Dark Souls 3 Best Daggers [Tier List]

Dark Souls 3 features 13 daggers for the player to choose from. What sets them apart from other weapons is their critical damage. However, daggers have a very short range, often requiring the user to get close to the opponent to inflict damage. In this guide, I’ll go over the 13 Dark Souls 3 best daggers and rank them all.

DS3 Best Daggers And Comparison

No.	Daggers	Physical Attack	Physical Defense	Magic Defense	Stability	Stability	FP Cost
1	Scholar’s Candlestick	68	35	20	15	15	-
2	Tailbone Short Sword	106	35	20	20	20	-
3	Handmaid Dagger	85	30	20	15	15	10(-/-)
4	Rotten Ghru Dagger	64	35	20	15	15	5(-/-)
5	Murky Hand Scythe	72	35	20	15	15	5(-/-)
6	Parrying Dagger	60	30	20	15	15	-(-/-)
7	Mail Breaker	89	35	20	15	15	12(-/-)
8	Corvian Greatknife	93	40	25	20	20	10(-/-)
9	Aquamarine Dagger	67	35	20	15	15	8(½)
10	OG dagger	65	35	20	15	15	5(-/-)
11	Bandit’s Knife	79	35	20	15	15	5(-/-)
12	The Harpe	62	35	20	15	15	5(-/-)
13	Brigand Twin daggers	70	35	20	15	15	-

Scholar’s Candlestick

Characteristics

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Dark	Critical
Attack	68	-	-	-	-	115
Defense	35.0	20.0	15.0	20.0	20.0	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	E	C	-	-
Requirement	7	-	-	16
Skill	Guiding Light
Stability	15
Range	-
Durability	40
Weapon Category	Dagger
Wgt.	1.5
Attack type	Slash/Thrust
FP Cost	5(-/-)
Purchasing Value	3500
Soul Value	500

The Scholar’s Candlestick offers unimpressive physical damage and a high Faith requirement. However, its one saving grace is that it increases the offensive Soceries’ damage dealt by 10%. Though it is not Buffable or Infusable. This is regardless of wielding requirements and the type of damage. I found that it stacks with other spell-boosting equipment and is considered a staple off-hand tool for any dedicated Sorcerer build.

Weapon Art

• Guiding Light: The candle lights up, illuminating the area for a minute as much as a lowered Torch does.

Location

• Dropped from Scholars wielding it in the Grand Archives.
• Bought from Shrine Handmaid after giving her Greirat’s Ashes.
• Bought from Greirat of the Undead Settlement for 3500 souls after surviving his second expedition.

Tailbone Short Sword

Characteristics

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Dark	Critical
Attack	106	-	-	-	-	110
Defense	35.0	20.0	15.0	15.0	20.0	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	E	E	-	-
Requirement	8	14	-	-
Skill	Unleash dragon
Stability	20
Range	-
Durability	50
Weapon Category	Dagger
Wgt.	2.0
Attack type	Slash/Thrust
FP Cost	25(-/-)
Purchasing Value	-
Soul Value	50

The Tailbone Short Sword, despite being called a Short Sword, falls under the Dagger category due to its similar move set, such as horizontal slashes, quick thrust attacks, and downward stabs. Furthermore, it has a range of about 15 SP (Shield Pokes), putting it above most of the best daggers in terms of range, in my opinion. It has a Titanite Scale reinforcement but is not Buffable or Infusable.

Weapon Art

• Unleash Dragon: You unleash a powerful ground shockwave with slight tracking that knocks enemies down and can pass through walls. It has a lingering hitbox.

Location

• The Wretches drop this in Irithyll Dungeon.

Handmaid’s Dagger

Characteristics

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Dark	Critical
Attack	85	-	-	-	-	110
Defense	30.0	20.0	15.0	15.0	20.0	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	E	E	-	-
Requirement	4	8	-	-
Skill	Blind Spot
Stability	15
Range	-
Durability	40
Weapon Category	Dagger
Wgt.	0.5
Attack type	Slash/Thrust
FP Cost	10(-/-)
Purchasing Value	-
Soul Value	1000

The Handmaid’s Dagger is a dagger that the handmaids of the Profaned Capital use. I consider this weapon to be noteworthy for its innate ability to replenish 1 FP per hit regardless of a successful hit. Additionally, on the offhand, the move set of the primary attack changes to a stab, which has a guaranteed two-hit combo -that’s 2 FP restored!

