Refinement is one of the most important equipment enhancement systems in Ragnarok Online. By refining weapons and armor, you can significantly increase their stats. However, refinement comes with risk — failure can destroy or downgrade your equipment.
Overview
Refinement increases:
- Weapons: ATK bonus based on weapon level
- Armor: DEF and HP bonuses
- Shadow Equipment: Various bonuses depending on the item
The maximum refinement level is +20 for most equipment, though practical limits are often much lower due to the risk involved.
Safe Refine Limits
Equipment can be safely refined up to certain levels with no risk of failure:
| Equipment Type | Safe Limit |
|---|---|
| Level 1 Weapon | +7 |
| Level 2 Weapon | +6 |
| Level 3 Weapon | +5 |
| Level 4 Weapon | +4 |
| Level 5 Weapon (4th Job) | +3 |
| Armor (Level 1) | +4 |
| Armor (Level 2 / 4th Job) | +3 |
| Shadow Equipment | +4 |
ℹ️ Note: Refining within safe limits has a 100% success rate using any ore type.
Obtaining Refinement Materials
Purchase from NPCs
Basic ores can be purchased directly from Blacksmith NPCs:
| Item | Price | NPC | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
 Phracon (#1010) |
200z | Christopher Guillenrow | Geffen (geffen_in 110,172) |
| Phracon (#1010) |
200z | Paul Spanner | Einbroch (ein_in01 38,29) |
| Phracon (#1010) |
200z | Dietrich | Prontera (prt_in 63,69) |
 Emveretarcon (#1011) |
1,000z | Christopher Guillenrow | Geffen (geffen_in 110,172) |
| Emveretarcon (#1011) |
1,000z | Paul Spanner | Einbroch (ein_in01 38,29) |
| Emveretarcon (#1011) |
1,000z | Dietrich | Prontera (prt_in 63,69) |
💡 Tip: The Dietrich NPC has duplicates in multiple cities: Payon (137,178), Morocc (morocc_in 72,32), Alberta (alberta_in 21,63), Juno (yuno_in01 164,27), Einbroch (ein_in01 18,82), and Lighthalzen (lhz_in02 281,24).
Ore Purification
Rough ores can be purified into refined ores at Blacksmith NPCs:
| Result | Materials Required | NPC |
|---|---|---|
 Oridecon (#984) |
5x  Rough Oridecon (#756) |
Christopher / Paul / Dietrich |
 Elunium (#985) |
5x  Rough Elunium (#757) |
Christopher / Paul / Dietrich |
Advanced Ore Exchange
Higher-tier ores can be exchanged at the Dietrich NPC (select "View advanced smelting ores"):
| Result | Cost | Materials Required |
|---|---|---|
 Bradium (#6224) |
50,000z | 3x Oridecon (#984)
|
 Carnium (#6223) |
50,000z | 3x Elunium (#985)
|
| Carnium (#6223) |
50,000z | 1x  Purified Bradium (#6090)
|
4th Job Ether Ores
Ether-based ores for 4th job equipment can be exchanged at the Dietrich NPC (select "View Ether smelting ores"):
| Result | Cost | Materials Required |
|---|---|---|
 Ethernium (#1000333) |
10,000z | 1x  Etel Dust (#1000322) + 1x Elunium (#985)
|
 Etherdeocon (#1000332) |
10,000z | 1x Etel Dust (#1000322) + 1x Oridecon (#984)
|
 Etel Bradium (#1000368) |
50,000z | 3x Etel Dust (#1000322) + 1x Bradium (#6224)
|
 Etel Carnium (#1000367) |
50,000z | 3x Etel Dust (#1000322) + 1x Carnium (#6223)
|
 Enriched Ethernium (#1000331) |
20,000z | 2x Etel Dust (#1000322) + 1x  Enriched Elunium (#7620)
|
 Enriched Etherdeocon (#1000334) |
20,000z | 2x Etel Dust (#1000322) + 1x  Enriched Oridecon (#7619)
|
 HD Ethernium (#1000335) |
50,000z | 3x Etel Dust (#1000322) + 1x  HD Elunium (#6241)
|
 HD Etherdeocon (#1000336) |
50,000z | 3x Etel Dust (#1000322) + 1x  HD Oridecon (#6240)
|
 HD Etel Bradium (#1000369) |
50,000z | 3x Etel Dust (#1000322) + 1x  HD Bradium (#6226)
|
 HD Etel Carnium (#1000370) |
50,000z | 3x Etel Dust (#1000322) + 1x  HD Carnium (#6225)
|
Shadow Equipment Ores
Shadow equipment ores can be exchanged at the Pauline NPC:
| Result | Materials Required | NPC Locations |
|---|---|---|
 Shadowdecon (#25729) |
20x  Shadowdecon Ore (#25728) |
Pauline (prt_in 64,57) |
 Zelunium (#25731) |
20x  Zelunium Ore (#25730) |
Pauline (prt_in 64,57) |
ℹ️ Note: Pauline NPCs are also available in Payon (142,179), Morocc (morocc_in 64,37), Alberta (alberta_in 24,63), Juno (yuno_in01 164,31), Einbroch (ein_in01 30,88), and Lighthalzen (lhz_in02 275,23).
