If you’ve slammed into a late-game wall where bosses suddenly feel spongey and trades aren’t going your way, Smithing Stones 7 and 8 are usually the missing link. This is the point in Elden Ring where raw weapon scaling starts to matter more than clever positioning or perfect I-frames. Enemies hit harder, have tighter hitboxes, and punish low DPS builds without mercy.
Smithing Stones 7 and 8 push standard weapons into the upper tier of their upgrade path, unlocking the damage thresholds the game clearly expects you to have. Without them, even well-optimized builds start to feel underpowered, especially against late-game legacy dungeon bosses and field enemies with bloated health pools. This is where upgrading stops being optional and becomes mandatory.
They Define the Transition Into True Late-Game Damage
Upgrading a standard weapon past +18 into the +21 to +24 range dramatically increases both base damage and scaling returns. That means Strength, Dexterity, and hybrid builds finally start seeing meaningful DPS gains per stat point again. If you’re still stuck at Smithing Stone 6 upgrades, you’re effectively fighting endgame enemies with a midgame weapon.
This damage gap is especially noticeable against bosses that punish long fights with relentless aggro and limited healing windows. Higher weapon levels shorten encounters, reduce flask usage, and let you play aggressively instead of fishing for chip damage. In Elden Ring’s late game, faster kills often equal safer fights.
Buying Them Eliminates the Worst RNG Grind in the Game
Smithing Stones 7 and 8 are notoriously scarce if you rely on world drops alone. Late-game areas technically contain them, but drop rates are inconsistent and often tied to enemies that already hit like trucks. Farming them manually is slow, inefficient, and completely unnecessary if you know how to unlock their vendor.
By obtaining the correct Bell Bearing and turning it in at the Twin Maiden Husks, you gain unlimited access to Smithing Stones 7 and 8 with Runes. This completely removes RNG from the equation and lets you upgrade multiple weapons freely, which is critical for players experimenting with different builds or damage types before committing to a final setup.
They Unlock Build Flexibility Before the Endgame Spike
The stretch between Leyndell and the final regions is where many players respec, swap weapons, or pivot their build to handle specific damage checks. Having purchasable Smithing Stones 7 and 8 means you’re not locked into a single weapon just because it’s already upgraded. You can test greatswords, katanas, spears, or curved blades without wasting hours farming materials.
This flexibility becomes vital once enemy resistances and boss mechanics start favoring specific damage profiles. Being able to instantly upgrade a new weapon to near-max level keeps your build adaptive, efficient, and ready for whatever the Lands Between throws at you next.
When You Can Buy Smithing Stones 7 & 8: Required Story Progression Explained
All of that flexibility and damage potential hinges on one hard requirement: you must unlock Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing [4]. Until that Bell Bearing is in your inventory and turned in, Smithing Stones 7 and 8 are not purchasable under any circumstances, no matter how many Runes you’re sitting on.
This isn’t a side-quest reward or a missable dungeon drop. It’s directly tied to Elden Ring’s critical path, meaning your access to late-game weapon upgrades is intentionally story-gated.
The Exact Story Progression You Need
You can only obtain Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing [4] after reaching Crumbling Farum Azula. Getting there requires clearing the Mountaintops of the Giants, defeating the Fire Giant, and triggering the Forge of the Giants event that permanently advances the main story.
Once the Erdtree is set ablaze, you’re automatically transported to Crumbling Farum Azula. This is a late-game legacy dungeon filled with high-damage enemies, aggressive multi-target encounters, and bosses that assume your weapon is already at +20 or higher.
In other words, the game expects you to be ready for Smithing Stone 7 and 8 upgrades before you ever step foot here.
Where to Find Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing [4]
Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing [4] is located inside Crumbling Farum Azula along the main progression route. You don’t need to defeat the final boss of the area to get it, but you will need to survive several difficult enemy gauntlets to reach it.
The Bell Bearing is found on a corpse within the dungeon, not dropped by a boss. As long as you thoroughly explore side paths branching off the main route, you’re very unlikely to miss it during normal progression.
