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Mastering Weapon Ascension in Dark Souls: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re diving into the treacherous world of Dark Souls and want to know how to truly master your arsenal? A fundamental skill is understanding weapon ascension. Simply put, ascending weapons in Dark Souls involves upgrading them beyond the standard +5 or +10 limits, often transforming them into powerful Boss Soul weapons or unlocking higher upgrade tiers. This process requires specific Embers, the correct type of Titanite, a blacksmith, and a hefty amount of Souls. It’s a crucial part of becoming a formidable force in Lordran. Let’s delve into the details!

Understanding the Basics of Weapon Upgrades

Before we jump into the intricacies of ascension, let’s establish a foundation for weapon upgrades. Dark Souls’ upgrade system isn’t just about hitting harder; it’s about tailoring your weapon to your character build and playstyle.

Standard Upgrade Paths

Weapons can be upgraded along several paths, each with its own requirements and stat scaling:

Normal Path: The most common path, upgrading weapons with Titanite Shards, Large Titanite Shards, Titanite Chunks, and finally, a Titanite Slab to reach +15. This path generally offers balanced scaling with Strength and Dexterity.
Raw Path: Increases the base damage of the weapon but reduces or eliminates scaling with stats. This is usually not recommended for long-term use but can be helpful in the early game.
Fire Path: Converts the weapon’s damage to fire and removes scaling with Strength and Dexterity, adding scaling with Intelligence.
Lightning Path: Converts the weapon’s damage to lightning and removes scaling with Strength and Dexterity, adding scaling with Faith.
Magic Path: Enhances the weapon’s magical properties, adding magic damage and scaling with Intelligence.
Enchanted Path: Further enhances magical properties, providing superior scaling with Intelligence compared to the Magic path.
Divine Path: Adds magic damage and scaling with Faith, making it effective against undead enemies.
Occult Path: Further enhances Faith scaling and provides a bonus against specific enemy types, such as those aligned with the gods.
Chaos Path: Similar to Fire, but scales with Humanity, making it a powerful choice for characters who carry a lot of Humanity.
Crystal Path: Significantly increases damage but makes the weapon much more fragile. Not repairable.

The Role of Embers

Embers are key items that you must give to a blacksmith to unlock specific upgrade paths. Without the proper Ember, you cannot modify a weapon to that path.

Large Ember: Allows upgrading weapons from +5 to +10.
Very Large Ember: Allows upgrading weapons from +10 to +15.
Divine Ember: Allows creating Divine weapons.
Large Divine Ember: Allows upgrading Divine weapons further.
Magic Ember: Allows creating Magic weapons.
Large Magic Ember: Allows upgrading Magic weapons further.
Fire Ember: Allows creating Fire weapons.
Large Fire Ember: Allows creating Fire weapons further.
Chaos Ember: Allows creating Chaos weapons from +5 Fire weapons.

Blacksmiths: Your Upgrade Allies

Different blacksmiths specialize in different upgrade paths.

Andre of Astora: Located in the Undead Parish, Andre is the go-to blacksmith for normal, divine, and occult upgrades. He’s a reliable choice for most players.
Vamos: Found in the Catacombs, Vamos specializes in fire and chaos upgrades. He is essential for those builds.
Giant Blacksmith: Located in Anor Londo, the Giant Blacksmith is the only one who can create Boss Soul weapons.

Ascending to Boss Soul Weapons

One of the most rewarding aspects of weapon ascension is creating Boss Soul weapons. These unique weapons are crafted using the souls of defeated bosses, offering powerful abilities and often unique movesets.

The Process

Defeat a Boss: Obtain the soul of the boss you want to use.
Upgrade a Compatible Weapon: Many Boss Soul weapons require a specific +10 weapon as the base. For example, Quelaag’s Furysword requires a +10 Curved Sword.
Visit the Giant Blacksmith: Travel to Anor Londo and speak with the Giant Blacksmith.
Modify Equipment: Select the “Modify Equipment” option and choose the +10 weapon you prepared. The Giant Blacksmith will show you the Boss Soul weapons you can create with that weapon and the Boss Soul in your inventory.
Pay the Price: Boss Soul weapons typically require 5,000 souls in addition to the Boss Soul and the +10 weapon.

Special Weapon Ascension

Some unique weapons, like those obtained from Black Knights or the Crystal Lizards, can be upgraded using Twinkling Titanite. These weapons are typically very powerful but can only be upgraded to +5. These weapons do not require the use of embers to upgrade.

Weapon Scaling Explained

Understanding weapon scaling is essential for maximizing damage output. Each weapon has scaling grades (S, A, B, C, D, E) for Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, and Faith. A higher grade indicates better scaling, meaning the weapon’s damage will increase more as you increase the corresponding stat. Weapons with poor scaling (D or E) might not be the best choice for builds heavily focused on those stats. Humanity can also influence weapon scaling. This is mostly tied to the Chaos Blade and certain pyromancies.

