Dark Souls 2: Weapon Upgrade Guide

Welcome to our comprehensive Dark Souls 2: Weapon Upgrade Guide! Ready to dominate in Drangleic? Mastering weapon upgrades is crucial to your survival and success in this unforgiving world. Dive into our guide where we'll unravel the secrets of Finding Materials, explore the mechanics of Weapon Upgrades, break down different Upgrade Paths, and highlight the importance of Special Upgrades. Plus, learn essential tips on Keeping Weapons Durable to ensure your trusty gear never fails you in the heat of battle. Get ready to forge your path to victory with our expert tips and tricks. Let's get started!

Dark Souls 2: Weapon Upgrade Guide

Finding Materials

Finding materials in Dark Souls 2 is crucial for upgrading your weapons and armor. This guide will help you hunt down the essential items to get your gear in top shape.

Titanite Shards

Titanite Shards are your basic upgrade material. You'll need these to get your weapons to +3. Here’s where you can find them:

• Enemies: Early in the game, basic enemies like Hollow Infantry and Undead Citizens drop them. Farm them in the Forest of Fallen Giants.
• Merchants: Blacksmith Lenigrast in Majula sells Titanite Shards. He starts with ten, and once his stock is exhausted, rest at the bonfire to see if it resets. You can buy an unlimited amount from Stone Trader Chloanne after defeating the Old Iron King.

Large Titanite Shards

When your weapon reaches +3, you'll need Large Titanite Shards to upgrade it to +6. Here’s where you can find them:

• Enemies: As you progress, enemies like Basilisks in The Gutter and Royal Soldiers in Drangleic Castle can drop these shards.
• Merchants: McDuff the Blacksmith in the Lost Bastille sells them after you light the torch in his workshop.

Titanite Chunks

To push your weapons from +6 to +9, collect Titanite Chunks. Here’s where you get them:

• Enemies: Keep an eye out for Crystal Lizards. They often drop Titanite Chunks when defeated. Locations include Huntsman’s Copse and Shrine of Amana.
• Merchants: Stone Trader Chloanne restocks these after you progress through certain game points, like after defeating the Old Iron King.

Titanite Slabs

For the final upgrade to +10, you’ll need Titanite Slabs. They’re rare but not impossible to find:

• Chests: Chests hidden throughout the world contain Titanite Slabs. For example, you’ll find one in the locked room in the Undead Crypt.
• Quests: Finishing NPC quests often rewards you with Titanite Slabs. For instance, completing the questline for the Magerold of Lanafir can net you a slab.
• Enemies: Some rare enemies drop slabs. For instance, the giant in the Black Gulch.

Twinkling Titanite

Special weapons require Twinkling Titanite. This rare material is found in specific ways:

• Enemies: Again, Crystal Lizards are your friends here. They drop Twinkling Titanite, and they hide out in Dragon Aerie and Drangleic Castle.
• Merchants: Weaponsmith Ornifex, near the Shaded Woods, sells it once you’ve freed her.

Petrified Dragon Bones

For the most powerful and unique weapons, you’ll need Petrified Dragon Bones:

• Enemies: Dragon-like enemies, especially in Dragon Shrine and Dragon Aerie, drop these bones.
• Monsters: Defeat bosses like the Ancient Dragon to collect a few.

Farm or Buy

While exploring the world, remember that some merchants restock their inventory. Farming enemies that drop the materials you need is also an effective strategy. Plus, using Bonfire Ascetics at nearby bonfires can reset enemy drops and item pickups, making it easier to stockpile these valuable resources.

Exploring

Just about everywhere you go in Dark Souls 2, materials hide. Breaking crates, exploring off the beaten path, and defeating every enemy can yield materials. Use this guide as a roadmap to power up quickly, and you’ll become an unstoppable force in Lordran!

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Finding materials isn't just about being strong. It's about being prepared. So gear up, get exploring, and let your weapon shine!

Weapon Upgrades

One of the most important systems in Dark Souls 2 is weapon upgrading. A strong weapon can make the difference between life and death. Here’s everything you need to know about upgrading your arsenal.

