Mastering Dark Souls 2‘s Deadly Katanas: Attributes, Locations, and Playstyles Explored
As a long-time Dark Souls player with hundreds of hours wielding katanas, I‘m delighted to share my deep knowledge on finding, upgrading, and mastering this versatile weapon category.
Boasting lightning-fast swing speeds and excellent Dexterity scaling, katanas enable highly aggressive playstyles tailored to PvP and PvE combat.
The Allure of Katanas
Before diving into the individual katanas, I want to cover precisely why these curved blades are such a popular pick among players:
- Speed – Their quick swing times pressure foes with rapid strikes.
- Critical Damage – Can inflict massive damage on counter hits.
- Auxiliary Effects – Some katanas apply bleed, poison, or HP drain.
- Accessibility – Many katanas appear early for low-level characters.
- Weight – Extremely light to equip, excellent for dodging.
- Dexterity Scaling – Katanas heavily favor Dexterity builds.
- Movesets – Attacks mix wide horizontal arcs with forward-lunging thrusts.
Let‘s explore what makes each katana unique…
Overview of Dark Souls 2 Katanas
From lightning-wreathed chaos blades to poison-slick manslayers, Dark Souls 2 expanded the katana roster to 8 distinct weapons.
I‘ve battled extensively with every katana and ranked them below based on overall performance across factors like damage, special abilities, scaling, and moveset versatility:
| Rank | Name | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black Steel | Alonne Knights | Quickdraw slash |
| 2 | Chaos Blade | Soul Trade | Self-damage fire blade |
| 3 | Washing Pole | Mimic | Exceptional range |
| 4 | Uchigatana | Starter Weapon | Balanced classic |
| 5 | Manslayer | Huntsman‘s Copse | Innate poison |
| 6 | Darkdrift | Grave Warden | Shield piercer |
| 7 | Bewitched Alonne | Boss Soul | Temp damage buff |
| 8 | Berserker Blade | Prowling Katana | Underwhelming |
Now let‘s break down each katana in detail across various attributes…
Black Steel Katana
My personal favorite katana, the Black Steel shines in PvP with its unique quickdraw skill that enhances an already stellar moveset.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Physical Damage | 95 |
| Magic Damage | – |
| Critical Damage | 100 |
| Durability | 40 |
| Weight | 8 units |
| Req. Strength/Dex | 14 / 25 |
| Scaling | S Dexterity |
| Max Upgrade Level | +10 |
| Location | Alonne Knights |
Black Steel Katana Summary
- Quickdraw skill boosts versatile moveset
- Top tier damage and bleed buildup
- Fantastic dexterity scaling
- Lightning-fast swing and recovery
- Great combo potential
The Black Steel Katana drops from the Alonne Knights wielding it within the Iron Keep. I used this blade extensively through NG+7 playthroughs and PvP battles.
Its normal strong attack slashes twice horizontally while the one-handed light attack hits with an upward diagonal arc ideal for catching strafing opponents.
However, the real crown jewel is the quickdraw skill. Activated while sheathed, it rapidly unsheathes the blade to unleash a devastating surprise slash with increased damage and range.
This special art augments an already S-tier dexterity weapon into one of the most dangerous katanas around. It has high combo potential, stacks bleeding rapidly, and the quickdraw catches players off guard.
Upgraded fully down Standard path with Titanite, I infuse my Black Steel Katana with Sharp gems to push its damage even higher. This creates lethal criticals in PvP and shreds through PvE mobs.
Chaos Blade
Seething with dark pyromancy flames, the Chaos Blade devastates foes in sacrificial exchanges. This wicked katana is anything but safe yet profoundly powerful.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Physical Damage | 100 |
| Fire Damage | 100 |
| Critical Damage | 110 |
| Durability | 50 |
| Weight | 6 units |
| Req. Strength/Dex | 12 / 25 |
| Scaling | B Dexterity |
| Max Upgrade Level | +5 |
| Location | Soul Trade |
Chaos Blade Summary
- Innate fire damage
- Self-damage effect
- Extreme counter damage
- Special 2HR2 attack
- Solid dexterity scaling
Unleashing the latent chaos within, players can forge this notorious blade from the soul of the Old Witch of Izalith, the mother of pyromancy.
