Gear upgrades: use Refinement

Weapons, armor, shields, and jewelry use Refinement.

Visit a smithy. In Hernand, the first one is in the middle of town. Use Inspect in the inventory to see a piece's refinement materials before spending anything.

What each gear type needs

Buy the Pickaxe and Logging Axe from Hernand's Provisioner's Shop. Mine ore on mountain walls. Hunt animals for hides and bones.

Plan for Refinement 10

Each item has ten Refinement levels.

The final level needs Aeserion's Scale. Do not spend rare upgrade materials on equipment you expect to replace immediately.

Start with the weapon or armor piece you use every fight. Then upgrade the pieces that solve your current weakness, such as defense or a material-specific requirement.

Extraction: recover part of your investment

Patch 1.06.00 added Extraction at smithies.

Extraction lowers an item's Refinement level and returns part of the materials used. It does not destroy the item.

Rare materials, including Artifacts and Aeserion's Scale, are returned in full. Common materials return at roughly 70% according to the official patch notes.

Use Extraction when a tested replacement is clearly better. Do not use it just to move a few common materials around.

Fast upgrade routine

1. Inspect the item before refining.
2. Gather the material type that matches it.
3. Refine your active gear first.
4. Keep Aeserion's Scale for a final choice.
5. Use Extraction only after choosing a replacement.

This page avoids fixed “best build” claims. Material requirements and item availability can change, so check the linked sources and your in-game inspection screen before refining.