Upgrades
In dark Souls Weapons are improved trough two forms
-Ascensions - Performed only at specific blacksmiths, dependent on ascension in question.
-Reinforcements - Can be done at bonfire (with the toolbox) or any blacksmith.
Ascension Vs Reinforcements
Reinforcement can be done by any Blacksmith, or even at a Bonfire if you have the required toolbox. Ascension can ONLY be performed by Blacksmiths. Each Blacksmith has his own unique Ascensions and powerful Ascensions require specific Embers to be unlocked. An Ascension is the act of upgrading a weapon from +5 or +10 to the next level. For Example Changing a weapon from Standard Reinforcement +5 to Magic is an Ascension while changing a Magic to Magic +1 is a Reinforcement. From Magic +5 to Magic +6 or Enchanted is an Ascension and even Standard Reinforcement +5 to Standard Reinforcement +6 are Ascensions as well. Each weapon can be Ascended a maximum of 2 times.Upgrade Levels
Regular weapons can have a maximum of 15 upgrades, each upgrade can be considered a level giving weapons a total of 15 upgrade levels. Every 5 upgrades a weapon is Ascended. A Flame+0 weapon is at upgrade level 5, while a Chaos+0 is at upgrade level 10 (base 5 plus 5 from Flame). Unique and Dragon weapons cannot Ascend and can only be Reinforced 5 times. Don't consider theses weapons overpowered or much stronger than base weapons since base weapons can be upgraded 3 times more and sometimes compensating for their lower base values. Drake sword is a perfect example of a Dragon weapon easily outperformed by many well upgraded regular weapons.About Tiers
The Tables bellow divide upgrade paths by separating them by Ascensions in Tiers.Tier 1 - Covers upgrade levels 1~5. These are base reinforcements from weapons that haven't Ascended yet and Unique or Dragon upgrades . Unique and Dragon weapons cannot Ascend and are capped at +5.
Tier 2 - Covers upgrade levels 5~10. The first upgrade performed on this table is an Ascension while the rest are Reinforcements. Remember that a Magic/Raw/Divine/Flame +0 weapon is at upgrade level 5 as it just Ascended, while a standard upgrade to +6 is an Ascension + Reinforcement all in one.
Tier 3 - Covers upgrade levels 10~15. Once again the first upgrade performed on this table is an Ascension while the rest are Reinforcements. A Flame/Magic/Divine +6 weapons is at upgrade level 11 (it counts as Ascension + Reinforcement) and Enchanted/Chaos/Lightning/Boss Soul +0 are at level 10.
Resume: Any time your weapon changes its Tier table you must go to the appropriate blacksmith to perform the Ascension. Upgrades within a table can be done anywhere. When a weapon changes its name a Special Ascension is required. In a Special Ascension a Weapon retains its Upgrade Level, just Ascends and changes its status. Don't be Surprised if there isn't a significant change in weapon damage.
Tier 1
Upgrade name |
Requirements for Ascension |
Ascension Cost |
+1 |
+2 |
+3 |
+4 |
+5 |
Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard (+0 to +5) |
None |
None |
1 Titanite Shard |
1 Titanite Shard |
2 Titanite Shard |
2 Titanite Shard |
3 Titanite Shard |
9 Titanite Shard |
Dragon |
None |
None |
1 Dragon Scale |
? Dragon Scale |
? Dragon Scale |
? Dragon Scale |
? Dragon Scale |
? Dragon Scale |
Unique |
None |
None |
1 Twinkling Titanite |
? Twinkling Titanite |
? Twinkling Titanite |
? Twinkling Titanite |
? Twinkling Titanite |
? Twinkling Titanite |
Tier 2
Upgrade name |
Requirements for Ascension |
Ascension Cost |
+1/+6 |
+2/+7 |
+3/+8 |
+4/+9 |
+5/+10 |
Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard (+6 to +10) |
Weapon Reinforced at +5, Ascension at Andrei, Large Ember required |
No Special Ascension |
1 Large Titanite Shard |
1 Large Titanite Shard |
2 Large Titanite Shard |
2 Large Titanite Shard |