Basic Upgrade Path

To start, you’ll need an item called a Titanite Shard. These are pretty common and can be bought from blacksmiths or found by exploring. Take your weapon and Titanite Shard to a blacksmith like Blacksmith Lenigrast in Majula. Speak with him and choose the "Reinforce Weapon" option.

1. Titanite Shard: Upgrades weapons from +1 to +3.
2. Large Titanite Shard: Upgrades weapons from +4 to +6.
3. Titanite Chunk: Upgrades weapons from +7 to +9.
4. Titanite Slab: Reaches the final upgrade, +10.

Infusions

Infusion is different from basic reinforcement. It changes the properties of your weapon. For this, you’ll need special stones like the Faintstone or Boltstone. Head over to Steady Hand McDuff in The Lost Bastille. He’s the infusion expert.

Here's a quick look at a few infusions:

• Magic (Faintstone): Adds Magic damage, ideal for sorcerers.
• Lightning (Boltstone): Adds Lightning damage, effective against armored enemies.
• Fire (Firestone): Adds Fire damage, great against ice foes.

Each infusion has its benefits and downsides. For example, while infusing a weapon with fire may give you an edge over ice enemies, it might not be as effective against fire-resistant foes.

Elemental Scaling

When you infuse a weapon, it gains a scaling attribute that matches the infusion. For example:

• A Magic-infused weapon scales with your Intelligence stat.
• A Lightning-infused weapon scales with your Faith stat.

This means if you’re focusing on a Magic build, a Magic-infused weapon will benefit more from your high Intelligence.

Tips and Tricks

• Plan Ahead: Decide what kind of build you want. Are you focusing on Strength? Dexterity? Magic? Make sure your weapon upgrades align with your character’s stats.
• Farm Efficiently: Items like Titanite Shards can be farmed from enemies or found in specific locations. Keep an eye out and don't be shy to grind a bit if you need materials.
• Use Resurrection: Some rare infusion stones need to be farmed in NG+ or beyond. Don’t worry; it’s worth it for those killer stats.

Best Practices

Always test a weapon after infusing. Sometimes the boost isn’t as much as you might think because of how it scales with your character’s stats. On occasion, you might find that a standard +10 weapon deals more damage than an infused +10 weapon due to your particular build.

Lastly, keep multiple weapons handy. Some bosses and enemies are best tackled with specific elemental damage. Having a diverse arsenal will help make sure you're always ready for whatever challenge lies ahead.

Upgrade wisely, and watch as those tough bosses become a little easier to manage. Now go forth and make that killer weapon!

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That’s all for weapon upgrades. Keep exploring, keep testing, and may your weapons ever be sharp!

Dark Souls 2: Weapon Upgrade Guide

Upgrade Paths

Upgrading your weapons is a crucial part of surviving in Dark Souls 2. It might seem confusing at first, but once you understand the basics, you'll be upgrading like a pro. Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about upgrade paths.

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Regular Upgrade Path

The most straightforward path is the regular upgrade. You use Titanite shards, Large Titanite shards, Titanite chunks, and Titanite slabs to strengthen your weapon from +1 to +10.

• Titanite Shards (+1 to +3)
• Large Titanite Shards (+4 to +6)
• Titanite Chunks (+7 to +9)
• Titanite Slabs (+10)

You can find these materials by looting bodies, defeating enemies, or buying them from merchants. This path keeps your weapon scaling with your stats and doesn’t change the weapon's base attributes.

Infusion Paths

Infusions are unique because they change the properties of your weapon. To infuse a weapon, you’ll need to visit Steady Hand McDuff in the Lost Bastille. You also need a specific type of ember to unlock each infusion.

Here are the key infusion types and what they do:

• Raw: Increases base damage but removes scaling.
• Magic: Adds magic damage and scales with Intelligence.
• Fire: Adds fire damage, requires a Faintstone.
• Lightning: Adds lightning damage, scales with Faith.
• Dark: Adds dark damage and scales with both Intelligence and Faith.
• Poison: Increases poison build-up per hit.
• Bleed: Increases bleed build-up, causing enemies to take damage over time.