Etel Dust Sources
Etel Dust (#1000322) is the key material for crafting 4th job refinement ores. It drops from high-level monsters in Episode 18+ content:
| Monster | Location |
|---|---|
| Lavaeter | Volcanic content |
| Fulgor | Episode 18+ maps |
| Napeo | Episode 18+ maps |
| Galensis | Episode 18+ maps |
| The One | Episode 18+ maps |
| Giant Caput | Episode 18+ maps |
| Dolorian | Episode 18+ maps |
| Plagarion | Episode 18+ maps |
| Gan Ceann | Episode 18+ maps |
| Brutal Murderer | Episode 18+ maps |
| Ghost Cube | Episode 18+ maps |
| And more... | Various 4th job content areas |
💡 Tip: Farm Etel Dust from Episode 18+ monsters to craft your 4th job refinement materials!
Refinement Materials
Different equipment types require different materials:
Weapons
| Weapon Level | Normal Ore | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Phracon (#1010) |
50z | Common drops, very affordable |
| Level 2 | Emveretarcon (#1011) |
200z | — |
| Level 3 | Oridecon (#984) |
5,000z | Refined from Rough Oridecon (#756)
|
| Level 4 | Oridecon (#984) |
20,000z | Higher cost per attempt |
| Level 5 (4th Job) | Etherdeocon (#1000332) |
50,000z | Special 4th job ore |
Armor
| Armor Level | Normal Ore | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Elunium (#985) |
2,000z |
| Level 2 (4th Job) | Ethernium (#1000333) |
50,000z |
High Refinement (+11 and above)
| Equipment Type | Normal Ore | HD Ore | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weapons (Lv1-4) | Bradium (#6224) |
HD Bradium (#6226) |
100,000z |
| Weapons (Lv5 / 4th Job) | Etel Bradium (#1000368) |
HD Etherdeocon (#1000336) / HD Etel Bradium (#1000369) |
100,000z |
| Armor (Lv1) | Carnium (#6223) |
HD Carnium (#6225) |
100,000z |
| Armor (Lv2 / 4th Job) | Etel Carnium (#1000367) |
HD Ethernium (#1000335) / HD Etel Carnium (#1000370) |
100,000z |
Enhanced Materials
Enriched Ores
Enriched materials provide significantly higher success rates:
| Ore | Used For | Improvement |
|---|---|---|
| Enriched Oridecon (#7619) |
Weapons +1 to +10 | +30-50% higher success rate |
| Enriched Elunium (#7620) |
Armor +1 to +10 | +30-50% higher success rate |
| Enriched Etherdeocon (#1000334) |
Level 5 Weapons +1 to +10 | Higher success rate, less downgrade |
| Enriched Ethernium (#1000331) |
Level 2 Armor +1 to +10 | Higher success rate, less downgrade |
ℹ️ Note: Enriched ores still result in item destruction on failure for +1 to +10 refinement.
