Ah, Tarnished, the path to true power in the Lands Between often culminates in the raw, unadulterated might of a fully upgraded weapon. If you’ve been wondering how to get plus 25 weapons in Elden Ring, you’ve certainly come to the right place. Achieving this pinnacle of weapon strength means unlocking the absolute maximum potential of your chosen arsenal, delivering devastating blows that can fell even the mightiest of demigods. This isn’t just about raw damage; it’s about optimizing your build, perfecting your combat readiness, and truly becoming a force to be reckoned with. While standard weapons reach +25, it’s worth noting that unique, “Somber” weapons reach their maximum at +10, both representing the absolute zenith of their respective upgrade paths. This comprehensive guide will meticulously detail every step, every material, and every location you’ll need to visit on your journey to wield weapons of unparalleled power in Elden Ring.
Understanding the Elden Ring Weapon Upgrade System
Before diving into the specifics of obtaining those elusive late-game materials, it’s absolutely crucial to grasp the fundamental mechanics of weapon upgrading in Elden Ring. There are two primary categories of weapons, each with its own distinct upgrade path:
- Standard Weapons: These are your common swords, axes, spears, and bows. They utilize regular Smithing Stones and can be upgraded all the way up to an impressive +25.
- Somber Weapons: These are often unique, boss-related, or special armaments. They require Somber Smithing Stones and reach their maximum potential at +10.
The core principle remains the same: you’ll need a progressively rarer type of stone as you ascend through the upgrade levels. For the vast majority of your journey, you’ll be relying on the various tiers of Smithing Stones. However, the final push to +25 (or +10 for Somber) demands something far rarer and more precious: Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones and Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones.
Most of your early and mid-game upgrading will be handled by Blacksmith Hewg at the Roundtable Hold. He’s an invaluable ally and will serve as your primary artisan throughout your journey. As you progress, you’ll also find Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearings, which can be given to the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold. These bell bearings allow you to purchase unlimited quantities of lower-tier Smithing Stones, making it much easier to upgrade multiple weapons to high levels, paving the way for the ultimate +25 enhancements.
The Standard Weapon Upgrade Path: From +0 to +25
Upgrading a standard weapon is a stepwise process, requiring specific quantities of increasingly higher-tier Smithing Stones. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need for each stage:
- +0 to +3: Requires Smithing Stone [1]
- +3 to +6: Requires Smithing Stone [2]
- +6 to +9: Requires Smithing Stone [3]
- +9 to +12: Requires Smithing Stone [4]
- +12 to +15: Requires Smithing Stone [5]
- +15 to +18: Requires Smithing Stone [6]
- +18 to +21: Requires Smithing Stone [7]
- +21 to +24: Requires Smithing Stone [8]
- +24 to +25: Requires one single, incredibly rare Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone
To give you a clearer picture of the total materials needed for a single standard weapon, consider this table:
| Upgrade Level | Required Stone Type | Stones Per Level | Total for Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| +1 to +3 | Smithing Stone [1] | 2 | 6 |
| +4 to +6 | Smithing Stone [2] | 4 | 12 |
| +7 to +9 | Smithing Stone [3] | 6 | 18 |
| +10 to +12 | Smithing Stone [4] | 9 | 27 |
| +13 to +15 | Smithing Stone [5] | 12 | 36 |
| +16 to +18 | Smithing Stone [6] | 16 | 48 |
| +19 to +21 | Smithing Stone [7] | 20 | 60 |
| +22 to +24 | Smithing Stone [8] | 24 | 72 |
| +25 | Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone | 1 | 1 |
As you can see, the bulk of your material grinding will be for the lower-tier stones, but the *real* challenge and bottleneck for maxing out multiple weapons lies in the final stone.
The Elusive Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones: Keys to +25
The Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone is the single most important item for taking a standard weapon to its ultimate +25 potential. These are incredibly rare, with a strictly limited number available in a single playthrough – typically 13 in the base game. This means you can only fully upgrade 13 standard weapons per journey. Therefore, thoughtful planning and strategic allocation are absolutely essential. You’ll primarily find these stones in the late-game areas, often as rewards for defeating formidable bosses, completing specific questlines, or discovering hidden chests.