Once obtained, fast travel back to the Roundtable Hold and give the Bell Bearing to the Twin Maiden Husks to permanently unlock Smithing Stones 7 and 8 for purchase.
Why This Timing Is Intentional (And Actually Player-Friendly)
By locking Smithing Stones 7 and 8 behind Farum Azula, Elden Ring ensures players don’t trivialize midgame content with near-max weapons. At the same time, it hands you unlimited upgrades right before the difficulty curve spikes hard.
This is the point where enemies gain massive HP pools, bosses chain attacks with minimal recovery windows, and mistakes get punished through raw damage rather than attrition. Having guaranteed access to higher-tier upgrades means your weapon DPS keeps pace without forcing you into tedious farming loops.
Once the Bell Bearing is turned in, every new weapon you pick up can be brought to near-endgame viability immediately. That single unlock fundamentally changes how freely you can experiment with builds as the game barrels toward its most demanding fights.
Unlocking Unlimited Purchases: Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing [4]
This is the moment Elden Ring quietly removes one of its last major upgrade bottlenecks. Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing [4] is the key item that converts Smithing Stones 7 and 8 from rare dungeon loot into a renewable resource you can buy on demand.
Once this Bell Bearing is handed in, weapon upgrades stop being about RNG drops or map memory. They become a simple question of runes and planning.
What the Bell Bearing Actually Unlocks
Turning in Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing [4] to the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold permanently adds Smithing Stone [7] and Smithing Stone [8] to their shop inventory. These stones are used to upgrade standard weapons from +18 through +24.
This covers the entire late-game upgrade curve, stopping just short of the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone needed for +25. From this point forward, every normal weapon you find can be brought to near-maximum power immediately.
Required Story Progression to Access It
You cannot obtain this Bell Bearing early through clever routing or sequence breaks. Access to Crumbling Farum Azula is mandatory, which only happens after you commit the cardinal sin and ignite the Erdtree.
This is a hard narrative lock. If you haven’t reached the Mountaintops of the Giants and progressed Melina’s quest to its conclusion, Smithing Stones 7 and 8 remain intentionally scarce.
Where to Find Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing [4]
Inside Crumbling Farum Azula, the Bell Bearing is located along the main path, but not on a boss. It’s found on a corpse tucked into a side area branching off from the critical route through the dungeon.
Because Farum Azula aggressively funnels players forward with ambushes, vertical traversal, and enemy pressure, it’s easy to miss if you sprint between graces. Slow down, check side platforms, and clear branching staircases before advancing.
When You Can Start Buying Smithing Stones 7 & 8
The moment you pick up the Bell Bearing, you can fast travel out of Farum Azula. There’s no requirement to defeat Maliketh or clear the zone.
Hand it in at Roundtable Hold, open the Twin Maiden Husks’ shop, and you’ll immediately see Smithing Stone [7] and [8] available in unlimited quantities. At this stage of the game, rune income from late-game enemies easily supports bulk purchases.
Why This Fundamentally Changes Late-Game Builds
Unlimited access to Smithing Stones 7 and 8 removes commitment anxiety. You can pivot weapons, respec stats, or test new Ashes of War without worrying about wasting rare materials.
This is especially important as late-game bosses demand optimized DPS, faster stance breaks, and tighter punish windows. With upgrade friction gone, your weapon choice becomes about moveset, scaling, and synergy rather than resource scarcity.
Exact Location Guide: Crumbling Farum Azula Walkthrough to the Bell Bearing
Once you understand why this Bell Bearing matters, the next step is executing a clean, low-risk pickup. The good news is that Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing [4] sits directly on the critical path through Crumbling Farum Azula, and you can grab it without fighting any mandatory bosses.
This walkthrough assumes you’re playing cautiously, prioritizing survival over rune farming or exploration flexing.
Starting Point: Dragon Temple Lift Site of Grace
The most reliable starting point is the Dragon Temple Lift Site of Grace. This grace is nearly impossible to miss during normal progression, as it gates the transition from enclosed temple interiors to Farum Azula’s open-air chaos.
