shwimpy said:
I'm at the same spot as you but with lvl 1 weapons for everyone. :lol Not sure when I should start upgrading since I haven't had much trouble yet but at least when I do, I'll have a crapload of money/items to do so. I guess I'm waiting to upgrade the best lvl 1 weapon I receive but does it really matter? I heard every weapon changes into the same one at the end of upgrading.
The final tier of every weapon for a given character all have the same final name, but not the same final stats. So yes, it does matter which weapon you decide to level up. For example, with Lightning, the Gladius is heavy on str and low on mag, and so it's final form will be the same. However, the Edged Carbine is low on str and heavy on mag, and so it's final from will be the same.
Edit:
To the poster above me, this guide below has a item section, and is pretty complete as far as what each weapon's stats will ultimately be. All credit goes to the writer, of course.
http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps3/file/928790/58751
This is the only real "guide" I've found thus far for weapon upgrading...
Anyone who imported, do you know the English equivalent of the Colored Jellies and Fusion Reactor things? The two items where you use 36 of the Jellies to get the x3.0, and then load on the Reactors.