Straight swords vs katanas

[Hystrix]

I have nearly 400 hours in the game exclusively using katanas, not because I want to, but because I can't justify using a SS, they have worse range, less damage, I like the katana move set way more personally, and they have innate bleed, other than the sword of laser cannon, does anyone genuinely use a sword and shield, or even duel wield swords? I genuinely hope someone has a good suggestion that competes with just 2 nagakibas

[fmalfeas]

Other than Sword of Night and Flame, I use straight swords when they're convenient, and that's about it. So mainly while leveling towards a goal weapon. Exception being Regalia of Eochaid, as I sometimes run that as part of a dragon communion build.

Overall, I prefer either magic, whips, or thrusting/heavy thrusting swords/Spears + greatshield. I'm bad at timing parries, but no need to time anything when you have a thrust weapon and a greatshield. Just hold it up and stab them anyway.

[darksouls]

First of all

Just level Faith.

Secondly,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UOryLeU86A

[HALO_run]

i use a Katina, and shield

but swords use less stm vs Katinas

[Anthreris]

Dual Straightsword using backstep or quick step have a nice forward thrust. Also the Carian Knight's Sword does really good damage with its special ability. Otherwise its kind of meh... I'm typically a straight sword fan, but have found I use the Uchigatana alot in many of my playthroughs even if its not what my build will be based on.

That bleed no matter how small makes them just that much better.

[Lenox]

Straight swords have some of my favorite movesets and looks. But I can’t compare numbers to katanas, since I don’t use them much and don’t like them. Katanas did seem stronger, but of course more expensive.

But I’d say, if you have the dex and equip load, go katana. If you don’t, go straight sword.

I have some characters that travel lighter, so they use straight swords and other lighter diff. And my samurai sometimes uses his katanas. But even my Astrologer’s Moonveil collects dust in my stash.

Also, enemies that are resistant to slash damage are sometimes better fought with standard damage.

[Lenox]

Originally posted by Mugen Majimq:

i used a bastard sword on one of my shield and sword characters and it worked pretty well.

Bastard Sword is actually a greatsword, not a straight sword.

[Hystrix]

All i'm hearing is no.

[HALO_run]

Originally posted by Lenox:

Straight swords have some of my favorite movesets and looks. But I can’t compare numbers to katanas, since I don’t use them much and don’t like them. Katanas did seem stronger, but of course more expensive.

But I’d say, if you have the dex and equip load, go katana. If you don’t, go straight sword.

I have some characters that travel lighter, so they use straight swords and other lighter diff. And my samurai sometimes uses his katanas. But even my Astrologer’s Moonveil collects dust in my stash.

Also, enemies that are resistant to slash damage are sometimes better fought with standard damage.

well no if you use ash's you can make em heavy so they'd work with str, still the best in speed and dmg

[Stakanov]

swords are better, katana is only if you want to be anime

[Lenox]

Originally posted by HALO_run:

Originally posted by Lenox:

Straight swords have some of my favorite movesets and looks. But I can’t compare numbers to katanas, since I don’t use them much and don’t like them. Katanas did seem stronger, but of course more expensive.

But I’d say, if you have the dex and equip load, go katana. If you don’t, go straight sword.

I have some characters that travel lighter, so they use straight swords and other lighter diff. And my samurai sometimes uses his katanas. But even my Astrologer’s Moonveil collects dust in my stash.

Also, enemies that are resistant to slash damage are sometimes better fought with standard damage.

well no if you use ash's you can make em heavy so they'd work with str, still the best in speed and dmg

Of what I wrote, what are you saying “no” to exactly?

Affinities don’t change minimum requirements. Katanas still require 5+ levels more of attributes than straight swords.

[♱ Remilia Scarlet 🦇]

Yeah, straight swords aren't that good in Elden Ring unfortunately :/
There is nothing that can really compare to Lothric Knight Straight Sword in DS3 which was considered as one of the best weapons in the game.

[Griever]

I use straight swords, including a maxed upgrade Lordsworn straight sword.
The problem I have is mainly the damage scaling which is atrocious, the problem with straight swords is they often are neither good with str or dex, they are just not specialised. Compared to curved swords which are often scaled with dex.

