Allow me to shed some light on the mechanics of weapon upgrades, buffs, and affinities in Elden Ring, particularly in relation to the Golden Vow (Sacred) and your +6 Claymore.

To address your initial question: yes, the sacred version of Golden Vow does indeed stack with your weapon upgrades. However, the interaction between weapon upgrades, buffs, and affinities can be somewhat complex, so let's break it down.

Firstly, weapon upgrades, such as your +6 Claymore, primarily increase your base weapon damage and default stat scalings. At +6, your Claymore's damage output is largely influenced by the upgrade level rather than your strength (STR) stat. Therefore, upgrading your Claymore with stones is indeed worthwhile, especially in the early stages of the game.

Now, let's delve into the mechanics of buffs and affinities. Buffs, like the Golden Vow, temporarily enhance your weapon's properties, while affinities modify how your weapon's stat scalings are applied.

The sacred version of Golden Vow adds Holy damage to your attacks and scales with your Faith output. When applied to your Claymore, it boosts the damage output based on your Faith stat, providing additional damage against certain types of enemies, particularly the undead.

However, if you're primarily using strength (STR) for your weapon damage, you may find that the Sacred affinity from Golden Vow diminishes the effectiveness of your STR scaling. In this case, you have a few options:

1, Utilize Heavy-affinity Ashes of War: These can be attached to your Claymore to boost the STR scaling of your weapon, complementing your strength-based build. Examples include War Cry or Wild Strikes. Alternatively, you can use the Iron Whetblade to apply a Heavy affinity alongside Golden Vow, maximizing your Claymore's damage potential.

2, Opt for a Dual Weapon Setup: Consider applying Golden Vow to a secondary weapon, such as a Dagger, and switch between weapons as needed. This allows you to benefit from the Sacred buff without compromising the scaling of your Claymore.

It's worth noting that buffs and affinities can have nuanced interactions, and experimenting with different combinations may yield optimal results based on your playstyle and enemy encounters.

In conclusion, while Golden Vow (Sacred) does stack with weapon upgrades, understanding how buffs and affinities interact with your build is key to maximizing your damage output. Don't hesitate to explore further and experiment with different setups to find what works best for you on your journey through the Lands Between.

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