Can Boss Weapons Be Infused in Dark Souls 3?
The short, definitive answer is no, boss weapons cannot be infused in Dark Souls 3. This is a crucial point for players to understand when planning their builds and weapon progression. Unlike many standard weapons in the game, boss soul weapons are unique and come with pre-determined stats and scaling, making them unalterable through infusions. This limitation significantly affects how players approach these powerful weapons and requires a strategic focus on their inherent strengths. Let’s delve deeper into why this is the case and what alternatives you have when it comes to boss weapons in Dark Souls 3.
Understanding Weapon Infusion in Dark Souls 3
What Infusion Does
Weapon infusion in Dark Souls 3 is a mechanic that allows players to alter the base damage, scaling, and elemental properties of certain weapons using various gems or resins. This system allows for customization based on individual builds. For instance, a Heavy infusion is designed for builds that emphasize strength, whereas a Sharp infusion is tailored for dexterity-focused characters. Other infusions like Fire, Magic, Dark, and Lightning add elemental damage, often at the cost of some physical damage scaling.
The Infusion Exception: Boss Weapons
While the infusion system is integral to Dark Souls 3’s weapon variety, boss weapons are a notable exception. These unique arms, forged from the souls of defeated bosses, come with a fixed damage type and scaling that cannot be changed via infusion. This means you cannot alter their inherent scaling or add elemental damage through infusions like fire, chaos, or dark. While this might seem limiting, boss weapons often possess unique movesets, abilities, or high base damage that make them viable choices without requiring infusions.
Why Can’t Boss Weapons Be Infused?
The inability to infuse boss weapons is a design choice by FromSoftware, likely aimed at balancing their powerful nature. Boss weapons are typically stronger or more unique than standard weapons, boasting special abilities, high base damage, or distinct movesets. By preventing infusions, the developers ensure that they maintain a specific identity and balance within the game’s ecosystem. This encourages players to carefully consider whether a boss weapon’s preset characteristics align with their character build before investing resources into upgrading it.
Alternatives to Infusion for Boss Weapons
While you can’t infuse them, boss weapons can be upgraded using Demon Titanite, which is another way of enhancing their effectiveness. Demon Titanite can take them to a maximum of +5, and each plus level is equivalent to about two levels for standard weapons. Since you can’t infuse them, focusing on build optimization, such as maximizing the relevant scaling stats and upgrading the weapon to +5, is crucial for optimizing these boss weapons.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Boss Weapons and Infusions
1. What Exactly Are Boss Weapons in Dark Souls 3?
Boss weapons are unique weapons created from the souls of defeated bosses. They often possess distinctive abilities, movesets, and high base damage, setting them apart from regular weapons found throughout the game. These weapons are usually upgraded with Demon Titanite rather than regular Titanite.
2. Can Boss Weapons Be Buffed with Spells or Resins?
No, boss weapons cannot be buffed with magic sword spells or temporary buff items like resins (e.g., Lightning Pine Resin). Their unique properties also mean they usually don’t require additional buffs to be effective.
3. How Do You Obtain Boss Weapons?
Boss weapons are obtained by transposing the souls of defeated bosses at the Firelink Shrine using the Transposing Kiln that you acquire early in the game. You will need to give the item to the Shrine Handmaiden in the hub area.
4. What Type of Titanite Do Boss Weapons Use?
Boss weapons utilize Demon Titanite for upgrades, distinct from the Titanite shards and scales used by most standard weapons. This makes them a separate upgrade path from standard gear.
5. What is the Maximum Upgrade Level for Boss Weapons?
Boss weapons have a maximum upgrade level of +5. Each level is roughly equivalent to two upgrade levels of a standard weapon making their max level feel similar to a +10 regular weapon.
6. Can You Respec or Change Your Build to Better Utilize a Boss Weapon?
Yes, you can respec your character’s stats at Rosaria, Mother of Rebirth, in the Cathedral of the Deep. This allows you to optimize your stats to better align with a specific boss weapon’s scaling. However, it is important to note that you only get a limited number of respeccing options per playthrough.
7. Are Boss Weapons Always Superior to Regular Weapons?
Not necessarily. While many boss weapons are potent, some are more situationally useful than others. Regular weapons, with proper infusions and scaling, can sometimes be as, or even more, effective depending on the build.
8. Can I Get Multiple Copies of a Boss Weapon in a Single Playthrough?
You cannot typically get multiple copies of a boss weapon in a single playthrough. However, some players may choose to duplicate Boss Souls by taking the game offline, manipulating save files, and giving the souls to the Shrine Handmaiden multiple times to get the same Boss weapon multiple times, but this is not intended.
9. What Should I Consider When Choosing a Boss Weapon?
Consider the weapon’s moveset, base damage, scaling, and your character’s build. Some boss weapons are better suited for certain playstyles and stat allocations. Look into which stat scales the best and aim to get that stat to the soft cap for the best returns.
10. Is It Worth Upgrading a Boss Weapon Fully?
For the vast majority of situations, yes. Fully upgrading a boss weapon to +5 maximizes its damage and potential. Because of the upgrade equivalency to standard weapons, boss weapons get a noticeable bump to their potential with each upgrade.
11. Can Boss Weapons be Upgraded By Andre?
No. Andre the Blacksmith cannot upgrade boss weapons. They need to be upgraded via the reinforce weapons option available at a bonfire or from a blacksmith.
12. Can You Use Boss Weapons for PvP?
Yes, boss weapons are perfectly viable for PvP, although their special movesets might be less common, making it harder for other players to predict. Some boss weapons can be very powerful in PvP if played properly.
13. Does The Lack Of Infusion Make Boss Weapons Less Versatile?
It can, to an extent. Since boss weapons can’t have their scaling or damage changed by infusions, you’re tied to their inherent stats and elements. However, many boss weapons are powerful enough in their standard form that the lack of infusion isn’t a significant drawback.
14. What About Weapons That Look Like Boss Weapons But Aren’t?
Some weapons may look like boss weapons but are actually standard weapons that can be infused. Be sure to examine a weapon’s upgrade requirements and origin to differentiate between the two. A useful tip is that, if a weapon uses Titanite Shards/Chunks/Slabs to upgrade, it is not a Boss Weapon.
15. Are there “Hidden” Boss Weapons in Dark Souls 3?
There are no hidden boss weapons as they are all obtained through transposing souls. There are however many weapons that can only be obtained by certain methods, such as the Firelink Greatsword which is obtained by defeating the Soul of Cinder boss using the special “Usurpation of Fire” ending.
In conclusion, while boss weapons cannot be infused in Dark Souls 3, they are still very viable and powerful options. Understanding their inherent strengths, limitations, and unique properties is key to mastering the game. Focus on upgrading your boss weapons with Demon Titanite to +5 and consider re-specing your character at Rosaria, Mother of Rebirth, to maximize their potential.