Weapon Art

• Blind Spot: You hit the enemy from the side, draining stamina and ignoring guards. This cannot be parried and features a two-handed R2 or R1 true combo.

Location

• Jailer Handmaids drop it in the Profaned Capital.

Rotten Ghru Dagger

Characteristics

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Dark	Critical
Attack	64	-	-	-	-	100
Defense	35.0	20.0	15.0	15.0	20.0	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	E	C	-	-
Requirement	10	8	-	-
Skill	Quickstep
Stability	15
Range	-
Durability	45
Weapon Category	Dagger
Wgt.	2.0
Attack type	Slash/Thrust
FP Cost	5(-/-)
Purchasing Value	3500
Soul Value	500

The Rotten Ghru dagger manifests the synergy between daggers and auxiliary effects – due to their fast attack speed, daggers are one of the best weapons for inflicting auxiliary effects. Moreover, I consider it the best dagger to build up poison on said build since the dagger has a stun lock of three hits before someone can parry.

Weapon Art

• Quickstep: Instead of rolling, you will now dash, with invulnerability frames for sufficient FP. Quickstepping only works between 70%-100% equipment load and uses less stamina.

Location

• Ghru (Duelist variation) drop it in Farron Keep Swamp. 

Murky Hand Scythe

Characteristics

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Dark	Critical
Attack	72	22	-	-	-	100
Defense	35.0	20.0	15.0	15.0	20.0	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	D	D	E	E
Requirement	6	11	11	11
Skill	Quickstep
Stability	15
Range	-
Durability	50
Weapon Category	Dagger
Wgt.	2.0
Attack type	Slash
FP Cost	5(-/-)
Purchasing Value	-
Soul Value	100

The Murky Hand Scythe is a short-shafted hand scythe that the murkmen who rise from the depths wield. Even though it shares move sets similar to most daggers, it has the unique trait of inflicting Slash damage instead of thrusting, which easily qualifies it as one of the best daggers in my opinion.

Weapon Art

• Quickstep: Instead of rolling, you will now dash, with invulnerability frames for sufficient FP. Quickstepping only works between 70%-100% equipment load and uses less stamina.

Location

• Found in the Dreg Heap. After dropping through the glass ceiling, a set of stairs to the left will lead over a bookcase. A corpse will be holding the Murky Hand Scythe.

Parrying Dagger

Characteristics

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Dark	Critical
Attack	60	-	-	-	-	110
Defense	30.0	20.0	15.0	15.0	20.0	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	E	C	-	-
Requirement	5	14	-	-
Skill	Parry
Stability	15
Range	-
Durability	40
Weapon Category	Dagger
Wgt.	1.0
Attack type	Slash/Thrust
FP Cost	-(-/-)
Purchasing Value	2000
Soul Value	100

As the name and descriptions suggest, the Parrying Dagger is used almost exclusively for parrying. I do not recommend it as a primary weapon as its base damage and scaling are incredibly poor. Even then, its window for parries is equal to that of a medium shield, requiring you to adjust if you are used to most other parry tools.

Weapon Art

• Parry: You can block and deflect most melee attacks with the right timing. This leaves the opponent vulnerable. You can follow up with a Riposte to deal more damage. You must Parry before the opponent’s attack hits you.

Location

• Bought from Unbreakable Patches for 2000 souls. You must recruit him at Firelink Shrine’s tower.

Mail Breaker

Characteristics

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Dark	Critical
Attack	89	-	-	-	-	125
Defense	35.0	20.0	15.0	15.0	20.0	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	E	D	-	-
Requirement	7	12	-	-
Skill	Shield Splitter
Stability	15
Range	-
Durability	50
Weapon Category	Dagger
Wgt.	1.5
Attack type	Slash/Thrust
FP Cost	12(-/-)
Purchasing Value	-
Soul Value	100

The Mail Breaker is a small sword made for thrusting attacks. It’s a hard, edgeless sword that can pierce through tough armor and boasts a deadly critical attack. Moreover, it has a range of 14.7 sp, due to which I rank it in one of the upper echelons of ranged daggers.

