Welcome to the ultimate “Dark Souls: Weapon Upgrade Guide”, your essential companion to mastering the treacherous world of Lordran! Ready to transform your rusty blade into a legendary weapon? This guide has you covered. Unearth hidden “Materials” scattered across deadly landscapes, learn the ins and outs of “Weapon Upgrades” to amplify your strength, navigate complex “Upgrade Paths” that suit your play style, uncover “Special Upgrades” for unique weaponry, and get tips on “Keeping Weapons Durable” to ensure your survival. Dive in and forge the arsenal that will make you a hero—or a legend!

Finding Materials#

Upgrading your weapons and armor is crucial in Dark Souls. You’ll need various materials scattered throughout the game to do it. Here’s where to find these precious items:

Titanite Shards#

Titanite Shards are the first upgrade materials you’ll come across. You can use these to improve basic weapons and armor.

• Purchasing: The Undead Merchant in the Undead Burg sells these for 800 souls each.
• Enemies: They’re often dropped by Hollow Warriors and Soldiers in the Undead Burg and Parish.
• Treasure: Shards can be found in chests and as ground loot in the same areas.

Large Titanite Shards#

When your equipment reaches +5, you’ll need Large Titanite Shards to keep upgrading.

• Purchasing: You can buy them from the Crestfallen Merchant in Sen’s Fortress for 4,000 souls.
• Enemies: Slimes in The Depths drop these fairly often. Leeches in Blighttown also have a decent drop rate.
• Treasure: Explore the Depths and Blighttown; you can find shards lying around or in chests.

Green Titanite Shards#

Green Titanite Shards are used mainly for upgrading magical weapons like divine or fire.

• Enemies: Farm the Slimes in The Depths or the Leeches in Blighttown.
• Treasure: These shards are not as common, but you can find them in specific locations in The Depths and Blighttown.

Titanite Chunks#

For higher-level upgrades, you’ll need Titanite Chunks.

• Enemies: Darkwraiths in the New Londo Ruins drop these regularly.
• Treasure: Several Chunks can be looted throughout Anor Londo and New Londo Ruins.

Blue Titanite Chunks#

Used for upgrading magic-infused weapons, Blue Titanite Chunks are a bit rarer.

• Enemies: Crystal Golems in the Crystal Cave and the Duke’s Archives drop these.
• Treasure: The Crystal Cave is the best place to find them as ground loot.

Red Titanite Chunks#

Used for fire-infused weapon upgrades, Red Titanite Chunks are even more scarce.

• Enemies: Found on Chaos Bugs in the Demon Ruins and the Firesage Demon boss battle area.
• Treasure: Carefully scour the Demon Ruins and Lost Izalith for these chunks.

White Titanite Chunks#

For divine and occult upgrades, look out for White Titanite Chunks.

• Enemies: Pinwheel Servants in the Tomb of the Giants drop these chunks.
• Treasure: They can also be found lying around the Tomb of the Giants.

Titanite Slabs#

The rarest and most precious material, Titanite Slabs, are reserved for the final upgrades.

• Enemies: Darkwraiths have a very low drop rate for slabs in the New Londo Ruins.
• Quests: Complete the Siegmeyer of Catarina side quest for a guaranteed slab.
• Treasure: One slab is available as a drop from the Stray Demon in the Undead Asylum.

Finding and farming these materials can feel like a grind, but it’s worth it to have powerful upgraded gear. Explore each area thoroughly, and don’t forget to revisit merchants and farmable locations periodically. Happy hunting, undead warrior!

Weapon Upgrades#

In Dark Souls, weapon upgrades are crucial to surviving Lordran’s many challenges. Upgrading your weapons not only increases their damage but can also add unique abilities and effects. Here’s a breakdown of how weapon upgrades work and what you need to know to make your weapons powerful tools in your adventure.

Basic Weapon Upgrades#

Upgrading weapons starts off simple. You’ll need to find a blacksmith and have a few basic materials:

• Titanite Shard: For upgrades from +1 to +5.
• Large Titanite Shard: For upgrades from +6 to +10.
• Titanite Chunk: For upgrades from +11 to +14.
• Titanite Slab: To reach the final +15.

Here’s a quick look at who can help you upgrade your weapons:

• Andre of Astora in Undead Parish helps with basic and standard upgrades.
• Rickert of Vinheim in New Londo Ruins focuses on magic modifications.
• Giant Blacksmith in Anor Londo provides specialized and unique upgrades.

