The active family earns Weapon EXP and unlocks more Sword Skills. Switching from one Sword to another keeps Sword-family development relevant; switching from Sword to Rapier starts using the Rapier family's separate progression.
Weapon proficiency, enhancement and character level
| System | What raises it | What it changes |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon proficiency / Weapon EXP | Defeat enemies using that weapon family | Unlocks additional Sword Skills and develops familiarity with the class |
| Weapon enhancement | Upgrade one item at the Smithy | Raises that weapon's parameters within the current enhancement ceiling |
| Character level | Earn character experience from combat | Provides Growth Points for character attributes |
| Cardinal Rank | Main Quest progress and discovering towns | Changes merchants, forging, enemies, drops and partner growth |
These systems interact, but none is a substitute for another. A highly enhanced Sword does not unlock Dagger skills, and high character level does not automatically train an unused weapon family.
How to raise proficiency efficiently
- Choose one primary weapon family and equip it before entering a repeatable combat route.
- Fight enemies you can clear safely without consuming most healing resources.
- Confirm that Weapon EXP is being awarded to the expected family.
- Return to setup after a proficiency increase and inspect newly available Sword Skills.
- Build a useful three-skill kit before splitting time across several families.
Skills found for each weapon family
The current structured Demo subset contains 64 localized Sword Skill records across six weapon families. Counts describe records in that build; they do not prove a final full-game proficiency cap.
| Weapon family | Skill records | Open the list |
|---|---|---|
| Dagger | 10 | Filter skills |
| Mace | 10 | Filter skills |
| One-Handed Sword | 12 | Filter skills |
| Rapier | 10 | Filter skills |
| Two-Handed Axe | 11 | Filter skills |
| Two-Handed Sword | 11 | Filter skills |
What is the max weapon proficiency?
The available official guides explain that Weapon EXP unlocks techniques but do not publish a final numeric full-game cap. Demo limits and a visible skill ladder should not be presented as proof that progression permanently ends at the same number in the release build.
If the proficiency number continues to rise after every currently visible skill is unlocked, separate the two questions: the last known skill requirement and the maximum stored proficiency value may not be identical.
Why proficiency appears stuck
- Wrong family: verify the equipped weapon type, not only the weapon name.
- No qualifying result: confirm the enemy was defeated while the intended family was active.
- Watching enhancement: the Smithy level is not the proficiency display.
- Demo or progression boundary: a temporary build limit can stop gains without defining the full-game maximum.
- New skill not equipped: unlocking a skill does not automatically place it in one of the three active slots.
Weapon proficiency FAQ
Does changing to a better Sword reset Sword proficiency?
No official explanation ties family proficiency to one physical item. Smithy enhancement belongs to the item; Weapon EXP belongs to the type.
Does proficiency transfer between weapon families?
No. Train Sword, Rapier, Dagger, Mace, Two-Handed Sword and Two-Handed Axe separately.
Should every weapon be trained immediately?
No. First unlock a complete three-skill loadout for the weapon you can use safely, then branch when another family solves a real combat problem.