Glossary

Gold (yellow) trait lines Datamined

In game: Trait lines drawn in gold on a gear tooltip

A gold line is a trait that's stronger than a normal roll. It's gold for one of two reasons: an upgrade at the Forge improved it, or it's the item's Masterwork trait. An improved trait is worked out as if the item were 100 levels higher on the game's item scale, which is why gold numbers sit well above the usual range.

The Forge allows you to upgrade and enchant your equipment. Equipment can be upgraded up to five ranks, increasing its strength and adding new abilities. Enchant any item to promote its rarity, up to Legendary. Augments and Common items cannot be enchanted. The masterwork weapons wielded by the Valorian knights cannot be made through mundane processes. Only a special Forge can accommodate a Godsmith's Sacred Flame, but there aren’t many left capable of harnessing that power. Fortunately, the forge within the Seventh Sanctum is capable of upgrading and enchanting any equipment. Even the greatest creation of a Godsmith at any other forge can be improved upon in the Seventh's forge, provided the right resources.Codex: The ForgeAperion/Content/Aperion/Data/Gameplay/SourceData/source_data.json → localization → Codex.Resources.Forge.description

Upgrade rank (the pips on gear) Datamined

In game: Hexagon pips at the top of a gear tooltip; upgrades are done at the Forge

Each pip is one upgrade at the Forge. Every upgrade makes the item's attribute number (the big Might, Spirit or Vitality number) a little bigger, as if the item were one level higher per upgrade. Upgrades also improve some traits, which then show in gold, and at rank 5 the item gains its Masterwork trait. Ranks 3 to 5 need a Rare or better item.

The Forge allows you to upgrade and enchant your equipment. Equipment can be upgraded up to five ranks, increasing its strength and adding new abilities. Enchant any item to promote its rarity, up to Legendary. Augments and Common items cannot be enchanted. The masterwork weapons wielded by the Valorian knights cannot be made through mundane processes. Only a special Forge can accommodate a Godsmith's Sacred Flame, but there aren’t many left capable of harnessing that power. Fortunately, the forge within the Seventh Sanctum is capable of upgrading and enchanting any equipment. Even the greatest creation of a Godsmith at any other forge can be improved upon in the Seventh's forge, provided the right resources.Codex: The ForgeAperion/Content/Aperion/Data/Gameplay/SourceData/source_data.json → localization → Codex.Resources.Forge.description

Masterwork trait Datamined

In game: An extra secondary line, always in gold, on fully upgraded gear

An extra trait, always drawn in gold, that an item gains when it reaches upgrade rank 5. Each item has its own list of possible Masterwork traits, shown on its page.

Awakened Datamined

In game: "Awakened Legendary …" on the tooltip; star-shaped trait bullets

What a Cursed item becomes once all of its objectives are done; the game announces it as “<item> AWAKENED”. An Awakened item keeps a stronger Primary Trait: × 2 for most numbers.

Cursed Items have negative traits instead of positive traits until they are Awakened. To Awaken a Cursed Item at the Forge, complete all of its objectives. Rarer items have more objectives to complete before they can be Awakened. Completing a Cursed Item objective will allow you to change a negative trait into a positive trait. Once you start a mission with a Cursed Item equipped you must wield it for the entire mission. Awakening will also reward you with a powerful consumable that can increase future loot rewards from Dark Tears.Codex: Cursed ItemsAperion/Content/Aperion/Data/Gameplay/SourceData/source_data.json → localization → Codex.Mechanics.CursedItems.description

{itemname} AWAKENEDTutorial textAperion/Content/Localization/Game/en/Game.locres → ST_Mission_Tutorial → Loot.Awakened

Cursed Datamined

In game: Cursed items with negative traits and objectives ("To lift curse")

A Cursed item drops with curses: one on a Rare item, two on an Epic, three on a Legendary. Each curse turns one Secondary Trait negative (drawn in purple) and weakens the Primary Trait a little, and each curse comes with an objective. Finish an objective and that curse lifts; finish them all and the item is Awakened. Cursed items can only be equipped in the Sanctum. The full rules are on the Cursed items page.

