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Is Upgrading Weapons in Elden Ring Worth It? Absolutely! A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, upgrading weapons in Elden Ring is absolutely worth it, and arguably essential for progressing through the game effectively. Without consistent weapon upgrades, you’ll find yourself dealing significantly less damage, struggling to overcome even basic enemies, and hitting a brick wall in later game areas. Damage scaling in Elden Ring heavily favors upgraded weapons.

The Undeniable Benefits of Weapon Upgrades

Upgrading your weapons in Elden Ring is not merely a suggestion; it’s a fundamental aspect of character progression. Here’s why:

Increased Damage Output: This is the most obvious benefit. Each upgrade drastically increases your weapon’s base attack damage, allowing you to dispatch enemies more quickly and efficiently. A fully upgraded weapon can be the difference between a drawn-out, risky fight and a swift, decisive victory.
Improved Scaling: Upgrading weapons also improves their attribute scaling, meaning they benefit more from your character’s stats like Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, and Arcane. A higher scaling grade (e.g., going from D to C or B) translates to a significant damage boost based on your stats.
Enhanced Weapon Arts: While not always directly stated, upgrading weapons often indirectly improves the effectiveness of their Weapon Arts. The damage and poise damage inflicted by Weapon Arts are often tied to the weapon’s overall attack power.
Overcoming Damage Reduction: Many enemies in Elden Ring have substantial damage reduction. A higher attack rating makes it easier to bypass this damage reduction, ensuring your attacks actually deal meaningful damage. Without upgrades, you might find yourself barely scratching certain foes.
Viability in Later Game Areas: Enemy health pools and damage output increase dramatically as you progress through the game. Upgrading your weapons is crucial for keeping pace with this power creep. A weapon that was effective in Limgrave might be completely inadequate in the Mountaintops of the Giants without upgrades.
Weapon Art Customization: Some weapons are given increased flexibility upon reaching a certain level. For example, you can change the default weapon art of a weapon. This is most common after reaching +24(Somber Weapons), or +9 (Normal Weapons).
Increased Poise Damage: Upgraded weapons are often capable of dishing out greater Poise Damage, which allows for easier staggering of opponents, especially at higher levels.

Understanding Upgrade Materials

The weapon upgrade system in Elden Ring revolves around specific materials, categorized into two main types:

Smithing Stones: Used to upgrade standard weapons. These are further divided into different tiers (Smithing Stone [1] through Smithing Stone [8]), with higher tiers required for higher upgrade levels. You’ll also need Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones to fully upgrade a standard weapon to +25.
Somber Smithing Stones: Used to upgrade unique weapons, those with special properties or fixed Weapon Arts. Like Smithing Stones, they are tiered (Somber Smithing Stone [1] through Somber Smithing Stone [9]), and you’ll need a Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone to fully upgrade a unique weapon to +10.

Acquiring Upgrade Materials

These stones can be found throughout the world in various ways:

Mining: Many Smithing Stones are found in mines and caves. Look for glowing deposits on the walls and floors.
Enemy Drops: Certain enemies, especially those in mines or caves, can drop Smithing Stones.
Purchasing: Some merchants sell Smithing Stones, particularly after you give them specific Bell Bearings that unlock new items in their inventory.
Exploration: Smithing Stones can also be found scattered throughout the world as loot, often near ruins or other points of interest.
Boss Rewards: Some bosses reward players with access to unique smithing materials.

Finding Smithing-Stone Miners’ Bell Bearing and Somberstone Miners’ Bell Bearing.

Bell Bearings are essential items you can give to the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold to unlock the ability to purchase specific Smithing Stones indefinitely. By finding these bell bearings, you can significantly ease the process of upgrading your favorite weapons.

Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing (1): Found in the Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel
Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing (2): Found in the Sealed Tunnel
Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing (3): Found in the Zamor Ruins
Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing (4): Found in the Crumbling Farum Azula
Somberstone Miner’s Bell Bearing (1): Found in the Sellia Crystal Tunnel
Somberstone Miner’s Bell Bearing (2): Found in the Altus Tunnel
Somberstone Miner’s Bell Bearing (3): Found in the First Church of Marika (Mountaintops of the Giants)
Somberstone Miner’s Bell Bearing (4): Found in the Crumbling Farum Azula

Who To Upgrade Your Weapons With

There are two primary NPCs you can use to upgrade your equipment, Blacksmith Hewg, and Master Blacksmith Iji.

Blacksmith Hewg: Blacksmith Hewg is found at the Roundtable Hold and can upgrade most weapons.
Master Blacksmith Iji: Master Blacksmith Iji is found on the Road to the Manor Site of Grace in Liurnia of the Lakes, and can upgrade most weapons.

