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When Should I Upgrade My Weapons in Dark Souls 1?

The simple, direct answer is: as soon as you can afford to, and as high as you can reasonably go without severely impacting your ability to level up your character or purchase essential items. Upgrade priority should be given to your primary damage-dealing weapon(s), followed by weapons you occasionally use, and finally, weapons you might want to experiment with later. Don’t hoard upgrade materials thinking you’ll find something “better” later; early upgrades are inexpensive and provide a substantial damage boost that will significantly ease your progress.

Understanding the Upgrade System

Dark Souls 1 features a robust weapon upgrade system that’s crucial for your survival. Unlike some games where weapon upgrades are optional, here, they are essential for keeping pace with the increasing difficulty of enemies. Upgrading your weapon dramatically increases its damage output, making challenging encounters more manageable and allowing you to progress further into the game.

The system revolves around different upgrade paths, each requiring specific Titanite shards and often Embers found throughout the world. The standard upgrade path is the most common, using Titanite Shards, Large Titanite Shards, Titanite Chunks, and finally a Titanite Slab to reach +15. Other paths, like Raw, Magic, Enchanted, Fire, Chaos, Lightning, Divine, and Occult, offer different scaling and elemental damage options, requiring different types of Titanite.

Prioritizing Weapon Upgrades

While the immediate answer above is generally good advice, some nuances require consideration. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of when and how to upgrade your weapons:

Early Game (Undead Asylum, Undead Burg, Undead Parish): Focus on upgrading your starting weapon or a weapon you acquire early on (like the Drake Sword). You should be aiming for at least +5 on the standard path before facing the Gargoyles. The damage boost from even a few upgrades makes a noticeable difference. Farm Titanite Shards from enemies like Hollow Soldiers in the Undead Burg if needed.
Mid-Game (Depths, Blighttown, Sen’s Fortress): As you progress, you’ll find Large Titanite Shards. At this point, you want to start aiming for +10 on your primary weapon. Reaching this level will require farming in areas like the Depths, but the payoff is worth it. Explore different upgrade paths as well; if you’re focusing on Intelligence, consider the Magic path, or if you’re investing in Faith, consider the Divine path.
Late-Game (Anor Londo, New Londo Ruins, Tomb of the Giants): By now, you should have access to Titanite Chunks. This is when you push your chosen weapon towards +14 on the standard path or equivalent levels on other paths. You should have a good understanding of your build and preferred playstyle, allowing you to commit to the path that best complements your character.
End-Game (Kiln of the First Flame): After acquiring a Titanite Slab, you can finally max out your weapon at +15 or equivalent. This is the final step in weapon progression and should be reserved for your absolute best weapon.

Managing Your Resources

Upgrading weapons requires resources, most notably Souls and Titanite shards. While Souls can be farmed, they are also needed for leveling up your character. Therefore, it’s crucial to strike a balance.

Don’t neglect your stats. It’s better to have a slightly less upgraded weapon and be able to wield it effectively than to have a fully upgraded weapon you can’t properly use.
Buy upgrade materials when possible. Andre the Blacksmith in the Undead Parish eventually sells Titanite Shards. Purchasing them can save you valuable time spent farming.
Don’t be afraid to experiment. If you find a new weapon that interests you, upgrade it a few levels to see if you like it. Early upgrades are relatively cheap. However, avoid investing heavily in multiple weapons simultaneously, as this can spread your resources too thin.
Explore! Many upgrade materials are hidden throughout the game world. Thoroughly exploring each area will often yield valuable Titanite.

Considerations for Different Builds

The optimal timing and path for weapon upgrades also depend on your chosen build:

Strength Builds: Focus on weapons with high Strength scaling and the standard upgrade path. Upgrading early is crucial for dealing with tough enemies.
Dexterity Builds: Similar to Strength builds, but prioritize weapons with Dexterity scaling. The Uchigatana and Iaito are excellent early-game choices.
Intelligence Builds: Consider the Magic or Enchanted upgrade paths, which scale with Intelligence. The Moonlight Butterfly Horn is a powerful late-game option.
Faith Builds: Explore the Divine or Occult upgrade paths, which scale with Faith. The Astora’s Straight Sword is a good early-game choice for Faith builds.
Pyromancy Builds: Pyromancy scaling is tied to your Pyromancy Flame, which is upgraded independently from your weapons. Therefore, weapon upgrades are less critical for pure Pyromancy builds, allowing you to focus more on other stats.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about weapon upgrades in Dark Souls 1, along with detailed answers:

What’s the difference between the standard upgrade path and the other paths like Magic or Fire?

The standard path primarily increases physical damage and improves stat scaling. The other paths usually sacrifice some physical damage for elemental damage (like Magic, Fire, Lightning) or different scaling (like Divine/Occult scaling with Faith). Consider your build and the enemies you’re facing when choosing a path.
Where can I find Titanite Shards early in the game?

Hollow Soldiers in the Undead Burg frequently drop Titanite Shards. You can also purchase them from Andre the Blacksmith after giving him the Large Ember.
How do I upgrade my weapon past +5?

You need to give Andre the Blacksmith the Large Ember, found in the Depths.
Where can I find Large Titanite Shards?

Slimes in the Depths commonly drop them. You can also find them in various locations throughout the game, such as Blighttown and Sen’s Fortress.
How do I upgrade my weapon past +10?

You need to give Andre the Blacksmith the Very Large Ember, found in New Londo Ruins.
Where can I find Titanite Chunks?

Darkwraiths in New Londo Ruins are a reliable source. You can also find them in specific locations throughout the game, such as the Kiln of the First Flame.
What is a Titanite Slab, and where can I find one?

A Titanite Slab is the rarest upgrade material, allowing you to upgrade a weapon to its maximum level. There are several slabs found in the game, including one in the Painted World of Ariamis, one guarded by the Stray Demon in the Undead Asylum (rematch), and one as a drop from the Darkwraiths, albeit extremely rare.
Is it better to upgrade multiple weapons or focus on one?

Generally, it’s better to focus on upgrading one or two primary weapons, especially early on. Spreading your resources too thin can leave you underpowered.
Should I upgrade the Drake Sword?

The Drake Sword is powerful early but quickly becomes outclassed as it doesn’t scale with your stats and cannot be upgraded beyond +0. It’s a good crutch, but not a long-term solution. Don’t invest upgrade materials into it.
What’s the best weapon for a beginner?

There’s no single “best” weapon, but the Longsword, Claymore, and Battle Axe are all solid choices with good movesets and scaling. Experiment to find what suits your playstyle.
How does scaling work?

Scaling refers to how much a weapon’s damage increases based on your stats (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith). Weapons have scaling grades (S, A, B, C, D, E) for each stat, with S being the best and E being the worst.
What are twinkling Titanite and Demon Titanite used for?

Twinkling Titanite is used to upgrade unique weapons and armor, while Demon Titanite is used to upgrade boss weapons created from boss souls.
Can I reverse weapon upgrades?

No, you cannot reverse weapon upgrades in Dark Souls 1. Choose your upgrade path carefully.
Is it worth upgrading armor?

While not as critical as weapon upgrades, upgrading armor can significantly increase your survivability, especially against specific damage types. It’s often a good idea to upgrade your armor after you’ve sufficiently upgraded your weapons.
What’s the best upgrade path for dealing with specific bosses?

Some bosses are weak to specific damage types. For example, a Fire weapon can be effective against enemies weak to fire, like the Ceaseless Discharge. Experimenting with different weapon types and elemental infusions can provide an advantage.

When should I upgrade my weapons in Dark Souls 1?