The Claymore is One of the Best Weapons to Infuse Heavy in Dark Souls

When it comes to heavy infusions in Dark Souls, few weapons can match the versatility and crushing power of the humble Claymore when taken to +10 Heavy. It boasts excellent range, speed for a greatsword, and outstanding strength scaling working in unison to flatten foes.

Yet hardcore fans hungry for the biggest damage numbers may wish to go even heavier…

This guide will showcase the Claymore as the Swiss army knife among heavy infusion options, along with highlighting devastating – if one-dimensional – heavy weapon alternatives to fulfill your inner strength build power fantasy.

Why Go Heavy for Massive Damage?

Before detailing the top weapon recommendations, it‘s important to understand exactly why a heavy infusion should be strongly considered for strength-focused characters.

The Heavy Advantage is Scaling

Infusing any quality-scaling weapon with a Heavy gem boosts it to S-rank strength scaling. This grants exponentially higher attack rating (AR) gains per strength point compared to standard or refined infusion options.

For example, on a 66 strength build:

• A +10 Heavy Claymore reaches 741 AR
• Meanwhile, a +10 Refined Claymore maxes out at 695 AR

That‘s a 6.6% damage increase difference simply by heavy infusing the same weapon!

This scalar advantage widens further when using weapons with initially poor dex scaling, like great hammers.

Trading Blows and Interrupting Enemies

Additionally, the heavy property adds 26 poise damage across all weapon classes. Combined with the higher AR, this amplifies both DPS and the ability to smash through enemy combos.

Saves Upgrade Materials

With base damage and strength scaling taking priority, heavy builds eschew quality, dexterity, luck, and caster stats. This frees up titanite to fully maximize 1-3 chosen melee weapons rather than spreading across multiple damage types.

Let‘s see some stellar options…

Claymore – The Best All-Around Heavy Hitter

Let‘s kick things off with the celebrated Claymore. Infusing this greatsword heavy unlocks its full potential across PvE and PvP without going overboard.

• Balanced Moveset – Fast swings, horizontal sweeps, vertical chops, thrust attacks, and the elegant Stance weapon skill
• High AR & Poise Damage – 741 AR and hyper armor trading on a 66 strength build
• Easily Obtained Early – Grab one in High Wall of Lothric or buy from Greirat the Thief

With perseverant spacing to land those beefy swings, the Claymore‘s versatility, balance of offense and defense, and epic appearance cements its popularity among veterans and newcomers alike.

Smash Everything With Ultra Greatswords

For players focused purely on strength with little regard for vitality weight limits, ultra greatswords (UGS) represent the heavier end of heavy weapons.

These metal monstrosities might have slow, telegraphed swings – but poise through the first hit and nothing withstands the crushing followup blow.

Zweihander

The infamous Zweihander defines what an UGS embodies. Lifting this blade with both hands grants the range to outspace most enemies. Wind up the strong attack to violently flatten groups.

• 640 AR / 102 Poise Damage
• Stomp Weapon Skill
• 14 Strength Needed

Greatsword

Beyond a literal name, the Greatsword UGS converts even mediocre strength builds into wrecking balls capable of staggering end-game bosses.

• 680 AR / 110 Poise Damage
• Standard/Thrust Weapon Skill
• 20 Strength Needed

And few weapons look as intimidating!

Cathedral Knight Greatsword

While the previous UGS options are found early, the Cathedral Knight Greatsword is a rare gem. Hidden behind the shields of enemies guarding Oceiros, this strike damage beast adds heavy blunt trauma to the mix.

• 630 AR / 110 Poise Damage
• Stamp (Blunt) Weapon Skill
• 16 Strength Needed

Crush With Greathammers

On the polar opposite end of dexterity weapons like katanas lies ultra great hammers (UGH). These lumbering tools of destruction demand high strength and endurance to slog around.

But with perseverance and proper timing, nothing punishes overconfidence like an UGH riposte.

Great Club

Ever wanted to smash an enemy so hard they explode on impact? The Great Club makes that violent vision a reality. Found in the Farron Keep, brace for sore arms after flattening the Abyss Watchers.

• 708 AR / 113 Poise Damage
• Warcry Weapon Skill
• 28 Strength Needed

Large Club

Before acquiring the Great Club, the Large Club serves as a lighter early option to get acquainted with the UGH playstyle. Buy one from the Undead Merchant after the Taurus Demon fight.

• 680 AR / 113 Poise Damage
• Warcry Weapon Skill
• 16 Strength Needed

Great Wooden Hammer

While the previous UGH choices dish out strike damage, the Great Wooden Hammer infused heavy adds ludicrous thrust and frostbite with its antler-shaped head! Cause frozen carnage in the Painted World of Ariandel before facing Sister Friede.

• 614 AR / 110 Poise Damage
• Perseverance Weapon Skill
• 16 Strength Needed

Clobber With Greataxes

Somewhere between greatswords and greathammers lies greataxes. A broad class of heavyweight crushers, the best greataxes blend speed, range, and raw brute force powered by heavy infusion strength scaling.

Greataxe

The standard Greataxe serves as an excellent introduction to the weapon type. Its affordable weight allows pairing with thick armor while chopping enemies apart with broad vertical swings reminiscent of axes from Norse mythology.

• 640 AR / 102 Poise Damage
• Warcry Weapon Skill
• 14 Strength Needed

Black Knight Greataxe

Upon entering the Kiln of the First Flame, beware the lumbering Black Knight Greataxe. This fiery greataxe combines long, sweeping arcs perfect for catching rolls with the R1 combo plus perseverance boosting the strong attack‘s hyper armor to tank through trades. It demands a high strength investment with slim dex scaling.

• 708 AR / 126 Poise Damage
• Perseverance Weapon Skill
• 32 Strength Needed

And few weapons look as menacing when staring down the battered player after a barrage of blows!

Yhorm‘s Great Machete

While Yhorm the Giant disappointingly ignores his signature Great Machete during the boss fight, players can loot this trophy greataxe afterwards. Its moveset excels at hitting groups of enemies at long range – perfect for PvE.

• 723 AR / 113 Poise Damage
• Warcry Weapon Skill
• 40 Strength Needed

Just be sure to equip the machete in both hands, as its weight slows blocking speed.

Conclusion

And there you have it – a detailed guide to creating the ultimate heavy weapons strength build in Dark Souls 3 by infusing heavy!

The Claymore stands tall as the best balanced option, while ultra greatswords, greathammers, and greataxes all enable fun hyper-specialized smash-happy playstyles.

Pancaking groups of enemies in your path with synchronized charged R2 attacks or out-trading even mighty bosses never loses its appeal.

May your strength builds shrug off even the most ruthless enemy combos and overcome any obstacle through overwhelming force and the heaviest of heavy infused weapons! Let me know your own favorites.