If you’re coming from Dragon Temple proper, activate the lift and ride it down. Rest at the grace before moving on, because enemy aggro ramps up immediately after this point.
Exit the Lift and Clear the Beastmen
From the grace, step outside onto the broken stone platforms. You’ll immediately encounter Beastmen of Farum Azula, usually in pairs, with fast combo strings and deceptive hitboxes.
Don’t rush past them. Their lunging attacks can knock you off ledges, and gravity is the real boss here. Clear the immediate area so you can move deliberately without panic rolling.
Follow the Right-Side Path and Descend
After clearing the first enemies, hug the right side of the platform network. You’ll see a descending staircase leading downward rather than forward toward the main tornado-filled route.
This is the critical detour. Many players sprint past it while chasing the main objective marker, which is exactly why the Bell Bearing gets missed so often.
The Corpse Location and Bell Bearing Pickup
Head down the stairs and follow the short side path. There’s no boss fog, no chest, and no spectacle here, just a corpse slumped near the edge of the platform.
Loot it to obtain Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing [4]. Once it’s in your inventory, the objective is complete. You do not need to push deeper, trigger dragon encounters, or deal with late-area ambushes.
Safe Exit Strategy After Pickup
The moment you collect the Bell Bearing, open your map and fast travel out. There is zero penalty for leaving, and nothing in this area locks you into progression.
Warp back to Roundtable Hold, hand the Bell Bearing to the Twin Maiden Husks, and unlock unlimited Smithing Stone [7] and [8] purchases immediately. From here on out, weapon upgrades become a solved problem rather than a resource grind.
Enemies, Hazards, and Shortcuts Along the Path
Once the Bell Bearing is in your inventory, the pressure shifts from exploration to survival. Crumbling platforms, aggressive enemy placement, and constant fall risk turn even short movements into calculated decisions. This stretch isn’t about loot efficiency anymore, it’s about not losing runes before you cash in on unlimited Smithing Stones [7] and [8].
Beastmen Ambushes and Crowd Control
Beastmen remain the primary threat, and they’re deliberately positioned to punish tunnel vision. Expect them to aggro from awkward angles, often mid-jump or from below ledges where lock-on becomes unreliable.
Their DPS spikes if you get clipped by multi-hit chains, so spacing matters more than raw damage. Pull them one at a time with ranged pokes or sound-based aggro, especially if you’re running a slower strength build with limited I-frames.
Environmental Hazards and Vertical Death Traps
Farum Azula weaponizes its level design. Broken railings, uneven stonework, and sudden elevation changes make panic rolls lethal, even if the enemy attack itself wouldn’t kill you.
Always fight with your back to solid ground and never commit to long animations near ledges. Gravity ignores vigor investment, and losing runes here is far more punishing than any Beastman combo.
Lightning, Wind, and Camera Control Issues
Open-air sections introduce visual clutter that can actively interfere with combat readability. Lightning strikes and heavy wind effects don’t always deal damage, but they absolutely disrupt camera control and depth perception.
Keep the camera slightly zoomed out and avoid locking on when enemies are positioned above or below you. Manual camera control prevents sudden angle snaps that can cause mistimed dodges straight into the void.
Hidden Shortcuts and Safe Drop-Downs
If you choose not to fast travel immediately, there are safe drop-down paths that loop back toward earlier graces. These shortcuts are subtle, usually marked by broken pillars or staggered debris rather than obvious ladders.
Look for ledges that angle downward instead of straight drops. They let you bypass clustered enemy packs and retreat safely if you want to explore without committing to high-risk encounters.
Why Fast Traveling Is the Optimal Play
After securing Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing [4], every extra second in this area carries unnecessary risk. There are no mandatory bosses, no upgrade materials tied to this route, and no progression flags you’ll miss by leaving.
Fast traveling immediately ensures you can buy Smithing Stones [7] and [8] as soon as you hand the Bell Bearing to the Twin Maiden Husks. At this point in the game, preserving runes and time is what lets late-game builds scale smoothly without falling behind enemy health curves.
