Worth reinforcing the Deep Battle Axe?

[Leezeebub]

Topic.
I'm on the road of sacrifices, have been defeated by the crystal sage.
I've found dozens of weapons and armors but I'm still using my starting armor (started as a warrior) and the deep battle axe +3.

I feel like I'm doing ok with this setup, I just feel like I should be using something different by this point of the game. Is it worth continuing to upgrade the DBA or is the something better? And is there a good alternative to my starting armour that I could be using?

Thanks.

[Tomas Mac Mordain]

Generally, no. You'll want to rely on a weapon with scaling in STR, DEX or both, depending on how you want to build your char. Deep infusion removes attribute scaling and will end up underwhelming. Pick an uninfused standard weapon you like, and infuse it with heavy (for improved STR scaling at the expense of base damage), sharp (same with DEX) or refined (balances scaling across STR and DEX).

[Crevan]

I would save the shards for something better.

[!?!]

If you like the axe, whatever.
Shards are easy to come by and you can always infuse it to something else.

[Moon Punisher]

it is largely a matter of taste mate , by that point i was using a fire bastard sword +3/4 (which you can buy/forge at firelink) using the fallen knight set i had just found , which i kept using for a large portion of the game.

If it works for you , then it should be enough.

That or you can try to get the weapons that are all the rage these days , like estoc or dark sword , dark sword not being that far ahead of where you are right now and estoc you can buy at firelink also.

[Leezeebub]

Originally posted by vile zergling:

Generally, no. You'll want to rely on a weapon with scaling in STR, DEX or both, depending on how you want to build your char. Deep infusion removes attribute scaling and will end up underwhelming. Pick an uninfused standard weapon you like, and infuse it with heavy (for improved STR scaling at the expense of base damage), sharp (same with DEX) or refined (balances scaling across STR and DEX).

Ok thanks.
I've put most of my points into strength so far and have been two handing the axe. I would like to continue either two handing or possibly switch to dual wielding, if I can still keep my range. What would be a good two hander/dual wielder that would scale well into the late game? And what would be a good armor to go with it?

Also, when two handing is there any benefit to keeping a shield equipped on my back?

[Parabellum]

Originally posted by Leezeebub:

Originally posted by vile zergling:

Generally, no. You'll want to rely on a weapon with scaling in STR, DEX or both, depending on how you want to build your char. Deep infusion removes attribute scaling and will end up underwhelming. Pick an uninfused standard weapon you like, and infuse it with heavy (for improved STR scaling at the expense of base damage), sharp (same with DEX) or refined (balances scaling across STR and DEX).

Ok thanks.
I've put most of my points into strength so far and have been two handing the axe. I would like to continue either two handing or possibly switch to dual wielding, if I can still keep my range. What would be a good two hander/dual wielder that would scale well into the late game? And what would be a good armor to go with it?

Also, when two handing is there any benefit to keeping a shield equipped on my back?

The ones you like the most would be the best.

[Tomas Mac Mordain]

Originally posted by Leezeebub:

Ok thanks.
I've put most of my points into strength so far and have been two handing the axe. I would like to continue either two handing or possibly switch to dual wielding, if I can still keep my range. What would be a good two hander/dual wielder that would scale well into the late game? And what would be a good armor to go with it?

Also, when two handing is there any benefit to keeping a shield equipped on my back?

The points you've put in strength are not improving your damage output right now. If you like this axe, I'd recommend un-infusing it with a shriving stone at some point, and going with a heavy infusion instead.

Here's how the axe will develop in damage output. Click the table header images to switch between viewing its max stats at +10, and its progression in individual infusion paths.
http://darksouls3.wiki.fextralife.com/Battle+Axe

In general it's not a good weapon for endgame. And if you get invaded or do any kind of PvP, people will dance circles around it. Its reach is really not that good, and it's relatively slow.

The butcher knife is not far from where you are and similar in speed and reach. Badass, and scales with strength well.
http://darksouls3.wiki.fextralife.com/Butcher+Knife

Armor is mostly a matter of taste. Your level based defenses count for more than which piece is equipped. Not entirely dysfunctional. It may make a difference between a boss one-shotting you and almost one-shotting you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MKc9ejlUYs

Good armor close to where you are: fallen knight armor
http://darksouls3.wiki.fextralife.com/Fallen+Knight+Set

A shield on your back does nothing, except being ready to switch to when you need it and adding weight.

[Vinyl Scratch]

Originally posted by vile zergling:

A shield on your back does nothing, except being ready to switch to when you need it and adding weight.

Though if the shield has some passive effect (such as the Grass Crest Shield's stamina boost) those will still work while the shield is on your back.

[Leezeebub]

Thanks that's helpful!
I got the butchers knife a while ago, but I thought it wouldn't be good because I couldn't infuse it.
Sorry for all the noob questions, I just like swinging my weapon around, I don't understand how all these numbers interact with each other lol :P

[Tomas Mac Mordain]

Originally posted by Leezeebub:

Thanks that's helpful!
I got the butchers knife a while ago, but I thought it wouldn't be good because I couldn't infuse it.
Sorry for all the noob questions, I just like swinging my weapon around, I don't understand how all these numbers interact with each other lol :P

For a quick overview: https://www.reddit.com/r/darksouls3/comments/4eufw7/parameter_scaling_and_infusions_explained/

[haplok]

Originally posted by Leezeebub:

Originally posted by vile zergling:

Generally, no. You'll want to rely on a weapon with scaling in STR, DEX or both, depending on how you want to build your char. Deep infusion removes attribute scaling and will end up underwhelming. Pick an uninfused standard weapon you like, and infuse it with heavy (for improved STR scaling at the expense of base damage), sharp (same with DEX) or refined (balances scaling across STR and DEX).

