Katanas - observations

[Pixel Phoenix]

I've been spending a lot of time lately just messing around with katanas in DS3. Some of them seem particularly useful for both PVE and PVP, although I don't PVP much (however, I do enjoy it, I'm just spending more time experimenting than anything else).

That said, some of them blatantly seem better than others. Some thoughts:

-Darkdrift: I was most excited for this until I learned that it can't be Infused and only reaches a C scaling with Dex. On top of that, I can't see the blade except during a particular angle. This is intentional, but personally I like being able to see my weapon being swung. Very underwhelming for me.

-Washing Pole: This feels like an Uchi but better in every way. Much more range, better base damage, even the same swing speed and moveset. Uses slightly more stamina than the Uchi, but hardly noticeable. Quality builds may really enjoy it and it's personally my main weapon (I went with Refined Infusion for C/C scaling). I think my AR on it is somewhere around 420-430.

-Uchigatana: Good starting weapon for dex builders, but I think a lot of its potential falls off late game compared to other weapons unless you go Refined Infusion (Sharp is good too for straight dex users but caps around 380 or so, and personally I like to stay above 400).

-Chaos Blade: The dexterity scaling on this thing is nuts (S ranking), and although it can't be infused, it can still pack a punch. Great for pure dex builds, and if you can tolerate taking 15 damage every time you hit something, it's really fun.

-Blade Blade: Another good katana that has a smaller reach than the others. Sharp Infusion for dex builds, Refined for quality builds. However, it also feels like a worse Washing Pole. Less range, same overall scaling, less base damage, and uses the same materials to upgrade.

-Onikiri and Ubadachi: A unique set of katanas that focus on scaling with quality builds (Regular Infusion with C/C scaling is the best you'll get). The unique skill is fun to use and I've caught a few people off guard with it before. Plus, leap attacks are just fun. Something to consider if you're doing a quality build.

-Bloodlust: Fun, but I'm not personally a fan. The weapon skill is Bloodlust, which gives you around a 30% damage boost for 15 seconds at the cost of 200 health. I feel that the buff should last a little longer than 15 seconds, but that's just my opinion. Hard to recommend in PVP because it seems counter productive. The damage boost is nice, but doesn't last long enough on occasion and you're already hampering yourself with 200 HP. The dex scaling is nice, but it already has low base damage and can't be refined. This is the one I'm least a fan of.

Between them all, I'd have to say the Washing Pole really stands out to me. Chaos Blade is also excellent if you can feather off the damage being dealt to you. In the end, you should choose what you want to use. I kind of wish we had a few more Katanas to mess around with, but I'm fine with what we've got.

[Grantib]

Thanks for your review, i'm actually wondering how I will do later, as i wanted to do a dext character. Because my uchi starting to loose it's power (bleeding affect almost nothing) and I need a good weapon as i'm kind of bad (1st soul game).

I thought dext wepon would allow me to hit faster for less stamina, but actually, katanas seems (to me) to have less reach than any 1H sword and cost a lot more stamina to use. And i'm really not ready to drop the reach for bandit twin blades or any daggers, maybe on a second playthrough.

[Erra]

Washing Pole and Uchi have always been regarded as dependable blades in the Dark Souls series. And the Chaos Blade pretty much ruled DS1 PVP.

Dark Drift is invisible yea. When it made its debut in DS2, some pvp players made that work to their advantage. But overall, other options are better.

In DS3, I used the Uchigatana until I got the Washing Pole. There's no substitute. The range, damage, bleed, and buffability just makes it for me. Won very many PVP encounters with it, and im not a pvp guy. I usually got invaded and killed in DS1-2. But, this time, i've been able to fight off invaders 9/10 times with the Washing Pole.

Im sure future DLC will bring some more katana's.

[Pixel Phoenix]

Originally posted by Grantib:

Thanks for your review, i'm actually wondering how I will do later, as i wanted to do a dext character. Because my uchi starting to loose it's power (bleeding affect almost nothing) and I need a good weapon as i'm kind of bad (1st soul game).

