New Feature: Artisan Upgrade

Jun's TL;DR Note: 2 new upgrades
Artisan Upgrade @ 4/5 upgrade, 20k:

• -random increase/decrease stats (str, dex, HP, stam, def, etc.)
  
• -According to Mabi Wiki, the stats affected are fixed per weapon
  
• -Can be undone w/ Artisan Upgrade Restore Kit (CS item, price currently unknown)

Special Upgrade @ 5/5 upgrade, gem upgrade, 30k + special stone:

• -RED stone = boost crit dmg* (not %) + red glow
  
• -BLUE stone = boost min/max + blue glow
  
• -Stones can be found from Theatre Missions
  
• -Can use Special Upgrade up to 3 times; first @ 100% success, consecutive @ 50%
  
• -Special Upgraded weapons become UNTRADEABLE

*See Haku's note in Appendix A

Artisan Upgrade

Looking to get a big boost? Try the Artisan Upgrade. The Artisan upgrade randomly increases or decreases up to four different types of stats on the following Weapons and Armors:

Weapons

Blunts
Cylinders
Knuckles
Ranged Weapons
Swords
Wands
Staves

Armors

Shields
Clothing
Light Armor
Heavy Armor

In order to perform an Artisan Upgrade, you must have 100 Weapon Proficiency, 20, 000 Gold, and the weapon you wish to upgrade should be ready for the Final Upgrade Sequence.


Important Things About the Artisan Upgrade!

-The number of stats altered will be random.
-Which stats are changed is also random. They may come from any of the following categories:

• Strength
  
• Intelligence
  
• Dexterity
  
• Will
  
• Luck
  
• Max HP
  
• Max MP
  
• Max Stamina
  
• Defense
  
• Protection
  
• Durability

Removing an Artisan Upgrade

If you are unhappy with the Artisan Upgrade you received, you may remove the upgrade with an Artisan Upgrade Restore Kit.


Special Upgrade

The “Special Upgrade” is a weapon enhancement upgrade that will increase Min and Max Damage or Critical Hit Damage.

Before a Special Upgrade can be done, you must have:
-All five Upgrades
-A Jewel/Gem Upgrade
-30,000 Gold
-A Red or Blue Upgrade Stone.

Red and Blue Upgrade Stones can be found in the Theatre Mission Dungeons.

Red Upgrade Stones change the weapon to an “R-Type.” This enhances the weapon’s Critical Damage. Once upgraded, the weapon will emit a red glow.

Blue Upgrade Stones change the weapon to an “S-Type.” This enhances the weapon’s Min and Max Damage. Once upgraded, the weapon will emit a blue glow.

Important Things About the Special Upgrade!

-When upgrading for the first time, the success rate is 100%.
-All subsequent upgrades will have a 50% success. Upgrade failure will lower the upgrade level by one.
-One weapon can be enhanced three times.
-To change your upgrade type, purchase a Conversion Stone. This will switch an upgraded weapon from R-Type to S-Type. Only costs 60,000 Gold with a 100% success rate!
-The Special Upgrade will personalize the weapon, making it untradeable.

The official announcement can be found here.

Appendix A (aka "Haku's Note")

Haku wrote:Just to clarify something, Red Stone upgrade increases critical damage, not necessarily critical percentage(yeah, I thought this was really dumb, too). So it's kind of like a better damage boost for when you crit I guess, so I'd probably just stick to Blue Stone upgrades. Never want to rely on crits. XD

question.

Does this replace the gem mod?

Or is this supposed to be when your weapon is 4/5?

Mabinogi NA wrote:Artisan Upgrade

In order to perform an Artisan Upgrade, you must have 100 Weapon Proficiency, 20,000 Gold, and the weapon you wish to upgrade should be ready for the Final Upgrade Sequence.

If you are unhappy with the Artisan Upgrade you received, you may remove the upgrade with an Artisan Upgrade Restore Kit.

Sounds like when you're at 4/5, but this isn't the shine.

Mabinogi NA wrote:Special Upgrade

Before a Special Upgrade can be done, you must have:
-All five Upgrades
-A Jewel/Gem Upgrade
-30,000 Gold
-A Red or Blue Upgrade Stone.

Red and Blue Upgrade Stones can be found in the Theatre Mission Dungeons.

Important Things About the Special Upgrade!

-When upgrading for the first time, the success rate is 100%.
-All subsequent upgrades will have a 50% success. Upgrade failure will lower the upgrade level by one.
-One weapon can be enhanced three times.
-To change your upgrade type, purchase a Conversion Stone. This will switch an upgraded weapon from R-Type to S-Type. Only costs 60,000 Gold with a 100% success rate!
-The Special Upgrade will personalize the weapon, making it untradeable.

eww, I would actually have to do a gem upgrade -.-

Just to clarify something, Red Stone upgrade increases critical damage, not necessarily critical percentage(yeah, I thought this was really dumb, too). So it's kind of like a better damage boost for when you crit I guess, so I'd probably just stick to Blue Stone upgrades. Never want to rely on crits. XD

Thanks Haku! Updating w/ your quote x3