Upgrade Paths - Bladesmith, Guns & Artifex
The three upgrade lines of Valor Mortis and the order that never regrets: one melee max, one firearm max, one transmutation max - then breadth.
Published October 15, 2026 · Last updated October 15, 2026
Quick Answer: What Should I Upgrade First?
One melee weapon to the ceiling — the Bladesmith achievement is the game's blessing on this plan — then your main firearm along the Gun of Glory path, then one transmutation (Transmutation Artifex). The Iron Marshall is the community's deadline for step one: his posture bar is where under-invested weapons visibly bounce. Split materials across five weapons and the mid-campaign walls will explain the mistake at full volume.
| Path | Achievement | Milestone | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melee upgrade | Bladesmith | Single weapon to maximum | First priority; funds the whole posture game |
| Firearm upgrade | Gun of Glory | Single firearm to maximum | Second; scales your weak-point answers |
| Transmutation upgrade | Transmutation Artifex | Single transmutation to maximum | Third; usually the flamethrower |
| Full collection | Arsenal Absolute | All weapons and transmutations unlocked | Endgame breadth, after the three maxes |
Why One Weapon Beats Four
The posture math of Valor Mortis scales with investment, not variety. A maxed Claymore breaks elite posture in two clean parries; a halfway-upgraded anything needs five and a prayer. The achievement list agrees: Bladesmith, Gun of Glory and Transmutation Artifex each ask for one mastered entry, not a portfolio. Depth first, breadth at the end when income outpaces your needs.
The No-Death Asterisk
Jack-knife — deal damage with every melee weapon, firearm and transmutation without dying — is the collection arc's final exam, and it changes when you should buy breadth: one hit from every owned tool inside a single life. Schedule it for a quiet mid-campaign stretch with easy patrols and a fresh lantern behind you, not during boss prep. The arsenal unlocks can happen whenever; the no-death tour is the part that wants planning.