I thought dext wepon would allow me to hit faster for less stamina, but actually, katanas seems (to me) to have less reach than any 1H sword and cost a lot more stamina to use. And i'm really not ready to drop the reach for bandit twin blades or any daggers, maybe on a second playthrough.

All comes down to personal taste, really. I got so used to the Irithyll Straight Sword at first that switching to a katana for me felt pretty weird. I think it just takes time. There are definitely other weapons for dex characters (I started out as dex, ended up with quality, which I guess is more my playstyle since I value utility over everything).

[Pixel Phoenix]

Originally posted by atom.Avarice:

Washing Pole and Uchi have always been regarded as dependable blades in the Dark Souls series. And the Chaos Blade pretty much ruled DS1 PVP.

Dark Drift is invisible yea. When it made its debut in DS2, some pvp players made that work to their advantage. But overall, other options are better.

In DS3, I used the Uchigatana until I got the Washing Pole. There's no substitute. The range, damage, bleed, and buffability just makes it for me. Won very many PVP encounters with it, and im not a pvp guy. I usually got invaded and killed in DS1-2. But, this time, i've been able to fight off invaders 9/10 times with the Washing Pole.

Im sure future DLC will bring some more katana's.

Awesome to hear. The Washing Pole for me really takes the cake, too. I never got into it or even the Uchi in DS1 on the PS3, but back then I mainly focused on what worked. In DS3, once I started hitting late game, I began focusing more on scaling and versatility. Once I picked up the Washing Pole, it just felt like a complete upgrade from the Uchi.

[the Chrissed]

Don't forget to mention lengths. from longest to shortest...

Washing Pole
Chaos Blade
Onikiri & Ubadachi
Uchigatana
Bloodlust
Darkdrift
Black Blade

A little more depth for you...

Washing Pole, Chaos Blade, Black Blade, and Uchigatana have the same exact movesets with L2 + R1 being the quick strike and L2 +R2 being parry.

Bloodlust L2 stabs yourself and takes a very small amount of HP (less than 100) and also adds quite a bit of bleeding buildup to yourself for a buff of over 100 damage for at least a good 60 seconds. With my setup of stats and rings, Darkdrift deals 10 more damage than Bloodlust, but when Bloodlust's special is active, it deals a lot more. Bloodlust also has 36 bleed where as most others have 35. Onikiri & Ubadachi also have 36.

Oni & Uba are also very good hallow infusion weapons, this makes the base damage and scaling from str/dex go down a bit, but adds luck scaling (luck makes more poison/bleed buildup. They end up being something in between a damage weapon and a bleed weapon, however they can still be buffed/enchanted with elements/magic/Carthus Rogue (for more bleeding)... Very good weapon(s).

I run a 40 dex 35-40 luck build. When I use Bloodlust or Darkdrift, I use Flynn's Ring (more damage for not wearing much gear... Usually between 20-30 more damage... Bloodlust also buffs that damage. I also use Leo Ring, making counter attacks using strong attack or sprinting attack pretty devastating.

I'm assuming Black Blade was created so that str and/or quality builds have a normal katana to use. It seems pretty lame, stay away.

I use Carthas Rogue on my Hollow Onikiri & Ubadachi...the bleed is insane and the damage is pretty good itself.

Options for full dex or dex/luck build are Onikiri & Ubadachi, Chaos Blade, Bloodlust, and
Darkdrift.

Options for str/quality are Onikiri & Ubadachi, Washing Pole, Black Blade.

I didn't used to like Bloodlust either, but it's great. I have a lot of fun with it. The damage you take from the buff isn't so bad. If you where the Sun Princess Ring (regen HP) and stab yourself, the buff runs out just as your HP fully refills.

Side note: wearing Onikiri & Ubadachi in your right hand and any other katana in your left makes you look like a BAMF samurai. All swords stacked on the left side of body.

another good point... some FYI geewiz info... if you HOLD the button that switches from 1h-2h , you 2h your left hand weapon as if it were your right hand weapon.

