Regarding basics on swords, and shields.

When it comes to swords, and shields, what different upgrades can I put on them?

If I get a basic sword, and shield/ not purple, or gold, is there anything that I can do to make it purple, or gold?


Thanks.

no
edit: First (<< as a replacement of 12chars)

Most weapons (with a few exceptions) have at least two slots for a mod.

Swords have Sword Hilts and Sword Pommels.
Hammers have Hammer Grips and Hammer Hafts.
Axes have Axe Grips and Axe Hafts.
Bows have Bow Grips and Bow Strings.
Staves have Staff Wrappings and Staff Heads.
Daggers have Dagger Handles and Dagger Tangs.
Spears have Spearheads and Spear Grips.
Scythes have Scythe Grips and Scythe Snathes.

Exceptions:

Wands only have Wand Wrappings.
Focus Items only have Focus Cores.
Shields only have Shield Grips.

Weapons found in Nightfall and Eye of the North can also come with a 3rd slot for a mod called an Inscription. There will sometimes be weapons from Prophecies and Factions that have a 3rd inherent mod that you cannot salvage or mod off, and Inscriptions took the place of this inherent mod so that you can change it.
Inscriptions are easily spotted as they're the last mod on an item and are surrounded by quotation marks (not to mention it says "Inscription" on the weapon).
There are different types of inscriptions. Only certain types will fit in certain types of weapons. You can't force an martial weapon inscription onto a staff, etc.

Exs: "I Have the Power!" is an inscription.

Barbed Long Sword of Fortitude (Barbed and ..of Fortitude are the Sword Hilt and Sword Pommel)

Tormented Shield of Valor (..of Valor is the Shield Handle)

These two Wiki articles on weapon upgrades should be good reading for you.

Basically, you can apply a sword hilt and sword pommel to a sword, and a shield handle to a shield. Certain inscriptions can be added to both if the item was acquired in Nightfall or Eye of the North. Prophecies, Factions, and core areas have inherent inscriptions that cannot be changed.

You cannot change the color of a weapon. However, you can add and remove mods from colored ones, if they have a prefix or suffix, or a named inscription.

wands focus items and shields cannot be upgraded at all unless they have an inscription slot.

For future references: http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/w...t10326347.html

No. The closest you can come to that is, I think, if you add a mod to a white weapon it may turn blue.
But, you can't turn a weapon into purple or gold (or green).