Mastering Weapon Upgrades to +10 in Dark Souls: A Comprehensive Guide
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So, you’re plunging into the perilous world of Dark Souls, eh? You’re ready to face Gwyn and his treacherous lords, but a hollow’s rusted spoon isn’t going to cut it. You need a weapon worthy of a Chosen Undead, and that means upgrading it. Let’s talk about how you get that trusty sword, axe, or whatever implement of destruction you favor up to a formidable +10.
The short and sweet answer to where you upgrade your weapons to +10 in Dark Souls 1 is this: you primarily upgrade your weapon at a blacksmith, namely Andre of Astora, who can be found in the Undead Parish. He needs the Large Ember to get it to +6 and then titanite shards for the rest to +10. However, it’s a little more involved than that. Let’s break down the process step-by-step:
The +0 to +5 Grind:
This is your initial foray into weapon enhancement. Simply speak to Andre of Astora (or any other blacksmith) and select “Reinforce Weapon.” Each upgrade requires Titanite Shards, the most common upgrade material in the game. You’ll find these scattered throughout the Undead Burg and Undead Parish. Don’t be shy about farming them from the hollow soldiers. You can also reinforce weapons at bonfires.
The Large Ember and Andre’s Gift:
This is where the real work begins. To transcend the limitations of a +5 weapon, you need the Large Ember. This crucial item is located in The Depths, a perilous area beneath the Undead Burg. You will need the Basement Key. Once you have defeated the Capra Demon, head back to the Undead Burg bridge and go to the door at the lower end, near the hollows throwing firebombs. Inside, you’ll have to battle Gaping Dragon and then the Large Ember is in a chest at the very end.
Once you possess the Large Ember, return to Andre of Astora in the Undead Parish. Speak to him and select the “Give Ember” option. This allows Andre to modify your weapons to +6 and beyond.
Ascension to +6:
Now, back at Andre, select “Modify Weapon.” Choose your +5 weapon. This is your weapon’s ‘ascension’ point. This will convert your +5 weapon to a +6 weapon, ready for even greater heights.
The +6 to +10 Push:
With your weapon now at +6, return to the “Reinforce Weapon” option at Andre’s menu. You’ll now need Large Titanite Shards to upgrade your weapon from +6 to +10. These shards are less common than standard Titanite Shards, but they can be farmed in locations like the Sen’s Fortress and the Royal Wood DLC area. A reliable farming spot early on is the leeches in Blighttown.
Congratulations! You’ve now successfully upgraded your weapon to +10. You are a few steps closer to becoming the next Lord of Cinder!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some commonly asked questions to help you navigate the weapon upgrade system in Dark Souls 1:
1. Why can’t I upgrade my weapon past +5?
You need the Large Ember, found in The Depths, and you must give it to Andre of Astora to unlock the ability to upgrade weapons beyond +5.
2. Can I upgrade my weapon to +10 at a bonfire?
No. While you can reinforce weapons from +0 to +5 at a bonfire, upgrading past +5 requires a blacksmith, specifically Andre, who can modify weapons after receiving the Large Ember.
3. Where can I find Large Titanite Shards?
Large Titanite Shards can be farmed from enemies in Sen’s Fortress, Blighttown (leeches are a good source), the Royal Wood (DLC), and can be purchased from the Giant Blacksmith in Anor Londo.
4. What is the best weapon upgrade path in Dark Souls?
The “best” path depends on your build and playstyle. The standard path (+15) is excellent for physical damage dealers, while elemental paths like Fire, Lightning, or Magic are suitable for characters with high Intelligence or Faith.
5. How do I get a Divine weapon?
To create a Divine weapon, you need the Divine Ember. Once you find this Ember, you need to give it to Andre of Astora. Then, you must have a weapon at +5. Finally, you need to reinforce the weapon using white titanite chunks. You also need a white titanite slab to go from +9 to +10 for the final reinforcement.
6. How many Titanite Shards do I need to upgrade to +10?
From +0 to +5 you require 9 Titanite shards, and from +6 to +10 you require 9 Large Titanite shards.
7. Where is the Very Large Ember and what does it do?
The Very Large Ember is located in New Londo Ruins, accessible after draining the water. Giving this ember to Andre allows you to upgrade weapons from +10 to +15.
8. What is the best way to farm Titanite Shards early in the game?
The hollow soldiers in the Undead Burg are a great early-game source for Titanite Shards. Simply run through the area, killing them, and repeating.
9. What is the difference between “Reinforce Weapon” and “Modify Weapon”?
“Reinforce Weapon” is used for standard upgrades (+1 to +5, +6 to +10, etc.) and can be done by any blacksmith (or at a bonfire for +0 to +5). “Modify Weapon” is used to ascend weapons to a different upgrade path (e.g., turning a +5 weapon into a +6, Raw, Fire, or Divine weapon), and can only be done by blacksmiths who possess the necessary Embers.
10. Can any blacksmith upgrade weapons to +10?
No. Only blacksmiths who have been given specific Embers can perform certain upgrades. To upgrade a weapon to +10, you must give the Large Ember to Andre of Astora.
11. How do I get a weapon to +15?
First, you need to get your weapon to +10. Next, you must acquire the Very Large Ember in New Londo Ruins and give it to Andre of Astora. Once you have a +14 weapon, you can reinforce it to +15 with a Titanite Slab.
12. What are Titanite Chunks and how do I use them?
Titanite Chunks are used to upgrade weapons from +11 to +14 on the standard upgrade path. They are rarer than Titanite Shards and Large Titanite Shards, but they drop from various enemies in later-game areas like the Kiln of the First Flame and can be farmed from Darkwraiths in New Londo Ruins.
13. Are there any unique weapons that cannot be upgraded using Titanite Shards?
Yes, Boss Soul Weapons, Dragon Weapons, and some other unique weapons are upgraded using different materials like Demon Titanite, Dragon Scales, and Twinkling Titanite, respectively.
14. If I make a weapon Divine, can I still upgrade it to +10?
Yes, you can upgrade a Divine weapon to +10 using White Titanite Chunks. You’ll need the Large Divine Ember to ascend a +5 weapon into a Divine weapon.
15. Where can I learn more about the mechanics and mathematics of Dark Souls Weapon scaling?
For a deeper dive into the mechanics of Dark Souls and how they can contribute to learning, visit Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. The educational benefits derived from understanding game mechanics are significant.
Hopefully, this has helped you to understand weapon upgrades in Dark Souls 1!