Specific Locations and Acquisition Methods for Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones:
Let’s delve into the precise locations where you can unearth these precious stones:
- Crumbling Farum Azula (2 Stones):
- After Godskin Duo: Once you’ve bravely overcome the challenging Godskin Duo boss, proceed past their arena. You’ll discover one Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone waiting for you in a chest in the room beyond.
- Farum Azula Dragon Drop: There’s a stationary dragon perched on a crumbling ruin near the Dragon Temple Rooftop Site of Grace. Defeat this dragon, and it will reward you with an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
- Miquella’s Haligtree (2 Stones):
- Near Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree: After defeating Loretta, make your way to the building just past her arena. You’ll find a stone in a chest there.
- Haligtree Knight Drop: In the Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree area, there’s a specific Haligtree Knight wielding a spear near the Prayer Room Site of Grace. Defeat him, and he has a chance to drop one. (Note: Some guides list this as a guaranteed drop; confirm in-game.)
- Consecrated Snowfield (2 Stones):
- Death Rite Bird Reward: Defeat the Death Rite Bird that appears at night in the Consecrated Snowfield. This formidable foe drops an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone upon defeat.
- Yelough Anix Tunnel: Found inside this optional dungeon located in the western part of the Consecrated Snowfield. It’s often found near the boss arena or after defeating the boss.
- Leyndell, Ashen Capital (2 Stones):
- Godfrey, First Elden Lord (Hoarah Loux) Reward: Upon defeating the manifestation of Godfrey in his true form within the Ashen Capital, he will generously reward you with an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
- Maliketh, the Black Blade Reward: After defeating Maliketh in Crumbling Farum Azula, a stone becomes available in the now Ashen Capital. It’s often found on the path leading to the Erdtree, near where the Dragonic Tree Sentinel was originally.
- Mountaintops of the Giants (2 Stones):
- Great Wyrm Theodorix: Defeat this massive dragon located in the frozen lake area of the Mountaintops of the Giants.
- Guardians’ Garrison Chest: Inside the Guardians’ Garrison fort, found in a chest after defeating the Chief Guardian Arctus.
- Volcano Manor / Nepheli Loux Questline (1 Stone):
- Completing Nepheli Loux’s questline (which involves Lhutel, Kenneth Haight, and Gostoc) and ensuring her survival will eventually reward you with an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone. This can be a bit tricky to navigate, so be sure to follow a detailed guide if you aim for this one.
- Gideon Ofnir’s Shop (1 Stone):
- After defeating Maliketh, the Black Blade, and progressing the story to the point where Leyndell becomes the Ashen Capital, Sir Gideon Ofnir will have one Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone available for purchase at the Roundtable Hold. It costs a substantial amount of Runes.
- Mohgwyn Palace (1 Stone):
- There’s one located on a corpse near the Dynasty Mausoleum Midpoint Site of Grace, accessible after navigating a tricky area with blood-squirting enemies.
As you can probably tell, these stones are deeply integrated into the late-game progression and exploration. You simply cannot rush to get them; they are earned through perseverance and conquering challenging content.
The Somber Weapon Upgrade Path: From +0 to +10
For unique or boss weapons, the upgrade path uses Somber Smithing Stones. While the numerical maximum is lower (+10), these weapons are often powerful from the outset and gain substantial scaling with each Somber upgrade. The final upgrade requires a Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
- +0 to +1: Requires Somber Smithing Stone [1]
- +1 to +2: Requires Somber Smithing Stone [2]
- +2 to +3: Requires Somber Smithing Stone [3]
- +3 to +4: Requires Somber Smithing Stone [4]
- +4 to +5: Requires Somber Smithing Stone [5]
- +5 to +6: Requires Somber Smithing Stone [6]
- +6 to +7: Requires Somber Smithing Stone [7]
- +7 to +8: Requires Somber Smithing Stone [8]
- +8 to +9: Requires Somber Smithing Stone [9]
- +9 to +10: Requires one single, incredibly rare Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone
Here’s a table summarizing the Somber upgrade materials:
| Upgrade Level | Required Stone Type | Total for Tier |
|---|---|---|
| +1 | Somber Smithing Stone [1] | 1 |
| +2 | Somber Smithing Stone [2] | 1 |
| +3 | Somber Smithing Stone [3] | 1 |
| +4 | Somber Smithing Stone [4] | 1 |
| +5 | Somber Smithing Stone [5] | 1 |
| +6 | Somber Smithing Stone [6] | 1 |
| +7 | Somber Smithing Stone [7] | 1 |
| +8 | Somber Smithing Stone [8] | 1 |
| +9 | Somber Smithing Stone [9] | 1 |
| +10 | Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone | 1 |
The Legendary Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones: Zenith of Unique Weapons
Equally, if not more, precious than their standard counterparts, Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones are the ultimate material for maxing out your unique Somber weapons to +10. There are even fewer of these available in a single playthrough – typically only 8 in the base game. This means you can only fully upgrade 8 Somber weapons per journey, making the decision of which unique weapon to empower even more critical. Like the standard Ancient Dragon Stones, these are found in the deepest, most challenging corners of the Lands Between, often guarded by the most fearsome foes or tucked away in obscure locations.
