Correct. You must have potential, as you and your partners must grow together. If one who already is at the peak were to try and grow their partner, it wouldn't work. As for weapons...

[ ...Well, in the hallway, you're going to get to see guard training. They uh. Sure are able to do all sorts of things. She's gesturing at it. There's lasers, magic, all kinds of things flung around. ]

Our kind can take these kinds of blows. We were led to believe your kind were far more fragile. There is a smith in town if you wish to have a weapon, but we would advise you to be careful.