Can You Upgrade Boss Weapons Past 5? A Deep Dive into Dark Souls Upgrades
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The short answer is: no, you cannot directly upgrade boss weapons past +5 in Dark Souls (and its direct predecessor, Demon’s Souls). This differs significantly from standard weapons, which can be upgraded to +15. This limitation is crucial to understand when planning your builds and choosing your equipment. Boss weapons, often crafted from the souls of powerful foes, operate under a different upgrade system, making them unique and often very powerful even at their maximum upgrade level. Let’s explore the intricacies of boss weapon upgrades and address some common questions.
The Mechanics of Boss Weapon Upgrades
Unlike standard weapons that use Titanite Shards, Large Titanite Shards, Titanite Chunks, and Titanite Slabs for reinforcement, boss weapons primarily require Demon Titanite for upgrades. This material is finite in each playthrough, adding a layer of strategic resource management to your choices. The upgrade process itself is also different.
Standard weapons are upgraded at a blacksmith using the “Reinforce Weapon” option. You can bring these weapons up to +5 relatively easily. However, to go beyond this point, you need to ascend the weapon using the “Modify Equipment” option, often requiring special embers collected throughout the game and given to specific blacksmiths, and then you can reinforce to +10 (or higher). Boss weapons don’t follow this path, skipping that reinforcement process.
Instead, boss weapons use the “Ascend” (modify) function immediately, taking the base weapon (often a +0 version) or a +10 standard version of some of the regular weapons as a base and use the soul from the boss you’ve defeated, plus demon titanite for their upgrade progression. Each upgrade level requires more demon titanite, with +5 being the maximum obtainable. Therefore, boss weapons are upgraded only through ascension and are capped at +5. Their power is balanced by their upgrade limits and is not to be compared to a regular +15 weapon. Their unique properties and damage scaling are different.
This design decision makes boss weapons powerful in their own right without matching standard weapons’ high upgrade ceilings.
Why This Limitation Exists
This limitation is a deliberate design choice by FromSoftware, the developers of the Dark Souls series. There are several reasons behind it:
- Balance: Boss weapons are meant to be powerful and unique, often offering special effects or move sets not found on standard weapons. If boss weapons were to reach +15, they could become overwhelmingly powerful, destabilizing the game’s balance. Capping them at +5 keeps them potent, but within reasonable bounds.
- Uniqueness: The use of Demon Titanite and the specific upgrade method gives boss weapons a distinct identity. They are not just another weapon you can endlessly upgrade. Instead, they represent a hard-earned piece of power tied directly to your victories over formidable bosses.
- Choice: The limitations force players to make meaningful choices about their builds. Do you invest in upgrading a powerful but limited boss weapon, or do you focus on standard weapons that can reach greater upgrade levels? This adds depth to the character-building process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 related Frequently Asked Questions that provide more insight into boss weapon upgrades and weapon mechanics in Dark Souls:
1. What materials are needed to upgrade boss weapons?
Boss weapons primarily require Demon Titanite for upgrades. They also require specific boss souls. The amount of Demon Titanite needed increases with each upgrade level.
2. Where can I get Demon Titanite?
Demon Titanite is primarily obtained by defeating certain demons throughout the game, particularly those found in Lost Izalith and other late-game areas. It is also a rare drop from a certain demon outside of the Demon Ruins. In later titles, some vendors also sell it, but in Dark Souls it is mostly farmable or finite.
3. Do boss weapons require embers for upgrades?
No, boss weapons do not require embers in the same way that standard weapons do. The initial creation of the weapon, yes. The ascension process does. But not the reinforcement. They require the use of the “Ascend” feature via the Modify Equipment option at a blacksmith, usually Andre of Astora in the Undead Parish or the Giant Blacksmith in Anor Londo.
4. Can I upgrade boss weapons at any blacksmith?
Not all blacksmiths can modify boss weapons. Andre of Astora and the Giant Blacksmith are the two main NPCs who can handle these upgrades. Some boss weapons require the Giant Blacksmith to create them in the first place.
5. How does the damage scaling on boss weapons compare to standard weapons?
Boss weapons typically have unique scaling properties. They don’t follow the generic scaling (strength, dex etc.) and often gain greater benefit from stats based on scaling type of that weapon. They also usually have special effects that other standard weapons do not have. This makes their scaling more nuanced than standard weapons.
6. Can I “reverse” boss weapon upgrades?
No, once you upgrade a boss weapon, you cannot revert the upgrade. You’ll need to acquire another boss soul to create another copy of the weapon or use different items.
7. Are all boss weapons equally powerful?
No, boss weapons have varying stats, move sets, and special effects. Some are more powerful than others. Some are considered to be more effective than others, depending on playstyle and build. It’s essential to experiment and see which boss weapon suits your playstyle.
8. What is the best boss weapon in Dark Souls?
The “best” boss weapon is subjective and depends on your build and preferences. Popular choices include the Quelaag’s Furysword for its quick moveset, Great Lord Greatsword for its unique properties, and the Smough’s Great Hammer for its staggering potential.
9. Do twinkling titanite weapons behave the same way as boss weapons in terms of upgrades?
Yes. Weapons upgraded with twinkling titanite are also capped at +5. Twinkling titanite weapons can be considered ‘special paths’ that bypass the regular upgrade path that normal weapons need to follow. This is very similar to the boss weapons’ upgrade style.
10. Are there weapons that are considered “boss weapons” even if they aren’t made from boss souls?
Yes. There are several weapons that are not directly crafted from boss souls that function in the same way as boss weapons: They use different upgrade materials, are capped at +5, and have unique move sets and scaling. These weapons are usually upgraded with twinkling titanite, dragon scales, and demon titanite (e.g., the Black Knight Sword, Drake Sword and the Moonlight Greatsword).
11. Can I use a weapon made from one boss’ soul to upgrade a weapon made from a different boss’ soul?
No. each weapon requires the specific soul it is made from to create it in the first place. In some cases, the boss souls can be used to create other boss weapons, or even spells. But only in the crafting process.
12. How do I access the modify equipment option for ascension?
The “Modify Equipment” option is only available when interacting with certain blacksmiths, like Andre or the Giant Blacksmith. It is separate from the “Reinforce Weapon” option.
13. What happens if I use the boss souls for souls instead of weapons?
You lose the opportunity to craft boss weapons. You would need to complete another playthrough to get a boss soul again if you want to craft boss weapons. Therefore, it is best to craft boss weapons immediately in your first playthrough if you plan to use them.
14. Can boss weapons be buffed with spells or items?
Yes, many boss weapons can be buffed with spells such as Magic Weapon, Crystal Magic Weapon, and items such as Resin if they have the applicable properties.
15. Do later Souls games follow the same system for boss weapon upgrades?
While the general concept of unique boss weapons persists in later Souls games like Dark Souls 2, Dark Souls 3, and Elden Ring, the specific mechanics for upgrades can differ. For instance, Elden Ring uses Somber Smithing Stones for upgrades on boss weapons, with a +10 cap, although those do not follow the same upgrade pattern as regular weapons with smithing stones. Make sure to familiarize yourself with each game’s specific systems.
Conclusion
In summary, boss weapons in Dark Souls cannot be upgraded past +5, a deliberate design choice to balance their inherent power and unique properties. These weapons offer a distinct path for character progression, adding depth and strategy to build customization. Understanding these limitations is crucial for making informed decisions about your equipment, ensuring you make the most of your journey through the challenging world of Dark Souls. Remember, the best weapon is the one that best suits your playstyle and skill.