Summary
- Some weapons like the Threaded Cane and Uchigatana are iconic in multiple Soulsborne games, beloved by players for their unique abilities.
- Weapons like the Greatsword pay homage to classic series like Berserk, adding depth and nostalgia to the gameplay.
- Weapons like the Saw Cleaver and Rivers of Blood offer players powerful advantages in challenging situations, becoming fan-favorite choices.
FromSoftware’s groundbreaking Soulsborne series is iconic for many reasons. Bloodborne’s Lovecraftian aesthetic, Dark Souls’ vast and complex lore, and Elden Ring’s incredible open-world design are all prime examples. However, while these games are set in different universes, certain themes, items, characters, and gameplay elements connect them on a deeper level.
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The weapons of Soulsborne are central to the games. While some have become icons of individual titles, others have been featured in every release. These weapons have come to define the series and are common favorites among players. While the list of weapons available throughout Soulsborne is vast, only a few have become the series’ undisputed icons.
10 Threaded Cane
The Ultimate Trick Weapon
- Featured in: Bloodborne
The Threaded Cane is one of Bloodborne’s starter weapon choices and, like all the weapons in the game, has two forms. While other weapons have a higher damage output, the Threaded Cane’s speed means it can be just as effective as more powerful weapons.
The Threaded Cane is the perfect weapon for Bloodborne’s aesthetic. The game is set in a Victorian-inspired world, where elegance is mixed with brutal and bloody combat. The Threaded Cane typifies this with its two weapon forms. Initially, the weapon looks like any other cane, carried by the city’s upper-class gentry. However, its transformed state reveals the serrated blades hidden within, representing the hidden dangers of Yharnam’s underbelly.
9 Uchigatana
A Popular Starting Weapon For Dexterity Builds
- Featured in: Demon's Souls, Dark Souls, Dark Souls 2, Dark Souls 3, Elden Ring
The 
Uchigatana is a popular weapon found throughout Soulsborne games. The iconic Katana is often found early in the games and is a popular choice for dexterity builds. Its fast attacks combine with a bleeding effect that can decimate enemies.
While the Uchigatana is not the most impressive weapon in the series, being not overly large or ornate, its simple design and effective damage make it a popular early-game choice. In Elden Ring, it is the starting weapon for the Samurai class, where players will often duel-wield the Uchigatana with a more powerful variant, such as Moonveil.
8 Zweihander
The Go-To Big Sword
- Featured in: Dark Souls, Dark Souls 2, Dark Souls 3, Elden Ring
Along with the Greatsword, the 
Zweihander is one of the most popular large swords throughout the Soulsborne series. This oversized weapon deals high damage and is based on the real-life German sword, the Zweihander, used in the 16th century.
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Popular especially in the first Dark Souls game, the Zweihander is the go-to weapon for strength builds. While it is a heavy, slow-moving weapon, its powerful attacks can break an enemy’s stance, leaving them open to a devastating blow. The large and distinctive weapon has become a true icon for players and continues to be popular in recent releases.
7 Club
A Favorite For Challenge Runs
- Featured in: Demon's Souls, Dark Souls, Dark Souls 2, Dark Souls 3, Elden Ring
One of the defining factors of the Soulsborne series is its challenging gameplay. With punishing enemies and tough boss fights, completing one of these games requires perseverance. While many players struggle with the difficulty, others have embraced it. Each Soulsborne game offers a starting class with no specialization, no armor, and only a simple 
Club to fight with. For some players, this is the only way to play the game.
The club has become synonymous with challenge runs, where players will even refuse to level. While it is not the only weapon known for this, the club is the go-to for those seeking a higher level of challenge.
6 Starscourge Greatsword
A Destructive Weapon Of A Demi-God
- Featured in: Elden Ring
With his appearance as the final boss in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, 
Starscourge Radahn has cemented his place as one of the most important characters in Elden Ring. The first encounter with Radahn in Caelid is a high point of the base game, with his duel-wielded swords being particularly memorable.
