Dark Souls: How to Get the Claymore

The Claymore has become a staple weapon in the Dark Souls series—so much so, that it’s in all three games! It’s always a reliable weapon for strength builds, but, what’s even more incredible about this weapon is that you can get it very early.

The Location of the Claymore in Dark Souls

The Claymore is on the bridge that’s guarded by a Hellkite Wyvern in Undead Burg. Before you set out to get the sword, be aware that you may lose the Souls on you as the wyvern’s fire can immediately kill you—especially if you’re at a low level and don’t have armor with good fire resistance.

With that out of the way, it’s time to get Claymore. From the Undead Burg bonfire, make your way up to the bridge. Then, avoid the wyvern’s fiery breath by sticking to the walled side near the top of the staircase. Remain here while the wyvern spews flames on the bridge.

Once it’s clear, make a run to the side of the bridge where the wyvern lingers. The first body on the ground that has an item you can loot holds the Claymore.

Pick it up. If you still can, run back to the stairs. Otherwise, embrace your fate. Either way, you should find your way back to the bonfire.

Tip

Since this is a very dangerous task, it would be a good idea to spend your remaining Souls and then collect the Claymore on a suicide run to the spot mentioned above.

The Moveset and Base Damage of the Claymore

The Claymore is one of the best weapons in Dark Souls for strength builds. When wielded with one hand, its light attacks are a series of horizontal slashes. Its strong attack combo (three attacks) is a stab, a horizontal swipe, and then another stab.

When wielded with two hands, its light attacks are a series of vertical slashes. Its strong attacks are a series of horizontal ones.

The Claymore is even strong enough to get you to the end of the game—as long as you continue upgrading it. Its base physical damage is only 103, but that climbs up significantly as you power it up with the help of a blacksmith.

Claymore Upgrades

The Claymore has different versions and upgrade routes in Dark Souls. These versions will change the weapon’s attack values and the type of damage it can do. If you want to change your Claymore to help deal with certain enemy types better, the following are the different versions of the weapon and how to upgrade them.

Standard Claymore

This is the Claymore’s base version. The Standard Claymore deals Physical Damage. It scales with both Strength and Dexterity.

You can upgrade this sword from base level to +5 by going to Andre of Astora at the Undead Parish. To upgrade the Claymore from +5 to +10, you’ll need to get the Large Ember in the Depths. Then, to get it from +10 to +15 (its max level) you’ll need the Very Large Ember—which you can get in the New Londo Ruins.

You’ll need the following to fully upgrade the Standard Claymore:

• 9 Titanite Shards (base to +5)
• 9 Large Titanite Shards (+5 to +10)
• 7 Titanite Chunks (+10 to +14)
• 1 Titanite Slab (+14 to +15)
• 6,000 Souls

Raw Claymore

The Raw Claymore deals Physical Damage. However, it lowers stat scaling and bonuses in favor of base damage.

You’ll need a +5 Standard Claymore to turn the weapon into its Raw variation. You’ll also need the Large Ember for this. This can be done by Andre of Astora at the Undead Parish.

You’ll need 10 Large Titanite Shards and 2,000 Souls to level up the weapon for base Raw to Raw +15.

Crystal Claymore

The Crystal Claymore deals a higher Physical Damage compared to its Standard variation. However, it can only be repaired when you upgrade it. This also means the weapon becomes completely unusable when it breaks at its maximum level.

That said, this weapon is best used on tougher bosses and invaders.

You’ll need a +10 Standard Claymore before it can be modified into its Crystal variation. You’ll also need the Crystal Ember for this, which you’ll acquire at The Duke’s Archives. This upgrade can only be done by the Giant Blacksmith at Anor Londo.

You’ll need the following to fully upgrade the Crystal Claymore:

• 8 Titanite Chunks (base to +4)
• 1 Titanite Slab (+4 to +5)
• 2,000 Souls

Magic Claymore

The Magic Claymore deals both Physical Damage and Magic Damage. It scales with Strength, Dexterity, and has an even higher scaling with Intelligence. This is a perfect upgrade path for magic builds who also upgrade their Strength and Dexterity stats a little.