I realize that your post may be outdated and perhaps some of what you said about Bloodlust WAS true, but it has been buffed, Darkdrift as well.

While I do truly admire Bloodlust and Darkdrift, not being able to parry is a negative. You do learn to be very tricky fighting without that ability though. Plus, you should really be aggressive with katanas, doesn't mean spam R1, you WILL be parried, doesn't mean always R1 out of a roll- you WILL be parried, don't just sprint and R1, you WILL be parried, don't just sprint/jump attack- you WILL be countered with crit damage. Try a roll into a kick. Fight Yuria and pay attention to her. She is pretty decent with a katana. Approaches while blocking, takes a blocked hit and immediately backsteps (sometimes even twice) into a nice running thrust. (backstep followed by R1 = running thrust attack). Mess with your Opponent's mind, be 3 steps ahead of them. Be unpredictable.... UNLESS of course you don't PvP at all... go ham sammich and spam like crazy, especially the L1 spam of Oni % Uba.

[Jendex]

Originally posted by JAGGARNAUT:

Don't forget to mention lengths. from longest to shortest...

Washing Pole
Chaos Blade
Onikiri & Ubadachi
Uchigatana
Bloodlust
Darkdrift
Black Blade

A little more depth for you...

Washing Pole, Chaos Blade, Black Blade, and Uchigatana have the same exact movesets with L2 + R1 being the quick strike and L2 +R2 being parry.

Bloodlust L2 stabs yourself and takes a very small amount of HP (less than 100) and also adds quite a bit of bleeding buildup to yourself for a buff of over 100 damage for at least a good 60 seconds. With my setup of stats and rings, Darkdrift deals 10 more damage than Bloodlust, but when Bloodlust's special is active, it deals a lot more. Bloodlust also has 36 bleed where as most others have 35. Onikiri & Ubadachi also have 36.

Oni & Uba are also very good hallow infusion weapons, this makes the base damage and scaling from str/dex go down a bit, but adds luck scaling (luck makes more poison/bleed buildup. They end up being something in between a damage weapon and a bleed weapon, however they can still be buffed/enchanted with elements/magic/Carthus Rogue (for more bleeding)... Very good weapon(s).

I run a 40 dex 35-40 luck build. When I use Bloodlust or Darkdrift, I use Flynn's Ring (more damage for not wearing much gear... Usually between 20-30 more damage... Bloodlust also buffs that damage. I also use Leo Ring, making counter attacks using strong attack or sprinting attack pretty devastating.

I'm assuming Black Blade was created so that str and/or quality builds have a normal katana to use. It seems pretty lame, stay away.

I use Carthas Rogue on my Hollow Onikiri & Ubadachi...the bleed is insane and the damage is pretty good itself.

Options for full dex or dex/luck build are Onikiri & Ubadachi, Chaos Blade, Bloodlust, and
Darkdrift.

Options for str/quality are Onikiri & Ubadachi, Washing Pole, Black Blade.

I didn't used to like Bloodlust either, but it's great. I have a lot of fun with it. The damage you take from the buff isn't so bad. If you where the Sun Princess Ring (regen HP) and stab yourself, the buff runs out just as your HP fully refills.

Side note: wearing Onikiri & Ubadachi in your right hand and any other katana in your left makes you look like a BAMF samurai. All swords stacked on the left side of body.

another good point... some FYI geewiz info... if you HOLD the button that switches from 1h-2h , you 2h your left hand weapon as if it were your right hand weapon.

I realize that your post may be outdated and perhaps some of what you said about Bloodlust WAS true, but it has been buffed, Darkdrift as well.