Specific Locations and Acquisition Methods for Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones:
Here’s a detailed breakdown of where you can find these exceedingly rare stones:
- Mohgwyn Palace (1 Stone):
- Corpse in Mausoleum: Near the Dynasty Mausoleum Midpoint Site of Grace, there’s a corpse nestled against a large pillar. You’ll need to navigate a path often harassed by blood-squirting enemies to reach it.
- Crumbling Farum Azula (2 Stones):
- After Maliketh, the Black Blade: Once you’ve vanquished Maliketh, head back to the arena. One Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone will be available on a corpse near the “Beside the Great Bridge” Site of Grace, often on the pathway leading down from the bridge.
- Near the Great Bridge Site of Grace: From the “Beside the Great Bridge” Site of Grace, look towards the structure with the elevator. There’s a path leading around the side where a Dragon awaits. Defeat this specific Dragon in Crumbling Farum Azula, and it will drop a Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
- Mountaintops of the Giants (1 Stone):
- Hidden Path to the Haligtree: After defeating Commander Niall at Castle Sol, you’ll gain access to a portal that takes you to the Consecrated Snowfield. Before using the portal, head to the very back of the Castle Sol area. There’s a tricky jumping puzzle that leads to a hidden path where you can find this stone on a corpse.
- Miquella’s Haligtree (1 Stone):
- After Malenia, Blade of Miquella: This stone is found after defeating one of Elden Ring’s most notoriously difficult bosses, Malenia. It’s usually located in her arena or a very close proximity after her defeat.
- Consecrated Snowfield (1 Stone):
- Pillars in the Snowfield: Look for a large, broken pillar structure in the northern part of the Consecrated Snowfield. It’s often guarded by a few spectral Cleanrot Knights. The stone is on a corpse or in a chest at the base of one of these pillars.
- Caelid (1 Stone):
- Greyoll’s Dragonbarrow: Defeat the Night Cavalry boss that appears at night on the bridge leading into Greyoll’s Dragonbarrow from the Dragonbarrow West Site of Grace. This challenging encounter will reward you with a Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
- Isolated Divine Tower (1 Stone):
- Divine Tower of Caelid: Navigate the tricky platforming and enemies within the Divine Tower of Caelid. At the very top, you’ll find a single Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
Strategic Planning for Maxing Out Weapons
Given the extreme rarity of both Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones and Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones, careful strategic planning is paramount. You simply cannot max out every weapon in a single playthrough. Here are some key considerations:
Resource Management and Prioritization
You’ll naturally acquire a variety of powerful weapons throughout your journey. It’s vital to consider your chosen build and playstyle when deciding which weapons to commit these ultimate upgrade materials to. Do you primarily use a single, reliable weapon? Or do you enjoy swapping between a few different damage types or Ashes of War? Prioritize the weapon(s) that synergize best with your stats and offer the most consistent performance for your personal approach to combat.
New Game+ (NG+) and Multiple Maxed Weapons
If your ambition extends beyond just a few maxed-out weapons, you’ll inevitably need to venture into New Game+ cycles. Each subsequent playthrough resets the availability of these rare stones, allowing you to acquire another set of 13 Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones and 8 Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones. This is the only way to amass a truly comprehensive collection of +25/+10 armaments.
Thorough Exploration and Unwavering Vigilance
Many of these ultimate upgrade materials are found off the beaten path, tucked away in obscure corners, or as rewards for side activities. Embrace exploration! Leave no stone unturned, literally. Check every chest, descend into every cave, and scour every ruin. Often, the most valuable treasures are the most hidden.
