Smithing Stones — Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Guide
Smithing Stones are the lifeblood of your arsenal in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, enabling you to enhance your weapons and shields to their full potential. These essential crafting materials are scattered throughout the Land of Shadow, and understanding their different tiers and locations is crucial for maximizing your combat effectiveness.
As with the base game, Smithing Stones are categorized into different tiers, with higher-tier stones required to upgrade weapons to their maximum potential. In Shadow of the Erdtree, you'll encounter new variants and potentially new types of stones that are specific to the expansion's unique weapon systems. The primary Smithing Stones (Smithing Stone [1] through [8]) will be familiar, but keep an eye out for Somber Smithing Stones as well, which are used to upgrade unique weapons.
The early game will see you primarily finding Smithing Stone [1] and [2], often in mining nodes or dropped by common enemies. As you progress into more dangerous areas and legacy dungeons, you'll begin to find higher-tier Smithing Stones. Dedicated mining areas, often marked by glowing veins in caves or rocky outcrops, are your best bet for farming these materials. Some merchants may also offer a limited supply, especially as you progress further into the game.
Locations and Acquisition of Smithing Stones:
- Mining Nodes: Look for shimmering veins of ore in caves, ravines, and rocky areas. These are the most consistent source of Smithing Stones.
- Enemy Drops: Certain enemies, particularly those associated with mining or smithing, have a chance to drop Smithing Stones.
- Merchants: Some merchants in the Land of Shadow will sell a limited quantity of Smithing Stones, often restocking as you progress.
- Treasure Chests: You'll find Smithing Stones in various chests scattered throughout the world, often in guarded locations.
- Boss Rewards: Some boss encounters may reward you with a significant cache of Smithing Stones.
Smithing Stone Tiers and Their Uses:
| Smithing Stone Tier | Weapon Upgrade Level | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Smithing Stone [1] | +1 to +3 | Basic Weapon Upgrades |
| Smithing Stone [2] | +4 to +6 | Basic Weapon Upgrades |
| Smithing Stone [3] | +7 to +9 | Basic Weapon Upgrades |
| Smithing Stone [4] | +10 to +12 | Basic Weapon Upgrades |
| Smithing Stone [5] | +13 to +15 | Basic Weapon Upgrades |
| Smithing Stone [6] | +16 to +18 | Basic Weapon Upgrades |
| Smithing Stone [7] | +19 to +21 | Basic Weapon Upgrades |
| Smithing Stone [8] | +22 to +25 | Basic Weapon Upgrades |
| Somber Smithing Stone [1-9] | Unique Weapon Upgrades | Upgrades unique weapons to +10 |
Prioritize upgrading your main weapon as soon as you find the necessary Smithing Stones. A well-upgraded weapon can make a significant difference in your ability to overcome the challenges of Shadow of the Erdtree. Don't neglect your shields either; a reinforced shield can be a lifesaver.