While I do truly admire Bloodlust and Darkdrift, not being able to parry is a negative. You do learn to be very tricky fighting without that ability though. Plus, you should really be aggressive with katanas, doesn't mean spam R1, you WILL be parried, doesn't mean always R1 out of a roll- you WILL be parried, don't just sprint and R1, you WILL be parried, don't just sprint/jump attack- you WILL be countered with crit damage. Try a roll into a kick. Fight Yuria and pay attention to her. She is pretty decent with a katana. Approaches while blocking, takes a blocked hit and immediately backsteps (sometimes even twice) into a nice running thrust. (backstep followed by R1 = running thrust attack). Mess with your Opponent's mind, be 3 steps ahead of them. Be unpredictable.... UNLESS of course you don't PvP at all... go ham sammich and spam like crazy, especially the L1 spam of Oni % Uba.

Nice post.
But ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ that necro!

[Pixel Phoenix]

Originally posted by Verdiløs:

Nice post.
But ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ that necro! [/quote]
Hear, hear!

[Erra]

*opens notifications like wtf?*

Dat necro, though. I assume google led it. They always bring up old ass threads.

Still, good info.

[the Chrissed]

hmmm, did some more messing around with all katanas. Second thoughts on Bloodlust... It is pretty bad. The buff is pretty big, but I just realized that you can buff Darkdrift with elements and magic anyways. I suppose that Bloodlust is still good if you don't like buying/using weapon buffs. Chaos Blade has great damage without any buffs and is longer. Darkdrift is stronger when neither has buffed. With buffs, Darkdrift is weaker than Bloodlust with buffs by 10 (in my build).

Black blade also has different R2 attacks than all other katanas. The 1h R2 attacks are about the same, but come out in reverse order. Horizontal slash first and then thrust. The 2h R2 is that strange one where the character holds the tip of the blade in 2 fingers while pulling forward/down with the other hand until it releases out of fingers and smashes into the ground.

Weight - Lightest to Heaviest:

Darkdrift 3.5
Bloodlust 5.0
Uchigatana 5.5
Chaos Blade 6.0
Black Blade 6.5
Washing Pole/ Onikiri & Ubadachi 8.5

Black Blade has just about the same scaling as Washing pole, slightly less str but slightly more dex. Has a small advantage in base damage. It's also the shortest katana in the game and still weights quite a bit... it's pretty bad.

I honestly have never used the Washing Pole in any Souls game. I'm sure it is a great weapon and ranks somewhere in the 1-3 rank catagory, but I won't have it here on this list.
My rating on katanas based on everything about them, to include movesets, size, weight, etc.:


1. Chaos Blade
2. Onikiri & Ubadachi (the weight makes this one not tied or above Chaos Blade)
3. Uchigatana
4. Darkdrift
5. Bloodlust/ Black Blade

I will also note that some mage players have stated that a Simple Black Blade is a great weapon for casters that also like katanas (I wouldn't know.) My build revolves around wearing as little gear as possible to inflict maximum damage and also have fastest/farthest rolls with max stamina regen without the help of grass crest and chloranthy.

I refuse to use knight shields with a samurai character, it just looks silly to mix and match different types of gear, it spells TryHard.

Even though Washing Pole is not on my list, I'm sure it is one of the best simply due to its length.

They are all similar enough that any one of them will do. Their damage differences aren't that great considering some of them can and cannot be buffed or infused. Onikiri and Ubadachi is the best for a bleed build (hallow infused or bleed infused) because of the multi-attacks in quick succession. Chaos Blade has the highest base bleed stat. Black Blade is at least unique. It is the only "Katana" that isn't a blade "forged in an Eastern land." It also has the most curved blade. I'd highly recommend the Chaos Blade, just because it is longer than all the other normal katanas. It's not super ridiculously long like Washing Pole, but it is really strong, weighs less, and is pretty dang long. It cannot be buffed or infused, again... Each weapon has strengths and weaknesses. I also wouldn't flat out call the Black Blade trash. It DOES deal some pretty awesome damage on a quality build. It's just not for me.

I'll begin using Washing Pole/ Onikiri & Ubadachi whenever they can fit into my weight plan. I'm limited to Darkdrift through Chaos Blade on weight scale at the moment. I do have a lot of experience using Oni&Uba, just not on this character.

I'm not sure where my build will end up exactly, but I want it somewhere between a quality build and hallow build. 40 dex, 18-30 str, 18-35 luck.