Trading her soul with Straid nets the Chaos Blade, which starts scaling at +1 with Petrified Dragon Bones to a max level of +5.
Its power comes at a literally painful cost: each successful attack also damages the wielder equal to a percentage of damage dealt. However, I‘ve defeated many hosts unfazed by enduring this effect.
The real reward comes from its monstrous counter attack damage, which activates on trades. The Chaos Blade also naturally deals fire damage with each swing.
In the hands of a seasoned player, the damage reflection matters little thanks to well-timed dodges and proper aggro control. As one of the few innate fire weapons available early, it wrecks beasts and hollows alike.
I use the Chaos Blade to shred bosses like The Pursuer and Smelter Demon. The special 2-handed heavy attack manifests a vertical arc of fire that catches opponents off guard. It‘s phenomenally fun!
Washing Pole
This extra long katana dominates at range, capable of attacking beyond even halberds and spears with normal light swings and running attacks.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Physical Damage | 120 |
| Magic Damage | – |
| Critical Damage | 100 |
| Durability | 20 |
| Weight | 10 units |
| Req. Strength/Dex | 18 / 20 |
| Scaling | B Dexterity / E Strength |
| Max Upgrade Level | +10 |
| Location | Mimic |
Washing Pole Summary
- Huge attack range
- Moveset still fast despite length
- Above average base damage
- Useful crowd control
- Challenging to master spacing
Don‘t be fooled by its name – the Washing Pole demolishes foes, not laundry! Players can loot this lengthy blade from a mimic lurking inside Drangleic Castle.
Upgrading down the Standard path to +10 with Titanite, this katana still scales decently with Dexterity to raise its already impressive physical damage.
Realistically, the Washing Pole serves as a "quality of life" improvement letting me strike from long range safely. Crowd control and sniping becomes easier.
However, the extended length requires care not to whiff attacks. Enemies can punish missed swings. Adaptability helps increase iframes to properly leverage the range during intense duels.
I tend to use this katana more in PvE as a situational pick when handling large packs of enemies. The strong sweeping light attacks and running attacks nicely catch extra targets. It has served me well!
Uchigatana
Arguably the most balanced katana regarding damage, speed, and accessibility, the Uchigatana offers new players an exceptional blade to start with.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Physical Damage | 110 |
| Magic Damage | – |
| Critical Damage | 100 |
| Durability | 40 |
| Weight | 5 units |
| Req. Strength/Dex | 10 / 16 |
| Scaling | B Dexterity / E Strength |
| Max Upgrade Level | +10 |
| Location | Sword Master |
Uchigatana Summary
- Available very early game
- Quality starter weapon
- Decent base damage and range
- Standard katana moveset
- Scales well with upgrades
The Uchigatana sees ample use partially thanks to its availability. Players can grab it off the corpse of the Sword Master outside Firelink Shrine.
Alternatively, McDuff sells it after giving him the Dull Ember item found in the Iron Keep. For just 5000 souls, it offers great value.
It truly shines once upgraded down the Standard path to +10 with Titanite and sporting auxiliary buffs like Gold Pine Resin.
For any newcomer intimidated by Dark Soul‘s infamous difficulty, the Uchigatana makes an easy-to-use quality blade to start with.
Manslayer
Silently dispensing lethal toxins, the Manslayer cripples foes with heavy poison build-up perfect for sadistic players.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Physical Damage | 153 |
| Magic Damage | – |
| Critical Damage | 100 |
| Durability | 40 |
| Weight | 6 units |
| Req. Strength/Dex | 11 / 18 |
| Scaling | E Dexterity / B Intelligence |
| Max Upgrade Level | +5 |
| Location | Huntsman Copse |
Manslayer Summary
- Inflicts deadly poison status
- Augments existing poison
- Quick katana attack speed
- Rewards patient playstyle
- Scales with Intelligence too
After the Rise of the Dead bonfire, I snagged the Manslayer from a chest nestled away in Huntsman‘s Copse. Players can further upgrade it to +5 down the Twinkling Titanite path.
