What Is The Scaling Like For Onyx Blade DS3?

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' 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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

' I can confidently say the Onyx Lord's Greatsword is a beast in the right hands. This curved greatsword scales primarily with Strength and Dexterity, but its real magic lies in its unique skill, 'Onyx Lord's Repulsion,' which unleashes a shockwave of gravitational force. It’s perfect for crowd control or catching aggressive players off-guard in PvP. The weapon’s scaling isn’t the highest compared to meta picks, but it’s solid for hybrid builds. At +10, it gets a B in Strength and a C in Dexterity, making it a decent choice for quality builds. The lack of elemental scaling might disappoint some, but its pure physical damage and flashy skill more than make up for it. Pair it with the right talismans, like the 'Claw Talisman' for jump attacks, and you’ve got a stylish yet deadly loadout.

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.