Understanding the Upgrade System
In Elden Ring, upgrading your weapons is not just about finding the right materials. It is a deliberate process that tests your exploration, your patience, and your willingness to take risks. Many players spend dozens of hours with a single weapon, only to realize later that they could have pushed it further. The journey to maximum weapon upgrades is one of the most rewarding loops in the game, but it requires a clear understanding of how the system works and where to find the resources that matter most.
I have been through this process on multiple characters, and I have made every mistake you can imagine. I have wasted somber smithing stones on weapons I never used. I have sold upgrade materials by accident. I have run into walls that seemed impossible to climb, only to discover I had missed a crucial bell bearing or a hidden path. The good news is that the system is fair once you learn its logic. The bad news is that it does not hold your hand. Here is what I wish someone had told me before I started grinding.
Smithing Stones and Somber Smithing Stones
The vast majority of weapons in Elden Ring use smithing stones for standard upgrades and somber smithing stones for the final push. These materials are everywhere if you know where to look. Smithing stones are the bread and butter. You will find them on corpses, dropped by soldiers, and sold by merchants. The real bottleneck comes when you need somber smithing stones for those last few levels. Each weapon can be upgraded to +3 using standard stones, then +6 with somber stones, and finally +10 with an ancient dragon somber smithing stone. For special weapons that use somber smithing stones from the start, the progression is similar but requires different materials.
I remember spending an entire afternoon farming somber smithing stones near the Gatefront Ruins. The soldiers there drop them occasionally, but the drop rate is not great. It was tedious, but it taught me something important: the game rewards thorough exploration more than grinding. Every time I opened a chest in a new cave or found a hidden merchant, I felt like I was making progress toward maximum weapon upgrades. The materials are not infinite, but they are plentiful if you look in the right places.
Ancient Dragon Somber Smithing Stones
These are the rarest upgrade materials in the game. You need one ancient dragon somber smithing stone to push a regular weapon from +9 to the maximum +10. For special weapons that upgrade with somber smithing stones, you need a different set of rare materials. There are only a limited number of these stones in each playthrough. I have found exactly seven in my first run, and I thought I had searched everywhere. Later I discovered two more in areas I had rushed through. The lesson is clear: do not skip optional bosses. Do not ignore catacombs. Do not assume that a dead end is actually a dead end.
One of the best early sources is a hidden boss in a cave near the starting area. You might miss it entirely if you follow the main path. Another is found after defeating a difficult invader in a poison swamp. The game hides these stones behind challenges that feel meaningful. When you finally get one, you feel like you earned it. That is the magic of this system. It does not hand you maximum weapon upgrades on a silver platter. It makes you work for them, and that makes each upgrade feel significant.
Special Weapons and Somber Smithing Stones
Some weapons, like boss weapons and special drops, use somber smithing stones exclusively. They start at +0 and go up to +10 using only somber stones. This means you need ten somber smithing stones per special weapon, and those stones are much rarer than regular smithing stones. I have seen players hoard them for an entire playthrough, afraid to commit to a single weapon. That is a mistake. The game gives you enough somber stones to upgrade at least two or three special weapons to +10 if you explore thoroughly. The key is to choose your weapons wisely based on your build and your playstyle.
I once upgraded a special katana to +9, only to realize I preferred a different weapon for the final boss. I had to farm somber stones for another hour to get the second weapon ready. It was annoying, but it taught me to test weapons at lower upgrade levels before committing the rare materials. That is a practical tip I still use. Do not rush to upgrade a weapon you have not used for at least a few hours. The game rewards patience, and the path to maximum weapon upgrades is no exception.
Where to Farm and Buy
If you are short on materials, there are reliable sources. The Twin Maiden Husks merchant sells smithing stones for a reasonable price after you give them a certain bell bearing. You can also find somber smithing stones in the Lake of Rot area from a merchant who appears after you defeat a specific boss. For ancient dragon somber smithing stones, you cannot buy them. You must find them in the world. There is no shortcut. That is part of the design. The game wants you to explore every corner, and it rewards you for doing so.
Here are my top five tips for efficient upgrading:
- Always check the inventory of merchants after you give them a bell bearing. Some sell rare materials you might have missed.
- Mark locations of ancient dragon somber smithing stones on your map. There are maps online, but finding them yourself is more satisfying.
- Do not upgrade a weapon beyond +3 until you are sure you will use it. The early stones are common, but the later ones are not.
- Farm soldiers in the early areas for smithing stones. The drop rate is low, but the enemies are easy and you can accumulate stones quickly.
- Consider using a weapon that does not require somber smithing stones for your first playthrough. It simplifies the upgrade path and lets you focus on other aspects of the game.
The Importance of Bell Bearings
Bell bearings are the key to unlocking more upgrade options. Giving a bell bearing to a merchant often unlocks new inventory, including rare upgrade materials. I cannot stress this enough. If you are struggling to find somber smithing stones, you probably missed a bell bearing somewhere. Check your map for areas you have not fully explored. Look for hidden paths behind waterfalls or in caves. The game is full of secrets, and many of them lead to materials that bring you closer to maximum weapon upgrades.
I learned this the hard way. On my first playthrough, I missed a bell bearing in the poison swamp because I did not explore a side path. I spent hours farming somber stones from enemies when I could have just bought them from a merchant. That mistake cost me time and sanity. Do not repeat it. Explore everything. Talk to every NPC. Open every chest. The game rewards curiosity.
Weapon Choice and Build Synergy
Not every weapon benefits equally from max upgrades. Some weapons have scaling that makes them much stronger at +10 than at +5. Others have scaling that plateaus early. If you are going for maximum weapon upgrades, you want to invest in a weapon that matches your stats and your playstyle. For example, a strength-based build benefits from weapons with high strength scaling. A dexterity build wants weapons that scale with dexterity. Intelligence builds often use special weapons that scale with intellect. The synergy between your stats and your weapon is what makes the upgrade worth it.
I have seen players pour all their somber stones into a weapon that scales poorly with their build. That is a waste. Before you commit, check the weapon's scaling grades. A weapon with A scaling in your main stat will get much more benefit from upgrades than one with D scaling. The path to maximum weapon upgrades is not just about finding materials. It is about making smart choices with those materials.
Final Thoughts on the Grind
The journey to max out your weapons in Elden Ring is not for everyone. It takes time, patience, and a willingness to explore. But for those who enjoy the process, it is deeply satisfying. Each upgrade feels like a milestone. Each new somber stone feels like a victory. And when you finally hold a +10 weapon in your hands, you know you earned it.
I remember the first time I hit +10 on my favorite sword. I had spent hours farming, exploring, and dying to bosses. But when I saw that final number, I felt a genuine sense of accomplishment. That is rare in games today. Elden Ring respects your time by making the reward proportional to the effort. The system is not perfect. The drop rates could be better. The scarcity of ancient dragon somber smithing stones can be frustrating. But overall, it works. It encourages you to see the whole world, to fight every enemy, to open every door. And in the end, that is what makes the game great.
If you are aiming for maximum weapon upgrades, my advice is simple. Explore thoroughly. Choose your weapons carefully. Do not waste rare materials on weapons you will not use. And above all, enjoy the journey. The destination is worth it, but the path is where the real game lives.