Weapon Upgrading

[Boyiee]

I found this post: http://finalfantasy-xiii.net/forums/...ad.php?t=10251 but obviously it's a bit outdated, not by much though.

If anyone has a new one, that would be great. As for me, I'm barely into the game, just became able to upgrade my weapons. Should I go all out right away? I can get my Gladius to lv3 off the bat... am I better off waiting? Am I better off upgrading a different weapon? Should I upgrade all of my parties by 1 level instead of just lightnings by 3?

Any info on weapon upgrades would be appreciated. It's alot to sift through the 25page thread without being spoiled. If anyone has a better chart, that would also be fantastic. I saw this question being poked at and around alot in the main thread, doesn't hurt to have it's own thread with suggestions/advice especially for players still early on.

[Marcicus]

I haven't dabbled too much into it, but I had Gladius lv3 with EXP bonus x 1.25 on it. Sadly, I don't remember what I used for materials to get that, and when I hit lv4 it went away.

[Jojimbo]

Organic items (claws/hides/oils etc) give small amount of exp, but increase the mod (x1.25~3). While mechanical (circuits/jets etc) give larger boosts but decrease exp mod (don't think it can go below one). Best way to level a weapon seems to be organic until x3 mod then use high exp mech (can get a 40k exp mech item later in the game).

I'm leveling lightnings default weapon (balanced, no draw backs). Gladius limits her rev mode which is very nice later on i think (i have no idea how en-type attacks work tbh though, so might still work). Guide book is quite nice in that it lists stats etc of weapons/upgrades and small amount of info on what uses the weapon has.

You can start buying organic stuff from a shop a bit into the game, about 40~60 seem to max out exp mod (you can go over, this means it will take more mechs to decrease value). Just be careful not to go over an items exp cap when its near max level, as any items will be wasted.

[Exoduso]

Organic items (claws/hides/oils etc) give small amount of exp, but increase the mod (x1.25~3). While mechanical (circuits/jets etc) give larger boosts but decrease exp mod (don't think it can go below one). Best way to level a weapon seems to be organic until x3 mod then use high exp mech (can get a 40k exp mech item later in the game).

You are correct... don't fall for buying the expensive ones just because they give you a lot of xp... buy some of the cheaper ones as well, so you can build up your xp bonus, and THEN use the more expensive ones more efficiently. (I know money seems like an issue early on, but eventually you'll get new weapons and accessories you really don't want or need because they take forever to upgrade and aren't that worthwhile, so I just end up selling those and I upgrade their default/2nd weapons...)

Oh, and you can also sell the chips that soldiers drop for money... they have no other purpose it seems, since they give 1xp if you try using them for upgrading weapons/accessories...

[Correction]

If anyone has a new one, that would be great. As for me, I'm barely into the game, just became able to upgrade my weapons. Should I go all out right away? I can get my Gladius to lv3 off the bat... am I better off waiting? Am I better off upgrading a different weapon? Should I upgrade all of my parties by 1 level instead of just lightnings by 3?

The charts aren't outdated per se, just in Japanese.

The best advice I can give you is to stock up well on parts, organic and mechanical before doing any blind upgrading. As mentioned before, pump your desired weapon full of organic parts to max out the exp bonus (3x). The Colored Jellies are the famous option, 36 will max out any items exp. bonus and that doesn't cost much at the organic materials shop. Then use the highest-exp mechanical part you have on it to start granting levels. As it gains levels the exp bonus can drop back down to zero.

Also it's worth nothing that you aren't going to make any serious headway into upgrading your weapons until after you clear chapter 11 and can begin farming mobs that drop high value items.

[Akiyama]

So just fucking around (I'm like 6:45 in or so, just able to upgrade), I figured I'd use all my shit on Light's first weapon and get it as high as I can. I'm sitting with it at level 18, 83 STR/82 Magic.. and she has 152 STR/Magic for me right now, rofl. I'm half tempted to keep it that way, but eh.. not yet I guess.

[BerenTebogo]

When can you start this? I'm on chapter 4 and have seen no mention of it :\ all my weapons are level 1.

[Appie]

Chapter 5 iirc, just keep your eye out for an "Upgrade" option at your save points.

[Kurp]

One of those tutorial things pops up when you can first start upgrading.

[BerenTebogo]

ok, ty

[Lbelle]

what's the max weapon upgrade level, or does it vary from wep to wep?

[Shenrien]

I haven't dabbled too much into it, but I had Gladius lv3 with EXP bonus x 1.25 on it. Sadly, I don't remember what I used for materials to get that, and when I hit lv4 it went away.

idk what I used but I've got EXP Bonus 3x at level 9 Gladius

[Kiarax]

It goes down a level when you use more of the mechanical parts or something. My Gladius dropped from EXP x3 to EXPx2, then down to 1.75.

[Katlan]

any reason u shouldnt upgrade right away and save the materials?

[Lbelle]

Chapter 11

Spoiler: show

I'm on grand pulse in this huge area. Everyone says the game opens up here and I can now easily upgrade weapons/grind CP. I've been grinding for a little while and thought I could maybe now upgrade a sword that I've been wanting to, but I have such little materials still...how the fuck am I supposed to go about this???

[Kiarax]

Doesn't seem to be. Unless you get a different weapon or accessory you'd rather upgrade instead. There's also specific items that "evolve" weapons to the next type once you've maxed them. They seem to be much more limited in quantity so far but I'm sure plenty will be available later in the game.

[Jojimbo]

Max level varies from weapon to weapon, weapons seem to be in the 25 range, while accessories cap at <10 most of the time.

There isn't really any reason to not upgrade at the start, although i recommend only doing first stage (most charas basic weapon is a good idea, although sometimes you may want to use a magic/str focused one). Any serious upgrading is best done after you finish so you can properly farm. Don't pass on upgrading accessories (although some of the ones at the start do get outdated), you can get +8 STR/mag per upgrade etc.

Also don't sell doctors codes, upgrade and desynth (items give better items at max than when low level) gives an elixir, which are very rare in this game. They become useless at endgame because you don't get any higher tiers of potions.

[meeeeeep]

Chapter 11

Spoiler: show

I'm on grand pulse in this huge area. Everyone says the game opens up here and I can now easily upgrade weapons/grind CP. I've been grinding for a little while and thought I could maybe now upgrade a sword that I've been wanting to, but I have such little materials still...how the fuck am I supposed to go about this???

If you have lots of gil available, you can buy some organic components (to increase multiplier) from the creature comfort shop, and then buy some artificial compoenents (For actual exp) from the garage shop. I can get around ~40k exp/50k gil, not sure if there's anything better atm, but that's what I've been doing up until now (On chapter 10 atm)

[Zumi]

Should I upgrade my weapons right away or wait till I get a more powerful weapon then upgrade?

[Lbelle]

If you have lots of gil available, you can buy some organic components (to increase multiplier) from the creature comfort shop, and then buy some artificial compoenents (For actual exp) from the garage shop. I can get around ~40k exp/50k gil, not sure if there's anything better atm, but that's what I've been doing up until now (On chapter 10 atm)

but you have to sell the items that you're incidentally buying in order to upgrade, which makes no sense ????