Practical Upgrade Strategies

Focus on a Few Weapons: Resources are limited, especially in the early game. Focus on upgrading one or two weapons that suit your playstyle.
Prioritize Weapon Types: Early on, focus on upgrading weapons you enjoy using, regardless of perceived “tier lists.” Your skill and comfort with a weapon are often more important than its raw stats.
Explore Thoroughly: Take the time to explore each area thoroughly, as this is the best way to find upgrade materials. Don’t be afraid to revisit areas you’ve already explored, as new items may have appeared.
Use the Interactive Map: Utilize online interactive maps to pinpoint the locations of upgrade materials, merchants, and other important resources.
Consider Weapon Arts: Think about what weapon arts you like when choosing your weapon. Some weapon arts can greatly benefit the build you are playing.

The Consequences of Neglecting Upgrades

Ignoring weapon upgrades in Elden Ring can lead to a frustrating and ultimately unsuccessful experience. You’ll likely encounter:

Increased Difficulty: Enemies will take longer to kill, and you’ll be more vulnerable to their attacks.
Stalled Progression: You may find yourself unable to progress beyond certain areas or bosses due to insufficient damage output.
Frustration and Disappointment: The game can become incredibly frustrating when you’re constantly struggling against enemies that should be manageable.
Missed Opportunities: Without upgraded weapons, you’ll miss out on the full potential of your character build and the satisfaction of overcoming challenging encounters.

In Conclusion

Upgrading weapons in Elden Ring is not optional. It is an integral component of the game’s progression system, essential for overcoming challenges, maximizing your character’s potential, and enjoying the full Elden Ring experience. Invest time and resources into upgrading your weapons, and you’ll be well-equipped to conquer the Lands Between.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What’s the difference between Smithing Stones and Somber Smithing Stones?

Smithing Stones are used to upgrade standard weapons, while Somber Smithing Stones are used to upgrade unique weapons (those with special properties or fixed Weapon Arts).

2. Can I upgrade all weapons to the maximum level?

Yes, you can, but it requires collecting a limited number of Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones and Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones, which are required to reach +25 and +10, respectively.

3. Where can I find Smithing Stones early in the game?

Early Smithing Stones can be found in the Limgrave Tunnels, Stormveil Castle, and purchased from some merchants.

4. Where can I find Somber Smithing Stones early in the game?

Early Somber Smithing Stones can be found in Limgrave, particularly near the Lakeside Crystal Cave.

5. How do I give Bell Bearings to the Twin Maiden Husks?

Simply interact with the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold and select the “Offer Bell Bearing” option.

6. Do weapon upgrades reset when I respec my character?

No, weapon upgrades are permanent and do not reset when you respec your character’s stats.

7. Is it better to upgrade multiple weapons partially, or one weapon fully?

Generally, it’s better to focus on upgrading one weapon fully, especially early on. A fully upgraded weapon will be more effective than several partially upgraded ones.

8. Does upgrading a weapon change its scaling?

Yes, upgrading a weapon improves its attribute scaling, increasing the damage bonus you receive from your character’s stats.

9. What happens if I run out of Smithing Stones?

You can explore new areas, purchase them from merchants (after giving them the appropriate Bell Bearings), or farm them from specific enemies.

10. Can I upgrade weapons beyond their maximum level in New Game Plus?

No, the maximum upgrade level remains the same in New Game Plus (+25 for standard weapons and +10 for unique weapons).

11. Do weapon upgrades affect Weapon Arts?

Yes, indirectly. The damage and poise damage of Weapon Arts are often tied to the weapon’s overall attack power, which increases with upgrades.

12. What are the best weapons to upgrade early in Elden Ring?

This depends on your playstyle, but some popular early-game choices include the Uchigatana (for Dexterity builds), the Lordsworn’s Straight Sword (for Strength builds), and the Meteorite Staff (for Intelligence builds).

13. How do I know if a weapon is worth upgrading?

Consider its base damage, scaling, Weapon Art, and how well it fits your playstyle. If you enjoy using a weapon and it’s effective against the enemies you’re facing, it’s likely worth upgrading.

14. Are there any weapons that don’t benefit from upgrades?

While all weapons benefit from upgrades, some may see less dramatic improvements due to their scaling or base damage. However, even these weapons will still become more effective with upgrades.

15. Can I revert a weapon upgrade?

No, you cannot revert a weapon upgrade in Elden Ring. Once you’ve upgraded a weapon, the upgrade is permanent. Plan your upgrades carefully.

Is upgrading weapons in Elden Ring worth it?