Should You Upgrade the Long Sword in Demon’s Souls? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, upgrading the Long Sword in Demon’s Souls is generally a good idea, especially early in the game. It’s a versatile and reliable weapon that can carry you through a significant portion of your playthrough. However, the best course of action depends heavily on your build, playstyle, and long-term goals. A +3 Long Sword is a solid starting point, but understanding the upgrade paths and alternative weapons will maximize your effectiveness in Boletaria.

The Allure of the Long Sword: Versatility and Accessibility

The Long Sword stands out due to its balanced attributes. It offers a decent blend of damage, speed, and reach, making it suitable for various combat scenarios. Its moveset includes both horizontal slashes and thrusting attacks, providing flexibility against different enemy types. Furthermore, it’s readily available at the beginning of the game, requiring minimal initial investment to acquire.

Early Game: A Reliable Companion

In the early stages of Demon’s Souls, resources are scarce, and finding a reliable weapon is crucial. Upgrading the Long Sword to +3 provides a significant damage boost, allowing you to efficiently deal with early-game enemies. The resources needed for these initial upgrades are relatively common, making it an accessible option for most players. Think of it as a stepping stone—a trustworthy tool while you explore your options and discover your preferred playstyle. As the article you cited indicates, you’ll likely encounter different weapons as you progress, and may find you prefer another weapon later on.

Beyond +3: Exploring Upgrade Paths

Once you reach +3, you have several options for further upgrading the Long Sword, each tailored to specific builds:

• Normal Path (+10): This path offers a balanced increase in damage and is a good choice for players who haven’t committed to a specific stat focus. The +10 Long Sword remains a viable option throughout the game, though other specialized upgrades may ultimately offer higher damage output.

• Crushing Path: If you’re building a strength-based character, the Crushing upgrade path is worth exploring. It sacrifices some base damage for significantly improved strength scaling. This means that each point you invest in strength will translate to a larger damage increase on the Long Sword.

• Sharp Path: For dexterity-focused builds, the Sharp upgrade path is the go-to option. Similar to the Crushing path, it enhances dexterity scaling at the expense of some base damage. The Sharp Long Sword can become a formidable weapon in the hands of a skilled dexterity-based character. The Uchigatana, as mentioned in your provided document, is a decent choice as well, with a versatile moveset.

• Quality Path: If you’re aiming for a quality build (equal investment in strength and dexterity), the Quality upgrade path can be beneficial. It provides a moderate increase in scaling for both strength and dexterity, making it suitable for characters who want to wield a variety of weapons effectively.

• Magic and Crescent Paths: These paths are for magic builds, enhancing magical damage and scaling with the Magic stat. These are useful for players who prefer to fight from range.

• Blessed Path: For faith-based builds, the Blessed upgrade path is ideal. It adds magic damage that scales with your Faith stat and provides health regeneration.

Considerations Before Committing

Before investing heavily in upgrading the Long Sword, consider the following:

• Stat Requirements: Ensure that you meet the stat requirements to wield the upgraded weapon effectively. Insufficient stats will result in reduced damage and slow attack speeds.

• Material Availability: Different upgrade paths require specific upgrade materials, some of which can be rare or difficult to obtain. Research the material requirements before committing to a specific path.

• Alternative Weapons: Demon’s Souls offers a wide array of weapons, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Explore other options before settling on the Long Sword as your primary weapon. Weapons like the Kilij or the Claymore can be effective, depending on your playstyle.

• Boss Weapons: Some of the most powerful weapons in Demon’s Souls are created by transmuting boss souls. These weapons often have unique abilities and scaling, making them highly desirable for endgame builds. The Northern Regalia, created from Demonbrandt and Soulbrandt, is a prime example, and as your article states, is one of the strongest in the game.

Final Verdict: A Solid Choice, But Not the Only One

Upgrading the Long Sword in Demon’s Souls is a viable and often recommended strategy, particularly in the early game. Its versatility and accessibility make it a reliable companion while you explore the world and experiment with different builds. However, don’t be afraid to explore other weapons and upgrade paths as you progress. The best weapon for you will ultimately depend on your personal preferences and playstyle.