Cursed Items have negative traits instead of positive traits until they are Awakened. To Awaken a Cursed Item at the Forge, complete all of its objectives. Rarer items have more objectives to complete before they can be Awakened. Completing a Cursed Item objective will allow you to change a negative trait into a positive trait. Once you start a mission with a Cursed Item equipped you must wield it for the entire mission. Awakening will also reward you with a powerful consumable that can increase future loot rewards from Dark Tears.Codex: Cursed ItemsAperion/Content/Aperion/Data/Gameplay/SourceData/source_data.json → localization → Codex.Mechanics.CursedItems.description

CursedOn-screen labelAperion/Content/Localization/Game/en/Game.locres → ST_HUD → Cursed

Cursed Items can only be equipped while inside the SanctumTutorial textAperion/Content/Localization/Game/en/Game.locres → ST_Mission_Tutorial → Lesson.CursedItems.Tip2

You cannot weapon swap if your other weapon is not CursedTutorial textAperion/Content/Localization/Game/en/Game.locres → ST_Mission_Tutorial → Lesson.CursedItems.Tip4

Awakening or Salvaging Cursed Items will also reward you with Curses. Curses are powerful consumables that can increase the difficulty of your Lightbringer runs for greater rewards.Tutorial textAperion/Content/Localization/Game/en/Game.locres → ST_Mission_Tutorial → Lesson.CursedItems.Dialog4

Cursed Objective Datamined

In game: A Cursed item's objective line, e.g. "Defeat a Level 50+ Moirax in a Dreamstone (0/3)"

The task on a Cursed item, such as “Defeat a Level 50+ Moirax in a Dreamstone (0/3)”. Each curse has one, and only one shows at a time. Completing it lifts that curse and pays out Curses (the consumables). Some objectives in the files are never picked for new items.

Complete item objectives to remove its CursesKeyword: Cursed ItemsAperion/Content/Aperion/Data/Gameplay/SourceData/source_data.json → localization → Keyword.CursedItem.Objective.description

To Awaken a Cursed Item at the Forge, complete all of its objectives Rarer items have more objectives to complete before they can be AwakenedTutorial textAperion/Content/Localization/Game/en/Game.locres → ST_Mission_Tutorial → Lesson.CursedItems.Dialog2

Completing a Cursed Item objective will allow you to change a negative trait into a positive trait Once you start a mission with a Cursed Item equipped you must wield it for the entire missionTutorial textAperion/Content/Localization/Game/en/Game.locres → ST_Mission_Tutorial → Lesson.CursedItems.Dialog3

Primal Datamined

In game: Primal items; primary traits drawn in pale yellow

Another kind of item boost that makes the Primary Trait stronger (× 1.5 for most numbers). Its boosted lines are pale yellow, not the gold of upgraded traits.

PrimalOn-screen labelAperion/Content/Localization/Game/en/Game.locres → ST_HUD → Primal

Rings, Charms and Amulets Datamined

In game: Separate Armory tabs

Rings, charms and amulets have separate Armory tabs, but the game keeps all three in one list. The wiki's Trinkets section covers all three.

Shards (Valorplate Shards) Datamined

In game: Valorplate > Shards tab; Armory > Shards

Each Valorplate has four Shards that give it new abilities. You unlock a Shard with special objectives while using its Valorplate, equip it on the Valorplate's Shards tab, and can upgrade it up to 5 times at the Forge. The game calls them Shards; the files call them runes.

