Reddit user aznbill043 has compiled a guide detailing the exact compatibility and requirements for power stancing different weapon types in Dark Souls 2.
The full guide goes through each weapon individually but below you'll find the game's weapon hierarchy; the short end of which is don't rely on daggers. We also have an unlimited items guide and world map cheats guide for your reading pleasure.
Earlier today, it was reported that the PC version of Dark Souls 2 appears to have been delayed until May 2nd.
WEAPON HIERARCHY
Primary Priorities
1. The dominant weapon's specific move set – Note that some weapons that are the same type as others can have different move sets. For example, the Warped Sword has a completely different strong attack in power stance than other curved swords, such as the falchion.
2. The heaviest weapon class – All weapons have been broken up into rough "weight classes." No matter which hand the "heaviest" weapon is in, it will become the dominant weapon.
Priority is as follows:
- Super heavy – Ultra Greatswords, some Greataxes
- Heavy – Great hammers, Greatswords, Greataxes, Curved Greatswords, Halberds
- Medium – Axes, Hammers, Spears, Halberds, Reapers, Lances, Twinblades
- Light – Straight Swords, Curved Swords, Katanas, Thrusting Swords, Whips
- Super light – Daggers
Within their individual weight classes, there are certain priorities that must take place as well, as explained below. Also note that some weapons can only be used in power stance with another weapon of the same type, such as whips.
Secondary Priorities
1. Weapon type – Depending on weapon types, the dominant weapon can be determined by which types take precedence over others, despite being in the same weight class. This gets a little complicated, so here's a brief look at some of the weapon combinations in various weight classes: the dominant weapon is noted with (D).
Ex. Left hand weapon / Right hand weapon (D)
(D)Lion Greataxe / Greatsword – Interestingly, the faster-swinging move set of the Lion Greataxe takes precedence over the much slower, ground-smashing move set of the Greatsword. This is an example of odd priorities, making it possible to exploit the normally slow but hard hitting ultra greatswords into swinging as fast a normal greatsword when utilizing power attacks.
(D)Large Club / Claymore
(D)Bandit Axe / Longsword
Light weapons require a mini-priority list:
- Straight Sword/Curved Sword
- Katana
- Thrusting Sword
Ex. 1 (D)Falchion / Uchigatana
Ex. 2 (D)Longsword / Rapier
Daggers have the lowest priority of all and will never be a dominant weapon over any other type.
2. The right hand weapon – This takes very last priority and cannot be relied upon to determine the dominant weapon.