Tips for Efficient Weapon Ascension

Plan Your Build: Decide what stats you want to focus on early. This will help you choose the best upgrade path and weapons for your character.
Conserve Titanite: Titanite can be scarce, especially in the early game. Avoid wasting it on weapons you don’t plan to use long-term.
Explore Thoroughly: Search every nook and cranny for Embers and Titanite. They are often hidden in unexpected places.
Farm When Necessary: If you’re short on souls or Titanite, don’t be afraid to farm enemies in areas you’re comfortable with.
Use Weapon Buffs: Resin items, such as Gold Pine Resin, and spells can temporarily buff your weapon, increasing its damage output. These can compensate for areas where your weapon is weaker than the enemies you are facing.

Conclusion

Weapon ascension is a cornerstone of the Dark Souls experience. By mastering the upgrade system, understanding the role of Embers and Titanite, and knowing which blacksmiths to visit, you can forge weapons that are not only powerful but also perfectly suited to your unique playstyle. So, grab your sword, find those Embers, and embark on your journey to become a true master of Lordran!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I get a weapon to +6 in Dark Souls?

To upgrade a standard weapon to +6, you first need to obtain the Large Ember from The Depths and give it to Andre of Astora in the Undead Parish. Once you’ve done that, select the “Modify Equipment” option at Andre and upgrade your +5 weapon to +6. Then, use “Reinforce Weapon” to upgrade from +6 to +10.

2. Where can I find the Embers needed for weapon ascension?

Large Ember: Found in The Depths, guarded by butchers.
Very Large Ember: Located in New Londo Ruins. You need to drain the water first.
Divine Ember: Found in Darkroot Garden, in the Moonlight Butterfly tower.
Large Divine Ember: Found in Tomb of the Giants, near the blacksmith Vamos.
Magic Ember: Located in Darkroot Garden, in the Moonlight Butterfly tower.
Large Magic Ember: Located in The Duke’s Archives, in a chest.
Fire Ember: Found in The Depths, in a chest.
Large Fire Ember: Dropped by the Chaos Eater in Demon Ruins.
Chaos Ember: Given by Quelana of Izalith after giving her a +10 pyromancy flame.

3. Can all weapons be ascended to +15?

No, not all weapons can be upgraded to +15. Special weapons that upgrade with Twinkling Titanite can only be upgraded to +5.

4. What is the best weapon upgrade path for a Strength build?

For a Strength build, the Normal path is often the best, allowing you to reach +15 and benefit from high Strength scaling. The Raw path can provide early game damage, but the scaling is greatly diminished.

5. Which blacksmith specializes in Fire weapons?

Vamos, located in the Catacombs, specializes in Fire and Chaos weapon upgrades.

6. How do I create a Boss Soul weapon?

You need a +10 weapon of the appropriate type and the soul of the boss you want to use. Then, visit the Giant Blacksmith in Anor Londo and select “Modify Equipment” to create the weapon.

7. What are the best Boss Soul weapons in Dark Souls?

Some of the best Boss Soul weapons include:

Chaos Blade
Lifehunt Scythe
Quelaag’s Furysword
Dragonslayer Spear
Moonlight Butterfly Horn

8. How does Humanity affect weapon scaling?

The Chaos Blade and other Chaos weapons scale with Humanity. The more Humanity you have, the higher the weapon’s damage output will be.

9. What is the purpose of the Crystal upgrade path?

The Crystal upgrade path significantly increases damage but makes the weapon extremely fragile and unrepairable. It’s a high-risk, high-reward option.

10. Can I ascend the Black Knight Sword?

No, the Black Knight Sword cannot be ascended. It can only be upgraded to +5 using Twinkling Titanite.

11. What is the best way to farm Titanite Shards?

Early in the game, the Undead Burg is a good place to farm Titanite Shards. Later, the Giant Blacksmith sells them.

12. How do I upgrade a weapon to Divine or Occult?

To upgrade to Divine or Occult, you need the Divine Ember or the Large Divine Ember, which are located in Darkroot Garden and Tomb of the Giants. Give either ember to Andre, and he will be able to upgrade your weapons.

13. What are the requirements for creating Chaos weapons?

To create a Chaos weapon, you first need a +5 Fire weapon. Then, you need to give Quelana of Izalith a +10 pyromancy flame, and she’ll give you the Chaos Ember, allowing Vamos to create Chaos weapons.

14. Which weapons have the best scaling in Dark Souls?

It depends on your build, but some weapons with excellent scaling include:

Claymore: Good scaling with both Strength and Dexterity.
Balder Side Sword: Excellent Dexterity scaling.
Great Scythe: Strong Dexterity scaling.

15. How do I repair my weapons?

You can repair weapons at a bonfire if you have the Repairbox or by speaking to a blacksmith and paying a fee.

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