Shards grant new abilities to each of your ValorplatesTutorial textAperion/Content/Localization/Game/en/Game.locres → ST_Mission_Tutorial → Runes.SystemUnlocked.TutorialPlate.Description.1

Unlock up to 4 unique Shards for each Valorplate by completing special objectives Use the Armory to see their unique traits and unlock requirementsTutorial textAperion/Content/Localization/Game/en/Game.locres → ST_Mission_Tutorial → Runes.SystemUnlocked.TutorialPlate.Description.3

Shards can be upgraded in the Forge up to 5 times Acquire Shards across all Valorplates to unlock Higher-level upgradesTutorial textAperion/Content/Localization/Game/en/Game.locres → ST_Mission_Tutorial → Runes.SystemUnlocked.TutorialPlate.Description.4

Valorplate Shards are items that grant powerful abilities. They can be equipped on the Shards tab of the Valorplate screen, where each Valorplate has 4 unique Shards to choose from. You can save a different Shard configuration in each Loadout to better coordinate your Gear and Skills. Shards can be unlocked by completing special objectives while using the Valorplate that the Shard belongs to. You can view each Shard in the Armory to see their unique traits, as well as the objectives required to unlock them. Once unlocked, each Shard can be upgraded up to 5 times in the Forge, increasing the strength of the Shard's traits. Higher level upgrades require you to first collect a minimum number of total Shards. Collecting all 4 Shards for a Valorplate will cause the Valorplate to become Ascendant, providing the Valorplate with an additional passive ability. Fully upgrading all 4 Shards for a Valorplate will cause the Valorplate to become Exalted, providing the Valorplate with yet another passive ability.Codex: Valorplate ShardsAperion/Content/Aperion/Data/Gameplay/SourceData/source_data.json → localization → Codex.Valorplates.Shards.description

Ascendant and Exalted Valorplates Datamined

In game: [ASCENDANT] and [EXALTED] passive lines on the Abilities tab

Unlock all four of a Valorplate's Shards and it becomes Ascendant, which adds a second passive ability. Fully upgrade all four and it becomes Exalted, which adds a third.

A Valorplate becomes Ascendant once you have unlocked all 4 Shards Ascendant Valorplates gain an second passive abilityTutorial textAperion/Content/Localization/Game/en/Game.locres → ST_Mission_Tutorial → Runes.SystemUnlocked.TutorialPlate.Description.5

Fully upgrading all 4 Shards allows a Valorplate to become Exalted Exalted Valorplates gain a third passive abilityTutorial textAperion/Content/Localization/Game/en/Game.locres → ST_Mission_Tutorial → Runes.SystemUnlocked.TutorialPlate.Description.6

Might, Spirit and Vitality sockets Datamined

In game: Red, blue and green socket symbols in the augment constellation

Augment sockets come in three colours: red is Might, blue is Spirit and green is Vitality, matching the attribute bar. The files only call them Red, Green and Blue.

Defeated enemies and treasure chests may drop Souls in the Spirit Realm. Each Soul will have one of three affinities: Might (red), Spirit (blue), and Vitality (green). You can carry up to 6 Souls at a time, as long as they're of the same affinity. You can use Souls to power artifacts such as the Spirit Gates, Shards of Macros, and Soul Altars. Activating powered artifacts will unlock new paths, challenges, and information.Codex: SoulsAperion/Content/Aperion/Data/Gameplay/SourceData/source_data.json → localization → Codex.FreeRoam.Souls.description

Resistance cap Corroborated

In game: Resistance lines in Detailed Stats; "+X% cap to all resistances" on gear, skills and Ascension

No resistance can go above 50% at first. Items, the Resistance skill, Ascension and boons raise that cap, and the raises add up. Wyatt: past 50% there's a second ceiling at 75% that only large cap raises reach. The files also hold a 70% and a 90% limit whose purpose isn't known yet (test T-0005).

