U4GM - 7 Best Elden Ring Crafting Materials for Upgrading Weapons
Upgrading weapons in Elden Ring can mean the difference between surviving another boss fight or losing runes yet again. After spending over 150 hours exploring the Lands Between, testing different builds, and experimenting with nearly every weapon type, I’ve narrowed down the seven best crafting materials that have consistently helped me push my gear to its peak potential.
Whether you're enhancing a colossal sword for PvE or sharpening a dexterity-based weapon for PvP, knowing which materials to hunt and where to find them makes a significant difference. Here are the most valuable Elden Ring Items for weapon upgrades—and why they matter.
1. Smithing Stone (Somber and Regular)
Smithing Stones are the backbone of weapon upgrades. Regular Smithing Stones are used for standard weapons, while Somber Smithing Stones are reserved for special and unique weapons. As someone who prefers unique weapons like the Moonveil Katana or Rivers of Blood, Somber Stones have always been a top priority in my inventory.
The higher tiers—such as Somber Smithing Stone [7] through [9]—are much harder to find, so I often revisit late-game areas or farm specific enemies. These stones directly determine your weapon's effectiveness against high-level enemies and bosses.
2. Grave Glovewort & Ghost Glovewort
If you're relying on Spirit Ashes as I do, upgrading them is crucial for keeping up in tougher battles. Grave Glovewort upgrades standard Spirit Ashes, while Ghost Glovewort is used for legendary ones.
These materials are mainly found in underground areas like Catacombs and Nokron. In my experience, fully upgrading a Mimic Tear or Lhutel the Headless can be the edge you need during endgame encounters.
3. Dragon Smithing Stone
The Dragon Smithing Stone is an ultra-rare upgrade material used to max out special weapons to +10. I remember how rewarding it felt to find one during my first playthrough and use it to push my Blasphemous Blade to the highest tier—it completely changed how I handled late-game bosses.
These stones are hard to come by, usually found in high-risk areas like the Haligtree or dropped by tough enemies like dragons.
4. Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone
Even rarer than the Dragon Smithing Stone, this item is your ticket to bringing a standard weapon to +25. If you're like me and enjoy using a single weapon through an entire NG+ run, you'll need an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone to ensure it performs at the highest level.
Locations are limited, so choose wisely when applying it. It’s a good idea to save it for a weapon that suits your preferred playstyle.
5. Rune Arcs
While not a direct crafting material, Rune Arcs indirectly support weapon effectiveness by activating Great Runes. When you’re upgrading a weapon for a specific build, having the right Great Rune active makes a notable difference.
I’ve found Rune Arcs particularly helpful during PvP invasions, where every buff matters. Stocking up on them before tough fights has become part of my upgrade strategy.
6. Smoldering Butterfly
Often overlooked, Smoldering Butterflies are crucial for crafting fire-based greases and pots. When I played a pyromancer-themed build, I constantly used these items to add fire damage to my weapons temporarily.
These are easy to farm near bonfires or in areas like Mt. Gelmir. While not used to upgrade weapon stats directly, they let you adapt your weapon to enemy weaknesses on the fly.
7. Beast Blood
Another essential item for crafting offensive consumables, Beast Blood helps create certain types of explosive and bleeding items. During my arcane build run, it paired perfectly with blood-based weapons, giving me an edge during boss fights that were resistant to normal damage types.
You can farm it from specific beast-type enemies in areas like Caelid and Altus Plateau. Keeping a stash has saved me more than once when I ran out of upgraded options mid-dungeon.
If you’re looking to boost your progress quickly or fill out your inventory without spending hours farming, you can always buy Elden Ring Items from trusted sources. While I personally enjoy the satisfaction of earning materials in-game, I understand the appeal of saving time—especially during a second or third playthrough.
Crafting and upgrading weapons in Elden Ring is a deep, rewarding system that complements all playstyles. Whether you’re going for raw power, elemental builds, or bleed-heavy strategies, the materials above are key to getting the most out of your arsenal. Learn where to find them, when to use them, and how they fit into your build—and you'll always be one step ahead in the Lands Between.