How to Upgrade Armor in Darkest Dungeon: A Comprehensive Guide
Upgrading armor in Darkest Dungeon is a crucial aspect of ensuring your heroes can withstand the horrors they face in the dungeons. This process is facilitated through the Blacksmith, a vital location in your Hamlet. In essence, you enhance your heroes’ survivability by increasing their armor rating at the Blacksmith. The process involves spending gold and having the correct Blacksmith upgrade purchased, allowing you to raise gear by one tier per resolve level above 0.
The Blacksmith: Your Armor Upgrade Hub
The Blacksmith is not just where you upgrade armor; it’s where you improve both weapons and armor for your heroes. The structure itself can be upgraded, which directly impacts its functionality and accessibility to higher tiers.
Blacksmith Level and Upgrade Tiers
The level of your Blacksmith determines the highest upgrade tier possible for both weapons and armor. To advance an equipment to a specific level, you must first have purchased the corresponding upgrade at the Blacksmith. For instance, upgrading a weapon to the first tier requires the first weaponsmithing upgrade, and to upgrade to the second tier, the second weaponsmithing upgrade is necessary, and so on. This means progression is tied not only to your available gold but also to the investment you’ve made into the Blacksmith structure.
Upgrade Requirements and Costs
Upgrading gear costs gold and the exact amount depends on the item and the upgrade level. However, another key aspect is the Furnace, which also resides in the Blacksmith and reduces the cost of upgrading. Improving the Furnace offers a cost reduction of 10% per upgrade, capped at 50%. This reduction is significant, as it substantially lowers the gold requirement as you progress through the game.
Resolve Level and Upgrade Limitations
The ability to upgrade also hinges on your heroes’ resolve levels. Heroes with a resolve level of 0 cannot have their gear upgraded. For every resolve level above 0, heroes may have their gear upgraded by one tier. This encourages you to focus on bringing experienced heroes for difficult expeditions as it will give them access to better equipment.
Prioritizing Upgrades
When deciding what to upgrade, it’s essential to have a strategy. Upgrading your main tank’s armor first can greatly improve your party’s survivability. Consider which heroes you use most frequently and upgrade their armor accordingly, ensuring they can endure the toughest battles. Also, regularly upgrade your Furnace to reduce the overall cost of upgrading gear in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I upgrade armor without any Blacksmith upgrades?
No, to upgrade armor, you must have the corresponding Blacksmith upgrade purchased. The first upgrade enables the first tier, the second for the second, and so forth.
2. Does hero level affect armor upgrades?
No, hero level does not directly impact the ability to upgrade armor. It is the resolve level of the hero which determines the upgrade tier. For every resolve level above zero, the hero can have their equipment upgraded one tier.
3. How much does the Furnace upgrade reduce cost?
The Furnace upgrade provides a 10% cost reduction per level, with a cap of 50%. This reduction applies to all gear upgrades.
4. Can I upgrade armor at any time?
Yes, you can upgrade armor at any time, as long as you’re in the Hamlet, you have the necessary gold and the corresponding Blacksmith upgrade purchased and the hero has the appropriate resolve level.
5. What is the maximum armor tier I can reach?
The maximum armor tier is determined by the level of the Blacksmith structure. You’ll need to fully upgrade the Blacksmith to access the highest tier.
6. Is there any other way to reduce upgrade costs?
Besides the Furnace, there are no other in-game mechanics that directly reduce armor upgrade costs. However, some trinkets might influence the economy in other ways.
7. What happens if I lose a hero with upgraded armor?
If a hero with upgraded armor dies, the armor is lost. However, you are not penalized in terms of further upgrades, and new heroes can be upgraded in the same way.
8. Does armor upgrade also improve other stats?
Armor upgrades only improve the hero’s protection stat which reduces damage received. It does not influence other stats like speed, accuracy or damage.
9. Is it better to upgrade the Blacksmith or the Furnace first?
Upgrading both is essential, but prioritizing the Furnace for initial levels can offer more significant long-term savings. This is especially true if you intend to upgrade gear frequently.
10. How does resolve level interact with armor upgrades?
Heroes with resolve level 0 cannot have their armor upgraded. For every level above zero, heroes may have their armor upgraded by one tier.
11. Can I downgrade armor after upgrading?
No, once you upgrade armor, you cannot downgrade it, you’d have to replace the gear entirely. Therefore, make sure to use your resources effectively.
12. What are the best classes to prioritize armor upgrades on?
Classes like the Crusader, Leper, and Man-at-Arms who often serve as tanks or frontline characters should be prioritized. However, consider your party composition and your personal playstyle.
13. Does upgrading armor affect scouting chance or other passive bonuses?
No, upgrading armor only affects a character’s protection stat. Other bonuses are affected by character quirks, trinkets, and other gameplay features, not directly by armor upgrades.
14. What should I do if I run out of gold for upgrades?
Selling excess trinkets and other loot using shift + click to get extra gold can help get you the gold required for upgrades. Keep an eye out for expeditions that provide a lot of loot.
15. How much gold is required for each level of armor upgrade?
The exact gold cost depends on the tier of upgrade and the item being upgraded. Higher tiers naturally cost more. The Furnace upgrade mitigates this by offering a cost reduction, but the base price varies greatly.