Upgrading along standard paths makes your weapons stronger without changing their basic properties or scaling.

Elemental Upgrades#

Elemental upgrades can give your weapons new powers, with each path offering unique benefits:

• Fire Upgrades: Adds fire damage. Found in the Chaos Flame Ember and Large Flame Ember locations after defeating certain enemies.
• Lightning Upgrades: Adds lightning damage. You’ll need the Giant Blacksmith for these powerful changes.
• Magic Upgrades: Adds magic damage and increases intelligence scaling. Take the Enchanted and Large Magic Ember to Rickert.
• Divine Upgrades: Adds divine damage, excellent against undead enemies. Andre can assist with these, especially around the Catacombs.
• Raw Upgrades: Increases base damage but lowers scaling.

To get these upgrades, you’ll need special embers and materials such as Green Titanite Shards, Red Titanite Chunks, Blue Titanite, and White Titanite.

Unique Weapons#

Some weapons in Dark Souls can’t be upgraded using standard materials. Instead, they need rare or unique items. Examples include:

• Boss Soul Weapons: Use boss souls and special embers to craft unique weapons like the Quelaag’s Furysword or the Moonlight Butterfly Horn.
• Twinkling Titanite and Demon Titanite: Upgrade special weapons and armor found throughout the game. These upgrades often go only up to +5.

Where to Find Embers#

Finding embers is crucial for advanced upgrades. Here are some places to look:

• Large Ember: Found in the Depths, crucial for +10 upgrades.
• Very Large Ember: In New Londo Ruins, unlocks +15 upgrades.
• Chaos Flame Ember: Search the Demon Ruins near the door guarded by minor demons.
• Large Magic Ember: Located in the Duke’s Archives, essential for enchanted modifications.

Tips for Success#

• Stock Up on Shards and Chunks: Farming areas like Anor Londo and the Royal Wood can yield much-needed titanite.
• Experiment with Elements: Certain enemies are especially weak to specific elements. Consider versatile gear setups.
• Upgrade Early and Often: Don’t wait too long to start upgrading, as weaker weapons will make boss fights harder.

Weapon upgrades play a huge part in your Dark Souls journey. With the right materials and embers, you can turn even the simplest weapons into formidable armaments. Understanding the different paths and making the most of your equipment will make your trek through Lordran just a bit easier. Keep your blade sharp and your axe ready, and you’ll be prepared for anything.

Upgrade Paths#

Upgrading weapons in Dark Souls can be a real game-changer. Not only does it make your weapons stronger and deadlier, but it can also add special attributes that can help you take down even the toughest enemies. Let’s break down the different upgrade paths you can take to amp up your gear.

Standard Upgrade Path#

This is the most straightforward path to improve a weapon’s base stats. Head to any blacksmith and use Titanite Shards to upgrade your weapon. Here’s how it goes:

1. +1 to +5 Upgrades: Use Titanite Shards. Each upgrade requires a certain number of shards, usually starting from 1 and increasing.
2. +6 to +10 Upgrades: Use Large Titanite Shards. Before you start, make sure your weapon is at +5 and you get the Large Ember to unlock these upgrades.
3. +11 to +15 Upgrades: Use Titanite Chunks and a Titanite Slab. You need the Very Large Ember for these final upgrades.

Raw Upgrade Path#

For a quick power boost early on, you might consider the Raw upgrade path. This path increases a weapon’s base attack power but reduces its scaling effects (the bonuses you get from your stats).

• Requirements: Your weapon must be at +5 Standard. After that, you’ll need to find the Large Ember for Raw upgrades.
• Outcome: Your weapon goes up to Raw +5, making it more powerful without relying much on your stats.

Divine Upgrade Path#

The Divine path is perfect for fighting skeletons and other undead enemies, preventing them from reanimating. This path infuses your weapon with the power of the gods, adding magic damage and scaling with Faith.

• Requirements: Your weapon must be at +5 Standard. Then, use Green Titanite Shards and later White Titanite Chunks.
• Outcome: Go up to Divine +10, with both physical and magic damage increasing along with scaling based on your Faith stat.

Occult Upgrade Path#

Occult weapons are the big brother to Divine weapons, dealing extra damage to divine beings and scaling even better with Faith. However, you can only access this path after getting a specialized ember.

• Requirements: Upgrade your weapon to Divine +5 first. Then, use White Titanite Slabs.
• Outcome: Upgrade your weapon to Occult +5, boosting its magic damage and Faith scaling.

