Upgrading your weapons and Spirit Ashes in Elden Ring is key to surviving tougher areas and bosses. From personal experience, I’ve learned that relying solely on early-game upgrade materials won’t cut it once you reach the mid and late stages of the game. Knowing the best places to farm upgrade-related Elden Ring items makes a massive difference in how efficiently you can strengthen your build.
Whether you're looking to max out a favorite weapon or enhance your Spirit Summons, here are the best locations I’ve found to farm Elden Ring upgrade items effectively.
1. Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel (Smithing Stones 1–3)
In my early game, I visited Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel right after unlocking Liurnia. The tunnel is packed with Crystal Miners and deposits of Smithing Stones [1] and [2], plus the boss drops a Smithing Stone [3]. Equip a weapon with strike damage to make the fights easier, as Crystal Miners resist slashing and thrust attacks.
2. Nokron, Eternal City (Ghost Gloveworts and Smithing Stones)
After defeating Radahn, Nokron opens up. This underground zone is filled with upgrade materials for both weapons and Spirit Ashes. I found Ghost Glovewort [3] to [5] in abundance here, which helped me boost my mimic summon early. Look around graveyards and near mausoleums for the highest yield.
3. Sealed Tunnel (Somber Smithing Stones 5–7)
Located in Altus Plateau, the Sealed Tunnel is a hidden area behind a false wall near the Divine Tower. It's a goldmine for mid-to-high-level Somber Smithing Stones. This place helped me bring my Moonveil katana up to +7 before heading into tougher legacy dungeons.
4. Mountaintops of the Giants (Smithing Stones 7–8)
In late game, this frosty region is essential for advanced Smithing Stones. The enemies here are stronger, but they also drop valuable upgrade mats. I farmed near the Giant-Conquering Hero’s Grave for a steady supply of Smithing Stone [7] and [8], useful for bringing regular weapons to their near-max level.
5. Mohgwyn Palace (Gold Runes and Ghost Gloveworts)
Accessible via Varre’s questline or a teleport portal, Mohgwyn Palace is a late-game area with excellent farming potential. Not only can you farm gold runes to buy Elden Ring items, but you can also pick up Ghost Glovewort [7] and higher near tombs and mausoleums. I used this zone frequently to upgrade my Spirit Ashes to +9.
6. Haligtree Town (Somber Smithing Stone 8–9)
Miquella’s Haligtree is challenging, but it’s also one of the only zones where Somber Smithing Stone [9] can be found without purchasing. I recommend exploring rooftops and hidden areas—you’ll find these rare stones tucked away in hard-to-reach corners. This location was crucial when I upgraded my Blasphemous Blade to the max.
7. Roundtable Hold (Buy Upgrade Items After Bell Bearings)
As you collect Miner’s and Picker’s Bell Bearings, you can give them to the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold. This allows you to purchase upgrade Elden Ring items directly—no more farming. It’s an incredibly convenient option once you’ve cleared the zones where these bell bearings are found.
If you’re short on time or just want to avoid the grind, there’s also the option to explore elden ring stuff for sale online. I’ve used these platforms a few times to quickly get hard-to-find upgrade materials when testing new builds. It's especially helpful if you want to focus on combat and exploration without the repetitive farming loop.
Upgrading your gear is essential to progressing smoothly through Elden Ring’s brutal difficulty curve. These farming spots have served me well across multiple playthroughs and builds. Whether you’re strengthening a sacred katana or maximizing a Spirit Summon, knowing where to go for the right upgrade materials saves both time and frustration. Equip a good farming talisman, boost your item discovery, and happy hunting!
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