You should also understand the impact of your choices and why some weapons are better in certain situations. The Games Learning Society studies games and how we learn from them, and understanding the game mechanics will help you play more strategically. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the best early-game weapons besides the Long Sword?

Other excellent early-game weapons include the Kilij (fast and versatile), the Claymore (good reach and damage), and the Battle Axe (high damage but slower).

2. How do I access different upgrade paths?

You need to find specific blacksmiths who can perform special upgrades. Blacksmith Boldwin at the Nexus can perform basic upgrades. Blacksmith Ed in Stonefang Tunnel (2-1) can perform more advanced upgrades, including Crushing, Sharp, Quality, and others, after giving him the Red Hot Demon’s Soul.

3. What are the best stats to focus on for a Long Sword build?

It depends on your chosen upgrade path. Strength for Crushing, Dexterity for Sharp, and a mix of both for Quality. Vitality and Endurance are always important for survivability and stamina management.

4. How important is weapon scaling in Demon’s Souls?

Weapon scaling is crucial, as it determines how much bonus damage you receive based on your stats. Weapons with good scaling will generally outperform weapons with poor scaling at higher levels.

5. Is the Northern Regalia really the best weapon in the game?

The Northern Regalia is arguably the best weapon, but its effectiveness depends on your Character Tendency. It deals maximum damage when your character is Pure White or Pure Black Tendency.

6. How do I get the Demonbrandt and Soulbrandt swords?

Demonbrandt is obtained after defeating Old King Allant in Boletarian Palace (1-4), provided you have a Pure White Character Tendency. Soulbrandt is obtained after defeating False King Allant in Boletarian Palace (1-4).

7. What is Character Tendency and how does it affect my game?

Character Tendency is a hidden mechanic that reflects your moral alignment. Performing good deeds shifts your tendency towards White, while committing evil acts shifts it towards Black. Tendency affects various aspects of the game, including enemy difficulty, item drops, and access to certain areas and events.

8. How do I improve my Character Tendency?

Performing good deeds like defeating bosses and assisting other players in co-op will shift your tendency towards White. Killing NPCs and invading other players’ worlds will shift it towards Black.

9. What is World Tendency?

World Tendency is a hidden mechanic that affects the difficulty and rewards within each individual world. Pure White World Tendency makes enemies weaker and increases item drop rates, while Pure Black World Tendency makes enemies stronger and unlocks special events.

10. How do I achieve Pure White World Tendency?

Defeating bosses in a world without dying shifts the World Tendency towards White. Dying in human form shifts it towards Black.

11. What is the best armor to use with the Long Sword?

The best armor depends on your preferred playstyle and weight tolerance. Lighter armor provides better mobility, while heavier armor offers more protection. Experiment with different sets to find what works best for you.

12. Is it worth upgrading multiple weapons in Demon’s Souls?

Yes, it can be beneficial to have a variety of weapons upgraded to deal with different enemy types and situations. For example, blunt weapons are effective against armored enemies, while thrusting weapons are useful against agile opponents.

13. How do I respec my stats in Demon’s Souls?

Unfortunately, there is no way to respec your stats in Demon’s Souls. This makes it crucial to carefully plan your build and allocate your stats wisely.

14. What are the best rings to use with the Long Sword?

Useful rings include the Cling Ring (increases HP in Soul Form), the Ring of Great Strength (increases equip burden), and the Ring of Sharpness/Bluntness (depending on your weapon and upgrade path).

15. Where can I farm upgrade materials?

Specific upgrade materials can be farmed in different areas of the game. For example, Stonefang Tunnel (2-1 and 2-2) is a good place to farm Hardstone and Sharpstone. World 4 (Isle of Storms) is useful for farming Faintstone.

By considering these factors and exploring the various options available, you can make an informed decision about whether to upgrade the Long Sword and how to tailor it to your specific build and playstyle in Demon’s Souls. Remember, experimentation and adaptation are key to success in this challenging and rewarding game.