Improve Tactician's Amulet?

[Pandi]

So, according to the patch that introduced i-frames the Tactician's Amulet is supposed to be improvable at the Handler but I'm not seeing any option to do so. How does this work? Is it NG+ only?
Since the game originally came without i-frames I want to play it like that but having to give up my amulet slot to do so is a bit painful. The increased roll and dash distance from the Tactician's Amulet is alright but I have some better amulets so really I'm just nerfing myself here trying to play the game like it was meant to be played.

Edit: After getting to the desert the Handler had the recipe for the improved amulet. I'm not sure if I picked up the recipe along the way or if it automatically unlocks once you reach the desert.

[Julian]

And is it more worthwhile now?
I'm in the same boat but not as far in the game.
I want to play it the way it was originally intended (if that makes sense anymore) but right now I think it's costing me and I'm pretty bad at Souls to boot.

[Pandi]

Yeah, the upgrades are really good. You can choose from several different ones to match your build / playstyle. I played through the game again and I think you need 3 handler echos to unlock the upgrades.

[Doroti]

Just so you know, the I-frames are so tiny, that it's not even funny.

And Tactitian's amulet is a free top-tier amulet.

[Ziev217]

Originally posted by Doroti:

Just so you know, the I-frames are so tiny, that it's not even funny.

And Tactitian's amulet is a free top-tier amulet.

I'd have to disagree with this one, i-frames are well placed to where if you're dodging at the correct time you can avoid a lot of damage. I even sport the necklace that adds i-frames to make it even easier to dodge.