Does Onyx Blade DS3 Have Any Special Weapon Art?

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Okay, let me gush for a minute — the Onyx Blade in 'Dark Souls III' feels like a weapon that sits between two personalities. It isn't twitchy like a straight sword nor lumbering like an ultra greatsword; it swings with deliberate intent. When I use it, I notice its horizontal arcs have a nicer reach and a weight that makes each hit feel meaningful, so it punishes sloppy spacing from opponents who expect a light-sword rhythm. Mechanically, the moveset plays out as a hybrid: you get solid R1 strings that aren't super-fast but chain smoothly, and the R2s tend to be chunkier, often trading well because of that reach. Its rolling and backstep R1s catch people trying to poke at close range; I often bait a roll and then follow up with a horizontal R1 to clip their recovery. Compared to a straight sword, you give up some speed but gain more satisfying range and poise pressure; compared to a greatsword, you keep more agility while still landing heavier hits. Beyond pure moves, the weapon art is the secret sauce — it adds zoning or an extra hit that changes how you approach fights. In casual duels I mix a few swings with weapon-art feints to keep folks guessing, and in PvE it shreds enemies that cluster because the arcs connect well. If you like a sword that rewards thoughtful spacing and timing rather than pure button-mashing, the Onyx Blade is a really fun middle ground.

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.

Man, I love geeking out over weapon hunting in 'Dark Souls 3' — the Onyx Blade was one of those finds that made me grin. I located mine in Smouldering Lake: there's a ledge area after you drop down past the first big bonfire where the level opens up into those caverns and broken walkways. Head through the caverns toward the pool sections and keep an eye on the side alcoves — the Onyx Blade sits on a corpse tucked away on a lower ledge near some smaller enemies and a couple of torch-bearing foes. If you’re trying to farm it or make sure you don’t miss it, approach slowly and use a torch or shield to block the fire blobs, because that area can be chaotic. If you’ve already cleared Smouldering Lake, it won’t respawn on a corpse, so your other option is to farm the enemies that sometimes drop it (use the Covetous Silver Serpent Ring or the Symbol of Avarice to boost item discovery) or check trading with Embered players. Also, once you have it, remember its neat weapon art scales with a combination of strength and intelligence—so if you like hybrid builds, this blade can be a really fun curveball to experiment with. Honestly, finding that hidden corpse felt like treasure hunting; next time bring a stack of rations and extra repair powder because you’ll want to swing it around to test out the moveset right away.

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.

Man, I used to hunt down weird weapons for hours back in 'Dark Souls III', and the Onyx Blade always felt like one of those things that either drops from a boss soul or hides behind a very specific condition. From everything I dug up in my own notes and from the item description in-game, the Onyx Blade is not a regular vendor stock — it’s tied to a boss/unique source rather than being sold by a normal merchant. If you want it, the fastest route is to look at the weapon’s in-game description (open your inventory and check the lore text) because it usually hints whether it’s a drop, a chest find, or made by transposing a boss soul. In my case I checked Ludleth’s transposition menu a lot when I was hunting unique boss weapons, because he’s the guy who turns boss souls into weapons if that’s the path the item takes. If you don’t want to go spelunking through menus, check a solid wiki like the 'Dark Souls III' wiki or Fextralife — they list the exact source (which boss or chest) and whether any particular NPC will sell it after certain conditions. I’ve posted my own farming route in forums before: check the equip/move list and then confirm the source on a wiki; saves you tons of time compared to blind farming. Happy hunting — if you tell me where you are in the game I can suggest the most efficient place to check first.