Upon defeat, The Starscourge Greatsword is a fitting reward, with the armament being an extremely effective weapon. The sword has become one of the most popular in the game and is instantly recognizable for its subtle ornate design, powerful weapon skill, and dual-wielded stance.
5 Greatsword
A Familiar Weapon To Fans Of Berserk
- Featured in: Demons Souls, Dark Souls, Dark Souls 2, Dark Souls 3, Elden Ring.
While it wasn’t until Dark Souls 2 that the distinct sword grew to its formidable size, the 
Greatsword has been a part of Soulsborne since its beginning. This huge and effective weapon is a favorite for strength builds and deals high damage to enemies.
The Greatsword is not only a popular weapon, but it is also a tribute to another classic series. Soulsborne was highly influenced by the classic dark fantasy manga Berserk. The central character, Guts, famously wields a colossal oversized sword, which the Greatsword is based on. Fans of both series are certain to enjoy using the Greatsword in-game, decimating enemies with its heavy and powerful attacks.
4 Rivers Of Blood
The Most Notorious Weapon In Elden Ring
- Featured in: Elden Ring
Elden Ring was released to mass critical acclaim and quickly became the most successful release in FromSoftware’s Soulsborne series. As players explored the vast world, one weapon soon became known for how overpowered it was.
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Rivers of Blood is a Katana found in the Mountaintops of the Giants region, in the Church of Repose. Its powerful weapon skill, Corpse Piler, splits the air with slashes of blood, causing massive damage to enemies. The weapon is effective in both PvE and PvP and has become one of the most famous swords in gaming. The Blade shines with blood and is the go-to for those wanting a powerful advantage through the challenging game.
3 Hunter’s Pistol
Innovating On The Souls Formula
- Featured in: Bloodborne
While Bloodborne shares many gameplay elements with Dark Souls, the popular title is its own unique beast. Bloodborne is a game that innovated the Dark Souls formula, changing the gameplay to be faster and more aggressive. One of the unique additions that achieved this was the Hunter’s Pistol. Timing an attack correctly with the pistol breaks the enemy’s stance, leaving them open to a devastatingly visceral attack.
While other weapons in the game can do this, the Hunter’s Pistol remains the most popular and most effective. The pistol fits perfectly with Bloodborne’s Victorian aesthetic and, together with the Saw Cleaver, form the iconic duo of the game.
2 Saw Cleaver
The Hunter’s Weapon Of Choice
- Featured in: Bloodborne
The Saw Cleaver is the poster boy of Bloodborne. The brutal-looking weapon was featured in all the promotions for the game, as well as the cover art, and has remained the iconic weapon players most connect with Bloodborne. The Saw Cleaver can be chosen as one of the player’s starting weapons. However, its effectiveness means that many players may never put it down.
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The weapon does additional damage to beasts with its serrated edges. Like many weapons in Bloodborne, it has an additional form that it can change into. This transformed version performs heavier attacks and has a longer range. The Saw Cleaver is one of the most unique weapons in the Soulsborne series and exemplifies Bloodborne's gory and brutal nature.
1 Moonlight Greatsword
The Iconic Weapon Of Soulsborne
- Features in: Demon's Souls, Dark Souls, Dark Souls 2, Dark Souls 3, Bloodborne, Elden Ring, Armored Core Series.
While this iconic weapon has gone by different names throughout Soulsborne, each iteration is a must-find for series fans. Easily recognizable for its large blade that glows with an eerie blue light, the Moonlight Greatsword is often hidden within a questline that players must uncover.
These swords are often central to the game’s lore or wielded by major characters. They’ll usually include ranged attacks that fire waves of blue light and are always effective weapons against enemies. The Moonlight Greatsword has become a real trademark for the developer. It is even featured throughout Fromsoftware’s other landmark series, Armored Core, known simply as Moonlight.
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