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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The Club of the Mother Demon is the best pick if you specifically want a poison-focused weapon: it gains a poison-damage perk at level 6 and can gain a chance to inflict venom with Apex Predator. If you want a fast weapon that applies damage over time on its own hits, use the Widow Dagger—but its effect is venom, not poison. There is no established universal DPS winner for every build and enemy.
Poison or venom: what does the weapon actually apply?
The distinction matters because the Widow Dagger’s effect changed. In its official update 1.3 notes, Obsidian says the dagger “now applies venom instead of poison.” Read the official update 1.3 notes.
The current item reference describes the Widow Dagger as a fast, one-handed tier 3 slashing weapon whose hits apply venom. It lists 38 base damage, 66 damage for a charged hit, and a venom effect that deals 10 damage every five seconds for ten seconds; the venom does not stack. These are listed item values, not results from a controlled damage-per-second comparison. Widow Dagger item reference.
Best poison-focused weapon: Club of the Mother Demon
The Club of the Mother Demon is a slow, two-handed tier 3 generic club with high listed per-hit damage. At level 6, it gains a poison-damage perk. With the Apex Predator mutation, the item reference lists a 20% chance to inflict venom, so that additional effect is conditional rather than guaranteed. Its listed combo damage is 105/105/131, with 250 charged damage. Those figures do not establish that the club has the highest DPS in every build or matchup. Club of the Mother Demon item reference.
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Obsidian’s update 1.3 notes also say all club weapons attack 15% faster. That patch change does not erase the club’s slow-speed trade-off relative to a fast dagger, and it is not a head-to-head DPS test. Official update 1.3 notes.
How to support a poison build
Mom Genes and poison-oriented armor can complement poison damage. In patch 1.2.2, Obsidian said Mom Genes would also increase all poison damage dealt “by a large amount”; the notes also describe increased bonus poison damage from Spider and Widow armor sets and changes to the duration and damage of player-applied poisons. The notes do not give a numeric Mom Genes bonus. Official update 1.2.2 notes.
Rank #2
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The Mother Demon armor reference says its full set grants Poison Nova and describes a sleek effect that can apply venom. That makes the set relevant to poison-oriented play, but venom and poison remain distinct effects; do not treat every venom source as poison damage. Mother Demon armor reference.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose for the creature, not just the status effect
A poison-focused weapon is not automatically the best choice against every target. For example, the Hedge Broodmother guide recommends the Spicy Coaltana for that boss because it is weak to slashing and spicy damage. Check a target’s weaknesses and resistances before committing to poison or venom. Hedge Broodmother guide.
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In practice, decide based on the effect you want, the weapon’s pace, your available upgrades and armor, and the enemy you are fighting. Choose the Club of the Mother Demon for its poison-damage perk; choose the Widow Dagger when fast attacks and its built-in venom effect are the priority. Neither choice is proven to win every matchup.
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Rank #4
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