Short Sword

Notes

• With Standard affinity, physical damage scales most strongly with Dexterity, with weaker Strength scaling.
• Upgrade it with Smithing Stones. Its maximum upgrade is +25.
• Can use compatible Ashes of War. Your choice of skill and the whetblades you've found determine which affinities you can apply.
• Grease or a weapon enchantment can be applied while using an affinity that allows weapon buffs.
• Requires only 8 Strength and 10 Dexterity and weighs 3. Its short reach is the main tradeoff for carrying a light, low-requirement straight sword.
• Its standing heavy-attack chain uses thrusts throughout, unlike the alternating thrust and slash pattern of many straight swords. These Pierce hits can benefit from a counterhit when they catch an enemy during its attack.
• Starts with Kick rather than Square Off. Kick costs no FP and heavily drains an enemy's guarding stamina, but it is not a high-damage replacement for a proper sword strike.
• There is no innate Blood Loss or other status. Add a compatible affinity or coating if you want status buildup; the small blade does not provide it by itself.
• The merchant copy costs 600 runes and is available regardless of starting class. Eligible sword-carrying Foot Soldiers and Highwaymen also have a 4% base drop chance at 100 Item Discovery.