Magic Upgrade Path#

If you’re focusing on Intelligence, the Magic upgrade path should be your go-to. It infuses your weapon with magic damage and scales with your Intelligence stat.

• Requirements: You need your weapon at +5 Standard, then use Green Titanite Shards, Blue Titanite Chunks, and Blue Titanite Slabs.
• Outcome: Your weapon can reach Magic +10, giving you a powerful mix of physical and magic damage.

Enchanted Upgrade Path#

Similar to the Magic path but with a stronger emphasis on Intelligence scaling and less on base magic damage, the Enchanted path rewards high Intelligence builds.

• Requirements: After getting your weapon to Magic +5, you’ll need Blue Titanite Slabs.
• Outcome: Take your weapon to Enchanted +5, enhancing its Intelligence scaling further.

Fire Upgrade Path#

Fire weapons ignore enemy defenses, making them highly effective against highly armored foes. They don’t scale with any stats, so they’re a reliable choice for almost any build.

• Requirements: Your weapon must be at +5 Standard, then use Green Titanite Shards, Red Titanite Chunks, and a Red Titanite Slab.
• Outcome: Bring it up to Fire +10 for maximum burn.

Chaos Upgrade Path#

Chaos upgrades add fire damage that scales with your Humanity. The higher your Humanity count (up to 10), the more damage you’ll dish out.

• Requirements: Upgrade your weapon to Fire +5 first, then use Red Titanite Slabs.
• Outcome: Upgrade to Chaos +5, maximizing damage when humanity is high.

Lightning Upgrade Path#

The Lightning path is all about adding electrical damage, which is highly effective against many enemies. Like fire, it doesn’t scale with your stats, so it’s useful no matter how you’ve built your character.

• Requirements: Standard +5 again turns into Lightning with the Large Ember, and you’ll need Titanite Chunks and a Titanite Slab.
• Outcome: Get up to Lightning +10 for electrified attacks.

These pathways help you customize your playstyle and deal with the hostile world of Dark Souls. Choose the upgrade path that best fits your build, and you’ll turn into a formidable force in no time. Good luck, and may the flames guide thee!

Special Upgrades#

When playing Dark Souls, upgrading your weapons is crucial to tackling tougher enemies and bosses. While standard upgrades are straightforward, special upgrades add some interesting twists to your gear. Let’s dive into the key special upgrades you can aim for.

Elemental Upgrades#

Elemental imbuements turn your weapons into tools of special destruction. Here’s a breakdown:

Fire Weapons#

• These weapons deal extra fire damage, great against foes weak to flames.
• To upgrade a weapon to Fire, you’ll need to find the Fire Ember and Blacksmith Vamos in the Catacombs.
• Fire +10 is the cap for Fire weapons.

Lightning Weapons#

• Great for enemies vulnerable to lightning. It’s effective and flashy!
• The Giant Blacksmith in Anor Londo handles Lightning upgrades.
• Like Fire, Lightning caps at +10.

Magic and Enchanted Upgrades#

Perfect for mage builds, these upgrades pack magic damage into your hits.

Magic Weapons#

• Boosts Intelligence scaling, making it a wizard’s BFF.
• Needs the Large Magic Ember from Duke’s Archives, then Blacksmith Rickert in New Londo Ruins can help you out.
• Magic weapons go up to +10.

Enchanted Weapons#

• Another Int-based upgrade but provides better scaling than Magic.
• Requires the Enchanted Ember, also found in Duke’s Archives.
• Rickert upgrades Enchanted weapons to a max of +5.

Divine and Occult Upgrades#

Perfect for clerics and tackling specific enemy types.

Divine Weapons#

• Causes extra damage to skeletons (essential in Catacombs).
• Uses the Divine Ember from the Darkroot Garden.
• Upgrade at Andre of Astora and goes to +10.

Occult Weapons#

• Deals extra damage to gods and their kin.
• Requires the Dark Ember, hidden in the Painted World of Ariamis.
• Also handled by Andre and maxes out at +5.

Chaos Weapons#

Chaos weapons scale with humanity, offering major damage boosts if you bank it.

• Found via the Chaos Ember in the Demon Ruins.
• Blacksmith Vamos handles Chaos upgrades.
• They go up to +5 only, but scale with your humanity level (up to 10).

Boss Soul Weapons#

Ever wondered what to do with those boss souls you collect? Transform them into unique weapons!

