What Does Reinforcing Weapons Do in Dark Souls 3?
In the vast and unforgiving world of Dark Souls 3, characters rely on their weapons to take down enemies and protect themselves. Among the numerous weapon upgrade paths available in the game, reinforcing weapons stands out as a crucial part of character progression. So, what does reinforcing weapons do in Dark Souls 3?
What Is Reinforcing Weapons?
Reinforcing weapons, also known as "Upgrading" or "Scaling," is a process in Dark Souls 3 where you improve the quality of your weapon, making it more formidable on the battlefield. Reinforcement does not modify a weapon’s type, weight, or move set but instead enhances its performance. When you reinforce a weapon, you’ll see its base damage increase, as well as potentially gaining bonuses to its physical, lightning, or dark damage scales.
How to Reinforce Weapons in Dark Souls 3
To reinforce weapons in Dark Souls 3, you’ll need to use Titanite Shards at the Smith in Firelink Shrine or the Blacksmith in each of the main areas of the game (High Wall of Lothric, Road of Sacrifices, and Farron Keep). The Smith or Blacksmith will require a set amount of Titanite Shards, which can be found by defeating certain bosses, breaking specific pots or barrels, or looting chests.
What Do Reinforced Weapons Offer?
By reinforcing weapons in Dark Souls 3, you’ll enjoy several benefits, including:
• Increased Damage: As previously mentioned, reinforced weapons do more damage, making it easier to take down tougher enemies and bosses.
• Improved Scaling: Your weapon’s physical, lightning, or dark damage scale will increase, making it more effective against certain enemy types.
• Increased Weight Reduction: Heavier weapons will be less penalized, making it more feasible to wield them in combat.
• Aesthetic Changes: Reinforcing weapons can alter their visual appearance, such as glowing runes or engravings, giving them a distinctive look.
When Should You Reinforce Weapons in Dark Souls 3?
You should reinforce your weapons in the following situations:
• At Every Opportunity: Take advantage of every chance to reinforce your weapons, especially early in the game, as the damage increase will be most noticeable.
• For Specific Situations: Prioritize reinforcing weapons with advantages against specific enemies, like those with fire resistance. For example, the Flame Champion’s Greataxe excels against enemies vulnerable to fire damage.
• Before Upgrading Quality: If you’re focusing on quality upgrades, like upgrading a weapon to the highest quality, reinforcing your weapon first will increase its performance and make it more valuable.
Reinforced Weapons: Worth the Effort?
While reinforcing weapons is crucial in Dark Souls 3, you may wonder if the time and resources spent on reinforcing weapons are worth the reward. The answer lies in the benefits and potential boosts you’ll gain. If you’re consistently finding difficulty with a specific boss or enemy, reinforcing your weapons to address their weaknesses will save you time and frustration. Additionally, a well-reinforced weapon will often perform better in subsequent boss battles, allowing you to adapt to changing enemy strengths.
Reinforced Weapons: Top 10 Choices
If you’re looking for the most beneficial weapons to reinforce in Dark Souls 3, here are the top 10 options:
| Rank | Weapon | Benefits | Suggestions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darkmoon Talons | Dark damage, scaling | Enemy-heavy builds |
| 2 | Broadsword | Physical damage, scaling | Melee-focused builds |
| 3 | Claymore | Physical damage, scaling | Heavy-hitting builds |
| 4 | Greatsword | Physical damage, scaling | Focused damage builds |
| 5 | Exile Greatsword | Dark damage, scaling | Enemy-heavy builds |
| 6 | Onikiri and Ubadachi | Lightning damage, scaling | Agile, high-damage builds |
| 7 | Ledo’s Great Hammer | Lightning damage, scaling | Tanky builds |
| 8 | Ringed Knight Paired Greatswords | Physical damage, scaling | Focused damage builds |
| 9 | Splitleaf Greatsword | Lightning damage, scaling | Agile, high-damage builds |
| 10 | Yhorm’s Great Machete | Lightning damage, scaling | Versatile builds |
In conclusion, reinforcing weapons in Dark Souls 3 is essential for any character, regardless of playstyle or focus. By understanding what reinforces weapons do, how to reinforce them, and the benefits they offer, you’ll be well on your way to maximizing your weapon’s potential. Whether you’re focusing on raw damage, scaling, or aesthetics, reinforcing weapons will undoubtedly improve your in-game experience and performance.