why I can't Upgrade my defender great sword?

[EZ_Mode_Guy]

I got the Anjanath Scale and I have the money but wont Upgrade ????

[Maffeketel]

Just a quick tip : If youre a new player then I'd advise you not to use the defender gear as it was designed so that players could reach the iceborne DLC quickly. It wasn't meant for new players and the set is of end game quality for the base game.
If youre not a new player then youre probably already aware of this.

Have you made sure that you've obtained the material from the correct rank? You can check the materials in your monster field guide as there's a difference between high rank and low rank materials.
The defender gear needs high rank materials so you'll have to hunt an Anjanath in high rank and not in low rank. The smithy will display whether you have the correct item when youre in the crafting menu.

[Talinthis]

if you have the material then you are trying to upgrade it from the wrong menu, you need to do it from the upgrade equipment not first option which is forge equipment. it is pretty clunky imo and i never did really like it.

[Shakzor]

First: You have to upgrade at the smithy, choosing the "upgrade" option and choosing the very weapon, other ways won't work, as it's not the same weapon", meaning you can't choose, let's say Iron Sword 2 and upgrade it to Defender Sword 3, only Iron Sword 2 to Iron Sword 3 or Defender 2 > 3 (and whatever they might branch out to)

Second: If you're new, i'd advise against defender gear, it was made to speed you through the game, and if you're new... i'd suggest you just take your time and play it, unless you take another 2-3 years to get to Iceborne, people will still play it and you'll find hunts fast.