How to Turn In the Bell Bearing and Buy Smithing Stones 7 & 8
Once you’ve secured Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing [4] in Crumbling Farum Azula, the safest and smartest move is to fast travel out immediately. There’s no benefit to lingering, and the upgrade payoff happens entirely back at the Roundtable Hold.
This is the point where Elden Ring stops testing your navigation skills and starts rewarding smart progression decisions.
Return to the Roundtable Hold
Fast travel directly to the Roundtable Hold Site of Grace. From there, head into the main chamber and approach the Twin Maiden Husks, the same NPCs you’ve been feeding Bell Bearings to since early game.
Select the option to offer a Bell Bearing, then hand over Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing [4]. There’s no confirmation warning, no branching dialogue, and no risk of locking yourself out of anything.
Once it’s turned in, the shop inventory updates permanently.
Buying Smithing Stones 7 & 8 Explained
After the Bell Bearing is registered, Smithing Stone [7] and Smithing Stone [8] become available for purchase in unlimited quantities. Smithing Stone [7] costs 24,000 runes each, while Smithing Stone [8] costs 36,000 runes.
Yes, the prices are steep, but at this stage of the game, rune acquisition scales dramatically through late-game enemies and bosses. The time saved versus farming these stones manually is worth far more than the rune cost.
When You Can Upgrade and What It Unlocks
With Stones [7] and [8] unlocked, standard weapons can now be upgraded from +18 all the way to +24. This is the final stretch before Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones come into play for max upgrades.
For mid-to-late game builds, this is where damage scaling finally catches up to enemy HP pools. Whether you’re running a strength weapon with long recovery frames or a dex build relying on clean hitbox interactions, these upgrades drastically stabilize your DPS.
Why This Streamlines Late-Game Builds
Unlimited access to Smithing Stones [7] and [8] removes RNG, farming routes, and risky dungeon detours from your progression loop. You can now test multiple weapons, pivot builds, or upgrade backups without worrying about material scarcity.
This flexibility is critical as enemy aggression, poise thresholds, and health scaling spike hard in the late game. By locking this shop upgrade in now, you ensure your weapons scale at the same pace as the world, not one area behind it.
Best Uses for Smithing Stones 7 & 8: Efficient Upgrade Priorities
Now that Smithing Stone [7] and [8] are available for purchase in unlimited quantities from the Twin Maiden Husks, the question shifts from availability to efficiency. These stones are expensive, and while late-game rune income supports it, smart upgrade decisions still matter.
This is the point in Elden Ring where upgrades stop being about raw numbers and start dictating build viability against late-game enemy scaling. Used correctly, Stones [7] and [8] eliminate weak matchups before they become brick walls.
Push Your Primary Weapon to +24 Immediately
Your main weapon should be the first and most obvious priority. Upgrading from +18 to +24 delivers some of the largest per-level damage gains in the entire standard weapon path, especially once scaling letters start tightening.
At this stage, enemies are tuned around late-game DPS expectations. Staying even one or two upgrade levels behind can turn clean openings into multi-hit commitments, increasing risk and draining flasks faster than necessary.
Stop at +24 and Save Ancient Dragon Stones
Smithing Stones [7] and [8] cap standard weapons at +24, which is intentionally one step below max. This breakpoint is critical because Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones are limited and should never be spent casually.
By bringing multiple weapons to +24, you preserve flexibility while reserving your Ancient stones for the build that truly clicks. A +24 weapon performs close enough to max that you can accurately evaluate its late-game viability before committing.
Upgrade Backup Weapons for Specific Matchups
Late-game Elden Ring punishes one-weapon builds. Resistances, enemy aggression, and narrow hitboxes mean some encounters strongly favor specific damage types or attack patterns.
Smithing Stones [7] and [8] let you elevate strike, thrust, or elemental-infused backups without grinding. Having a +24 alternative ready can trivialize encounters that would otherwise feel overtuned or unfair.
Prioritize Weapons That Scale With Your Final Stats
These stones should only go into weapons that match your endgame stat spread. If your strength, dexterity, or quality investment is already locked in, upgrading weapons that scale cleanly with those stats yields immediate returns.
