Who to Give Embers to in Dark Souls: A Blacksmith’s Best Friend

The world of Dark Souls is unforgiving, but fear not, intrepid adventurer! To truly conquer Lordran, you’ll need to forge powerful weapons. And that means finding Embers and entrusting them to the right blacksmith. Knowing which Ember goes to whom is crucial for optimizing your gear and surviving the onslaught of challenging enemies. So, let’s cut straight to the chase:

The general rule is each ember must be given to a certain blacksmith who knows how to use them to upgrade your weapons and give them different attributes.

Here’s a breakdown of each Ember and its rightful owner:

• Large Ember: Give this to Andre of Astora, located in the Undead Parish. He’ll use it to modify +5 normal weapons to +6, allowing you to upgrade further to +10, and to create +5 Raw weapons.
• Crystal Ember: This goes to the Giant Blacksmith in Anor Londo. He can then ascend +10 standard weapons down the crystal path, allowing for crystal weapon reinforcement to +5 (the highest).
• Dull Ember: This is for Steady Hand McDuff, found in the Lost Bastille (Dark Souls II). Giving him this Ember lets you infuse weapons with various elements.
• Large Divine Ember: This belongs to Andre of Astora. It allows him to ascend +5 normal weapons to +0 divine.
• Very Large Ember: Once again, this goes to Andre of Astora. It enables him to ascend +10 standard weapons to +11, allowing you to upgrade to +15.
• Chaos Flame Ember: Find Vamos in the Catacombs and hand this over. He can then upgrade your +5 Fire weapons to Chaos and Chaos +5.
• Divine Ember: This one is for Andre of Astora. He’ll use it to ascend +5 normal weapons to +0 divine.
• Dark Ember: This can be given to Andre of Astora. Any other blacksmiths in the game will have access to it afterwards.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Embers in Dark Souls

How do I know which blacksmith to give an Ember to?

If you find an Ember, speak with each blacksmith. The correct blacksmith will usually acknowledge the Ember and offer to take it from you. Other blacksmiths might comment that they can’t use it, or simply won’t have a dialogue option to receive it. Also, the general location of the Ember often hints at the blacksmith who needs it.

Does it matter who I give Embers to in Dark Souls 1?

Yes, it matters immensely! Each Ember unlocks a specific upgrade path or infusion ability for a specific blacksmith. Giving an Ember to the wrong blacksmith will render it useless.

What happens if I accidentally give the wrong Ember to a blacksmith?

Don’t worry too much! The game prevents you from giving an Ember to the wrong blacksmith. They simply won’t accept it. You can safely try giving each Ember to different blacksmiths until you find the right match.

Can I retrieve an Ember after giving it to a blacksmith?

No, once you give an Ember to a blacksmith, it’s gone. However, the blacksmith retains the ability to perform the upgrades and infusions associated with that Ember indefinitely.

What are the benefits of upgrading weapons with Embers?

Upgrading weapons with Embers unlocks new upgrade paths, such as Divine, Occult, Crystal, Lightning, Fire, and Chaos. These paths add elemental damage or scaling with specific stats, allowing you to tailor your weapons to your build. It also allows you to create special boss weapons.

What are the different types of weapon upgrade paths in Dark Souls?

The main upgrade paths include:

• Standard: Increases physical damage.
• Raw: Increases base physical damage but lowers scaling.
• Divine: Adds magic damage and scales with Faith.
• Occult: Further increases magic damage and Faith scaling compared to Divine.
• Crystal: High physical damage but cannot be repaired.
• Lightning: Adds lightning damage and scales with nothing.
• Fire: Adds fire damage and scales with nothing.
• Chaos: Adds fire damage and scales with Humanity (up to 10 Humanity).

Which blacksmith can upgrade my weapons the most?

Andre of Astora is arguably the most versatile blacksmith. He can handle standard upgrades, Raw upgrades, Divine upgrades, and Occult upgrades.

How do I get a +15 weapon in Dark Souls?

1. Upgrade a standard weapon to +5.
2. Give the Large Ember to Andre of Astora.
3. Modify the weapon from +5 to +6 at Andre.
4. Upgrade the weapon from +6 to +10 (bonfire or blacksmith).
5. Give the Very Large Ember to Andre of Astora.
6. Modify the weapon from +10 to +11 at Andre.
7. Upgrade the weapon from +11 to +15 (bonfire or blacksmith).

Can I upgrade boss weapons using Embers?

Yes, but indirectly. Embers unlock the ability to ascend weapons into specific categories, which are required for creating boss weapons. You’ll need to reinforce a standard +5 or +10 weapon, then give it to a blacksmith (usually the Giant Blacksmith in Anor Londo) along with a boss soul to create the boss weapon.

What is the best Ember to get early in the game?

The Large Ember is a priority. It allows you to upgrade your weapons beyond +5, significantly boosting your damage output early on.

Where can I find all the Embers in Dark Souls?

Embers are found in various locations throughout Lordran:

• Large Ember: The Depths.
• Crystal Ember: The Duke’s Archives.
• Dull Ember: Iron Keep (Dark Souls II, or Lost Bastille in Scholar of the First Sin).
• Large Divine Ember: Tomb of the Giants.
• Very Large Ember: New Londo Ruins.
• Chaos Flame Ember: Demon Ruins.
• Divine Ember: Darkroot Garden (Moonlight Butterfly Tower).
• Dark Ember: Chasm of the Abyss.

Is it worth upgrading to Crystal weapons?

Crystal weapons deal high damage, but they cannot be repaired. They are best suited for situations where you need maximum damage output for a limited time, like boss fights. Make sure you have a backup weapon!

What is the best weapon to make into a Chaos weapon?

Many weapons work well as Chaos weapons. Popular choices include:

• Claymore
• Zweihander
• Falchion
• Composite Bow

The best choice depends on your playstyle and stats.

Can I upgrade my armor with Embers?

No, Embers are only used for upgrading weapons. Armor is upgraded using Titanite shards, chunks, and slabs.

Why are Embers important for understanding game mechanics?

Embers play a vital role in Dark Souls, not just for upgrading weapons, but also in teaching players about the world and its mechanics. The need to search for these items and the impact of your choices teach you how to strategically advance. This type of knowledge is similar to the kind that Games Learning Society explores regarding learning through gaming experiences. You can explore more at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Hopefully, this guide has illuminated the path to forging powerful weapons in Dark Souls. Remember, experimentation is key, so don’t be afraid to try different upgrade paths and find what works best for your playstyle. Now, go forth and conquer Lordran!