Is Upgrading the Falchion in Demon’s Souls Worth It? A Deep Dive
Absolutely! Upgrading the Falchion in Demon’s Souls, particularly the Crescent Falchion, is definitely worth it, especially for new players and those focusing on a magic-oriented build. Its early availability, coupled with its inherent magic damage and scaling, makes it a powerful weapon capable of carrying you through a significant portion of the game. While it might not be the absolute best weapon for every situation or late-game scenario, its accessibility and effectiveness in the early to mid-game are undeniable. Let’s break down why.
Why the Falchion is a Great Choice
The Falchion, especially when transformed into the Crescent Falchion through upgrading with Moonshadestone, is a standout weapon for several reasons:
- Early Accessibility: You can find the Crescent Falchion +1 relatively early in the game (in the Shrine of Storms, World 4-1). This gives you a substantial advantage in damage output right from the start.
- Magic Damage: The Crescent Falchion deals magic damage, which many enemies in Demon’s Souls are vulnerable to. This is particularly useful against armored enemies and certain bosses, like the Flamelurker.
- Magic Scaling: The Crescent Falchion scales incredibly well with the Magic stat. As you level up your Magic, the weapon’s damage output increases significantly.
- Speed and Combo Potential: The Falchion is a fast weapon, allowing for quick attacks and effective combos. This is crucial for staggering enemies and dealing consistent damage.
- Bleed Effect: The Falchion has a bleed effect that can build up over time, causing additional damage to enemies when triggered.
Understanding Upgrade Paths
When it comes to upgrading the Falchion, you have several paths to choose from:
- Regular: Upgrades with Hardstone. Good for Strength/Dexterity builds but not the ideal choice for the Falchion.
- Sharp: Upgrades with Bladestone. Scales well with Dexterity.
- Crushing: Upgrades with Greystone. Scales well with Strength.
- Crescent: Upgrades with Moonshadestone. This is the go-to path if you’re focusing on Magic, as it completely re-scales the weapon to prioritize Magic scaling, while removing Strength and Dexterity scaling.
- Moon: Upgrades with Darkmoonstone. Scales with Magic, but not as strongly as the Crescent path. It also adds MP regen.
- Blessed: Upgrades with Faintstone. Scales with Faith.
For magic users, the Crescent Falchion is almost always the best choice due to its superior Magic scaling.
Upgrade Materials and Investment
Upgrading any weapon in Demon’s Souls requires resources. For the Crescent Falchion, you will need:
- Moonshadestone Shards: For the initial upgrades (+1 to +3).
- Moonshadestone Chunks: For the mid-level upgrades (+4).
- Pure Moonshadestone: For the final upgrade to +5.
These materials can be found throughout the game, particularly in the Shrine of Storms (World 4). Farming for these materials can be time-consuming but is well worth the effort, especially for a magic-focused build.
When to Consider Alternatives
While the Crescent Falchion is fantastic in the early to mid-game, there comes a point where other weapons might become more appealing, especially if you’re diversifying your build or have found a weapon that better suits your playstyle. In the late game, consider these factors:
- Scaling Cap: All weapons have a scaling cap. At a certain point, increasing your stats will yield diminishing returns on damage output.
- Enemy Resistances: Some enemies and bosses are resistant to magic damage. Having a backup weapon with physical damage is always a good idea.
- Weapon Variety: Experiment with other weapons! Demon’s Souls has a wide range of options, each with its own unique moveset and advantages.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Falchion
1. Is Uchigatana better than falchion?
The Uchigatana and the Falchion are both excellent weapons, but they cater to different playstyles. The Falchion attacks faster and has built-in bleed damage, while the Uchigatana has slightly better reach. At +10, both scale equally well, so the choice comes down to preference.
2. Is falchion any good Demon Souls?
Yes! The Falchion is a fantastic weapon in Demon’s Souls, especially the Crescent Falchion. Its speed, magic damage, and early accessibility make it a popular choice for many players.
3. Is Crescent falchion good late game?
The Crescent Falchion remains viable in the late game, especially if you’ve heavily invested in the Magic stat. However, you might find other weapons with different damage types or scaling to be more effective against certain late-game enemies.
4. What does the falchion scale with?
The standard Falchion scales primarily with Strength and Dexterity. The Crescent Falchion, however, scales primarily with Magic and removes Strength and Dexterity scaling almost entirely.
5. Is the crescent Falchion good against Flamelurker?
Yes! The Flamelurker is weak to magic damage, making the Crescent Falchion an excellent choice for this boss fight. Using the Crescent Falchion can significantly reduce the difficulty of the encounter.
6. What do I need to upgrade Crescent Falchion?
To upgrade the Crescent Falchion, you need Moonshadestone Shards, Moonshadestone Chunks, and Pure Moonshadestone. These materials can be found primarily in the Shrine of Storms (World 4).
7. What is the strongest weapon in demon souls?
Many consider the Northern Regalia to be the strongest weapon in Demon’s Souls. It requires both the Demonbrandt and Soulbrandt swords, along with the False King’s Demon’s Soul, to craft.
8. Why is Claymore so good?
The Claymore is a popular weapon due to its versatility, good scaling with both Strength and Dexterity, and its balanced moveset. It’s a reliable choice for a wide range of builds.
9. What is the easiest way to beat Flamelurker?
The easiest way to beat the Flamelurker is to exploit his weakness to magic. Use spells like Soul Ray or Soul Arrow from a safe distance, or use a weapon like the Crescent Falchion to deal significant damage.
10. Who do I give Flamelurker soul to?
You should give the Searing Demon’s Soul (obtained from the Flamelurker) to Blacksmith Ed in Stonefang Tunnel. This will unlock advanced weapon crafting options.
11. Can Crescent falchion be upgraded?
Yes, the Crescent Falchion can be upgraded to +5 using Moonshadestone.
12. What stats do you need for Crescent falchion?
To wield the regular Falchion effectively, you need 9 Strength and 10 Dexterity. The Crescent Falchion retains these requirements, though its primary damage comes from Magic scaling.
13. What is the best affinity for the falchion?
In Elden Ring, the Sacred or Flame Art affinities are best for the Falchion, as they scale with Faith.
14. What is best to upgrade in demon souls?
For magic builds, Crescent Weapons are ideal, as they scale exceptionally well with the Magic stat. For faith builds, consider Blessed Weapons.
15. What is the easiest class to play in demon souls?
The Royalty class is generally considered the easiest class for beginners in Demon’s Souls due to its starting spell, Soul Arrow, and its ability to regenerate MP.
Conclusion
In conclusion, upgrading the Falchion, especially to the Crescent Falchion, is a highly worthwhile investment in Demon’s Souls. Its early accessibility, magic damage, scaling with Magic, and fast attack speed make it a powerful weapon that can carry you through a significant portion of the game. While it might not be the absolute best weapon for every situation, its advantages are undeniable, especially for new players and those focused on a magic-oriented build.
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