Who Should You Give the Very Large Ember To in Dark Souls?
The short, definitive answer is: You should give the Very Large Ember to Andre of Astora. This is the only blacksmith who can utilize it, and doing so unlocks essential weapon upgrade paths, significantly boosting your combat effectiveness in Dark Souls.
Understanding Embers and Blacksmiths
In the world of Dark Souls, Ember are special items that, when given to specific blacksmiths, unlock the ability to modify weapons in unique ways. Each Ember is tied to a particular blacksmith, and you must locate and deliver these items to unlock their full potential. This system ensures that different blacksmiths play specialized roles in weapon customization, making the selection of where you spend your Ember a crucial element of progression.
The Significance of the Very Large Ember
The Very Large Ember is not just another item; it is a keystone in your journey through Lordran. Giving it to Andre of Astora allows him to ascend a standard weapon from +10 to +11, paving the way for further reinforcement to +15, the highest upgrade level for standard weapons. This is a significant power boost that can make or break your progress in later game areas and encounters. Ignoring or misusing the Very Large Ember can leave you with noticeably inferior weapons, which is never good in a world as merciless as Dark Souls.
Why Andre of Astora?
Andre is not only the blacksmith who requests the Very Large Ember, but he is also one of the most accessible and useful blacksmiths in the game. Located in the Undead Parish, he is reachable relatively early on, and his services remain crucial throughout your journey. Furthermore, when you open the shortcut between the Undead Parish and Firelink Shrine, his location becomes even more convenient for repeat visits. He is the most frequent blacksmith for standard weapon upgrades.
Why Giving the Ember to Andre is Crucial
The ability to upgrade weapons to +15 is essential to compete with the increasing difficulty of the game. If you hold onto this ember, you effectively limit the full potential of your weapons. No other blacksmith can use this item, making it useless if not given to Andre. Giving him the Very Large Ember is a necessity, not an optional upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I give multiple Very Large Embers to Andre?
No, the Very Large Ember is a one-time unlock. Once given to Andre, he permanently gains the ability to ascend weapons to +11 and onwards to +15. You do not need more than one, and you cannot give him multiple.
2. What does the Large Ember do?
The Large Ember allows Andre to modify +5 normal weapons to +10 and +5 raw weapons. It’s a prerequisite for further upgrades using the Very Large Ember.
3. What about the Divine Ember?
The Divine Ember needs to be given to the blacksmith near the forest entrance. This allows him to create divine weapons, which are effective against skeletons.
4. What is the Dull Ember used for?
The Dull Ember is used by McDuff in Dark Souls II (and Scholar of the First Sin). It’s not present in the first Dark Souls.
5. Can any blacksmith use any ember?
No, each Ember is specifically tied to a single blacksmith. Using the wrong blacksmith will not work. You must give the correct ember to the correct blacksmith to unlock specific upgrade paths.
6. What does giving Farron Coal to Andre do?
Giving Andre the Farron Coal (found in later Souls games, not the first), enables him to infuse weapons with heavy, sharp, and poison infusions.
7. Where do I find the Enchanted Ember?
The Enchanted Ember is found in the center of the Darkroot Garden and should be given to Rickert of Vinheim. This allows him to ascend weapons to magic and enchanted paths.
8. What happens if I give the Black Ember to Andre?
Yes, give the Black Ember to Andre. Any other blacksmiths in the game will have access to it afterwards, effectively opening up all basic ascension paths.
9. What does the Chaos Flame Ember unlock?
The Chaos Flame Ember is given to Vamos in the Catacombs. It allows him to upgrade +5 fire weapons to chaos and further to chaos +5, a unique damage type.
10. Where do I take the Crystal Ember?
The Crystal Ember should be given to the Giant Blacksmith in Anor Londo. This will enable him to create Crystal weapons, which are very powerful but cannot be repaired.
11. How do I get weapons to +10 before the Very Large Ember?
First, upgrade your weapon to +5 with the base upgrade option. Then, give the Large Ember to Andre to unlock +6 to +10 upgrades.
12. What other Blacksmiths are there and what do they do?
Aside from Andre, other notable blacksmiths include: Vamos (Chaos upgrades), Rickert (Magic and Enchanted upgrades), the Giant Blacksmith (Crystal and Boss weapons), and the blacksmith near the forest (Divine upgrades).
13. Do I have to use a blacksmith to reinforce my weapons at every level?
While you need a blacksmith to ascend weapons, you can use a bonfire to reinforce weapons between levels, for example from +1 to +5 or from +6 to +10. Ascending requires a blacksmith.
14. Is there a limit to how many weapons I can fully upgrade?
There isn’t a limit. You are only limited by the upgrade materials, like Titanite Shards, Large Titanite Shards, Titanite Chunks, and Titanite Slabs. As long as you can farm these materials, you can upgrade as many weapons as you wish.
15. How can I get Titanite Chunks and Slabs?
Titanite Chunks can be farmed from Darkwraiths and are found in certain treasure locations, and Titanite Slabs are relatively rare and are found in a few specific places or dropped by late-game enemies. It is crucial to explore thoroughly to obtain these.
Final Thoughts
In summary, the Very Large Ember is a crucial item in Dark Souls and needs to be given to Andre of Astora. Doing so unlocks the highest tier of standard weapon upgrades, enabling you to face the game’s challenges with maximum effectiveness. Failure to give it to the correct blacksmith will severely limit your combat capabilities. Be sure to explore, gather these essential items, and give them to the correct blacksmiths to unlock their full potential. The world of Dark Souls is unforgiving, so make sure to utilize every advantage you can get.