Character level, Cardinal Rank, Weapon EXP and weapon enhancement are separate systems; one visible limit is not the universal max.
Four progression numbers players can confuse
Defeating monsters grants experience. Level increases award Growth Points for the seven character attributes.
Main Quest progress and discovering towns raise an overall tier that changes shops, forging, partners, drops and some enemy difficulty.
Using one of the six weapon families develops that family and unlocks Sword Skills. Progress does not transfer into another family.
The Smithy improves a specific weapon. Its enhancement ceiling can rise with Cardinal Rank and story progress.
What is the max level?
As of July 14, 2026, the official Starter Guide explains how character levels and Cardinal Rank work but does not publish a numeric character level cap. The extracted Steam demo data identifies a character experience curve and six separate weapon experience curves, but the current verified export does not contain reliable curve values or a confirmed final cap.
This page will not turn a prologue limit, a demo restriction, a weapon enhancement ceiling or an internal curve name into a full-game max-level claim. Check which label is beside the number in the Inn or Smithy before comparing it with another player's screenshot.
How to increase Cardinal Rank
The official guide gives two routes: complete parts of the Main Quest and discover new towns. Cardinal Rank is not raised by repeatedly defeating ordinary monsters alone. Monster experience still helps character level, but world progression is what advances the rank.
| When Cardinal Rank rises | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Merchant inventory | More items can become available to purchase. |
| Smithy options | The range of equipment that can be forged expands with rank and recipes. |
| Enhancement ceiling | The limit on improving a weapon can increase. |
| Enemy pressure | Monsters respond by increasing difficulty to a degree. |
| Drop quality | Higher rank can improve items dropped by monsters. |
| Partner capability | Partners increase their abilities with Cardinal progression. |
Cardinal Rank readiness check
Save a checkpoint label and finish the six preparations before taking the next fixed-level or boss quest.
Max level FAQ
Is Cardinal Rank the same as character level?
No. Character level grants Growth Points. Cardinal Rank is an overall progression tier affecting the world, shops, forging, partners and enemies.
Does grinding monsters raise Cardinal Rank?
Not by itself according to the official explanation. Defeating monsters raises character level; Main Quest progress and discovering towns raise Cardinal Rank.
Why can another player enhance a weapon further?
The enhancement limit can increase with Cardinal Rank. Compare story and rank progress before assuming the game or item is bugged.