The Ultimate Riposte Weapon in Dark Souls 3: A Comprehensive Guide

In the unforgiving world of Dark Souls 3, mastering the art of parrying and riposting is crucial for survival, particularly against tough opponents. While the parry itself sets up the opportunity, it’s the riposte that delivers the devastating blow. So, what is the best weapon to riposte in Dark Souls 3? The answer, while seemingly straightforward, involves a combination of weapon characteristics and stat optimization.

The Reigning Champion: Chaos Dagger +10 with Hornet Ring

The most effective riposte weapon in Dark Souls 3 is undoubtedly the Chaos Dagger +10, when paired with the Hornet Ring. This combination, coupled with a 40/40 split in Intelligence and Faith (or near this value), yields the highest possible riposte damage. Why is this particular setup so powerful?

• Critical Multiplier: The Dagger class of weapons boasts the highest critical attack modifier in the game, and the regular Dagger already has very high crit. The Chaos Dagger, infused with Chaos, scales with both Intelligence and Faith, thus benefiting from those stats.
• Hornet Ring: This ring significantly boosts critical attack damage, making the riposte even more potent.
• Stat Optimization: A 40/40 Intelligence and Faith build maximizes the Chaos Dagger’s damage potential, ensuring your ripostes hit like a truck.

This combination is so effective that it often results in one-shot kills against many enemies and even significantly damages, or kills, player characters in PvP battles. While other weapons might be viable for ripostes, the sheer damage output of the Chaos Dagger +10 with the Hornet Ring makes it the undisputed champion in the realm of ripostes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To further illuminate the nuances of ripostes and their related mechanics, here are 15 frequently asked questions:

1. Can you switch weapons before a riposte?

Yes, absolutely! You can parry with one weapon and then immediately switch to your riposte weapon before hitting the R1 button. This allows you to have a shield for parrying or a faster weapon but still use a Dagger for maximizing damage.

2. What weapons can parry in Dark Souls 3?

The following weapon classes can be used to parry, typically when wielded in the left hand. Notably, the parry frames are not the same and have varying speeds.

• Katanas (Only when using “Hold” weapon art, except Frayed Blade which does not parry, and Darkdrift with shield splitter)
• Caestus
• Demon’s Fist
• Claw
• Crow Talons
• Manikin Claws
• Rapiers
• Scimitars

3. What are the easiest weapons to parry with?

Buckler and Target Shield are considered the easiest to parry with. This is due to having a greater number of parry frames. However, their block functionality is significantly worse. For parry spamming, these options are best. Alternatively, fist weapons like Caestus or Claws can also be effective due to their speed.

4. Can you parry with a Katana in DS3?

Yes, you can. Most Katanas have a “Hold” skill that allows you to parry while wielding them.

5. Can you riposte with a Greatsword?

Yes, you can absolutely riposte with a Greatsword. The weapon used for the parry or riposte doesn’t matter. Just ensure you have your preferred riposte weapon equipped before pressing R1. However, Greatswords are not optimal for riposte damage compared to Daggers.

6. Is the Hornet Ring necessary for a good riposte?

While not strictly necessary, the Hornet Ring drastically increases the damage output of critical attacks, making it an essential component for maximizing riposte damage.

7. Can you parry with a dagger in Dark Souls 3?

Yes, certain daggers are designed for parrying, particularly those with a curved guard, however, they are not the best for riposte damage. These daggers are usually equipped in the left hand in place of a shield.

8. What weapons are the hardest to parry?

Weapons that cannot typically be parried include two-handed attacks of:

• Ultra Greatswords
• Greataxes
• Great Hammers
• Whips
• Ranged Weapons
• Catalysts
• Shields

There are exceptions for certain rolling and running attacks.

9. Can you parry dual wielding attacks in DS3?

Yes, while dual-wielding specific weapons, it’s possible. For example, the Farron Greatsword includes a dagger for parrying. Most Katanas also allow parrying with their “hold” weapon art.

10. Are there any enemies you cannot riposte after a parry?

Yes, while many enemies can be parried, some cannot be riposted, such as the boss Lorian, who only takes counter damage after a parry. However, this counter damage is still an increase from base damage. The most common example of this, however, is other players in PvP.

11. Are some shields better for parrying than others?

Buckler and Target Shields generally offer more parry frames, making them preferred by players who parry often. However, their blocking capabilities are usually poor. Medium Shields have average parrying and blocking, and are a middle-of-the-road option.

12. Can you parry all enemies in Dark Souls 3?

While not all attacks are parryable, a surprisingly high number are, rewarding observant players. Some of the hardest bosses like Pontiff Sulyvahn can also be parried, although not always a great idea, as the risk is quite high.

13. Is parrying good in Dark Souls 3?

Absolutely, a well-timed parry can often open a window for a high damage riposte. Even partial parries can significantly reduce damage. Mastering parrying can make some of the most intense boss battles more manageable.

14. What is the best build for maximizing riposte damage?

The ideal build for maximizing riposte damage incorporates the Chaos Dagger +10 with the Hornet Ring, while scaling Intelligence and Faith to around 40 each. This combined with a good parry weapon, usually a Buckler or Caestus style weapon in the left hand will allow for maximum parry capabilities.

15. Are there other weapons that are considered “OP”?

While the Chaos Dagger + Hornet Ring combo is king of ripostes, some other overpowered weapons for general combat in Dark Souls 3 include:

• Lothric Knight Sword
• Repeating Crossbow
• Demon’s Scar
• Splitleaf Greatsword
• Black Knight Sword
• Sellsword Twinblades

Conclusion

The best weapon to riposte in Dark Souls 3 is undoubtedly the Chaos Dagger +10, especially when used with the Hornet Ring and a high Intelligence/Faith build. While mastering parrying takes practice, the payoff of delivering devastating ripostes can drastically shift the tide of battle, especially when paired with this powerful combination. By understanding the mechanics and experimenting with different setups, you can enhance your skills and overcome even the most challenging foes in the world of Dark Souls 3.