Can Kris Blade Be Upgraded? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, the Kris Blade can indeed be upgraded in Demon’s Souls. This unique weapon, favored by magic users, isn’t just found in its base form. You can enhance its power, specifically its magic-boosting capabilities, through a dedicated upgrade process. It’s a crucial aspect of maximizing its potential and ensuring you have the magical edge you need.
Kris Blade Upgrades: The How and Why
The Kris Blade has a specific upgrade path tied to a particular blacksmith and a rare type of soul. Unlike many standard weapons that scale through conventional materials, the Kris Blade requires Colorless Demon Souls and the expertise of Blacksmith Ed.
Blacksmith Ed: Your Upgrading Ally
To unlock the ability to upgrade the Kris Blade, you must first give Blacksmith Ed the Red Hot Demon’s Soul, which is obtained from the boss Flamelurker in the Stonefang Tunnel (World 2-2). Doing so unlocks his ability to craft boss weapons and upgrade unique items like the Kris Blade.
Colorless Demon Souls: The Key Ingredient
The Kris Blade can be upgraded up to a maximum of +5, with each upgrade requiring a Colorless Demon Soul. These souls are among the rarest items in the game and are acquired from special means, including:
- Primeval Demons: These appear once per world after a world tendency has become pure black.
- Rare Crystal Lizards: Certain crystal lizards found in the game world drop these souls.
- Trading with Sparkly the Crow: Certain items can be traded for a Colorless Demon Soul.
- World Tendency: Achieve pure white or black tendencies in specific levels for special drops.
What Happens When You Upgrade?
Upgrading the Kris Blade directly enhances its magical damage amplification. The base stats of the weapon are less relevant than the percentage boost it grants to magical attacks. The higher the upgrade level, the more significant the increase in this magical damage output, and also the greater increase in magic damage received by the user. While the damage it deals physically increases slightly when upgraded, the real value is always in the boost of magic damage. This means a +5 Kris Blade will provide significantly more magic damage amplification than a +0 version.
The Importance of the Kris Blade
The Kris Blade’s unique property isn’t simply about raw damage; it’s about strategic positioning. Its trade-off is that it increases the magical damage dealt by the user, but also increases the magic damage taken by the user. This makes it an ideal offhand item for mages. It works incredibly well in tandem with other items that amplify magic damage, like the Ring of Magical Sharpness and Monk’s Head Wrappings.
Upgrading it is highly recommended for any magic-focused build, but be mindful that if you are not careful, you could be extremely vulnerable to magic users and even magic-based attacks from enemies when you wield it, so caution is key.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Kris Blade and its upgrade process:
1. What Stats does the Kris Blade scale with?
The Kris Blade itself does not scale with the traditional Strength, Dexterity, Magic, or Faith stats in the same way that most weapons do. It does have a physical attack value that scales slightly with upgrades, but its primary function and value comes from its percentage-based boost to magic damage. This increase is not related to a letter grade scaling.
2. Does leveling the Kris Blade increase magic damage?
Yes, absolutely. Upgrading the Kris Blade directly increases the percentage of magical damage it boosts. Every level adds to the amount of damage amplification you get when using magic, which is why upgrading it is crucial for magic-oriented characters.
3. Can the Kris Blade be upgraded by any blacksmith?
No, the Kris Blade can only be upgraded by Blacksmith Ed after you have given him the Red Hot Demon’s Soul from the Flamelurker. He is the only blacksmith who can use Colorless Demon Souls for unique weapon upgrades.
4. How many Colorless Demon Souls are needed to max out the Kris Blade?
You will need a total of five Colorless Demon Souls to fully upgrade the Kris Blade to +5. Each upgrade level requires one soul.
5. Does the Kris Blade stack with the Ring of Magical Sharpness?
Yes, the Kris Blade and Ring of Magical Sharpness do indeed stack. This combination is a powerful way to maximize magical damage output. Combining them with other magic boosting items such as the Monk’s Head Wrappings or the Insanity Catalyst will further amplify the damage you deal as a mage.
6. What makes the Kris Blade ideal for magic users?
The Kris Blade is ideal for mages due to its unique passive effect, which significantly increases the damage dealt by magic attacks. While the blade is not intended to be wielded for damage output, it is a fantastic offhand item that will help to drastically increase magical damage.
7. How does the Kris Blade’s curve help in combat?
In real-world examples, Kris blades are renowned for their curved blade, designed for both stabbing and maximizing the width of wounds. This however is not directly reflective of its use in game. The primary combat role of the Kris blade in Demon’s Souls is not about its curve; it is about the magical damage amplification it offers.
8. Does the Kris Blade need to be actively equipped to benefit from its boost?
Yes, the Kris Blade must be actively equipped in one of your character’s hand slots for its magical damage boost to take effect. It does not passively grant its boost when in inventory or in your shield slot.
9. Is the Kris Blade effective in PvP?
While the Kris Blade isn’t a weapon one would traditionally use to attack directly in PvP, the magic damage boost can be incredibly powerful when used as an off-hand item. Mages, specifically, greatly benefit from the Kris Blade’s passive boost.
10. Is magic overpowered in Demon’s Souls?
Many players consider magic to be very powerful in Demon’s Souls, even in the remake. Items like the Kris Blade enhance this, allowing for very high magic damage outputs.
11. What is the downside of the Kris Blade?
The main downside of the Kris Blade is that it increases the magic damage you take. This means you can deal more damage with spells, but you are also more vulnerable to magic-based attacks from enemies.
12. Where can I get a Kris Blade?
The Kris Blade is found in the Tower Knight Archstone (1-2) as a drop from a corpse hanging over the wall.
13. Why is the Kris Blade wavy?
The wavy design of the kris blade is intended to increase the severity of the wound inflicted upon a victim. However, in the context of Demon’s Souls, the visual design of the Kris blade does not directly correlate with its function in game.
14. How should I use the Kris Blade effectively?
The Kris Blade is best used as an off-hand weapon, equipped in your left hand while wielding a catalyst in your right hand. You need to have it equipped to get the magic boost. You should actively cast spells to gain the most benefit. Be mindful of the increased magic damage you take by doing so.
15. How can I obtain Colorless Demon Souls?
Colorless Demon Souls can be obtained by defeating Primeval Demons (which appear after your world tendency is pure black), rare Crystal Lizards, by trading with Sparkly the Crow, or by achieving pure white or pure black world tendency for special drops. These are limited in each playthrough, so use them wisely.
By understanding the mechanics of the Kris Blade, you can effectively utilize it to its fullest potential and unleash devastating magic attacks. Remember to collect those Colorless Demon Souls and visit Blacksmith Ed to maximize your magical might in Demon’s Souls.