Metin2 upgrade system: scrolls, failure rules, and when to use each one
The upgrade system in Metin2 lets you improve weapons and armor from +0 up to +9. Each step requires yang and specific materials, and the success rate decreases as the item level increases. Understanding the failure rules and which scrolls to use can save you a lot of yang and frustration.
Basic Upgrade Rules
You can upgrade items at the Blacksmith NPC. The base success rate depends on the item and the step. Without any scrolls, the item is destroyed if the upgrade fails. This means you lose the item, the yang, and the materials.
Items up to level 25 require upgrade items from grade +6. Items between level 25 and 90 require grade +4 items. Items level 90 and above require grade +0 items.
Scrolls and What They Do
Several scrolls can modify the upgrade outcome. Some change the success rate, and some only prevent the item from being destroyed.
The Blessing Scroll uses the item's own success rate but prevents the item from being destroyed on failure. Instead, the item drops one step. This is the cheapest way to protect an item, but it does not improve your odds.
The Dragon Scroll provides a fixed success rate that overrides the item's own rate. The rates are 100% for +0 to +1, 75% for +1 to +2, 65% for +2 to +3, 55% for +3 to +4, 45% for +4 to +5, 40% for +5 to +6, 35% for +6 to +7, 25% for +7 to +8, and 20% for +8 to +9. The item drops one step on failure but is not destroyed.
The Blacksmith Handbook provides a higher fixed success rate than the Dragon Scroll at every step. The rates are 100% for +0 to +1 and +1 to +2, 90% for +2 to +3, 80% for +3 to +4, 70% for +4 to +5, 60% for +5 to +6, 50% for +6 to +7, 30% for +7 to +8, and 20% for +8 to +9. The item drops one step on failure but is not destroyed.
The Magic Stone uses the item's own success rate but prevents both destruction and downgrade on failure. The item stays exactly as it is, and you only lose the yang and materials. This is the safest option but does not improve your odds.
The Scroll of War provides a 100% success rate but only works on items up to +4. If the item is already +4 or higher, the game refuses to use it.
Guild Blacksmith Bonus
The guild blacksmith provides a 10% success rate bonus on top of the regular blacksmith or seon-pyeong. The breaking rule does not change. If you have access to a guild blacksmith, use it for every upgrade.
When to Use Each Scroll
For low steps (+0 to +2), the Dragon Scroll or Blacksmith Handbook are good choices because the base success rate is already high. For mid steps (+3 to +6), the Blacksmith Handbook offers the best rates. For high steps (+7 to +9), the Magic Stone is the safest option because it prevents both destruction and downgrade.
If you are upgrading a valuable item, always use a scroll. The cost of the scroll is small compared to the cost of losing a high-level item.
Sources
[1] Metin2Atlas Upgrade Guide
[2] Metin2 Wiki: Upgrade Items
[3] Metin2 Equipment FAQ