3 Answers2025-09-02 10:41:34
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.
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.
3 Answers2025-12-25 22:44:32
Jumping into the world of 'Dark Souls 3' can feel like wandering through a dream where the only constant is the thrill (and pain) of overcoming challenges. Now, if you’re on the hunt for the Onyx Blade, you’re really in for a treat! This weapon is a staple for those who appreciate a blend of aesthetic and deadly efficiency. To snag this mystical blade, you need to first make your way to the area known as the Killed to Giants. Here lies the hidden path to advance toward the weapon's location.
Once you reach the right area, you'll encounter a fierce foe – the Abyss Watcher. Here’s a tip: get ready for a tough fight, as this encounter demands your utmost focus and skill. But here's the trick! If you can lure enemies over to where they can help you, you can leverage their abilities alongside your own. It’s all about strategy, folks!
After you emerge victorious, the Onyx Blade will be yours! What makes it stand out? The weapon comes with a unique skill called 'Stance of the Abyss,' which allows you to unleash devastating attacks against your foes. I can’t express how satisfying it is to slice through enemies with this beauty. So, gear up, summon a friend if you must, and go on that epic adventure. You'll feel powerful wielding one of the game's most majestic weapons.
4 Answers2025-08-12 11:38:43
As a veteran 'Dark Souls 3' player who's spent countless hours farming items, I can confirm the Onyx Blade is dropped by Vilhelm, a formidable NPC invader found in the Ariandel Chapel. This weapon is a beast—literally and figuratively—with its dark flame buff and scaling. Vilhelm is no pushover, though. He’s aggressive, uses the same weapon, and can punish careless players. But if you manage to defeat him, the Onyx Blade is yours. It’s perfect for dark/strength builds, and the weapon art is just *chef’s kiss*.
For those struggling, I recommend using a fast weapon to interrupt his attacks or parrying him for a riposte. The chapel’s tight space can be tricky, but staying mobile helps. Trust me, the grind is worth it—this weapon carries through NG+ cycles with ease.
4 Answers2025-08-12 20:16:33
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.
3 Answers2025-09-02 04:57:23
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.
4 Answers2025-08-12 01:27:57
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 Answers2025-08-12 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.
3 Answers2025-09-02 10:06:20
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.
3 Answers2025-09-02 06:46:45
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.