Reduces damage taken of a specific damage type. Capped at 50%.Keyword: ResistanceAperion/Content/Aperion/Data/Gameplay/SourceData/source_data.json → localization → Keyword.Resistance.description

Maximum amount of resistance allowed for each damage typeKeyword: Resistance CapAperion/Content/Aperion/Data/Gameplay/SourceData/source_data.json → localization → Keyword.Resistance.Cap.description

For each of the six damage types, you can increase your resistance to that type of damage. Increasing your resistances decreases the amount of damage you take from enemies that deal damage of each type. Each resistance cannot exceed 50% unless the resistance cap is increased by an item or ability.Codex: ResistancesAperion/Content/Aperion/Data/Gameplay/SourceData/source_data.json → localization → Codex.Mechanics.Resistances.description

“the game does start at a base of 50% resistance cap for each element”Wyatt · Navigation demo narration, 2026-09-26 Corroborateddata/observations/wyatt_2026-09-26.json

“they are bumped up additively by gear such as this necklace that has plus 3% cap to all resistances”Wyatt · Navigation demo narration, 2026-09-26 Corroborateddata/observations/wyatt_2026-09-26.json

“when we hit five, we get the cap to all resistances. So instead of 50, this goes to 55, plus any items you might be wearing that bolster the ceiling”Wyatt · Navigation demo narration, 2026-09-26 Corroborateddata/observations/wyatt_2026-09-26.json

“we've got 0.4 capped all resistances for five points, roughly two points of all resist cap raised”Wyatt · Navigation demo narration, 2026-09-26 Corroborateddata/observations/wyatt_2026-09-26.json

“Currently still lists the 0.75 "maximum" when that is a secondary ceiling requiring large amounts of raising the cap from 50% in game.”Wyatt · Chat message with the next wiki requests, 2026-09-27 Corroborateddata/observations/wyatt_2026-09-27.json

Detailed Stats Datamined

In game: The Detailed Stats screen (Space on the Gear tab)

The character screen's full list of stats. The game works out every number itself; the menu only rounds it for display (whole numbers normally, percentages cut to one decimal). The files swap the labels for Critical Hit Chance and Critical Hit Damage; the wiki follows what the screen says.

How tooltip numbers are rounded Datamined

In game: The bold numbers inside trait text

Tooltips round down: a roll of 45.9% shows as 45%, not 46%. The + or − comes from the text around the number.

Weapon DPS (tooltip) Datamined

In game: The big number on a weapon tooltip, e.g. "EARTH DPS"

The big DPS number on a weapon tooltip is double the weapon's attack power (times a display scale), rounded down. Detailed Stats rounds Base DPS normally, so the two can be one apart.

Banner Overhealth Datamined

In game: The big number on a banner tooltip vs. Base Overhealth in Detailed Stats

The Overhealth number on a banner tooltip is far bigger than Base Overhealth on Detailed Stats because the tooltip multiplies it by 30. Both describe the same banner.

Life Stone Health Recovery Datamined

In game: The big number on a life stone tooltip; Base Health Recovery in Detailed Stats

The big number on a life stone tooltip is its Health Recovery, rounded normally. Detailed Stats shows the same value as Base Health Recovery.

What an Ascension level costs Corroborated

In game: Ascension tab: the XP bar under the level dial

Every Ascension Level costs a bit more than the one before, by a fixed percentage, and the rate steps up once partway along. The bar under the level dial is counting toward your next level, not the one you are on. Getting all the way to 450 takes hundreds of millions of XP.

Skills (the skill grid) Datamined

In game: Valorplate > Skills: a grid of skills, each with five levels

The Valorplate's grid of skills, each with five levels. A skill level's text can be worded differently from the effect behind it (for example “cap to all resistances” vs “maximum All resistances”), because the two come from different places in the files.

Skill points Corroborated

In game: Valorplate > Skills: the Available Points counter

The points that buy skill-grid levels come from two places and nowhere else. Levelling your character to 50 pays 49 of them, and a fixed list of 22 story missions, campaign bosses and Dreamstones pays one each the first time you finish it, for 23 more. That is 72 in total, and the grid has room for 125 — so you cannot have everything, and choosing what to skip is the real decision. Ascension Levels do not pay skill points.

