Can You Dual Wield in Dark Souls 3? The Truth Revealed

Yes and no. Dark Souls 3 doesn’t feature traditional dual-wielding where you can independently equip any two weapons and seamlessly combine their movesets. Instead, it introduces “paired weapons,” a special weapon category designed for dual wielding. These paired weapons occupy a single equipment slot, and when two-handed, the character automatically wields one weapon in each hand. This unlocks a unique moveset that utilizes both weapons simultaneously, offering a distinct playstyle.

Understanding Paired Weapons in Dark Souls 3

Instead of allowing players to combine any two weapons, Dark Souls 3 offers a curated selection of pre-set dual weapon combinations. This allows developers to carefully balance the movesets and ensure a cohesive and effective play experience.

How Paired Weapons Work

When wielding a paired weapon, “two-handing” it is the key to unlocking its dual-wielding potential. This action will automatically equip one weapon in each hand. The control scheme is also slightly modified:

• R1/RB: Standard attack with the right-hand weapon.
• R2/RT: Strong attack with the right-hand weapon.
• L1/LB: Unique paired attack, utilizing both weapons in a coordinated fashion. This is the core of the dual-wielding experience with paired weapons.
• L2/LT: Weapon Art, providing a special attack or buff specific to the paired weapon.

Essentially, the block/parry function is replaced by the synchronized attacks, encouraging an aggressive, offensive playstyle.

Examples of Paired Weapons

Dark Souls 3 features a variety of paired weapons across different weapon classes, each offering a unique combat style:

• Winged Knight Twinaxes: Powerful axes that deliver devastating, wide-sweeping attacks.
• Gotthard Twinswords: Fast and versatile straight swords ideal for rapid strikes and relentless pressure.
• Onikiri and Ubadachi: Curved swords that excel at quick slashes and evasive maneuvers.
• Valorheart: A straight sword paired with a shield, combining offense and defense.

These are just a few examples; experimenting with different paired weapons is essential to finding the ones that best suit your playstyle.

The Advantages of Paired Weapons

Paired weapons offer several advantages over traditional single-weapon builds:

• Unique Movesets: The synchronized attacks provide a diverse and often unpredictable moveset that can catch opponents off guard.
• High Damage Output: Paired attacks often deal significant damage, especially when comboed effectively.
• Aggressive Playstyle: The lack of a dedicated block encourages a more offensive and proactive approach to combat.

The Disadvantages of Paired Weapons

Despite their strengths, paired weapons also have some drawbacks:

• Limited Defensive Options: The absence of a standard block can leave players vulnerable to incoming attacks.
• Stamina Management: Paired attacks often consume a significant amount of stamina, requiring careful resource management.
• Reliance on Two-Handing: Paired weapons are most effective when two-handed, limiting flexibility in terms of off-hand equipment.

Mastering Paired Weapons

Mastering paired weapons requires practice and a good understanding of their unique movesets. Here are some tips for success:

• Learn the Combos: Experiment with different combinations of R1, R2, and L1 attacks to discover effective combos.
• Manage Your Stamina: Avoid overextending yourself and always leave enough stamina to dodge or retreat.
• Utilize Weapon Arts: Use weapon arts strategically to gain an advantage in combat.
• Adapt to Different Enemies: Paired weapons are not equally effective against all enemies; learn which enemies are vulnerable to specific attacks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Dual Wielding in Dark Souls 3

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about dual wielding (specifically using paired weapons) in Dark Souls 3, providing further insights and clarification:

1. Can I equip two separate weapons and dual-wield them like in some other games? No, Dark Souls 3 does not support the ability to equip two independent weapons and create your own dual-wielding setup. You must use designated paired weapons.

2. How do I activate the dual-wielding moveset with paired weapons? Equip the paired weapon and then “two-hand” it using the appropriate button (usually Y on Xbox controllers or Triangle on PlayStation controllers). This will automatically equip one weapon in each hand.

3. What happens if I put a standard weapon in my left hand while using a paired weapon? The paired weapon’s dual-wielding moveset will be disabled. The standard weapon in your left hand will function as normal, with L1/LB acting as a block or parry and L2/LT performing its weapon art or special attack.

4. Are paired weapons stronger than single weapons? It depends on the weapon and your build. Paired weapons often offer a higher damage output if you effectively use their unique movesets, but single weapons can have better reach, hyper armor, or other advantages.

5. Which paired weapon is the best in Dark Souls 3? There is no definitive “best” paired weapon. The most effective weapon depends on your playstyle, build, and the specific situation. Experiment with different options to find what works best for you.

6. Do paired weapons scale differently than single weapons? Paired weapons scale with the same stats as their constituent weapons (Strength, Dexterity, etc.). Check the weapon’s stats to determine its scaling properties.

7. Can I infuse or buff paired weapons? Yes, you can infuse and buff paired weapons just like any other weapon, as long as they are not unique weapons that cannot be infused.

8. Are there any shields that can be used effectively with paired weapons? Generally, no. The point of paired weapons is to use the two-handed moveset. Using a shield would negate the benefits of dual-wielding. However, the Valorheart is an exception since it’s designed with its own shield.

9. Do paired weapons benefit from the same rings and armor as other weapons? Yes, rings and armor that boost attack power, stamina regeneration, or other relevant stats will affect paired weapons just as they would affect single weapons.

10. Are there any paired weapons that are particularly good for PvP (player-versus-player) combat? The Gotthard Twinswords and Onikiri and Ubadachi are popular choices for PvP due to their speed, versatility, and deceptive movesets.

11. How do I find all the paired weapons in Dark Souls 3? Explore the game thoroughly, defeat specific enemies, and trade boss souls to Ludleth of Courland in Firelink Shrine. Some paired weapons are also found in DLC areas.

12. Is it worth leveling up both Strength and Dexterity for paired weapons? It depends on the specific weapon. Some paired weapons scale primarily with Strength, while others scale primarily with Dexterity. Some might scale well with both. Check the weapon’s stats to determine the optimal stat distribution.

13. Are there any paired weapons that deal elemental damage? Yes, some paired weapons deal elemental damage in addition to physical damage. For example, some might inflict fire or lightning damage.

14. Can I powerstance in Dark Souls 3? No. The powerstance mechanic from Dark Souls 2 does not exist in Dark Souls 3. Paired weapons are the replacement for the traditional dual wield/powerstance.

15. Where can I learn more about Dark Souls 3 strategies and combat mechanics? The Games Learning Society has a wealth of information and resources related to game-based learning, which can be valuable for understanding complex game mechanics. You can also find useful guides and communities online dedicated to Dark Souls 3. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more!