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.

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Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3

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