HD (High Density) Ores
HD ores prevent item destruction but cause downgrades on failure:
| Ore | Used For | Failure Effect |
|---|---|---|
| HD Oridecon (#6240) |
Weapons +1 to +10 | -1 refine level (no destruction) |
| HD Elunium (#6241) |
Armor +1 to +10 | -1 refine level (no destruction) |
| HD Bradium (#6226) |
Weapons +11 to +20 | -1 refine level |
| HD Carnium (#6225) |
Armor +11 to +20 | -1 refine level |
💡 Tip: HD ores are ideal for expensive or rare equipment since you won't lose the item on failure.
Blacksmith Blessing
Blacksmith Blessing (#6635) can be used to guarantee success at certain refine levels. The number required increases with refinement:
| Refine Level | Blessings Required |
|---|---|
| +8 | 1 |
| +9 | 2 |
| +10 | 4 |
| +11 | 7 |
| +12 | 11 |
| +13 | 16 |
| +14 | 22 |
⚠️ Warning: Blacksmith Blessings are not available for +15 and above.
Success Rates
Armor (Level 1)
| Refine | Normal | Enriched | HD | Failure Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +1 to +4 | 100% | 100% | 100% | Safe |
| +5 | 60% | 90% | 60% | Destroy / -1 |
| +6 | 40% | 70% | 40% | Destroy / -1 |
| +7 | 40% | 70% | 40% | Destroy / -1 |
| +8 | 20% | 40% | 20% | Destroy / -1 |
| +9 | 20% | 40% | 20% | Destroy / -1 |
| +10 | 9% | 20% | 9% | Destroy / -1 |
| +11 to +14 | 8% | — | 8% | 20% Destroy + -3 / -1 |
| +15 to +18 | 7% | — | 7% | 20% Destroy + -3 / -1 |
| +19 to +20 | 5% | — | 5% | 20% Destroy + -3 / -1 |
Weapon Level 1
| Refine | Normal | Enriched | HD | Failure Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +1 to +7 | 100% | 100% | 100% | Safe |
| +8 | 60% | 90% | 60% | Destroy / -1 |
| +9 | 40% | 70% | 40% | Destroy / -1 |
| +10 | 19% | 30% | 19% | Destroy / -1 |
| +11 to +15 | 18% | — | 18% | 20% Destroy + -3 / -1 |
| +16 to +18 | 17% | — | 17% | 20% Destroy + -3 / -1 |
| +19 to +20 | 15% | — | 15% | 20% Destroy + -3 / -1 |
Weapon Level 2
| Refine | Normal | Enriched | HD | Failure Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +1 to +6 | 100% | 100% | 100% | Safe |
| +7 | 60% | 90% | 60% | Destroy / -1 |
| +8 | 40% | 70% | 40% | Destroy / -1 |
| +9 | 20% | 40% | 20% | Destroy / -1 |
| +10 | 19% | 30% | 19% | Destroy / -1 |
| +11 to +15 | 18% | — | 18% | 20% Destroy + -3 / -1 |
| +16 to +18 | 17% | — | 17% | 20% Destroy + -3 / -1 |
| +19 to +20 | 15% | — | 15% | 20% Destroy + -3 / -1 |
Weapon Level 3
| Refine | Normal | Enriched | HD | Failure Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +1 to +5 | 100% | 100% | 100% | Safe |
| +6 | 60% | 90% | 60% | Destroy / -1 |
| +7 | 50% | 80% | 50% | Destroy / -1 |
| +8 | 20% | 40% | 20% | Destroy / -1 |
| +9 | 20% | 40% | 20% | Destroy / -1 |
| +10 | 19% | 30% | 19% | Destroy / -1 |
| +11 to +15 | 18% | — | 18% | 20% Destroy + -3 / -1 |
| +16 to +18 | 17% | — | 17% | 20% Destroy + -3 / -1 |
| +19 to +20 | 15% | — | 15% | 20% Destroy + -3 / -1 |
Weapon Level 4
| Refine | Normal | Enriched | HD | Failure Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +1 to +4 | 100% | 100% | 100% | Safe |
| +5 | 60% | 90% | 60% | Destroy / -1 |
| +6 | 40% | 70% | 40% | Destroy / -1 |
| +7 | 40% | 70% | 40% | Destroy / -1 |
| +8 | 20% | 40% | 20% | Destroy / -1 |
| +9 | 20% | 40% | 20% | Destroy / -1 |
| +10 | 9% | 20% | 9% | Destroy / -1 |