Ok thanks.
I've put most of my points into strength so far and have been two handing the axe. I would like to continue either two handing or possibly switch to dual wielding, if I can still keep my range. What would be a good two hander/dual wielder that would scale well into the late game? And what would be a good armor to go with it?

Also, when two handing is there any benefit to keeping a shield equipped on my back?

Hm, if you want something familiar, a somewhat similar, but superior choice would be the Great Machette dropped by the large Worker mobs in the Undead settlement. Good mainly for PVE though. Has superior reach, damage and stagger, the charged R2 can (probably) pancacke enemies. Easy to use and powerfull in PVE. It's classed as Greataxe, which means it also grants Hyper Armor during mid-attack. I personally prefer it to the Butcher's Knife, which is classified as Axe, has less reach and no Hyper Armor. Better scaling and a healing Weapon Art on the Knife, though.

There's also the Large Club and/or Greatclub somewhere near (I think where you meet two strong clubbing knights... was a 1-off encounter?). If so, the Greatclub is better, though both are classed as Greathammers and give Hyper Armor.
Actually the Vord's Great Club (can transpose the soul of Vordt at Ludleth) is not too shabby. Uses the somewhat rare Titanite Scales though... and maybe isn't the best use for them. Upgrading it to +1 will let you 1-shot many enemies in the catacombs though. And the Preservance Weapon Art Poise boost lets you win most hit trades.
Also the Spiked Mace if you can get one from the fat Evangelists at the Unded Settlement is even better.

My personal favourite at this stage would be the Black Knight Greatsword (UGS). There is a Greatsword wielding Black Knight near the Halfway Fortress Bonfire in Roads of Sacrifices (go down and hug the right wall, enter ruins and you will find him there). Beware, he is a tough enemy. The two large crucified undead on the path to him can be a pain as well. As can be actually getting the sword to drop... But if you do manage to get the BKGS, it can serve you very well till the very end. One disadvantage is that it requires 18 Dex to wield (you can eventually find a +3 Dex ring that obscures you while rolling in the Catacombs... but it's a bit further). Also high Strenght. The other may be that it requires Twinkling Titanite to upgrade, which is somewhat rarer (and far more limited in number). But its not a large problem, as long as you focus on 1-2 Twinkling upgrade weapons/shields.

Other good picks include the Zweihander UGS and the Greatsword UGS.
Zweihander can be actually available for you to buy at Greirat - if you haven't missed anything. If you have, you need to find the key to Greirat's cell at the High Wall, free Greirat from his prison. Then find Loretta's Bone at the Undead Settlement, pick Greirat's quest, return to him with the Bone, return and send him on a pillaging trip, make sure's he's gone from Firelink, kill a boss (any will do, such as the Cursed Tree or Vordt). Then Greirat should be back at Firelink and have the Zweihander for sale. A very versatile UGS, light and with a great moveset.

The Greatsword can be found at the Farron Keep swamp area on one of the ruined bridges in the swamp. That's actually a part of Roads to Sacrifices as well. A very good weapon, but heavy (20 lbs) and requires pretty high Strenght to wield.

And sure, a shield will come in handy, even when you're two-handing. A shield with some passive effect, like Grass Crest Shield, which gives a boost to Stamina regen (was it Crucifixion Woods also?). Or later Shield of Want which boosts the amount of Souls you get by 20%. But the best option may actually not be a shield at all, but rather the Crystal Sage's Rapier hanging idly at your belt (transpose the Soul of the Crystal Sage at Ludleth, need the Transposing Kiln from the optional Cursed Tree boss). It will boost your Item Discovery by 50. And also it's lighter then most other usefull shields. Should help a lot with item farming, like for the BKGS for example... or the Spiked Mace... or later Cathedral Knight Greatsword, Lothric Knight Greatsword :P

[Leezeebub]

^ Good tips, thanks!
I've actually beaten that black knight, can't rememeber if he dropped a sword though.

Regarding Greirat, I gave him the bone a couple of days ago (no innuendo intended), but now when I speak to him he only says, "I can't believe she's gone" (or something like that) and doesn't give any of the options he used to give. Have I missed something with him, or do I just need to beat another boss to return him to normal?

[haplok]

Hm, try speaking to him again after teleporting from/to Firelink. He should eventually ask for your permission to go on a pillaging trip. Or did he already do that and you denied his request? If so, I don't know what happens then.

Anyway if he does leave on the trip (warp from/to to make sure he's gone), he'll be back after you kill a boss (any boss).

[Fluffy Monster Thing]

Its only worth it if you intend to kill the dancer really early, given shes incredibly week to dark damage.

[Compliant]

Nah if you're looking for something amazing early game, a little known secret is the astora straight sword...if you can find it...