Equipment Upgrades

While Kiryu is a formidable fighter on his own, the streets of Kamurocho and Sotenbori are filled with increasingly dangerous foes. To keep pace, you'll want to invest in upgrading your equipment. Unlike some other Yakuza titles, Kiwami 2 streamlines the process, focusing on a single, dedicated workshop.

The Weapon Workshop

Your primary hub for all equipment upgrades is the Weapon Workshop. This establishment allows you to craft new weapons and gear, as well as enhance existing pieces. You'll first gain access to the Weapon Workshop during Chapter 5 of the main story, located in the Dragon Palace in Kamurocho. Look for the building with the distinctive dragon emblem on its facade.

Upon entering, speak to the proprietor, a gruff but skilled craftsman. He'll present you with two main options:

Crafting: Create entirely new weapons and defensive gear from blueprints and materials.
Enhancement: Improve the stats of your currently owned equipment.

Crafting New Equipment

Crafting new equipment is essential for acquiring powerful weapons that aren't readily available in stores. Each item requires a specific blueprint and a set of materials. Blueprints are typically found as rewards for completing substories, defeating certain bosses, or exploring hidden areas. Materials, on the other hand, are much more common and can be acquired through various means:

Combat Drops: Enemies will occasionally drop materials after being defeated. Stronger enemies tend to drop rarer materials.
Looting: Keep an eye out for glowing spots on the ground, especially in back alleys and construction sites. These often contain valuable materials.
Store Purchases: Some general stores and pawn shops will sell basic crafting materials.
Minigame Rewards: Certain minigames, like the Clan Creator, can reward you with rare materials.
Substory Rewards: Many substories offer unique materials or even blueprints as completion rewards.

Recommended Early-Game Crafts:

Sturdy Iron Knuckles: A significant upgrade over Kiryu's bare fists, offering a good balance of attack power. Requires Iron Plate x3 and Sturdy Wood x2. Iron Plates can be found by defeating thugs in the Champion District, and Sturdy Wood is common in construction areas.
Bulletproof Vest: An excellent defensive piece that will reduce incoming damage. Requires Thick Leather x4 and Steel Plate x2. Thick Leather is dropped by more powerful enemies, and Steel Plates can sometimes be found in the sewers.

Enhancing Existing Equipment

Enhancement allows you to boost the stats of your favorite weapons and gear, making them even more effective. Each enhancement level requires a specific amount of money and a set of materials. The higher the enhancement level, the more expensive and resource-intensive it becomes.

To enhance an item:

Visit the Weapon Workshop.
Select the "Enhancement" option.
Choose the piece of equipment you wish to enhance from your inventory.
Review the required money and materials.
Confirm the enhancement.

Enhancement Tips:

Prioritize Your Main Weapon: Focus on enhancing the weapon you use most frequently. A strong weapon can significantly shorten combat encounters.
Defensive Gear Matters: Don't neglect your defensive equipment. Enhanced armor can be the difference between victory and defeat in tougher boss fights.
Grind for Materials: If you're short on a particular material, identify its common drop location or purchase it from a store if available. Don't be afraid to re-enter areas to farm for needed resources.
Save Your Money: High-level enhancements can be very costly. Make sure you have a healthy stash of yen before attempting them. Consider playing minigames like Cabaret Club Czar or the Coliseum for quick cash.

By consistently utilizing the Weapon Workshop for both crafting and enhancement, you'll ensure Kiryu is always prepared for whatever challenges the criminal underworld throws his way.