Nicholas Wanstall Group

Smithing Stones are one of the most valuable resources in Elden Ring, essential for upgrading weapons and armor to stay competitive throughout your journey. However, efficient use of these stones can mean the difference between a well-equipped character and one struggling against tougher foes. As someone who’s spent countless hours optimizing my build, I want to share 17 ways to make the most out of your Smithing Stones and avoid wasting these precious resources.

1. Prioritize Your Main WeaponFocus your Smithing Stones primarily on upgrading your preferred weapon. Spreading stones thinly across multiple weapons can leave you underpowered.

2. Upgrade Early for Easier ProgressionUpgrading weapons early on makes farming runes and clearing enemies significantly faster, which ultimately saves you time and resources.

3. Keep a Backup Weapon UpgradedWhile prioritizing your main weapon, it’s smart to have a backup upgraded weapon to switch to if you encounter enemies resistant to your main weapon’s damage type.

4. Use Smithing Stones Wisely on Unique WeaponsCertain unique weapons have special abilities or scaling that can make upgrading them highly rewarding. Save stones for these when possible.

5. Combine Upgrades with Ashes of WarUpgrading a weapon and then applying Ashes of War can enhance its versatility. This combo can maximize the effectiveness of your stones by tailoring weapons to your playstyle.

6. Stock Up Before Boss FightsMake sure your weapons are fully upgraded before major boss fights to avoid frustration and rune loss from repeated deaths.

7. Upgrade Armor When You CanDon’t neglect armor upgrades. Smithing Stones also improve armor defense and resistances, which can be crucial against certain enemies.

8. Farm EfficientlyMaximize your farming routes for Smithing Stones. If grinding becomes tedious, consider looking for elden ring runes for sale or Elden Ring Items for sale from trusted sources like U4GM to speed up your progress.

9. Save Stones for Late-Game UpgradesHigher-tier Smithing Stones are rare, so save them for weapons you plan to use in the late game or PvP.

10. Use Smithing Stones to ExperimentOnce you have a solid main build, feel free to experiment with other weapons using leftover Smithing Stones to find new playstyles.

11. Prioritize Upgrades That Match Your BuildIf your build focuses on strength, dexterity, or magic scaling, upgrade weapons that complement these stats for the best damage output.

12. Pay Attention to Weapon Scaling ChangesSome weapons improve their scaling as you upgrade them. Plan your Smithing Stone usage around these thresholds for optimal efficiency.

13. Upgrade Dual-Wield Weapons CarefullyDual-wield setups require upgrading both weapons evenly. Balance your Smithing Stone usage to maintain consistent damage.

14. Use Stones to Upgrade Both Physical and Magical WeaponsIf your build mixes melee and magic, upgrade both types of weapons to stay versatile.

15. Don’t Waste Stones on Weapons You Won’t UseIt’s tempting to upgrade everything, but save stones for weapons you actually plan to wield.

16. Keep Track of Your Stone InventoryManaging your Smithing Stones inventory is important to avoid accidentally using valuable stones on minor upgrades.

17. Combine Upgrading with Rune FarmingUpgraded weapons increase your efficiency in rune farming, creating a positive feedback loop for progression. If farming gets tough, exploring options like purchasing elden ring runes for sale or Elden Ring Items for sale through U4GM can help you maintain momentum.

Smithing Stones are precious, so managing them wisely can significantly impact your Elden Ring experience. With these 17 tips, you’ll get the most out of every stone and build a character ready to face the toughest challenges the game throws at you.