| +11 to +14 | 8% | — | 8% | 20% Destroy + -3 / -1 |
| +15 to +18 | 7% | — | 7% | 20% Destroy + -3 / -1 |
| +19 to +20 | 5% | — | 5% | 20% Destroy + -3 / -1 |
Refinement Bonuses
Weapon ATK Bonuses
Each refinement level adds ATK based on the weapon level:
| Refine | Lv1 Weapon | Lv2 Weapon | Lv3 Weapon | Lv4 Weapon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +1 | +2 | +3 | +5 | +7 |
| +2 | +4 | +6 | +10 | +14 |
| +3 | +6 | +9 | +15 | +21 |
| +4 | +8 | +12 | +20 | +28 |
| +5 | +10 | +15 | +25 | +35 |
| +6 | +12 | +18 | +30 | +42 |
| +7 | +14 | +21 | +35 | +49 |
| +8 | +16 | +24 | +40 | +56 |
| +9 | +18 | +27 | +45 | +63 |
| +10 | +20 | +30 | +50 | +70 |
| +15 | +30 | +45 | +75 | +105 |
| +16 | +48 | +80 | +112 | +160 |
| +20 | +60 | +100 | +140 | +200 |
ℹ️ Note: High-level weapons (+8 and above) also gain a random bonus ATK that increases with refinement.
Armor DEF Bonuses
Each refinement level adds DEF to armor:
| Refine | DEF Bonus (Lv1) | DEF Bonus (Lv2 / 4th Job) |
|---|---|---|
| +1 | +1 | +1.2 |
| +2 | +2 | +2.4 |
| +3 | +3 | +3.6 |
| +4 | +4 | +4.8 |
| +5 | +6 | +7.2 |
| +6 | +8 | +9.6 |
| +7 | +10 | +12 |
| +8 | +12 | +14.4 |
| +9 | +15 | +18 |
| +10 | +18 | +21.6 |
| +15 | +36 | +43.2 |
| +20 | +60 | +72 |
Server Broadcasts
High refinement successes and failures are broadcast server-wide:
- +13 and above: Both success and failure messages are broadcast
- This applies to weapons, armor, and shadow equipment
ℹ️ Note: This is a great way to celebrate (or commiserate) with the community!
Refine NPCs
Main Refiners
| NPC | Location | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Refina | Heaven / Main Office (main_office 130,96) | Standard refining (+1 to +20) |
| CryoForge | Grade Market (grademk 20,185) | Standard refining (+1 to +20) |
| Vestri | Prontera (prt_in 90,72) | High refining (+11 and above) |
| Vestri | Morocc (morocc_in 64,41) | High refining (+11 and above) |
| Vestri | Payon (payon_in01 18,132) | High refining (+11 and above) |
Material Merchants
| NPC | Location | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Christopher Guillenrow | Geffen (geffen_in 110,172) | Phracon, Emveretarcon, Ore Purification |
| Paul Spanner | Einbroch (ein_in01 38,29) | Phracon, Emveretarcon, Ore Purification |
| Dietrich | Prontera (prt_in 63,69) | Basic ores, Advanced ores, Ether ores |
| Pauline | Prontera (prt_in 64,57) | Shadow equipment ores |
| Sratos | Grade Market (grademk 34,184) | Enchant Grade, Etel item exchange |
💡 Tip: Use @go main to quickly access Refina at the Main Office!
Tips for Refinement
💡 Tip:
- Always start with safe refines — they cost nothing but ores and zeny
- Use HD ores on expensive or rare equipment to avoid total loss
- Save Enriched ores for the +7 to +10 range where they have the biggest impact
- Consider Blacksmith Blessings for guaranteed success on valuable items
- +10 is often enough for most builds — going higher is a gamble
- Farm Etel Dust from Episode 18+ content for 4th job materials
⚠️ Warning: Refinement can be addictive! Set a budget and stick to it. Don't refine gear you can't afford to lose.
See Also
- Game_Mechanics — Core game mechanics
- Enchantment — Adding enchantments to equipment
- Socket_Enchant — Adding card slots to equipment
- Card_System — How cards work