Weapon Art

• Shield Splitter: You will attack in a large forward lunge, ignoring the enemy’s shield and dealing damage. On Mail Breaker, Shield Splitter can combo with itself and has the fastest startup.

Location

• Starting equipment for the Sorcerer class.
• Can be looted from a corpse in the High Wall of Lothric, at the lowermost floor of the dungeon directly below the Tower on the Wall bonfire.
• Sirris of the Sunless Realms may give you a Blessed Mail Breaker in Firelink Shrine once you’ve fought Creighton the Wanderer in Irithyll of the Boreal Valley.

Corvian Greatknife

Characteristics

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Dark	Critical
Attack	93	-	-	-	-	110
Defense	40.0	25.0	20.0	20.0	25.0	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	E	E	-	-
Requirement	12	16	-	-
Skill	Blind Spot
Stability	20
Range	-
Durability	55
Weapon Category	Dagger
Wgt.	2.5
Attack type	Slash/Thrust
FP Cost	10(-/-)
Purchasing Value	-
Soul Value	100

Corvian Greatknife is a large dagger with immense power. Although it has poor stat scaling, I find it excels at countering defensive opponents, making it one of the best daggers. Unlike other daggers, this one has a unique weapon skill that allows it to bypass altogether an opponent’s shield.

Weapon Art

• Blind Spot: You hit the enemy from the side, draining stamina and ignoring guards. This cannot be parried and features a two-handed R2 or R1 true combo.

Location

• Drops from Corvians in Road of Sacrifices, Painted World of Ariandel, Farron Keep, and Untended Graves.

Aquamarine Dagger

Characteristics

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Dark	Critical
Attack	67	-	-	-	-	100
Defense	35.0	20.0	15.0	15.0	20.0	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	E	D	D	-
Requirement	5	14	18	-
Skill	Crystal Blade
Stability	15
Range	-
Durability	50
Weapon Category	Dagger
Wgt.	1.5
Attack type	Slash/Thrust
FP Cost	8 (⅔)
Purchasing Value	-
Soul Value	300

The Aquamarine Dagger handles much like a standard Dagger in its base state. It has a standard dagger moveset and scales with Dexterity and Intelligence but lacks a high critical modifier. However, it becomes an entirely different beast when its weapon art, Crystal Blade, is activated, which is why I ranked it higher than the others.

Weapon Art

• Crystal Blade: The weapon forms a crystal blade, granting it the reach of a straight sword. You can also perform running, rolling, and even transform attacks depending on the action performed prior. In the transformed state, it is capable of performing attack chains with consecutive weak or strong attacks.

Location

• Found in the Dreg Heap. After the initial drop-down from the Stone-humped Hag’s perch, there is a path right that leads further down, and a path left that leads to an elevated battlement that the Harold Legion Knight guards. The item can be found in an area up the stairs behind the Harold Knight.

Dagger

Characteristics

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Dark	Critical
Attack	65	-	-	-	-	130
Defense	35.0	20.0	15.0	15.0	20.0	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	E	C	-	-
Requirement	5	9	-	-
Skill	Quickstep
Stability	15
Range	-
Durability	50
Weapon Category	Dagger
Wgt.	1.5
Attack type	Slash/Thrust
FP Cost	5(-/-)
Purchasing Value	300
Soul Value	100

The OG dagger, while underwhelming, is the perfect example of why you should not underestimate a seemingly “basic” weapon. Even I took it for granted during my first playthrough. This dagger specializes in a quick and consecutive hit registry, on top of dealing extreme damage on critical attacks because it has the highest critical modifier in Dark Souls 3.

Weapon Art

• Quickstep: Instead of rolling, you will now dash, with invulnerability frames for sufficient FP. Quickstepping only works between 70%-100% equipment load and uses less stamina.

Location

• Bought for 300 souls from Shrine Handmaid.
• The Hollow Assassins wielding a Dagger using Throwing Knives drop this at the High Wall of Lothric.

