Upgrading standard weapons to their maximum power level in Elden Ring requires finding extremely rare crafting materials known as Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones. These items allow players to reach weapon level +25, giving them a significant edge in late-game boss encounters and tough dungeons. Because there are a limited number of these stones available per playthrough, knowing exactly where to search is vital for optimizing your build.
NPC Questlines and Merchant Rewards
Several Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones can be obtained by completing specific character questlines throughout the Lands Between. For instance, completing Nepheli Loux's questline allows you to receive one stone directly from her in Stormveil Castle's throne room. Additionally, Gatekeeper Gostoc will offer another stone in his shop for 20,000 runes once Nepheli's story reaches its proper conclusion.
Another guaranteed stone comes from Gurranq, the Beast Clergyman residing in the Bestial Sanctum. Players can earn this upgrade material by delivering nine Deathroots to him or by defeating him in combat. Siding with Witch-Hunter Jerren at the conclusion of Sorceress Sellen's questline also grants one of these coveted stones as a final reward.
Exploring Late-Game Regions
As you venture into late-game areas, several stones can be discovered on corpses or hidden inside chests. In the Mountaintops of the Giants, a stone rests inside the mouth of a giant skull situated south of the Church of Repose. Moving further into the Consecrated Snowfield, players can find stones inside the Yelough Anix Tunnel and on a corpse near the frozen waterfall by Great Wyrm Theodorix.
Crumbling Farum Azula is another key region containing multiple stones scattered across its floating ruins. You can obtain one by defeating the first dragon that swoops down on the curved path, while another is located on a floating platform north of the Dragon Temple. A third stone in this zone drops from the stationary dragon that summons red lightning near the plaza.
Finding Stones in Miquella's Haligtree
Miquella's Haligtree serves as one of the most challenging optional areas in the base game, but it holds valuable rewards. One stone is located on a corpse resting under a large statue guarded by a Lesser Leonine Misbegotten. Another can be found inside a chest shortly past the arena where you defeat Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree.
In addition to exploring the base game zones, tracking down Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone Locations Elden Ring helps players fully upgrade their favorite armaments before entering higher New Game Plus cycles. Ensuring you collect these items before starting a new journey prevents you from leaving valuable weapon potential behind.
Realm of Shadow Additions
Players who explore the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion will find several additional stones hidden throughout the Realm of Shadow. Key locations include the Ruined Forge Lava Intake and Taylew's Ruined Forge, where interacting with the central forge altars awards these rare materials. Defeating powerful enemies like Ancient Dragon Senessax in Jagged Peak also drops a stone for your inventory.