Boss Soul Weapons

Another cool upgrade path involves Boss Soul Weapons. These weapons are unique and powerful, crafted from the souls of the game's bosses.

To make these, you need to visit Straid of Olaphis or Weaponsmith Ornifex. Boss weapons start at a higher upgrade level and require Petrified Dragon Bones.

Twinkling Titanite and Petrified Dragon Bones

Some special weapons, like boss weapons or those found in certain areas, don't follow the normal upgrade path. Instead, they use Twinkling Titanite or Petrified Dragon Bones. These materials are rarer but achievable through farming or merchant purchases.

• Twinkling Titanite: Upgrade from +1 to +5.
• Petrified Dragon Bones: Upgrade boss weapons from +1 to +5.

Unique Upgrades

Last but not least, some items, like shields and rings, also have unique upgrade paths:

• Shields can be upgraded both offensive (increased damage) and defensively (increased guard stats), primarily using the same materials like Titanite shards, chunks, etc.
• Rings can also boost in performance using certain materials but be aware that not all rings are upgradeable.

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Tips for Upgrading

1. Prioritize Your Playstyle: Focus on upgrading weapons that fit your character build and playstyle.
2. Farm Efficiently: Know the locations to farm various Titanites to ensure you always have upgrade materials.
3. Consider the Boss Weapons: Some of these can dramatically change your experience, so use those Boss Souls wisely.
4. Balance Damage Types: Having weapons with different infusions can be helpful against various enemy weaknesses.

Remember, an upgraded weapon can be a game-changer in Dark Souls 2. So get out there, gather those materials, and start upgrading. Good luck, brave Undead!

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Special Upgrades

Welcome to the world of Dark Souls 2, where upgrading your gear is key to survival. While basic upgrades make your weapons stronger, special upgrades add unique traits that can change the way you play. Let’s dive into these game-changing enhancements.

Boss Soul Weapons

First up, we have Boss Soul Weapons. These are crafted using the souls of the bosses you defeat. Why just carry a regular sword when you can wield a weapon imbued with the essence of a fallen enemy? To craft these mighty tools, head to either Straid of Olaphis or Ornifex after you’ve collected enough boss souls.

Straid of Olaphis

You can find Straid of Olaphis at the top of the Lost Bastille. He’s petrified at first, so you’ll need a Fragrant Branch of Yore to free him. Once you do, he can help you create mighty weapons like the Dragonrider Bow or the Pursuer’s Ultra Greatsword.

Ornifex

Ornifex hangs out in the Shaded Ruins, locked behind a door. Use another Fragrant Branch of Yore to free her, and you’ll gain access to creations like the Curved Dragon Greatsword or the Spider’s Silk Rapier. Remember, each weapon you craft consumes a single unique soul, so choose wisely!

Elemental Infusions

Elemental infusions can give your weapons and shields additional properties, like fire or lightning damage. You’ll need an infusion stone and access to a blacksmith who specializes in these upgrades, such as McDuff the Blacksmith in the Lost Bastille. There are several types:

Fire

Adding fire to your weapon makes it deal extra fire damage. Great for enemies weak to fire, naturally. Use a Firedrake Stone to infuse your weapon.

Lightning

Adding lightning, on the other hand, is useful for bosses like the Dragon Slayer. Infuse with a Boltstone to zap your foes.

Magic

Perfect for making your weapon scale with your Intelligence stat. Infuse it with a Faintstone to enhance magic damage.

Other Infusions

• Raw - Increase overall damage but remove scaling.
• Enchanted - Raises Intelligence-based scaling, lower base damage.
• Mundane - Adjusts damage to scale with the smallest stat.

Occult and Divine

Occult and Divine infusions are also carried over from Dark Souls 1 concepts and are mainly used for PvE (Player vs. Environment). These infusions help in dealing extra damage to specific types of enemies like undead and humanoids. Use a Dark Stone or a Palestone to perform these infusions.

