Why Can’t I Upgrade My Weapon Past +10 in Dark Souls?
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So, you’re hacking and slashing your way through Lordran, you’ve found a weapon you love, and you’ve pumped every Titanite Shard you can find into it. You’re feeling powerful… until you hit a wall. You’re stuck at +10, and the upgrade option is stubbornly greyed out. What gives?
The simple answer is that to upgrade a standard weapon beyond +10 in Dark Souls, you need to ascend it. This requires two crucial elements: the Very Large Ember, and the right blacksmith, namely Andre of Astora. Without the Very Large Ember, Andre cannot modify your +10 weapon.
Here’s the breakdown: after you have the Very Large Ember you go to Andre and modify +10 to +11. After that, you can reinforce to 15 anywhere, even the bonfire as long as you have titanite slabs.
Understanding Weapon Upgrades in Dark Souls
Dark Souls features a deep and somewhat opaque weapon upgrade system. It’s not just about finding Titanite and clicking “upgrade.” There are different paths, different embers, and different blacksmiths, each specializing in specific upgrade types. Understanding this system is crucial for maximizing your character’s potential.
Standard Upgrade Path (+1 to +15)
This is the most common and straightforward upgrade path. It focuses on raw damage output. To navigate it fully, you need:
- Titanite Shards: Used to upgrade from +1 to +5.
- Large Ember: Found in The Depths. This is given to Andre of Astora to allow him to modify weapons from +5 to +6.
- Large Titanite Shards: Used to upgrade from +6 to +10.
- Very Large Ember: Found in New Londo Ruins after draining the water. This is the key to unlocking upgrades beyond +10, as mentioned earlier, and must be given to Andre.
- Titanite Chunks: Used to upgrade from +11 to +14.
- Titanite Slab: Used to upgrade from +14 to +15, the maximum upgrade level for a standard weapon.
Ascension and Special Upgrade Paths
Beyond the standard path, Dark Souls offers several other upgrade paths that change your weapon’s properties:
- Raw: Increases base damage but reduces scaling with stats.
- Magic/Enchanted: Adds magic damage and scaling with Intelligence.
- Fire/Chaos: Adds fire damage and scaling with Humanity (for Chaos).
- Divine/Occult: Adds faith scaling and damage. Divine weapons are effective against skeletons. Occult weapons are effective against the gods.
These paths often require specific embers and blacksmiths, and they typically start at +5 or +10 weapons. It is important to note that only one upgrade path can be used on a weapon.
The Importance of Blacksmiths and Embers
Blacksmiths are not interchangeable in Dark Souls. Each blacksmith specializes in different upgrade paths:
- Andre of Astora: The most versatile blacksmith, handling standard upgrades, Raw upgrades, and Divine/Occult upgrades after receiving the relevant embers. You can usually find him in the Undead Parish.
- Rickert of Vinheim: Specializes in Magic and Enchanted upgrades. He can be found locked in a cell in New Londo Ruins.
- Vamos: Specializes in Fire and Chaos upgrades. He resides in the Catacombs.
- Giant Blacksmith: Handles boss soul weapons and Lightning upgrades. Located in Anor Londo.
Embers are key items that unlock specific upgrade paths with blacksmiths. Finding and delivering the correct ember to the appropriate blacksmith is essential for progressing your weapon upgrades.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Where do I find the Very Large Ember?
The Very Large Ember is located in New Londo Ruins. You must first drain the water by obtaining the Lordvessel and speaking to Ingward. The Ember is found in a chest guarded by Darkwraiths.
2. Which blacksmith can upgrade my weapon past +10?
Andre of Astora is the blacksmith who can upgrade your weapon past +10, but only after you give him the Very Large Ember.
3. What materials do I need to upgrade from +10 to +15?
You’ll need Titanite Chunks to upgrade from +11 to +14, and a Titanite Slab to reach +15.
4. Can I upgrade boss soul weapons past +5?
Boss soul weapons are upgraded using Demon Titanite, not regular Titanite. The Giant Blacksmith in Anor Londo is responsible for these upgrades.
5. What happens if I give the Large Ember to the wrong blacksmith?
You can’t give the Large Ember to the wrong blacksmith. It can only be given to Andre.
6. Can I revert a weapon to a previous upgrade level?
No, once you upgrade a weapon, you cannot revert it to a previous level. Therefore, it is important to upgrade wisely and make the upgrade that is best for you.
7. What are the best weapons to upgrade to +15?
This depends on your build and playstyle. The Claymore and Zweihander are popular choices for quality builds (scaling equally with Strength and Dexterity), while weapons like the Balder Side Sword are excellent for Dexterity builds.
8. Do I need to be a certain level to upgrade a weapon?
No, your character level doesn’t directly affect your ability to upgrade weapons. However, you’ll need enough souls to pay for the upgrades.
9. How do I get Titanite Slabs?
Titanite Slabs are rare and can be found in various locations, including:
- The Stray Demon (return to Undead Asylum).
- Crystal Lizards.
- Darkwraiths (very rare drop).
- Trading with Snuggly the Crow (requires a specific item).
10. Can I upgrade unique weapons (e.g., Dragon weapons) the same way?
Unique weapons, such as those created from dragon scales, have their own upgrade paths and require Dragon Scales for upgrading. These are upgraded like normal reinforcements, unlike basic weapons.
11. What is weapon scaling, and why is it important?
Weapon scaling refers to how much a weapon’s damage increases based on your character’s stats (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith). Weapons have scaling grades (S, A, B, C, D, E), with S being the best.
12. Is it better to upgrade a weapon down a special path (e.g., Fire, Magic) or keep it on the standard path?
This depends on your build. If you’re investing heavily in Intelligence or Faith, a Magic or Divine weapon might be more powerful. If you’re focusing on Strength and Dexterity, the standard path is usually better.
13. How do I upgrade my armor?
Armor is upgraded using Titanite Shards, Large Titanite Shards, Titanite Chunks, and Titanite Slabs, just like weapons.
14. Can I upgrade weapons at bonfires?
You can only reinforce (basic upgrades) weapons at bonfires after you’ve unlocked the appropriate upgrade paths with a blacksmith. You will still need the materials.
15. What’s the difference between upgrading and reinforcing?
Reinforcing is the general term for improving a weapon’s stats. Upgrading specifically refers to changing the upgrade path of a weapon (e.g., from +5 to Fire +0).
Conclusion
Upgrading weapons in Dark Souls is a complex but rewarding process. By understanding the different upgrade paths, the roles of blacksmiths and embers, and the required materials, you can create powerful weapons that will help you conquer even the toughest challenges. Remember to explore, experiment, and find the weapons and upgrade paths that best suit your playstyle. And don’t forget the Very Large Ember!
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