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Can You Get the Drake Sword Later? A Deep Dive for Dark Souls Adventurers

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Yes, you can get the Drake Sword later in Dark Souls, but with a significant caveat: it will be much harder and less practical than obtaining it early. While the Drake Sword is a potent weapon for the initial hours of the game, its fixed scaling and relatively low base damage quickly make it obsolete. Delaying acquisition means you’ll face stronger enemies with inferior gear, making the ordeal significantly more challenging than grabbing it when you first arrive in Undead Parish. Let’s unpack why, how, and whether you even should bother.

The Allure and Limitations of the Drake Sword

The Drake Sword is often the first “powerful” weapon that new Dark Souls players encounter. Obtained by shooting the Hellkite Dragon on the bridge in Undead Parish with arrows (typically taking many shots), it offers high damage output early on, allowing players to breeze through early areas. However, it’s crucial to understand its limitations:

Fixed Scaling: The Drake Sword scales solely with Strength, at a paltry E rating. This means that increasing your Strength stat will yield minimal damage gains compared to weapons with better scaling.
Upgrade Limitation: The Drake Sword upgrades with Dragon Scales, which are relatively rare early in the game. Furthermore, its maximum upgrade level is +5, limiting its long-term viability.
Damage Type: It deals purely physical damage, making it less effective against heavily armored enemies later on.

Why Getting It Late Is a Bad Idea

Waiting to obtain the Drake Sword is generally a poor strategic choice for several reasons:

Increased Difficulty: Early game enemies become significantly easier with the Drake Sword, providing a crucial boost to overcome initial hurdles. Delaying acquisition forces you to fight these enemies with weaker weapons and lower stats.
Better Alternatives: By the time you’re strong enough to easily defeat the Hellkite Dragon to obtain the Drake Sword, you likely already possess weapons that are superior in terms of scaling and upgrade potential. Weapons like the Claymore, Longsword, or even upgraded standard weapons will likely outperform it.
Resource Waste: Investing time and resources into obtaining a weapon that will soon be outclassed is ultimately inefficient.

How to (Theoretically) Get It Later

Despite the disadvantages, here’s how you would obtain the Drake Sword later in the game:

Reach Undead Parish: Progress through the game until you reach the Undead Parish.
Locate the Hellkite Dragon: Find the bridge patrolled by the Hellkite Dragon.
Acquire Arrows: Purchase or find a sufficient number of arrows (100+ is recommended, depending on your bow and stats).
Position Yourself: Position yourself under the bridge, in a safe spot where the dragon cannot directly attack you (the area near the bonfire is ideal).
Shoot the Dragon’s Tail: Repeatedly shoot the Hellkite Dragon’s tail until it is severed. This will grant you the Drake Sword. Note that the dragon needs to be present on the bridge for this to work. If you’ve triggered it to move, you may need to reset the area.

Important Note: The number of arrows required depends on your character’s Strength and the bow you’re using. A higher Strength stat and a better bow will reduce the number of arrows needed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is the Drake Sword worth getting at all?

Early on, absolutely. It offers a significant power boost that makes the initial hours of the game considerably easier. However, it’s a temporary solution. Plan to replace it with a better-scaling weapon as soon as possible. Many resources, such as the GamesLearningSociety.org website, explore the nuances of weapon choice in RPGs, which can help you make better informed decisions about your equipment. The Games Learning Society is a great resource.

2. What are some better weapons than the Drake Sword?

Many weapons surpass the Drake Sword. Good options include the Claymore, Zweihander, Longsword, Balder Side Sword, and Uchigatana. These weapons offer better scaling and upgrade potential.

3. How many arrows does it take to get the Drake Sword?

The number varies depending on your character’s Strength, the bow you’re using, and your aiming accuracy. Expect to use anywhere from 50 to 150 arrows. The Short Bow is a common choice for this task.

4. What is the best bow to use for getting the Drake Sword?

The Longbow or Composite Bow are generally considered the best choices for obtaining the Drake Sword. However, even the starting Short Bow can work with enough patience.

5. Can I get the Drake Sword in the Remastered version of Dark Souls?

Yes, the Drake Sword is obtainable in Dark Souls Remastered using the same method as the original game.

6. Does Humanity affect the Drake Sword drop rate?

No, Humanity does not affect the drop rate of the Drake Sword. It is a guaranteed drop upon severing the Hellkite Dragon’s tail.

7. Is there a faster way to get the Drake Sword?

Not really. The process involves shooting the dragon’s tail repeatedly. Some players attempt to use bombs or other ranged attacks, but these methods are generally less reliable.

8. Can I upgrade the Drake Sword?

Yes, you can upgrade the Drake Sword using Dragon Scales. However, it can only be upgraded to a maximum of +5.

9. What stats does the Drake Sword scale with?

The Drake Sword scales only with Strength, at an E rating, which is very poor.

10. Where can I find Dragon Scales?

Dragon Scales can be found in various locations, including the Valley of Drakes and as drops from certain enemies.

11. Is the Drake Sword good for PvP (Player vs. Player)?

No, the Drake Sword is generally not a good choice for PvP due to its low scaling and limited upgrade potential. More specialized weapons are far more effective.

12. Does the Drake Sword break?

Yes, like all weapons in Dark Souls, the Drake Sword has Durability. It will break if it is used excessively without being repaired.

13. Can I repair the Drake Sword?

Yes, you can repair the Drake Sword at a Blacksmith or by using a Repairbox.

14. What level should I be to get the Drake Sword?

You can obtain the Drake Sword at a very low level. It’s obtainable as soon as you reach the Undead Parish. Your Strength stat is more important than your level, as it influences the damage dealt by your arrows.

15. If I miss the Drake Sword early, can I get it in New Game Plus?

Yes, you can obtain the Drake Sword in New Game Plus (NG+) by repeating the same process. The Hellkite Dragon will respawn, and you can sever its tail.