hits and 25-30 Endurance for stamina management.
Attunement is another important stat, around 24-30, to ensure you have enough FP for pyromancies like 'Black Flame' or 'Great Chaos Fire Orb,' which complement the Onyx Blade's playstyle. The weapon's unique buff, 'Blade of the Dark,' adds significant dark and fire damage, so pairing it with pyromancies creates a devastating combo. Armor-wise, go for something with decent poise and fire resistance, like the Black Iron set, to balance defense and mobility.
4 Answers2025-08-12 15:23:38
Upgrading the 'Onyx Blade' in 'Dark Souls 3' is a bit different from standard weapons because it requires special materials. You'll need Titanite Scales instead of regular Titanite, as it’s a boss weapon. To start, take it to Andre the Blacksmith at Firelink Shrine. He can upgrade it to +5, but you’ll need 2 Titanite Scales for each upgrade level. The final upgrade to +5 will require a Titanite Slab.
The 'Onyx Blade' is dropped by Vilhelm in the Ashes of Ariandel DLC, so make sure you’ve defeated him to obtain it. This weapon has innate dark damage and scales with both Intelligence and Faith, making it perfect for pyromancers or dark spellcasters. Its weapon art, 'Elfriede’s Blackflame,' buffs the blade with extra dark damage, so upgrading it maximizes its potential for hybrid builds. If you’re running a dark-infused build, this is one of the best greatswords in the game.