How to Get the Uchigatana in Dark Souls 3
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How to Get the Uchigatana in Dark Souls 3
Uchigatana Tips
The Uchigatana has been a staple of the Soulsborne series since Demon’s Souls — it appears in every FromSoftware RPG and consistently ranks among the best Dexterity weapons in each entry. Dark Souls 3’s version is no exception. The Sword Master fight is one of the game’s most memorable early optional encounters — a difficult test that rewards players with one of the best weapons available in the first hour. Even if you die several times attempting it, the investment is worthwhile. A Sharp +10 Uchigatana carries a Dex build comfortably through the entire game, and its bleed buildup remains useful against endgame content including the Soul of Cinder and all DLC bosses.
FAQ
⚡ Quick Answer
How to Get the Uchigatana
Kill the Sword Master NPC just outside Firelink Shrine — he sits to the left of the shrine entrance and drops the Uchigatana on death. He is hostile on sight. Alternatively, play as the Assassin starting class which begins with the Uchigatana as its default weapon.
1
Find the Sword Master outside Firelink Shrine. Exit Firelink Shrine through the main door and look to the left side of the path leading to the High Wall of Lothric. A samurai-like NPC in light armour sits at the base of the steps — this is the Sword Master (also called Saber). He attacks on sight and always drops the Uchigatana when killed.
2
Prepare for the fight. The Sword Master is significantly tougher than the enemies you’ve faced at this point — he deals high damage, has good poise, and uses aggressive katana combos. Recommended: Soul Level 15–20 with upgraded starting gear, or simply attempt it at the very start with patience. He has no ranged attacks — use pillars near the shrine entrance to break his aggression.
3
Fight strategy — bait and punish. The Sword Master uses 2–3 hit katana combos followed by a brief recovery window. Roll through his swings and attack him during the recovery — 2 hits maximum before stepping back. Never trade — his damage is too high early game. Circle to his right to avoid his sword-side attacks and create safe angles for counter-hits.
4
Collect the Uchigatana on his death. He drops the Uchigatana (and the Master’s Attire armor set) as guaranteed loot. Pick it up from the ground and check your equipment screen — it requires 11 Strength and 16 Dexterity to wield. Most starting classes can equip it immediately or with minor levelling.
5
Alternative — start as Assassin. If you don’t want to fight the Sword Master, simply choose the Assassin starting class when creating your character — it begins the game with the Uchigatana already equipped. The Assassin also has higher base Dexterity than most classes, making it the natural home for a katana build from the start.
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One of the best Dexterity weapons: the Uchigatana has excellent range, fast attack speed, and innate bleed buildup — making it one of the most consistent damage weapons in Dark Souls 3. At +10 with a Sharp infusion and 40 Dexterity it performs at the top tier of its weapon class throughout the entire game including endgame bosses.
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Use Sharp infusion for Dex builds: apply the Sharp Gem (found in Farron Keep) to switch the Uchigatana’s scaling to primarily Dexterity. At 40 Dex a Sharp +10 Uchigatana is one of the highest damage katanas available. Use the whetstone knife at any bonfire to apply infusions via your Ash of War slot.
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Innate bleed is valuable: the Uchigatana builds bleed naturally with every hit. Against most PvE enemies and bosses, you trigger hemorrhage frequently — dealing bonus damage proportional to the target’s max health. This makes it particularly effective against high health enemies where the bonus proc damage becomes significant.
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Unsheathe Ash of War is exceptional: the Uchigatana’s default Ash of War — Unsheathe — performs a powerful draw slash that deals heavy damage and can be either a horizontal slash (R1 follow-up) or an upward thrust (R2 follow-up). Learn both inputs — the thrust hits enemies that roll backward and the slash punishes horizontal dodges, making the weapon very versatile for PvP.
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Upgrade immediately: the Uchigatana uses standard Titanite Shards — the same as most weapons in the game. Rush to +3 or +4 using shards found in the High Wall and Undead Settlement before attempting the Cathedral of the Deep. The damage difference between a +0 and +5 Uchigatana is substantial.
Where is the Sword Master in Dark Souls 3?
The Sword Master sits to the left of Firelink Shrine’s main entrance, at the base of the steps leading toward the High Wall of Lothric. He is immediately accessible from the start of the game and drops the Uchigatana as a guaranteed reward when killed.
Can you get the Uchigatana without killing the Sword Master?
Yes — choose the Assassin starting class when creating your character and you begin the game with the Uchigatana already equipped. The Assassin also has base 14 Dexterity, one of the highest of any starting class, making it the most natural fit for a katana-focused build.
What stats do I need for the Uchigatana in Dark Souls 3?
The Uchigatana requires 11 Strength and 16 Dexterity to wield. It scales primarily with Dexterity and benefits greatly from the Sharp infusion at higher Dex investment. For a dedicated build, aim for 40 Dexterity as your damage breakpoint with the Sharp infusion applied.
Is the Uchigatana good in Dark Souls 3?
Yes — the Uchigatana is one of the best weapons in Dark Souls 3 for Dexterity builds. It has excellent range, fast attacks, innate bleed, a powerful Ash of War, and scales well with Sharp infusion. At +10 with 40 Dexterity it remains competitive through the entire game including all DLC content.