To turn the Standard Claymore into a Magic Claymore, you’ll need to head to Rickert of Vinheim at the New Londo Ruins. He can modify the weapon and upgrade it to +5. To upgrade it from +5 to +10, you’ll need to give him the Large Magic Ember, found in the first area where you meet Seath the Scaleless in The Duke’s Archives.

These are the materials you’ll need to fully upgrade the Magic Claymore:

• 10 Green Titanite Shards (base to +5)
• 7 Blue Titanite Chunks (+5 to +9)
• 1 Blue Titanite Slab (+9 to +10)
• 4,000 Souls

Enchanted Claymore

The Enchanted Claymore also deals both Physical and Magic Damage and scales with Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence. However, it places more emphasis on Intelligence, which makes this better for pure magic builds.

You’ll also need to head to Rickert of Vinheim for this upgrade. To get an Enchanted variation of the weapon, you’ll need a +5 Magic Claymore.

Here are the materials you will need for this entire upgrade path:

• 8 Blue Titanite Chunks (base to +4)
• 1 Blue Titanite Slab (+4 to +5)
• 2,000 Souls

Divine Claymore

The Divine Claymore deals both Physical and Magic Damage. It scales with Strength, Dexterity, and Faith.

This upgrade path can be done by Andre of Astora at the Undead Parish. You’ll need a +5 Standard Claymore and a Divine Ember to modify the weapon. You can get the Divine Ember in the Darkroot Garden. You’ll then need the Large Divine Ember to upgrade the weapon beyond +5.

Here are the materials you’ll need to fully upgrade the Divine Claymore:

• 10 Green Titanite Shards (base to +5)
• 7 White Titanite Chunks (+5 to +9)
• 1 White Titanite Slab (+9 to +10)
• 4,000 Souls

Occult Claymore

The Occult Claymore deals Physical and Magic Damage as well, and it also scales with Strength, Dexterity, and Faith.

This too can be upgraded by Andre of Astora. You’ll need a +5 Standard Claymore and the Dark Ember to make this modification. The Dark Ember is in the Painted World of Ariamis—in the room that’s opened by the Annex Key.

The following are the materials needed to fully upgrade Occult Claymore:

• 7 White Titanite Chunks (base to +4)
• 1 White Titanite Slab (+4 to +5)
• 2,000 Souls

Fire Claymore

The Fire Claymore deals an equal amount of Physical and Fire Damage. In exchange for giving the weapon Fire properties, it does not scale with any stat.

This modification can be done by Blacksmith Vamos in The Catacombs. You’ll need a +5 Standard Claymore for this. Then, you’ll need a Large Flame Ember to upgrade the weapon past +5. You can get this ember in the Demon Ruins.

You’ll need these materials to fully upgrade the Fire Claymore:

• 10 Green Titanite Shards (base to +5)
• 7 Red Titanite Chunks (+5 to +9)
• 1 Red Titanite Slab (+9 to +10)
• 4,000 Souls

Chaos Claymore

The Chaos Claymore is similar to the Fire Claymore. It deals both Physical Damage and Fire Damage, although the latter now has higher values. On top of that, damage also increases based on how much Humanity you have.

This upgrade is also done by Blacksmith Vamos. You’ll need a +5 Fire Claymore for this, as well as the Chaos Flame Ember. You’ll get this in the Demon Ruins.

These are the items you’ll need to fully upgrade this modified weapon:

• 7 Red Titanite Chunks (base to +4)
• 1 Red Titanite Slab (+4 to +5)
• 2,000 Souls

Lightning Claymore

The Lightning Claymore deals Physical and Lightning damage. Like the Fire Claymore, it sacrifices stat scaling for the lightning element.

You’ll need to head to the Giant Blacksmith at Anor Londo for this modification and you’ll need a +10 Standard Claymore. As for fully upgrading it, these are the materials you’ll need:

• 8 Titanite Chunks (base to +4)
• 1 Titanite Slab (+4 to +5)
• 2,000 Souls

The Claymore is undeniably one of the better weapons in Dark Souls—as well as one of the most iconic in the entire FromSoftware Soulslike series. If you’re keen on focusing on your Strength stat while having a weapon that’s not too heavy, you can use this from the moment you acquire it up until you face the game’s final boss.