3 Large Titanite Shard |
9 Large Titanite Shard |
Raw |
Weapon Reinforced at +5, Ascension at Andrei |
1 Large Titanite Shard |
1 Large Titanite Shard |
? Large Titanite Shard |
? Large Titanite Shard |
? Large Titanite Shard |
? Large Titanite Shard |
? Large Titanite Shard |
Magic (+0 to +5) |
Weapon Reinforced at +5, Ascension at Rickert of Vinheim |
1 Green Titanite Shard |
1 Green Titanite Shard |
? Green Titanite Shard |
? Green Titanite Shard |
? Green Titanite Shard |
? Green Titanite Shard |
? Green Titanite Shard |
Flame (+0 to +5) |
Weapon Reinforced at +5, Ascention at Vamos |
1 Green Titanite Shard |
1 Green Titanite Shard |
? Green Titanite Shard |
? Green Titanite Shard |
? Green Titanite Shard |
? Green Titanite Shard |
? Green Titanite Shard |
Divine (+0 to +5) |
Weapon Reinforced at +5, Ascention at Andrei, Divine Ember required |
1 Green Titanite Shard |
1 Green Titanite Shard |
? Green Titanite Shard |
? Green Titanite Shard |
? Green Titanite Shard |
? Green Titanite Shard |
? Green Titanite Shard |
Tier 3
Upgrade Name |
Requirements for Ascension |
Ascension Cost |
+1/+6/+11 |
+2/+7/+12 |
+3/+8/+13 |
+4/+9/+14 |
+5/+10/+15 |
Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard (+11 to +15) |
Weapon Reinforced at +10, Ascension at Andrei, Very Large Ember required |
No Special Ascension |
1 Titanite Chunk |
? Titanite Chunk |
? Titanite Chunk |
? Titanite Chunk |
1 Titanite Slab |
? Titanite Chunk 1 Titanite Slab |
Magic (+6 to +10) |
Magic Weapon at +5, Ascension at Rickert of Vinheim, Large Magic Ember required |
No Special Ascension |
1 Blue Titanite Chunk |
? Blue Titanite Chunk |
? Blue Titanite Chunk |
? Blued Titanite Chunk |
1 Blue Titanite Slab |
? Blue Titanite Chunk 1 Blue Titanite Slab |
Enchanted |
Magic Weapon at +5, Ascension at Rickert of Vinheim, Enchanted Ember required |
1 Blue Titanite Chunk |
1 Blue Titanite Chunk |
1 Blue Titanite Chunk |
2 Blue Titanite Chunk |
3 Blue Titanite Chunk |
1 Blue Titanite Slab |
8 Blue Titanite Chunk 1 Blue Titanite Slab |
Flame (+6 to +10) |
Flame Weapon at +5, Ascension at Vamos, Large Fire Ember required |
No Special Ascension |
1 Red Titanite Chunk |
? Red Titanite Chunk |
? Red Titanite Chunk |
? Red Titanite Chunk |
1 Red Titanite Slab |
? Red Titanite Chunk 1 Red Titanite Slab |
Chaos |
Flame Weapon at +5, Ascension at Vamos, Chaos Flame Ember Required |
1 Red Titanite Chunk |
1 Red Titanite Chunk |
1 Red Titanite Chunk |
2 Red Titanite Chunk |
3 Red Titanite Chunk |
1 Red Titanite Slab |
8 Red Titanite Chunk 1 Red Titanite Slab |
Divine (+6 to +10) |
Divine Weapon at +5, Ascension at Andrei, Large Divine Ember required |
No Special Ascension |
1 White Titanite Chunk |
? White Titanite Chunk |
? White Titanite Chunk |
? White Titanite Chunk |
1 White Titanite Slab |
? White Titanite Chunk 1 White Titanite Slab |
Occult |
Divine Weapon at +5, Ascension at Andrei, Dark Ember required |
1 White Titanite Chunk |
1 White Titanite Chunk |
1 White Titanite Chunk |
2 White Titanite Chunk |
3 White Titanite Chunk |
1 White Titanite Slab |
8 White Titanite Chunk 1 White Titanite Slab |
Crystal |
Weapon Reinforced at +10, Ascension at Giant Blacksmith, Crystal Ember required |
1 Titanite Chunk |
1 Titanite Chunk |
1 Titanite Chunk |
2 Titanite Chunk |
3 Titanite Chunk |
1 Titanite Slab |
8 Titanite Chunk 1 Titanite Slab |
Lightning |
Weapon Reinforced at +10, Ascension at Giant Blacksmith |
1 Titanite Chunk |
1 Titanite Chunk |
1 Titanite Chunk |
2 Titanite Chunk |
3 Titanite Chunk |
1 Titanite Slab |
8 Titanite Chunk 1 Titanite Slab |
Boss Soul |
Specific Weapon type dependent of Boss Soul at +10, Ascension at Giant Blacksmith |
1 Boss Soul |
1 Demon Titanite |
? Demon Titanite |
? Demon Titanite |
? Demon Titanite |
? Demon Titanite |
1 Boss Soul ? Demon Titanite |
Load more