Early kits were reported to ship with three skills. The ultimate stays locked until you evolve that weapon once. Players who still saw an evolution prompt afterward were told there was no second evolution yet. Shadow Monarch is the exception documented after the update: three Monarch Path stages.
Shadow Monarch stages
| Stage | Reported effect |
|---|---|
| I, The System | +4% damage per level during a run. No cap is printed. |
| II, Igris | Igris fights with you. |
| III, Demon King's Longsword | Longer basic attacks and +50% basic-attack damage. |
The ultimate is Monarch's Domain. Activating it a second time is reported to summon Kaisel. Igris upgrades cover damage, attack speed, lifesteal, and an extra shadow slot. Exact node percents differ between write-ups, so read the upgrade panel.
One walkthrough prints this material list. Compare it with the evolve screen before you farm it.
- Stage 1: 20 Fine Cloth, 8 Magic Pendants, 25 Shadow Essences, 10 Igris Crests, 1,000,000 money, 10,000 gems.
- Stage 2: 47 Shadow Essences, 12 Igris Crests, 2,400,000 money, 19,000 gems.
- Stage 3: 80 Shadow Essences, 24 Igris Crests, 15 Shadow Cloaks, 5 Monarch's Blessings, 4,000,000 money, 32,000 gems.
Fine Cloth is attributed to all chapters and Infinite. Magic Pendants are attributed to Chapter 1. The shadow materials are attributed to Shadow Gate.
Other weapons
The confirmed early example is Sukuna Fingers for Sukuna, dropped from runs. The October 9 kit with fast slashes, fire, and a domain is named Cursed King. That may be the same weapon under a new label. It is not confirmed, so both names stay on the weapon list.
If the evolve button does nothing, the usual cause is a missing material the menu does not name. Check inventory against the recipe before you call the weapon broken.
Material pity from October 2 guarantees the missing item after 5 runs without that drop, when the preview says the act can drop it.