Rarity

**Rarity** (sometimes referred to as **Quality**) is a mechanic in *Curse of the Dead Gods* that affects all Weapons and Relics, and (along with their Level) can impact their price in Weapon/Relic Sanctuaries.

There are four **Rarity** tiers, in ascending order :

* **Common**
* **Rare**
* **Very Rare**
* **Cursed**

**Rarity** determines how powerful a Relic's effect is, and how many Affixes a Weapon can have.

## Overview

Rare items are more expensive to buy in Shrines than more common items of the same level. While **Common**, **Rare** and **Very Rare** items work similarly to one another, **Cursed** items have unique mechanics associated to them : see Cursed Weapons and Cursed Relics for more details.

Contrary to Levels, it is not possible to increase an item's Rarity.

Another difference with Levels is that, while it is impossible to acquire high-level items without clearing at least a few Rooms, it is perfectly possible to find rare items right away or even to start with some rare Weapons (if the Player has upgraded their Weapon Altars).

## Weapon Rarity

Non-Cursed Weapons can have from zero to three Affixes. This number is largely determined by the weapons's Rarity : the rarer a weapon, the more Affixes it will have. However, lvl.1 weapons have one fewer Affix than weapons of lvl.2 (and above) of the same Rarity tier.

Cursed Weapons always come with two Affixes, no matter their Level.

 **Lvl.2+** | 1 Affix

As is the case with Relics, the Rarity tier of a Weapon is one of the main factors that affects its price in Weapon Shrines. In addition, the rarer a weapon, the higher the cost of Upgrading it will be.

* Keep in mind that Rarity isn't everything. Since Weapon Rarity only affects the number of possible Affixes, a rare Weapon can very well be objectively worse than a common one that possesses fewer but more useful Affixes. In addition, the common weapon will benefit from cheaper Upgrades.

## Relic Rarity

The Rarity of a non-Cursed Relic mainly determines how powerful its effect is. For example, a Common Temple's Heart will heal 4% of your max health when crossing a door, compared to 12% for a Very Rare version of the same Relic. Therefore, all else being equal, a rarer Relic will be much stronger than a more common one.

It also influences the power of its Affix (if it has one). Rarer Relics tend to have stronger Affixes than more common Relics of the same Level.

Some Relics only appear at a predetermined Rarity tier : this is notably the case of Cursed Relics. As such, their effect will always be as powerful. Keep in mind that the nature and power of their Affixes can still vary, though.

Like Weapons, Relics get more expensive the rarer they are.

## Impact on Offering costs

Rarity is one of the main factors that determine the cost of Offerings in Weapon, Relic and Upgrade Sanctuaries, whether the Player pays with Gold (Gold Offerings) or with a Corruption hit (Blood Offerings).

### Weapon and Relic Shrines

* Weapon and Relic Shrines always offer items of different Rarity tiers. Generally, one will be Common, one Rare and one Very Rare, but Cursed items can sometimes appear.
* Rarer items cost more than more common ones.

Keep in mind that the Level of each item also impacts its Gold Offering cost. This aspect can be ignored if the Player decides to pay with a Blood Offering.

### Upgrade Shrines

* Rarer Weapons cost more to Upgrade than more common ones.

Keep in mind that the Level of the weapon to upgrade also impacts its Gold Offering cost. This aspect can be ignored if the Player decides to pay with a Blood Offering.