Each strike has a high chance to inflict poison status. By pairing with Poison Throwing Knives, Toxic Mist, or innate poison weapons, the Manslayer quickly shreds HP bars.
It sports average base damage and basic katana movesets of horizontal and vertical slashes coupled with forward thrusts. However, its true skill comes from augmenting poison and forcing opponents to constantly heal status effects.
PvE mobs and bosses with lower poison resistance get utterly shredded by this vicious blade. The Manslayer favors patient, tactical play rather than wild aggression. Overall an excellent choice!
Darkdrift
Piercing foes with waves of darkness, the Darkdrift shreds souls with each landed attack. Its heavy attack pierces shields – dangerous news in PvP!
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Physical Damage | 130 |
| Magic Damage | – |
| Critical Damage | 100 |
| Durability | 20 |
| Weight | 3 units |
| Req. Strength/Dex | 12 / 28 |
| Scaling | C Dexterity |
| Max Upgrade Level | +10 |
| Location | Grave Warden |
Darkdrift Summary
- Transparent phantom blade
- Each hit drains HP
- Heavy attack pierces shields
- Very lightweight
- Decent dexterity scaling
After the King‘s Ring, players can find swordmaster Grave Warden Agdayne in the Undead Crypt guarding the Darkdrift katana.
Upgrading down the Standard path with Titanite, its base damage stays modest but scales decently off Dexterity. Interestingly, the heavy attack ignores shields!
The Darkdrift sports lightweight with solid swing speed. Each landed hit also leeches a small dose of HP from foes. Riskier players may enjoy getting health back during intense trades.
Its relatively short range requires an aggressive, hyper offense style. However, the Darkdrift can quickly shred in PvP if you catch opponents off guard with the special shield-piercing strikes!
Helpful Katana Tips and Playstyle Advice
Through hundreds of hours experimenting with Dark Soul‘s wide array of katanas across environments, I‘ve cultivated key bits of advice:
Infusions – Most katanas strongly favor Dexterity scaling. Sharp gems provide the biggest damage boosts at high upgrade levels with high Dex stats.
Spells – Since you often two-hand katanas, consider attuning complementary spells like Spook or Hush in off-hand slot. Provides tactical options.
PvP Tactics – Use the environment, strike from behind, predict rolls and drink timings. R1 spam easily gets punished by experienced players – mix up R1s into R2s.
PvE Crowd Control – Slower weapons can handle groups through spacing. Katanas require hit and run tactics – isolate tougher enemies and avoid getting surrounded.
Ultimately, katanas reward aggressive play and relentlessly pressuring foes. However, their shorter range means you must master proper spacing, stamina conservation, and reading enemy tells.
While a high skill cap weapon class, katanas provide some of the most intense, rewarding combat experiences across Dark Souls 2 once mastered!
Where To Find All Katanas
Here are the exact locations to obtain every katana:
| Katana | Location | How to Acquire |
|---|---|---|
| Black Steel | Iron Keep | Drops from Alonne Knights |
| Chaos Blade | Trade | Straid‘s trade for Old Witch Soul |
| Washing Pole | Drangleic Castle | Found in metal chest mimic |
| Uchigatana | Majula | Kill Sword Master or buy from McDuff |
| Manslayer | Huntman‘s Copse | Open chest near Rise of the Dead bonfire |
| Darkdrift | Undead Crypt | Talk to Grave Warden Agdayne |
| Bewitched Alonne | Memory of Old Iron King | Boss soul transposition |
| Berserker Blade | Brume Tower | Drops from dual katana Prowlers |
So there you have it – everything you need to know about Dark Souls 2‘s killer katanas! Let me know if this guide helps you discover and master these popular weapons. I‘m happy to answer any other questions down below!