Upgrade Basics#

• Take a +10 regular weapon to the Giant Blacksmith in Anor Londo.
• Each boss soul can create specific weapons. Example: Quelaag’s Furysword needs a Curved Sword +10 and the Soul of Quelaag.

Notable Boss Weapons#

• Quelaag’s Furysword: Fast, fiery, and scales with humanity.
• Moonlight Butterfly Horn: Great for pure magic damage, made from any +10 spear.
• Greatshield of Artorias: Insane damage stability, needs a +10 shield and the soul of Sif.

Where to Find These Blacksmiths#

• Andre of Astora: Found in the Undead Parish near Sen’s Fortress.
• Rickert of Vinheim: Lurking in the New Londo Ruins, near the entrance.
• Giant Blacksmith: Hidden in Anor Londo, near the Ornstein & Smough boss room.
• Blacksmith Vamos: Down in the Catacombs; you’ll need a little patience and some brave spelunking.

Tips for Special Upgrades#

• Plan Ahead: Know your build and choose special upgrades that complement your stats and playstyle.
• Resources: Farm materials like Green Titanite, Red Titanite, and other specific embers to avoid backtracking.
• Explore Thoroughly: Many embers are hidden in hard-to-reach places. Take your time!

By using special upgrades wisely, you’ll transform your weapons into fearsome tools of destruction and stand a better chance against Lordran’s toughest challenges.

Keeping Weapons Durable#

In Dark Souls, keeping your weapons in top condition is just as important as upgrading them. Weapons wear down with every attack, block, or parry, and a broken weapon can leave you vulnerable. Here’s how to keep your armaments sturdy and ready for battle.

Understand Durability#

Every weapon in Dark Souls comes with a durability rating. You can see this when you check your inventory. The durability drops every time you use the weapon. Once it reaches zero, the weapon is broken and its effectiveness plummets. Thankfully, the game provides various ways to maintain weapon durability.

Basic Weapon Maintenance#

1. Regular Repairs:

   • Repair your weapons at any bonfire. Access the bonfire menu and select “Repair Equipment”. It costs souls, but it’s the simplest way to keep your gear in good condition.
   • Alternatively, visit Blacksmith Andre of Astora early in the game. He’s located in the Undead Parish and can repair your equipment for a small fee.

2. Repair Powder:

   • Carrying Repair Powder in your inventory is smart. Use it mid-exploration to restore the durability of your weapon without returning to a bonfire.
   • You can buy Repair Powder from merchants like the Undead Merchant (male) in the Undead Burg or the Giant Blacksmith in Anor Londo.

Equip the Right Rings#

Wearing the Ring of Steel Protection may indirectly help your weapon’s durability. This ring reduces physical damage taken, meaning you may block less and thus use your weapon less for defending.

Switch to Backup Weapons#

Always carry a backup weapon. When your main weapon’s durability is low, switch to your secondary weapon. This prevents your main weapon from breaking in critical moments. Dual-wielding different weapon types can also keep the damage output steady while managing durability.

Use the “Repair” Sorcery#

If you’ve chosen the sorcerer class, consider using the Repair sorcery. This spell quickly restores the durability of your right-hand weapon and shield. You can buy this spell from Dusk of Oolacile after rescuing her from the Golden Crystal Golem. Just be mindful of your spell uses.

Rest at Bonfires#

Resting at a bonfire doesn’t just replenish your health and Estus Flasks; it also slightly restores the durability of your equipped weapons. If your weapons aren’t in dire need of repair, a quick rest can tide you over until you get back to a blacksmith or bonfire with repair options.

Avoid Environment Damages#

Certain areas and enemies can degrade your equipment faster. For instance, acidic attacks from certain enemies (like Slimes in The Depths) or walking through corrosive pools. Keeping a distance or using ranged attacks in such instances can save you some repair costs.

Plan Your Routes#

Planning your routes through areas can minimize combat and the length of time you expose your weapons to wear. Knowing shortcuts or safer paths can also help preserve your weapons. Returning to a bonfire to repair in safe zones can prevent unnecessary wear during extended exploration.

Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of repair powder. Keeping your weapons durable in Dark Souls can save you from those frantic, last-second attempts to find a safe haven for repairs. While it might cost a few souls to keep your gear in top shape, it’s worth it to avoid the frustration of a broken weapon in the heat of battle. Happy hunting, and may your weapons always strike true!