Mastering Weapon Upgrades to +15 in Dark Souls 1: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you want to forge a weapon of legend in Dark Souls 1, capable of cleaving through the toughest foes Lordran has to offer? Reaching that coveted +15 upgrade is crucial, and this guide will be your beacon in the dark. To level a standard weapon to +15 in Dark Souls 1, you’ll need to follow a specific upgrade path involving blacksmiths, embers, and titanite materials.

Here’s the breakdown:

1. Upgrade to +5: Use Titanite Shards at any bonfire or blacksmith to reinforce your weapon from +0 to +5.
2. Acquire the Large Ember: This is located in a chest in The Depths, near the first Butcher.
3. Give the Large Ember to Andre: Travel to Andre the Blacksmith in the Undead Parish and give him the Large Ember. This allows him to modify your weapons further.
4. Modify Equipment to +6: Use the “Modify Equipment” option at Andre to upgrade your +5 weapon to +6.
5. Upgrade to +10: Continue using Reinforce Weapon at a bonfire or blacksmith, using Titanite Shards, to upgrade your weapon from +6 to +10.
6. Acquire the Very Large Ember: This is found in New Londo Ruins. You’ll need to drain the water first to access it.
7. Give the Very Large Ember to Andre: Return to Andre and give him the Very Large Ember.
8. Modify Equipment to +11: Use the “Modify Equipment” option at Andre to upgrade your +10 weapon to +11.
9. Upgrade to +15: Continue using Reinforce Weapon at a bonfire or blacksmith, using Titanite Chunks for +11 to +14, and a Titanite Slab for the final upgrade to +15.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Weapon Upgrades in Dark Souls 1

Getting Started

1. How do I upgrade my weapon past +5 in Dark Souls 1? After reaching +5, you need to find the Large Ember in The Depths and give it to Andre the Blacksmith in the Undead Parish. Then, use the “Modify Equipment” option at Andre to upgrade to +6. From there, you can continue upgrading to +10 using Titanite Shards.

2. Where can I find Titanite Shards? Titanite Shards are commonly found as enemy drops, particularly from Hollow Soldiers in the Undead Burg and Undead Parish. They can also be purchased from blacksmiths like Andre and the Undead Merchant in the Undead Burg.

3. What happens if I give the Large Ember to a different blacksmith? The Large Ember must be given to Andre the Blacksmith for it to function correctly. He’s the only one who can use it to modify weapons from +5 to +6.

Embers and Blacksmiths

4. I gave Andre the Large Ember, but I still can’t upgrade past +5. What’s wrong? Make sure you’re using the “Modify Equipment” option at Andre, not the “Reinforce Weapon” option. The “Modify Equipment” option is what advances your weapon from +5 to +6 after giving him the ember. Also, ensure you have the required Souls.

5. Where is the Very Large Ember located? The Very Large Ember is in New Londo Ruins. You’ll need to drain the water first using the lever in the building guarded by ghosts, then descend into the area. It’s in a chest guarded by Darkwraiths.

6. Do I need to kill any bosses to get a +15 weapon? No, killing bosses is not necessary to upgrade a weapon to +15. However, you will need to access areas like The Depths and New Londo Ruins, which are typically accessed through progression.

Titanite and Materials

7. What is the difference between Titanite Shards, Large Titanite Shards, Titanite Chunks, and Titanite Slabs? These are different tiers of Titanite, each used for different upgrade levels:

   • Titanite Shards: Used for +1 to +5 upgrades.
   • Large Titanite Shards: Used for upgrading weapons on other paths.
   • Titanite Chunks: Used for +11 to +14 upgrades on the standard path.
   • Titanite Slabs: Used for the final +14 to +15 upgrade.

8. Where can I find Titanite Chunks? Titanite Chunks can be found in several locations, including:

   • Kiln of the First Flame: Dropped by Black Knights.
   • New Londo Ruins: Dropped by Darkwraiths.
   • Lost Izalith: Dropped by Chaos Eaters.
   • The Great Hollow: Scattered throughout the area.

9. How do I get a Titanite Slab? Titanite Slabs are rare. Here are some reliable sources:

   • Northern Undead Asylum (Return Trip): Dropped by the Stray Demon.
   • Oolacile Township: One is found in a chest.
   • Lost Izalith: One is found near the Chaos Eater pit.
   • Darkwraiths: Rare drop from Darkwraiths in New Londo Ruins.

Weapon Scaling and Stats

10. Do weapons scale with my stats in Dark Souls 1? Yes, weapons have scaling that increases their damage based on your Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, or Faith stats. The scaling is represented by letters: S (best), A, B, C, D, and E (worst).

11. Is a +15 Claymore worth it? Absolutely. A +15 Claymore is a highly effective weapon in Dark Souls 1, offering a balanced moveset, decent damage, and good scaling with both Strength and Dexterity. It’s a popular choice for many builds.

12. What happens if I choose a different upgrade path besides the standard one? Dark Souls 1 offers several upgrade paths, such as Raw, Magic, Divine, Fire, and Chaos. Each path changes the weapon’s scaling, base damage, and required materials. The standard path (+15) focuses on physical damage and scaling with Strength and Dexterity. Other paths might be better suited to specific builds.

Advanced Tips

13. Can I upgrade boss weapons to +15? No. Boss weapons are upgraded using Demon Titanite, up to a maximum of +5. They cannot be upgraded using the standard Titanite path.

14. I’m in New Game Plus (NG+). Do I need to find the Embers again? Yes. In NG+, you need to re-acquire all Embers in their respective locations to be able to upgrade weapons to their maximum potential.

15. What is the best weapon to upgrade to +15? There isn’t a single “best” weapon to upgrade to +15, as it depends on your build and playstyle. However, some popular and effective choices include the Claymore, Zweihander, Longsword, and Great Scythe. Experiment to find what works best for you!

Mastering the upgrade system in Dark Souls 1 takes time and patience, but the rewards are well worth the effort. A fully upgraded weapon can significantly improve your chances of survival and help you conquer even the most challenging areas of the game. Good luck, and may the flames guide thee! Understanding how these games engage players, promote problem-solving, and encourage collaboration is a topic of interest for the Games Learning Society. You can explore more about game-based learning and its impact on education at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Remember, perseverance is key. Don’t give up, and soon you’ll be wielding a weapon powerful enough to conquer Lordran.