How Elden Ring's Reinforcement System Undermines Ashes of War
In FromSoftware's Elden Ring there is an extensive weapon customization system called "Ashes of War." This system allows you to change a weapon's special skill, and it's also linked with the infusion system that lets you change its damage properties. However, not all weapons can have Ashes of War applied to them, typically because they have unique skills. These weapons usually upgrade with Somber Smithing Stones instead of regular Smithing Stones. In other words, it's generally correct to say that weapons that upgrade with regular Smithing Stones can have Ashes of War applied to them, while weapons that upgrade with Somber Smithing Stones cannot. This all makes sense. It's cool to have unique weapons with unique skills in the game, as Souls games have traditionally had, and to have those unique weapons upgrade with their own material, again, as Souls games have traditionally done. This format works well, since it means regular weapons aren't competin