So in my strength build, I keep a maxed out Zweihander, which to be frank I use almost exclusively especially since I overlevelled stamina to be able to light roll with it. And the Zweihander is the only colossal sword which has an agile moveset, almost like a greatsword and straight sword.

However...I do keep my sword and shield for special occasions.

1. For lots of the trash mobs in legacy dungeons and such. Much easier to use sword and shield, or straight sword two handed.

2. For certain bosses. Two handing my maxed out straight sword, I am MUUUUUCH faster in my moveset than anything else in my arsenal. So against very fast very agile foes, frankly its often better. One that comes to mind is leonine foes that keep jumping around.

3. The moveset of straight sword is excellent. Now, not every straight sword has it, but the best straight sword have slashing light attacks and a piercing strong attack. That piercing strong attack is so useful in various situations, even in PVP you can surprise an opponent with it.

This is why I dislike Katanas/curved swords, only slashing feels limited to me and I like the versatility of the Knight type sword.

Straight sword + Zweihander gives me the most options in the game as a melee fighter tbh.

4. One downside to the shield is I have noticed that the medium classic shield (kite shields, etc) become useless by mid-game as the big enemies hit so hard, even with high stamina you get destroyed and stance broken, so blocking is useless. So strength has to be increased and only a heavy shield becomes useful.

[Lord Bob]

Pretty much what Lenox said here:

Originally posted by Lenox:

Straight swords have some of my favorite movesets and looks. But I can’t compare numbers to katanas, since I don’t use them much and don’t like them. Katanas did seem stronger, but of course more expensive.

To me it pretty much boils down to what kind of character I want to (role-)play.
For example the Serpentbone Blade is really good for a multihit buff build, as the standard R2 is a double slash already which nicely synergizes into its aow + alternating between both makes for good mix ups.
(Even though the Warhawk Talon has a double R2, it just doesn't look good imo, which is why I don't use it.)

Other than that I'm a sucker for your typical gray man sword and board build.
It's one of the most basic ways to play the game, but also one of the most fun to me.

Unfortunately by now SoNaF kind of has the same reputation the Fallen Knight set in Ds3 does.
The amount of heavy rolling hosts wielding SoNaF who summoned me for Godfrey/Hoarah Loux, only to die in a single hit by him were certainly a sight to behold lmao
I guess it's pretty good for steamrolling crowds in pve by conjuring a giant wall of flame or a laser beam from your sword but I yet have to see anyone land its aow in pvp.

[FafnirChaos]

St.Trina's sword is fun to use against godskin duo.

[FafnirChaos]

Originally posted by Lord Bob:

Pretty much what Lenox said here:

Originally posted by Lenox:

Straight swords have some of my favorite movesets and looks. But I can’t compare numbers to katanas, since I don’t use them much and don’t like them. Katanas did seem stronger, but of course more expensive.

To me it pretty much boils down to what kind of character I want to (role-)play.
For example the Serpentbone Blade is really good for a multihit buff build, as the standard R2 is a double slash already which nicely synergizes into its aow + alternating between both makes for good mix ups.
(Even though the Warhawk Talon has a double R2, it just doesn't look good imo, which is why I don't use it.)

Other than that I'm a sucker for your typical gray man sword and board build.
It's one of the most basic ways to play the game, but also one of the most fun to me.

Unfortunately by now SoNaF kind of has the same reputation the Fallen Knight set in Ds3 does.
The amount of heavy rolling hosts wielding SoNaF who summoned me for Godfrey/Hoarah Loux, only to die in a single hit by him were certainly a sight to behold lmao
I guess it's pretty good for steamrolling crowds in pve by conjuring a giant wall of flame or a laser beam from your sword but I yet have to see anyone land its aow in pvp.

SoNaF is the crucible killer, I made a new character specifically for that weapon and went after a crucible and just watched him fall over and over again when he tries to block it.

It does take some timing but yeah, never seen a crucible on his back from one blast before.