U4GM - 8 Guides Elden Ring Weapon Upgrades
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Upgrading weapons in Elden Ring is one of the most crucial steps to surviving the game’s brutal combat. As someone who spent over 120 hours exploring the Lands Between, I’ve come to appreciate how significant weapon upgrades can be. Not only do they drastically improve your damage output, but they also let you experiment with different builds and playstyles. To support your progression, collecting Elden Ring Runes efficiently becomes a top priority, since every upgrade requires a hefty rune investment.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through 8 practical strategies to upgrade your weapons more effectively. These methods are based on firsthand experience and tailored for players who want to make the most of their resources, especially those aiming to maximize their rune usage without wasting materials.
1. Focus on One Weapon Early
It’s tempting to try every cool weapon you find, but upgrading multiple weapons early on is inefficient. I made this mistake in my first playthrough and found myself constantly short on Smithing Stones and Elden Ring Runes. Pick a weapon that scales with your chosen stats and commit to it until mid-game when resources become more abundant.
2. Explore Early Caves and Tunnels
The game hides valuable upgrade materials like Smithing Stones in caves and mines. Limgrave Tunnels and Morne Tunnel are great starting points. These areas are relatively accessible and often guarded by easier enemies. I farmed early materials here to push my first weapon to +3 without spending runes at merchants.
3. Prioritize Blacksmiths Over Bell Bearings
While Bell Bearings allow you to buy upgrade stones from the Twin Maiden Husks, these shops cost more runes than upgrading through traditional blacksmiths. I recommend visiting Smithing Master Hewg in the Roundtable Hold and using your collected stones there. This method stretches your Elden Ring Runes further.
4. Use Somber Weapons for Boss Drops
Somber Smithing Stones are used for unique weapons, often dropped by bosses. These weapons upgrade on a separate track (up to +10) and typically require fewer materials overall. If you’ve picked up a weapon like the Moonveil Katana or the Winged Scythe, it’s worth considering them as your main weapon. It’s a solid strategy for saving rune costs and optimizing damage.
5. Farm Smart: Runes and Stones Together
The best weapon upgrades come when you pair smart rune farming with material hunting. One of my favorite rune farming spots is in the Moghwyn Palace area (accessible via Varre’s questline). Killing the Albinaurics here yields thousands of runes per minute. Farming in this location while hunting for Smithing Stones in nearby zones gave me everything I needed to fully upgrade my main weapon.
6. For Beginners: Follow a Balanced Upgrade Path
When talking to other players, especially those just starting, one common mistake is hoarding stones and runes out of fear of waste. But Elden Ring runes for new players are most useful when spent strategically, not hoarded. Don't be afraid to invest in a solid +3 to +6 upgrade range early. It makes a big difference in combat effectiveness, and the cost is relatively low compared to late-game upgrades.
7. Upgrade Spirit Ashes to Support Your Weapon
While not directly a weapon tip, this indirectly affects your upgrade efficiency. I found that enhancing my Spirit Ashes (like the Mimic Tear or Lone Wolves) gave me breathing room in boss fights, making my upgraded weapon even more effective. This is especially helpful in the mid-game when enemies hit harder and rune losses become more punishing.
8. Save Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones for Final Builds
These rare stones are used to upgrade special weapons from +9 to +10. Save them for your final or favorite weapon. I made the mistake of using mine too early, only to find a better weapon later. Plan your build, test various weapons at +3 or +6, and only push to +10 once you're sure.
Upgrading weapons in Elden Ring is both a science and an art. It requires understanding your playstyle, managing your rune economy, and exploring thoroughly. With careful planning and efficient farming of Elden Ring Runes, you can steadily enhance your weaponry without hitting frustrating walls. Especially for new players, balancing upgrades with rune investment can mean the difference between victory and countless deaths.
These strategies come from personal lessons—some learned the hard way. If you follow these tips, your journey through the Lands Between will be a lot smoother, and your arsenal will feel more powerful with each upgrade.
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