how to · Items
Elden Ring Somber Smithing Stone Locations and Upgrade Guide
Find Somber Smithing Stones 1–9, understand the +10 special-weapon path, unlock bell-bearing purchases, and protect the limited final stone.
Answer first
Quick Answer
Special armaments use one Somber Smithing Stone matching each rank from [1] for +1 through [9] for +9, then one Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone for +10. Smithing Master Iji sells early ranks, tunnels and scarabs provide pickups, and Somberstone Miner’s Bell Bearings make ranks 1–9 renewable at Roundtable Hold.
On This Page
Key Takeaways
- A special weapon needs one stone of the same number as its next reinforcement rank.
- +10 is the completed Somber track; it is equivalent in progression role to a completed +25 standard weapon, not a weaker +10 standard weapon.
- Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearings eventually make [1] through [9] purchasable.
- Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones remain limited per journey.
- A special armament's unique skill is generally fixed, so test the moveset and skill before committing the final stone.
Rank and source plan
| Stone | Upgrade | Reliable progression idea |
|---|---|---|
| [1] | +1 | Limgrave/Liurnia pickups or Iji |
| [2] | +2 | Early tunnels, Liurnia, or Iji |
| [3] | +3 | Liurnia/early underground progression or Iji |
| [4] | +4 | Liurnia, Caelid, and tunnel progression |
| [5] | +5 | Caelid/Altus and underground routes |
| [6] | +6 | Altus, Mt. Gelmir, and capital-era routes |
| [7] | +7 | Nokstella, Deeproot, Mountaintops-era routes |
| [8] | +8 | Late underground, Mountaintops, and scarab pickups |
| [9] | +9 | Dragonbarrow and late-game regions |
| Somber Ancient Dragon | +10 | Limited late-game quest rewards and pickups |
Locations are route categories, not claims that a stone only appears in one region.
Efficient route
- Confirm the weapon requests Somber rather than standard stones.
- Visit Iji on the road to Caria Manor for convenient early stock.
- Pick up naturally available stones while exploring tunnels and underground areas.
- Give Somberstone bell bearings to the Twin Maiden Husks to make earlier ranks repeatable.
- Upgrade through +9 while testing the fixed skill and scaling.
- Spend a Somber Ancient Dragon stone only after the weapon earns a permanent build slot.
Bell Bearings [1]–[4] unlock pairs [1]/[2] through [7]/[8]; Bell Bearing [5] unlocks [9].
Common Mistakes
- Buying standard Smithing Stones for a Somber weapon.
- Searching for 2/4/6 copies; Somber ranks require one matching stone.
- Assuming the bell bearings unlock the +10 material.
- Following an early “+9 route” without activating nearby graces or spending carried runes.
- Treating every unique weapon as compatible with custom Ashes of War.
Troubleshooting
Why did Iji disappear or stop helping?
NPC state can change through quest progression. Earlier Somber ranks can still be sourced through exploration and bell bearings at Roundtable Hold.
Why can’t Hewg upgrade to +10?
You need a Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone, not Somber [10]. Check the exact material line in the reinforcement preview.
FAQ
How many stones are needed for +10?
One each of Somber [1] through [9], plus one Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
Can I buy unlimited Somber [9]?
Yes after offering the final Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing. The +10 material remains limited.
Can I undo a Somber upgrade?
No. Spent stones are not refunded, although lower ranks later become purchasable.
Version Scope
Base-game reinforcement verified through Patch 1.17. The DLC adds sources and weapons but uses the same Somber +10 track.
Compare the normal weapon path or return to the Elden Ring hub.
How this answer was checked
Sources & Verification
- Bandai Namco early-game tipsofficial
- Elden Ring Wiki Somber Smithing Stonescommunity source
More verified answers
Related Guides
Elden Ring Smithing Stone Bell Bearing Guide
Offer the appropriate Smithing-Stone Miner's or Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing to the Twin Maiden Husks to unlock repeat purchases for the tiers covered by that bearing.
Verified guide
Rivers of Blood Guide
This Elden Ring page establishes the source-backed scope for Rivers of Blood Guide. It provides the direct guide URL, current-version verification note, and links to the next relevant topics without presenting an unsupported ranking or patch-sensitive recommendation as permanent fact.
Verified guideElden Ring Map Fragment Locations: All 24 Maps
Elden Ring has 19 base-game map fragments and five more in Shadow of the Erdtree. On an unrevealed overworld map, the small pillar icon marks the region's map stele; underground fragments are collected from named corpses or structures instead. A fragment reveals terrain, not every Site of Grace or collectible.
Verified guideElden Ring Memory Stone Guide: All 8 Locations
There are eight Memory Stones: buy one from Twin Maiden Husks; loot tower chests at Oridys's Rise, Testu's Rise, Lenne's Rise, Converted Tower, and Seluvis's Rise; defeat Red Wolf of Radagon; and defeat Demi-Human Queen Maggie. They raise the base two memory slots to ten; Moon of Nokstella can add two more while equipped.
Verified guideElden Ring Co-op Guide: Summon Friends and Fix Missing Signs
To summon a friend, both players must be on the same platform family and near the same location. Set the same case-sensitive Multiplayer Password, have the guest place a gold sign with Tarnished's Furled Finger, and have the host use a Furlcalling Finger Remedy to reveal and activate it. Co-op ends after the area boss is defeated, a player dies, or the session disconnects.
Verified guide