Conquering Boss Fights and Completing Questlines
As detailed above, a significant portion of these rare stones are locked behind challenging boss encounters or intricate questlines. Prepare for tough fights and be ready to follow specific character arcs to their conclusion. If you’re struggling with a particular boss, remember that Elden Ring offers numerous ways to overcome challenges, including summoning cooperators or experimenting with different Ashes of War and Talismans.
Leveraging Bell Bearings for Tiered Stones
While the focus is on the Ancient Dragon stones, don’t forget the importance of Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearings. By finding and turning in all four Miner’s Bell Bearings (and the Somber equivalent), you gain the ability to purchase unlimited quantities of Smithing Stone [1] through [8] and Somber Smithing Stone [1] through [9] from the Twin Maiden Husks. This means that once you have the final Ancient Dragon stones, the preceding upgrades are a mere matter of Runes, making it far easier to bring a weapon up to +24 (or +9) quickly.
Tips for a Smooth Upgrade Journey
- Prioritize Early: Once you find a weapon you truly enjoy and that scales well with your chosen stats, consider investing regular Smithing Stones into it early on. Getting a weapon to +15 or +18 mid-game can dramatically ease your progression.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment (within reason): While Ancient Dragon stones are limited, the abundance of regular Smithing Stones once you have the Bell Bearings means you can afford to upgrade a few different weapons to +24 (or +9 for Somber) to test them out before committing the final rare stone.
- Consult Resources: While this guide is comprehensive, the world of Elden Ring is vast. If you’re stuck finding a specific stone, don’t hesitate to cross-reference with community-driven wikis or video guides for precise visual locations.
- Prepare for Combat: Many of these stones are rewards for defeating late-game bosses. Ensure your character build is optimized, your Flasks are upgraded, and you’ve mastered the fundamentals of combat.
- Enjoy the Power Surge: There’s truly nothing quite like wielding a weapon at its absolute maximum potential. Enjoy the increased damage, improved scaling, and the sheer satisfaction of knowing you’ve mastered the upgrade system.
The Benefits of Wielding +25 Weapons
So, why go through all this effort to get plus 25 weapons in Elden Ring? The benefits are immense and immediately noticeable:
- Maximized Damage Output: A +25 weapon will have the highest possible base damage for its type, and its scaling with your attributes (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, Arcane) will be at its peak. This translates directly into significantly higher damage numbers with every hit.
- Optimal Stat Scaling: At +25 (+10 for Somber), your weapon’s scaling grades for attributes will be at their highest. An “A” or “S” scaling truly shines, meaning every point you invest into that attribute yields substantial damage returns.
- Dominance in Combat: From clearing out mob groups with ease to tearing through boss health bars, a maxed-out weapon fundamentally changes the combat experience. You’ll feel more powerful, capable of taking on challenges that previously seemed insurmountable.
- Preparedness for End-Game and NG+: If you plan to tackle the most challenging optional bosses (like Malenia) or embark on multiple New Game+ cycles, having a fully upgraded arsenal is almost a necessity. It ensures you remain competitive with the escalating difficulty.
- The Feeling of Mastery: There’s a profound sense of accomplishment that comes with perfectly optimizing your build, and a +25 weapon is the ultimate expression of that mastery. It signifies that you’ve explored the world, conquered its fiercest foes, and gathered its most valuable treasures.
Conclusion
The journey to obtain plus 25 weapons in Elden Ring is certainly one that demands dedication, exploration, and the willingness to face down the Lands Between’s most formidable challenges. It’s a true testament to your perseverance as a Tarnished. While the path requires careful management of incredibly rare resources like the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones and Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones, the reward is unequivocally worth it. Wielding a weapon at its absolute peak transforms your combat capabilities, allowing you to dispatch foes with unparalleled efficiency and truly dominate the battlefield.
Remember, each of these precious stones represents a significant achievement – be it overcoming a fearsome dragon, meticulously completing a complex questline, or venturing into the game’s most perilous late-game zones. By following this detailed guide and embracing the spirit of discovery, you’ll soon be swinging, thrusting, and casting with the full might of a fully upgraded weapon, ready to claim your destiny as the Elden Lord. Go forth, Tarnished, and forge your ultimate arsenal!