Bandit’s Knife

Characteristics

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Dark	Critical
Attack	79	-	-	-	-	110
Defense	35.0	20.0	15.0	15.0	20.0	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	D	D	-	-
Requirement	6	12	-	-
Skill	Quickstep
Stability	15
Range	-
Durability	50
Weapon Category	Dagger
Wgt.	1.5
Attack type	Slash/Thrust
FP Cost	5(-/-)
Purchasing Value	1500
Soul Value	100

Similar to the Rotten Ghru Dagger, the Bandit’s Knife manifests the synergy between daggers and auxiliary effects – due to their fast attack speed, daggers are one of the best weapons for inflicting auxiliary effects. It sacrifices some of the daggers’ great critical damage explicitly to provide bleed build-up, which I found to be perfect for most of my bleed builds.

Weapon Art

• Quickstep: Instead of rolling, you will now dash, with invulnerability frames for sufficient FP. Quickstepping only works between 70%-100% equipment load and uses less stamina.

Location

• Starting equipment for the Thief Class.
• Bought from Greirat of the Undead Settlement or Shine Handmade for 1,500 souls upon giving Greirat’s Ashes.

Harpe

Characteristics

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Dark	Critical
Attack	62	-	-	-	-	100
Defense	35.0	20.0	15.0	15.0	20.0	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	E	C	-	-
Requirement	8	10	-	-
Skill	Quickstep
Stability	15
Range	-
Durability	45
Weapon Category	Dagger
Wgt.	1.5
Attack type	Slash/Thrust
FP Cost	5(-/-)
Purchasing Value	-
Soul Value	100

The Harpe is one of the best daggers – it has a sizeable sickle-shaped body that serves as a worker’s tool in the Undead Settlement. Despite having the average dagger move set such as horizontal slashes, quick thrust attacks, and downward stabs. The Harpe can also stun with its lunging right light attack, a trait that allows me to rank it so high on the list.

Weapon Art

• Quickstep: Instead of rolling, you will now dash, with invulnerability frames for sufficient FP. Quickstepping only works between 70%-100% equipment load and uses less stamina.

Location

• Red Eyed Peasant Hollows drop this at Undead Settlement.

Brigand Twindaggers

Characteristics

	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Dark	Critical
Attack	70	-	-	-	-	125
Defense	35.0	20.0	15.0	15.0	20.0	-
	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Scaling	D	D	-	-
Requirement	10	18	-	1-
Skill	Quickstep
Stability	15
Range	-
Durability	50
Weapon Category	Dagger (Paired)
Wgt.	2.5
Attack type	Slash/Thrust
FP Cost	5(-/-)
Purchasing Value	-
Soul Value	100

The Brigand Twindaggers are my preferred weapons when it comes to fighting PvP and PvE. Their insanely fast light attacks from the main hand can be followed up with either the Quickstep Weapon Art for incredibly efficient hit-and-run tactics or with an off-hand light attack that creates a true combo for some excellent extra damage.

Weapon Art

• Quickstep: Instead of rolling, you will now dash, with invulnerability frames for sufficient FP. Quickstepping only works between 70%-100% equipment load and uses less stamina.

Location

• Found in the Road of Sacrifices, on a corpse behind where the madwoman spawns.

My Thoughts

I consider daggers to be the most underrated weapons, simply because, even though they are tiny and have a shorter range, they deal massive amounts of damage. And many of these daggers, such as the Aquamarine and Brigand Twin daggers, feature unique Weapon Arts that make them stand out. 

Throughout my playthrough, I found myself using the Harpe and Brigand Twin daggers a lot, sometimes even more than the ranged weapons. However, I did find that the extra distance the ranged weapons added made Dark Souls 3 a lot easier. But with the special Quickstep Weapon Art that most of these daggers feature, I was able to dodge enemies and easily deflect attacks.

Speaking of deflection, I did find myself using the Parry Dagger from time to time, though this was mainly for utility purposes, and I never used it as my primary weapon for obvious reasons. But then again, each player has a different playstyle. I hope you now know all about the Dark Souls 3 best daggers and which one to pick for your playthrough.

Up Next:

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• Top 10 Dark Souls 3 Best Starting Class
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