Just try them all out. You can easily get each one to +9 in one playthrough. You can decide on your personal favorite. I actually enjoy each one. I'll even start using Black Blade right away.

[Krono]

Why are people necroing old posts like this?

[the Chrissed]

done testing...

Honest Rating:

S Class -

Onikiri & Ubadachi -
Pros: Decent damage and scaling, can be infused/buffed, has great L1 combos that pile up damage quickly and also causes bleeding quickly. Has a very hurty Weapon Art.
Cons: Weight, it weighs more than it should. You cannot 2H it to utilize knight slayer ring type tactics... Kick instead?

Washing Pole -
Pros: It's super long, has great damage, can be infused/buffed. The range is great in PvP and in certain boss fights.
Cons: Weight. I had to take off my pants to be able to weild this thing under 30%; no mortal pants could hold such a sheathe anyways.


A Class -

Chaos Blade-
Pros: Great damage, it's pretty long.
Cons: Cannot be infused/buffed, it hurts to hurt other stuff.

C Class -

Uchigatana-
Pros: Decent range, decent damage, can be infused/buffed
Cons: DECENT... not great. VERY average. Stupid name.

Fail Class-

Darkdrift-
Pros: Can be infused/buffed, decent damage, light weight, the blade is nearly invisible (looks kinda cool).
Cons: short range, the blade is NEARLY invisible (useless). You can Hidden Weapon a better weapon. Weapon Art takes too long and is no different than Shieldsplitter.

Bloodlust-
Pros:
Cons: The buff really isn't strong enough for what it is. Because the buff is the weapon art, you have no weapon art.

Black Blade-
Pros: Uniqe and edgy, great damage
Cons: Don't do it... Weighs too much for what it is, shortest ranged katana, the 1H R2's LOOK cool and having the attacks come out in that order LOOKS more natural, BUT are less useful that way.

Any katana shorter than Uchi just isn't worth it. Take off your pants and unleash the Washing Pole. Longer + Stronger than Uchi = Good Katana, any other = Bad Katana.

[Iri]

As people are necroing this anyway, I guess I'll join in with my own weeb sword rating.

Uchigatana
Easy to get, refined and plain look, just the right length, good damage and great moveset, with the only bad attack being, I'd say, first 2HR2. Performs fine uninfused, which I rather like in any type of weapon. No real flaws here.
Black Blade
This one looks more brutal-ish, can go well with edgy characters. Has very good R2s, with both one-handed forward step slash and 2H forward step overhead compensating for weapon's shorter blade, and working as roll catches if executed properly. I'd only wish the second 2HR2 was the normal katana second 2HR2 instead of the first one.
Chaos Blade
Edgy tryhard full-DEX version of Uchi. Slightly longer, a tiny bit stronger, damages you with every attack, no matter if you hit the enemy, i-frames or shield (Chikage did the same concept so much better...). Looks too long and poorly balanced to be used like the others, I think it should be carried on the shoulder instead. Flaws outweight the pros for me.
Bloodlust
The best looking katana in the game. Yes, it's somewhat short, yes, it's weak without the WA (but quite strong with it), yes, it lacks the very useful 'Hold' WA. But the style points make it all worthwhile for me.
Darkdrift
Half-invisible something with unreliable shield piercing. WA looks cool, but is almost useless for it's intended purpose as-is, though sometimes it works for roll-catches. I would rather have Straight Sword-style stance out of which I could've used the WA instead. And it has rather underwhelming range and damage on top of all that. Not good.
Onikiri and Ubadachi
Cool-looking pair of weapons with a great WA with the only instance of hyperarmor on katanas. Third L1 looking kinda bad and broken WA bleed combo are the only real flaws of this weapon.
Washing Pole
This thing looks really, really stupid on the normal katana animations, and is poorly balanced gameplay-wise this way. It should've been a curved GS with it's own unique moveset, combining katana and CGS moves. As is - it's just stupid. I won't ever use it.