Reinforcement

Don’t forget about reinforcing your weapons! Reinforcement increases your weapon’s base damage and scaling. Combine this with elemental infusions and you'll have a weapon that’s unstoppable. Head to blacksmiths like the ever-reliable Blacksmith Lenigrast in Majula, and use materials such as titanite shards, large titanite, and titanite chunks for reinforcement.

Upgrading Armor

Let’s not forget your armor. While not as intricate as weapon upgrades, reinforcing armor provides better protection against all forms of damage. Use titanite to bolster your armor’s defenses, ensuring you can withstand the brutal attacks you’ll encounter.

Tip: It's a good idea to balance out your upgrades. A powerful weapon is great, but strong armor can be a lifesaver in a tight spot.

By understanding and utilizing special upgrades, you’re well on your way to mastering Dark Souls 2. Don’t just play the game--dominate it with carefully crafted and upgraded gear. Good luck, and may the flames guide thee!

Keeping Weapons Durable

One of the trickiest aspects of Dark Souls 2 is managing your weapons' durability. If your sword breaks mid-battle, it can spell doom. Here's a comprehensive guide on keeping those trusty weapons in tip-top shape.

Understanding Durability

Every weapon in Dark Souls 2 has a durability stat. It depletes every time you hit something, not just enemies but also walls and objects. Unlike Dark Souls 1, weapons here degrade faster, so you need to be more careful.

Bonfire Resets

The first tip is pretty straightforward. Every time you rest at a bonfire, your weapon's durability is restored. Use this to your advantage. If you notice your weapon’s durability is dropping, head back to the nearest bonfire, rest, and it will be good as new.

Strategic Weapon Switching

Switching between weapons can help spread out the wear and tear. If you have multiple weapons you like, swap them throughout your travels. This way, no single weapon’s durability takes the brunt of the damage. Remember that even when a weapon isn’t breaking, it’s always good to have a backup.

Repair Powder

Keep an eye out for Repair Powder. It's a consumable item that instantly restores the durability of your equipped weapon. You can find it in various locations, buy it from merchants, or get it as a drop from certain enemies. Stock up on Repair Powder and keep some handy for emergencies.

Reinforcement Benefits

Upgrading your weapon increases its durability too. When you reinforce a weapon, using Titanite, it not only boosts its attack power but also enhances its durability. You can upgrade your weapons at blacksmiths in Majula and other friendly NPCs scattered across Drangleic.

Weapon Infusion

Infusing your weapon could indirectly help with durability by increasing your weapon's effectiveness and allowing you to take down enemies faster, thereby reducing the hits you need. You can find infusion stones in the game’s world and use them at blacksmiths. Consider infusions that complement your playstyle to make the most of each strike.

Avoid Unnecessary Hits

It’s easy to get caught in the heat of the moment and start smashing everything around. However, hitting walls or objects can wear down your weapon’s durability unnecessarily. Practice precision and aim to hit just the enemies. Additionally, avoid prolonged clashes if your weapon is nearly breaking; instead, switch to a backup.

Armor and Shields

Sometimes it's better to let your armor and shields take the damage. Use your shield effectively to block attacks rather than always going on the offensive with your weapon. A good balance between offense and defense will help your weapon last longer in those tough fights.

NPC Blacksmith Repair

If your weapon does break, don't panic. Find a blacksmith who can repair it for a price. They can be located in several places, notably in Majula and Lost Bastille. Repairing broken weapons can be expensive, so it’s best to maintain them regularly.

Key Takeaways

• Rest at bonfires to reset weapon durability.
• Switch weapons to distribute the wear.
• Stock up on Repair Powder for quick fixes.
• Reinforce and upgrade your weapon for better durability.
• Avoid hitting walls and unnecessary objects.
• Use shields and armor to absorb damage instead.

By staying vigilant and proactive, you can ensure that your weapons stay reliable throughout your journey in Dark Souls 2. Keep these tips in mind, and they'll save you from a lot of frustration. Happy hunting!