Claymore or Longsword

[Jurras]

I am looking to try and play dark souls for the first time and want to do something very simple and straight forward. I was thinking of going a knight and was think of using a shield + a longsword or a claymore but I dont know which one is best for someone who just wants an "easier", in terms of dark souls, time the first run of the game. Which is the better of the two, again I want something a total noob could use and nothing too complex or late game.

[ShakeNBakeUK]

if u want the true n00b experience, use the broadsword ;)

[YOU-MUST-OBEY-JESUS]

Originally posted by Chris:

The longsword is the starting weapon for the knight and it's literally one of the best weapons in the game. There's really no reason not to use both weapons since they both benefit from investing in a strength + dexterity "quality" build.

The longsword is great for mowing through groups of enemies and the claymore is great for maximizing damage against bosses where you may only get the opportunity to hit once or twice between dodging attacks.

What makes longsword so good? Is it better than astora straight sword?

[Demon of Razgriz]

Originally posted by MOJOJOJOJOJO:

Originally posted by Chris:

The longsword is the starting weapon for the knight and it's literally one of the best weapons in the game. There's really no reason not to use both weapons since they both benefit from investing in a strength + dexterity "quality" build.

The longsword is great for mowing through groups of enemies and the claymore is great for maximizing damage against bosses where you may only get the opportunity to hit once or twice between dodging attacks.

What makes longsword so good? Is it better than astora straight sword?

Well, the astora straight sword requires some faith investment to use, longsword doesn't. Also, I just use a heavy longsword, I didn't go quality. So I don't need 40 in dex, which means I can use those points elsewhere, like Vig, Vit, or more Strength.

[Vinyltavia]

Originally posted by Tanks608:

ok so dumb question 40/40 is the whole strength/Dex scaling thing for a "quality" build right? If i am using the starter knight stats and armor is there anything that I should focus on alongside the 40/40?

Vigor, Endurance, Vitality ONLY if you want to wear heavier armor and equip more to not be overencumbered at the 70% equip load cap.
Strength and Dexterity can wait; Damage is good but if you can't take it, you can't make it.
Strength Builds are generally easy early on.
I'll break it down for you.
Say you have 24 strength. A weapon you want to use needs 36 strength.
If you two hand a weapon while you have 24 strength you get half of it as bonus while two handing.
in short; you can two hand weapons you can't normally one hand for this reason. It's one of the main reasons strength builds are really good.
Recommendation: If you manage to find an npc and free him at the high wall; he will sell you a greatsword that needs 16 strength and 10 dex to use. Andre will explain infusions and what not that can be put on weapons to make them even more suited to what you're using them for as well as that he'll need embers for those special infusions ( so keep a lookout).

[Jurras]

Thanks for the help so far guys. One more question, what kind of shield should I be using since i get the feeling that just sticking with the knight armor is a safe choice.

[pyr0kid]

the knight has good shield right from the start, but if you want a goal the dragon crest shield is better in all ways.

smaller shields have worse stats but lower weight while bigger shields are the opposite, i use the twin dragon greatshield myself.

and if you dont know already its better you know now that only some shields block all the dmg.

[Darth Invader]

There is no shortage of shields in this game so you might not ever settle on one alone. Just remember that upgrading a shield through Andre doesn't increase resistances as much as it changes the shields stability (minimizing stamina consumption when hit) and offensive attack rating.

[Funpire]

Originally posted by Tanks608:

I am looking to try and play dark souls for the first time and want to do something very simple and straight forward. I was thinking of going a knight and was think of using a shield + a longsword or a claymore but I dont know which one is best for someone who just wants an "easier", in terms of dark souls, time the first run of the game. Which is the better of the two, again I want something a total noob could use and nothing too complex or late game.

Longsword by a long shot. The longsword (slightly higher AR) or the Lothric Knight Sword (slightly more range - more important) will take you to not only the end game but the end game pvp as well. Claymore, not so much - in fact I crap all over most people who use it. The moveset isn't as good as in DS2 and it just is lack luster across the board. Hollowslayer or Onyx GS are a better choice and will keep you in the pvp game as well if you really want a greatsword class weapon.

Most all my builds carry a LS or LKS to deal with general PVE/Bosses/UGS/UGH users. Also, for stats just stick to weapon minimum stats until your Vig/End are like 30 (AND GET THE PRISONER CHAIN ASAP). Dmg increase from putting points in STR/DEX early on is crap compared to the ability to take dmg in this game. You get more weapon dmg increases by upgrading your weapon than crapping out a few points in str/end early on.

Weapon min str/dex > Vig > End > whatever you want. Google Recommended Dark Souls 3 level, click the first link, that will keep you with the most summon action both ways (friends and enemies).

Enjoy.

E: Knight shield will last you a while, upgrade to the Etheral Oak Shield (DLC shield) as soon as you get it. Or see if someone will give one to you. Other than that, keep a buckler on hand as well. Learn to use it.

