Best katana

[kwmotf]

I want to try some katanas? Which is
best?

[Alliesaurus]

Manslayer

[Marisher]

Here are two Reddit threads I found on the first page of Google search results of "ds2 katanas" that ask the same question-

https://www.reddit.com/r/DarkSouls2/comments/257ks3/whats_the_best_katana/

https://www.reddit.com/r/DarkSouls2/comments/3edy0i/best_katana_in_ds2/

The second one has a long post listing various differences between the katanas and why you'd want to use one in particular.

Here's the bottom of said post-

In summary
Uchigatana is the best for new players and elementals
Manslayer is the best for poison builds
Chaos Blade is the best for outright damage
Darkdrift is the best for countering turtling, but lacks damage
Blacksteel is the best for seasoned players and patient players
Washing Pole is the best for range, but lacks speed and stamina efficiency
Bewitched Alonne Sword is the best for style points and diversity
Berserker Blade is the best for people who still think Dex is filthy

[only-for-theweak]

would say chaos blades number one and darkdrift is second in my opinion

[Dr. Faustus]

Manslayer for DEX scaling

[cyberT_2]

best katana is the ladle. you have to use the pendant and it will become and katana long as the washing pole and double s scaling

[TrueArchery]

The Uchigatana. The Manslayer is good aswell.

The Chaosblade isnt as good because of the selfdamage.
The Darkdrift has less counter and therefore noticably less damage.
The Blacksteel is heavy and has worse R2s.
The Berserker Blade is short with outright garbage 2h R2s.
The Washing Pole is slow and has huge stamina drain. On top it's heavy and lacks counter damage.
The Bewitched Alonne Sword has a pretty bad moveset in comparison. Slow.

[Deformerad Dallarydsbo]

Blacksteel dual wield = Magic Powers