Avoid sinking Stones [7] and [8] into experimental weapons that don’t align with your build. With the Bell Bearing unlocked, testing is easier, but rune costs still add up fast.
Infused Weapons Benefit Disproportionately at High Levels
Weapons with Heavy, Keen, Quality, or elemental infusions gain significant scaling bonuses in the +20 to +24 range. This is where optimized builds start outperforming raw base damage setups.
If your build revolves around Ash of War flexibility, upgrading infused weapons with Stones [7] and [8] maximizes both damage and adaptability. The result is higher DPS without sacrificing utility or stagger potential.
Do Not Waste Stones on Shields or Tools
Smithing Stones [7] and [8] should almost never be spent on shields unless you’re running a dedicated shield damage or guard-boost build. The return on investment is minimal compared to weapon upgrades.
Likewise, seals and staves don’t use standard Smithing Stones, so keep your upgrade paths clean. Stones [7] and [8] are a weapon-first resource, and treating them otherwise slows overall progression.
Why Unlimited Access Changes Late-Game Decision Making
Because you unlocked these stones through the Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing [4] and the Roundtable Hold shop, you are no longer constrained by dungeon RNG or map completion order. This freedom is the real power spike.
Instead of hoarding materials, you can respond to difficulty spikes in real time. Upgrade what you need, when you need it, and keep your build scaling in lockstep with the world’s rising aggression and HP curves.
Common Mistakes, Missables, and Late-Game Upgrade Tips
At this point in your run, Smithing Stones [7] and [8] are less about scarcity and more about decision-making. The Bell Bearing gives you unlimited access, but only if you unlock it at the correct moment in the story. Most late-game upgrade problems come from rushing progression, misreading upgrade breakpoints, or misunderstanding when the shop actually opens up.
Missing the Bell Bearing by Rushing Farum Azula
The Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing [4] drops from the Godskin Duo in Crumbling Farum Azula. You cannot access this area until after defeating the Fire Giant and triggering the Forge of the Giants sequence, which locks you into late-game progression.
Some players sprint through Farum Azula trying to reach Maliketh and accidentally skip proper exploration. If you defeat Maliketh without grabbing this Bell Bearing, you’re not locked out permanently, but you’ve made your upgrade path harder than it needs to be during one of the game’s steepest difficulty spikes.
Not Realizing When Stones [7] and [8] Become Buyable
Smithing Stones [7] and [8] are not sold automatically when you reach Leyndell or the Mountaintops. They only become available for purchase at the Roundtable Hold Twin Maiden Husks after you turn in the Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing [4].
Once handed in, you can buy Stones [7] and [8] infinitely using runes. This completely removes the need to farm late-game enemies or scour optional dungeons, letting you react instantly to DPS checks, boss resistances, or build pivots.
Over-Upgrading Before Your Build Is Finalized
A common mistake is dumping Stones [7] and [8] into multiple weapons before your stat spread is locked. Even with unlimited access, rune costs spike hard at +21 and beyond, and sloppy upgrades can slow your overall power curve.
Wait until your Vigor, primary damage stat, and infusion choice are stable. Then commit hard to one or two weapons and push them into the +23 to +24 range where scaling and base damage start carrying entire encounters.
Ignoring Late-Game Enemy Scaling and Damage Checks
Farum Azula, the Haligtree, and post-Leyndell zones are tuned around upgraded weapons. If your main weapon is sitting at +18 or +19, enemy HP pools and poise values will feel oppressive no matter how clean your dodges are.
Buying Stones [7] and [8] as soon as the Bell Bearing is unlocked lets you immediately close that gap. This is one of the most impactful power spikes in the entire game, often more noticeable than a full stat level dump.
Final Late-Game Upgrade Advice
Once Smithing Stones [7] and [8] are unlimited, treat upgrades as tactical tools, not precious loot. If a boss hard-counters your current setup, upgrade an alternative weapon and adapt instead of brute-forcing the fight.
Elden Ring’s late game rewards flexibility backed by smart progression. Unlock the Bell Bearing, buy what you need, and let your weapons scale alongside the world instead of falling behind it.