Author's note
Before you flame or accuse anything, hear me out first. I found the upgrade guide we have currently too simple and also it might be a bit hard to understand for the newbies. So this is my version of CabalSEA's upgrading guide.
1. Starting out
The core alchemist npc should be the main interest for everyone, there is one in every town. But at the moment, Fort Ruina's core alchemist does not include upgrading services.
2. The upgrade window
After clicking the upgrade options when you talked to the core alchemist, you will come to this window. They are three columns which you should take note of:
- The item you're upgrading
- Force cores/Upgrade cores
- Catalyst
2.1 Upgrading the equipment
Important - the equipment you're upgrading must be slotted!
Don't get confused with another term of upgrading in this game. Just remember upgrades at the core alchemist uses Force cores while the other uses Upgrade Cores (low/medium/high) and doesn't require the usage of the core alchemist. Another thing to note of the equipment is that they may come in one or two slots. The cash shop (not yet available) has an item called a slot extender which can further extend slots on your slotted equipment. But if I'm not wrong, the maximum you can achieve is only three slots.
Slotted equipment can only be gotten off mobs, quest or bought off players. Two slots equipments off mobs are of course, uncommon.
2.2 Cores
Then comes the important part of the upgrade you can't do without, force cores. They are the one responsible for the options that may be given to your slotted equipment. Please note the following...
1) For level 1 upgrades, only one force core is needed
2) For level 2 upgrades, you need two force cores but there is only a 25% chance to achieve a level 2 upgrade and furthermore, what you may get is completely random.
3) The last slot is used for upgrade cores BUT it's to increase the overall success chance. And the better the core, the higher the success chance. (Alternatively, you can also use one force core and two upgrade cores if you want a higher success chance on your level 1 upgrade)
2.3 Catalyst
The catalyst is to determine which stat your equipment you're upgrading will have. And your catalyst must be slotted so don't be surprised if you cannot place a non slotted equipment inside.
An upgraded (eg. +1/2/3/4...) catalyst will further increase the success chance. See the difference in success chance as compared to the first screenshot? (my catalyst is a +5 in my case)
Refer to the picture below to see what catalyst gives what stat
Things to take note of:
1) Some equipment are unable to receive a certain stat (eg. in the first column, only boots and suits are able to achieve a HP stat)
2) Just in case people forget, level 2 upgrades are random and cannot be determined by the use of catalysts. But to play safe, always make sure what level 1 upgrade you want if the level 2 upgrade fails. (reason being if you didn't make to a level 2 upgrade, at least the next option will be the desired stat you want thanks to the catalyst instead of a random level 1 upgrade stat)
3) The catalyst used must either be one grade less/equal or many grades higher than the equipment you're upgrading (eg. for Osmium, as a catalyst the lowest grade usable is Shadow Titanium. Anything Osmium or higher is usable)
3.Tips
- Usually the 75% base chance success is good enough, but unless you're investing heavily into a single upgrade, you can cut back on upgrade cores
- The best level 1 upgrades are critical damage increase and HP
- Only consider upgrading IF you're very sure you're gonna use that particular equip for a while (so naturally usually anything <>)
4. Some examples of godly upgraded equipment
If there's anything I missed out or needs to be corrected, feel free to point out. I hope this guide was helpful.
In-depth upgrading guide - Written By Larg - Contributed By Larg
http://forums.playpark.net/showthread.php?t=323047