“There are some extra skill points to be earned after level 50 from particular missions in the campaign (base game and DLC) and by completing particular dreamstones.”Wyatt · chat message, 2026-10-03 Corroborateddata/observations/wyatt_2026-10-03b.json

“You never get extra skill points for ascension levels, only from the arbitrary objectives after hitting level 50.”Wyatt · chat message, 2026-10-03 Corroborateddata/observations/wyatt_2026-10-03b.json

Ascension Bonuses and Powers Corroborated

In game: Ascension tab: Bonuses (a numbered row of three, five ranks each) and Powers (two, pick one)

Once you hit level 50 you start earning Ascension Levels instead, and they never reset. Each one pays a point to spend on the Bonuses tab, which is a long list of numbered rows, three bonuses to a row, five ranks each. The number next to a bonus is what one rank gives you, not what all five give. Rows unlock on how many points you have already spent. The Powers tab is a different thing: every 25 Ascension Levels it offers you two powers, you pick one, and it costs you nothing.

Once you've reached level 50, you can earn Ascension Levels. Each Ascension Level takes you beyond 50 and unlocks powerful new traits that apply across all of your Valorplates. Gain a point for each new Ascension Level that you can spend on permanent Ascension Bonuses. Every 25 Ascension levels grants you a new Ascension Power. Each time, you can pick from one of two Ascension Powers. You may change your selection at any time.Codex: Ascension LevelsAperion/Content/Aperion/Data/Gameplay/SourceData/source_data.json → localization → Codex.Mechanics.AscensionLevel.description

“Ascension levels are activated after the character achieves level 50.”Wyatt · chat message, 2026-10-03 Corroborateddata/observations/wyatt_2026-10-03.json

Ascension points are not skill points Corroborated

In game: Two counters that look alike: Available Points on the Skills screen, and on Ascension

Two different counters that both say Available Points. Skill points come from character levels and from finishing certain missions and Dreamstones, and they buy skill-grid levels. Ascension points come one per Ascension Level and buy Ascension bonuses. Neither one can be spent on the other, and Ascension never gives you skill points, however it may look.

“You never get extra skill points for ascension levels, only from the arbitrary objectives after hitting level 50.”Wyatt · chat message, 2026-10-03 Corroborateddata/observations/wyatt_2026-10-03b.json

“Ascension points are an entirely separate system from the Skill points + Skill grid system”Wyatt · chat message, 2026-10-03 Corroborateddata/observations/wyatt_2026-10-03b.json

Weapon mastery (cut content) Corroborated

In game: Nowhere. There is no interface for it in the game.

A second skill system that is in the game's files but was never finished and never switched on. There is no screen for it, nothing to spend on it and no benefit from it. Two of the 5 weapon trees were written out in full, names and descriptions and all, which is the only reason there is anything to read.

“The weapon masteries do not exist in game for any class of weapon.”Wyatt · chat message, 2026-10-03 Corroborateddata/observations/wyatt_2026-10-03d.json

“mastery is not a mechanic the players gets to interact with, or benefit from and there's no portion of the UI that even indicates mastery is a real thing to the player”Wyatt · chat message, 2026-10-03 Corroborateddata/observations/wyatt_2026-10-03d.json

Curses (consumables) Datamined

In game: Resources > Curses: Lesser, regular and Greater curses

Consumables you get by awakening or salvaging Cursed items. Spend them to make Lightbringer runs harder in exchange for better rewards.

Awakening or Salvaging Cursed Items will also reward you with Curses. Curses are powerful consumables that can increase the difficulty of your Lightbringer runs for greater rewards.Tutorial textAperion/Content/Localization/Game/en/Game.locres → ST_Mission_Tutorial → Lesson.CursedItems.Dialog4

“they will not be important for the purposes of the build planner or anything like that. It'll just be pages on the wiki that relate to their functions in the light bearer activity”Wyatt · Navigation demo narration, 2026-09-26 Corroborateddata/observations/wyatt_2026-09-26.json