Stuck at +10? Unlocking the Secrets to Weapon Upgrades in Dark Souls
So, you’ve poured countless souls and titanite into your trusty weapon, hacking and slashing your way through Lordran. You’ve reached the coveted +10, but now you’re hitting a wall. The blacksmith, Andre, just stares blankly, offering no further upgrades. What gives? You can’t upgrade past +10 in Dark Souls without first taking the necessary steps to unlock further upgrades. This involves acquiring specific embers and understanding the upgrade system’s nuances. Let’s delve into the details, shall we?
The Ember System: Your Key to Weapon Ascension
The core reason you’re stuck at +10 is that you haven’t given Andre the Very Large Ember. Think of embers as keys that unlock further upgrade potential. Andre, the blacksmith in the Undead Parish, is the only blacksmith capable of upgrading standard weapons to +15, but he needs the right tools for the job.
Finding the Very Large Ember
The Very Large Ember is located in the New Londo Ruins. However, accessing it requires draining the water first. This involves a bit of a quest:
- Obtain the Lordvessel: You’ll need to progress through the main story until you defeat Ornstein and Smough in Anor Londo and receive the Lordvessel from Gwynevere.
- Meet Ingward: Head to the New Londo Ruins and speak with Ingward, who sits on a rooftop near the entrance. He’ll give you the Key to the Seal.
- Drain the Water: Use the Key to the Seal to drain the water from the New Londo Ruins. This will expose more of the area, including the path to the ember.
- Navigate the Ruins: Be prepared for tough enemies, including ghosts that can only be damaged with transient curses or cursed weapons. The Very Large Ember is located in a chest at the bottom of the ruins, guarded by Darkwraiths.
- Return to Andre: Once you have the Very Large Ember, return to Andre in the Undead Parish and give it to him. He will then be able to modify +10 weapons to +11, allowing you to upgrade further using Titanite Chunks and, ultimately, a Titanite Slab to reach +15.
Reinforce vs. Modify: Understanding the Difference
It’s crucial to understand the difference between Reinforcing and Modifying weapons. Reinforcing is the process of adding titanite shards, large titanite shards, chunks, or slabs to increase the weapon’s level (+1 to +5, +6 to +10, etc.). This can be done at a bonfire or with a blacksmith.
Modifying, however, is a specific action that can only be performed by a blacksmith. It’s used to change the upgrade path of a weapon. For example, turning a +5 weapon into a +6 weapon, a Raw +5 weapon, or ascending a +5 or +10 weapon into a special weapon like Divine, Magic, or Fire.
Embers and Blacksmiths: A Symbiotic Relationship
Each ember allows specific blacksmiths to perform certain upgrade paths. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Andre (Undead Parish): Standard upgrades to +15 (with Large and Very Large Embers), Raw upgrades.
- Vamos (Catacombs): Fire and Chaos upgrades.
- Giant Blacksmith (Anor Londo): Lightning upgrades, creation of weapons from boss souls.
- Rickert of Vinheim (New Londo Ruins): Magic and Enchanted upgrades.
Beyond Standard Upgrades: Special Weapons and Boss Souls
While standard upgrades are essential, Dark Souls offers a plethora of special weapons created through unique upgrade paths. These often involve using boss souls at the Giant Blacksmith in Anor Londo. These special weapons typically require a +5 or +10 weapon of a specific type as a base.
For example, Quelaag’s Furysword requires a +10 curved sword and Quelaag’s soul. Greatsword of Artorias requires a +10 broken straight sword/straight sword hilt. Researching the requirements for each special weapon is key to obtaining the weapon you desire.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about weapon upgrades in Dark Souls, designed to further clarify the process and address common stumbling blocks:
1. Where do I find the Large Ember?
The Large Ember is located in the Depths, inside a chest near the first Butcher enemy. You’ll need to defeat the Capra Demon to access the Depths.
2. Andre isn’t asking for the Very Large Ember, what do I do?
Make sure you have already given Andre the Large Ember. He won’t ask for the Very Large Ember until he has the Large Ember. Also, ensure that your weapon is actually at +10. If it’s at +5, you need to give him the large ember and modify it to +6 first.
3. What are Titanite Chunks used for?
Titanite Chunks are primarily used to upgrade weapons from +11 to +14. They are rarer than Titanite Shards and Large Titanite Shards but more common than Titanite Slabs.
4. Where can I farm Titanite Chunks?
Good places to farm Titanite Chunks include the Darkwraiths in the New Londo Ruins (after draining the water), the Royal Sentinels in Anor Londo, and the Pisaca in the Duke’s Archives (although this method is considered by many to be the least efficient).
5. What is a Titanite Slab used for?
A Titanite Slab is used to upgrade a weapon to its maximum level (+5, +10, +15, etc., depending on the upgrade path). They are extremely rare.
6. Where can I find Titanite Slabs?
Titanite Slabs can be found in various locations, including:
- A guaranteed drop from the Stray Demon in the Undead Asylum (return trip).
- In the Great Hollow.
- One is dropped by Darkwraiths at a very low rate.
- From trading with Snuggly the Crow (requires specific items).
- In the DLC area.
7. Can I upgrade boss weapons?
No, you can’t directly upgrade boss weapons with regular titanite. Boss weapons are created from specific weapons and boss souls at the Giant Blacksmith. You upgrade these unique weapons using Demon Titanite.
8. What’s the best weapon upgrade path for a Faith build?
For a Faith build, consider the Divine or Occult upgrade paths. Divine weapons deal extra damage to undead enemies, while Occult weapons scale better with Faith.
9. What’s the best weapon upgrade path for an Intelligence build?
For an Intelligence build, the Magic or Enchanted upgrade paths are ideal. Magic weapons add magic damage and scale with Intelligence, while Enchanted weapons scale even more strongly with Intelligence.
10. How do I get a weapon to +5 quickly?
Farm Titanite Shards in the Undead Parish or Undead Burg. Early enemies drop them relatively frequently.
11. Can I revert a weapon to its previous upgrade level?
No, you cannot revert a weapon to its previous upgrade level. Once you upgrade, it’s a one-way street.
12. Does weapon upgrade level affect matchmaking?
Yes, weapon upgrade level can affect matchmaking. It’s best to be mindful of your weapon level when participating in online play. The game considers your highest ever upgraded weapon, even if it is not currently in your inventory.
13. How important is weapon scaling?
Weapon scaling is extremely important, especially in the late game. Scaling determines how much bonus damage your weapon receives based on your stats (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith). Look for weapons with good scaling in your primary stats.
14. Where can I find a reliable Dark Souls community for more information?
Forums, wikis, and dedicated online communities are great resources. A wealth of knowledge and community support can be found at places like Reddit’s r/DarkSouls. You can also explore academic research on gaming and learning. The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) is a great place to start to understand the impact gaming has on learning.
15. Is it worth upgrading multiple weapons?
Absolutely! Experimenting with different weapons and upgrade paths is part of the Dark Souls experience. Having multiple upgraded weapons can give you more options for different situations and enemy types.
Conclusion
Upgrading weapons in Dark Souls is a vital part of progression, allowing you to tackle increasingly challenging enemies and bosses. By understanding the ember system, the difference between reinforcing and modifying, and the intricacies of special weapon creation, you can maximize your character’s potential and conquer Lordran. Now go forth, collect those embers, and forge your legendary weapon!