U4GM - 5 Essential Elden Ring Crafting Materials for Rare Weapon Upgrades
Crafting and upgrading weapons in Elden Ring is more than just a system — it’s a core part of the game’s identity. The ability to transform a humble blade into a legendary weapon through careful upgrades can define your playstyle and success throughout the Lands Between. Whether you rely on colossal swords, curved katanas, or arcane-enhanced staves, having the right crafting materials is essential.
After hundreds of hours immersed in Elden Ring, I’ve experimented with dozens of weapons and builds. From early-game struggles to late-game optimization, I’ve come to recognize the crafting materials that are not only rare but also vital for pushing weapons to their full potential. Below are five Elden Ring Items that every serious player should prioritize for rare weapon upgrades.
1. Somber Smithing Stone [9] and [10]
Why It’s Essential:Somber Smithing Stones are specifically used to upgrade special or legendary weapons — the kind that scale with unique abilities and Ashes of War. Levels [9] and [10] are particularly important because they’re required to fully max out these weapons.
Personal Experience:When I obtained the Moonveil katana, it was already a beast. But taking it to +10 with Somber Smithing Stones turned it into an absolute boss-melter, especially in PvP. Finding these stones in the wild can be tedious, but they’re worth every effort. Alternatively, if you want to avoid the grind, you can always look for cheap Elden Ring Items through trusted marketplaces like U4GM.
2. Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone
Why It’s Essential:This is one of the rarest items in the game, used to fully upgrade standard weapons to +25. These materials are limited in quantity per playthrough, so you need to use them wisely.
Personal Experience:I saved my Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone for the Claymore — my favorite quality-scaling weapon. The result was astonishing. Suddenly, a weapon I had used since early-game was dealing damage that rivaled even the most exotic boss drops. With only a handful available, I recommend scouting guides or sourcing Elden Ring Items smartly to avoid wasting these upgrades on mediocre weapons.
3. Smithing Stone [8]
Why It’s Essential:Before you get to the Ancient Dragon level, standard weapons must pass through Smithing Stones [1] to [8]. Stone [8] is particularly valuable because it’s the last step before final upgrades and is harder to find in bulk compared to earlier tiers.
Personal Experience:When I ran a dual-wield build with two weapons, I found myself constantly short on Smithing Stone [8]. Grinding enemies that drop them took time and patience I didn’t always have. I ended up turning to U4GM to get cheap Elden Ring Items, including upgrade materials, just to keep my weapons competitive in high-level PvP.
4. Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone
Why It’s Essential:Even rarer than its normal counterpart, this item is used to bring special weapons (those requiring Somber Stones) to their absolute peak. There are even fewer of these available per playthrough.
Personal Experience:After defeating Malenia, I turned her Remembrance into the Hand of Malenia. It was powerful, but once I upgraded it with the Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone, it felt like a completely new weapon — faster, deadlier, and with a distinct presence in both PvP and PvE. It’s not an exaggeration to say this one item changed my late-game experience entirely.
5. Grave Glovewort [9]
Why It’s Essential:While not a direct weapon upgrade, Grave Glovewort is crucial for upgrading spirit ashes — and spirit ashes are a key part of many builds. Level [9] is the second-to-last tier, necessary for maxing out powerful summons that support your combat strategies.
Personal Experience:Using a +10 Black Knife Tiche or Mimic Tear summon allowed me to turn the tide in boss fights like Mohg and Godfrey. But to get there, I needed Glovewort [9] and [10]. The hunt for these materials is challenging — they’re often hidden in high-level catacombs — but absolutely worth it. Alternatively, picking them up among cheap Elden Ring Items from U4GM can save hours of searching.
Crafting materials may not be flashy, but they’re the backbone of weapon progression in Elden Ring. Whether you’re experimenting with a new build or fine-tuning a favorite, upgrading the right weapon with the right material can elevate your gameplay dramatically. The five items listed above are ones I’ve personally relied on across multiple characters and builds, and they consistently proved their worth.
For players who don’t have time to farm every dungeon or hunt every bell-bearing enemy, looking into cheap Elden Ring Items through trusted sources like U4GM can be a reliable way to experiment with high-level gear and builds without the grind.