[Loren]

If you are looking a shield which you can get early Lothric Knight Shield is the best. Just farm it before the High Wall of Lothric Boss. Same place as Lothric Knight Straight Sword.

[Jurras]

Originally posted by Funpire:

Originally posted by Tanks608:

I am looking to try and play dark souls for the first time and want to do something very simple and straight forward. I was thinking of going a knight and was think of using a shield + a longsword or a claymore but I dont know which one is best for someone who just wants an "easier", in terms of dark souls, time the first run of the game. Which is the better of the two, again I want something a total noob could use and nothing too complex or late game.

Longsword by a long shot. The longsword (slightly higher AR) or the Lothric Knight Sword (slightly more range - more important) will take you to not only the end game but the end game pvp as well. Claymore, not so much - in fact I crap all over most people who use it. The moveset isn't as good as in DS2 and it just is lack luster across the board. Hollowslayer or Onyx GS are a better choice and will keep you in the pvp game as well if you really want a greatsword class weapon.

Most all my builds carry a LS or LKS to deal with general PVE/Bosses/UGS/UGH users. Also, for stats just stick to weapon minimum stats until your Vig/End are like 30 (AND GET THE PRISONER CHAIN ASAP). Dmg increase from putting points in STR/DEX early on is crap compared to the ability to take dmg in this game. You get more weapon dmg increases by upgrading your weapon than crapping out a few points in str/end early on.

Weapon min str/dex > Vig > End > whatever you want. Google Recommended Dark Souls 3 level, click the first link, that will keep you with the most summon action both ways (friends and enemies).

Enjoy.

E: Knight shield will last you a while, upgrade to the Etheral Oak Shield (DLC shield) as soon as you get it. Or see if someone will give one to you. Other than that, keep a buckler on hand as well. Learn to use it.

So I looked online at the prisoner chain, wont I need to take heavier armor if I am going to be taking extra damage or does it just sound a lot worse than it is. I am usually a slow and steady defensive kinda player rather than balls to the walls offensive.

[Demon of Razgriz]

Originally posted by Tanks608:

Originally posted by Funpire:

Longsword by a long shot. The longsword (slightly higher AR) or the Lothric Knight Sword (slightly more range - more important) will take you to not only the end game but the end game pvp as well. Claymore, not so much - in fact I crap all over most people who use it. The moveset isn't as good as in DS2 and it just is lack luster across the board. Hollowslayer or Onyx GS are a better choice and will keep you in the pvp game as well if you really want a greatsword class weapon.

Most all my builds carry a LS or LKS to deal with general PVE/Bosses/UGS/UGH users. Also, for stats just stick to weapon minimum stats until your Vig/End are like 30 (AND GET THE PRISONER CHAIN ASAP). Dmg increase from putting points in STR/DEX early on is crap compared to the ability to take dmg in this game. You get more weapon dmg increases by upgrading your weapon than crapping out a few points in str/end early on.

Weapon min str/dex > Vig > End > whatever you want. Google Recommended Dark Souls 3 level, click the first link, that will keep you with the most summon action both ways (friends and enemies).

Enjoy.

E: Knight shield will last you a while, upgrade to the Etheral Oak Shield (DLC shield) as soon as you get it. Or see if someone will give one to you. Other than that, keep a buckler on hand as well. Learn to use it.

So I looked online at the prisoner chain, wont I need to take heavier armor if I am going to be taking extra damage or does it just sound a lot worse than it is. I am usually a slow and steady defensive kinda player rather than balls to the walls offensive.

It sounds worse than it is, its only like 4% extra damage, I don't really notice it and the extra points is worth it.

[Loren]

Prisoner Chain is overpowered. Only reason not to wear it is having softcapped stats. %4 damage is insignificant if you compare it with what you gain.

[Raigavin]

Originally posted by Tanks608:

I am looking to try and play dark souls for the first time and want to do something very simple and straight forward.

Best way is to check it out yourself, you get both of those weapons early in the game and it just takes less than one hour of your time for you to get them.

[Vinyltavia]

Advice: If you're going to end up using a two hander most of the time; bite the bullet and just two hand it unless you have a skill shield in your left hand for when you want to do weapon arts. There's nothing WRONG with 1 sword and a board but you get extra damage just from two handing a greatsword and hyperarmor/poise when you swing so you're not interrupted.
It depends on the methods you're willng to take to deal with what you're fighting.

[Loren]

Originally posted by Vinyltavia:

Advice: If you're going to end up using a two hander most of the time; bite the bullet and just two hand it unless you have a skill shield in your left hand for when you want to do weapon arts. There's nothing WRONG with 1 sword and a board but you get extra damage just from two handing a greatsword and hyperarmor/poise when you swing so you're not interrupted.
It depends on the methods you're willng to take to deal with what you're fighting.

At first playthrough shield is better. You don't know the movesets of enemies. So they will kill you real quick until you git gud.

Two handing is different and pleasurable. But I would reserve it for the second run.