Every Tarnished hits the same wall early in Elden Ring: your build feels right, your dodges are clean, but enemies refuse to go down. That’s not a skill issue, it’s a weapon upgrade problem. Smithing Stone [1] and Smithing Stone [2] are the backbone of early progression, and understanding how they work is the difference between surviving Limgrave and getting hard-stopped by the first real boss.
These stones don’t just make numbers go up. They directly control your damage output, scaling efficiency, and how forgiving the combat feels while you’re still learning enemy patterns and managing stamina.
What Smithing Stone [1] and [2] Actually Upgrade
Smithing Stone [1] is used to upgrade standard weapons from +0 to +3, while Smithing Stone [2] pushes those same weapons from +3 to +6. This applies to most non-unique armaments like longswords, greatswords, katanas, spears, and colossal weapons. If it doesn’t say “Somber” in the upgrade menu, these stones are what it needs.
Each upgrade increases base damage and improves scaling, meaning your Strength, Dexterity, or hybrid stats start pulling real weight. Even a basic weapon at +3 will massively outperform an unupgraded late-game drop, especially in early zones where enemy HP is tuned around upgraded gear.
Why Early Weapon Upgrades Matter More Than Levels
In the early game, upgrading your weapon gives far more DPS than pumping points into stats. A few Smithing Stones can shave entire attack cycles off boss fights, reduce flask usage, and make trash mobs manageable instead of exhausting. This is why experienced players rush upgrades before grinding runes.
Early upgrades also smooth out combat mistakes. Faster kills mean fewer chances to get clipped by wide hitboxes, mistime I-frames, or get overwhelmed by aggro from multiple enemies. For new Soulsborne players, this is the hidden difficulty slider the game never explains.
How These Stones Shape Exploration and Build Commitment
Because Smithing Stone [1] and [2] are plentiful once you know where to look, Elden Ring quietly encourages experimentation. You can safely upgrade multiple weapons to +3 or +6 without locking yourself into a single playstyle. This is crucial for testing Ashes of War, powerstancing setups, or deciding whether a weapon’s moveset actually fits your build.
Most early stones come from Limgrave Tunnels, enemy miners, and early merchants, with repeatable farming spots and Bell Bearings later removing RNG entirely. The game expects you to engage with this system early, and resisting it only makes the Lands Between harsher than they need to be.
The Invisible Difficulty Curve Smithing Stones Control
Bosses like Margit feel oppressive when fought with unupgraded weapons, but borderline fair once you hit +3 or +4. That’s not coincidence. Elden Ring’s early difficulty curve assumes players are collecting and using Smithing Stone [1] and [2] consistently, not hoarding them out of fear.
If combat feels slow, punishing, or stamina-draining, the fix usually isn’t more levels or better dodging. It’s a trip to the anvil, a handful of stones, and a weapon that’s actually ready for the fight ahead.
Guaranteed Early-Game Smithing Stone [1] Locations (Limgrave & Weeping Peninsula)
If you want consistent, no-RNG Smithing Stone [1] pickups, Limgrave and the Weeping Peninsula quietly hand you everything you need. These areas are tuned to teach the upgrade loop, rewarding basic exploration with enough stones to push multiple weapons to +3 before Margit ever blocks your path. This is where smart routing matters more than raw combat skill.
Limgrave Tunnels (North of Agheel Lake)
Limgrave Tunnels is the single most important early-game dungeon for weapon progression. It’s located just north of Agheel Lake, carved into the cliff face, and it’s impossible to miss once you know what you’re looking for. This dungeon alone can fund several early upgrades without touching a merchant.
Inside, Smithing Stone [1] drops are fixed on glowing wall nodes throughout the mine. You’ll find at least a dozen stones by fully clearing it, plus additional drops from miner enemies. The miners have high physical defense but crumble to strike damage or backstabs, so maces and charged heavies shine here.
The dungeon’s boss, the Stonedigger Troll, also drops Smithing Stone [1] on defeat. He’s slow, heavily telegraphed, and vulnerable to leg damage, making this one of the safest early bosses to farm for both practice and progression. Clear this dungeon once and you’re already ahead of the curve.
Churches, Ruins, and Early World Pickups
Limgrave is littered with single, guaranteed Smithing Stone [1] pickups in churches, ruins, and broken camps. These aren’t random drops, and they don’t require combat if you’re careful with aggro. They reward players who explore instead of beelining the main path.
Check places like the Church of Elleh, Gatefront Ruins, and the coastal ruins along the western cliffs. Many stones are tucked onto corpses or placed near crafting materials, easy to miss if you sprint through. These pickups are deliberately positioned along natural exploration routes to nudge players toward early upgrading.
Weeping Peninsula: Low Risk, High Reward
South of Limgrave, the Weeping Peninsula is arguably the safest early farming zone in the game. Enemy damage is low, aggression ranges are forgiving, and the region is dense with upgrade materials. This makes it perfect for newer players who want guaranteed progress without brutal punishment.
You’ll find Smithing Stone [1] scattered across minor dungeons, enemy camps, and field pickups. Look especially around ruins and near collapsed structures, where stones are often placed on corpses as environmental rewards. You can collect several without fighting anything tougher than basic soldiers or demi-humans.
Morbid Catacombs and Early Mini-Dungeons
Morbid Catacombs, located in the northern Weeping Peninsula, contains guaranteed Smithing Stone [1] pickups along its main path. Like most early catacombs, it emphasizes traps and enemy placement rather than raw difficulty. Take your time, manage stamina, and you’ll walk out with stones and a new Spirit Ash.
Other minor caves and tunnels in the peninsula follow the same design philosophy. If you see a cave entrance on your map and the enemies look early-game, there’s a strong chance Smithing Stones are part of the reward pool. Elden Ring rarely wastes dungeon space this early without offering meaningful progression.
Why These Locations Matter Before Farming or Buying
These guaranteed locations are intentionally front-loaded so players can upgrade without understanding farming routes or Bell Bearings. By fully clearing Limgrave Tunnels and thoroughly exploring the Weeping Peninsula, you can comfortably reach +3 on multiple weapons before ever touching Smithing Stone [2].
This is the game teaching you a lesson: exploration beats grinding. Before you farm miners, hunt Bell Bearings, or spend runes at merchants, these zones give you a clean, reliable foundation. Miss them, and the early game feels punishing; clear them, and the combat opens up exactly as intended.
Guaranteed Early-Game Smithing Stone [2] Locations (Stormveil, Liurnia Access Routes)
Once you’ve exhausted Limgrave and the Weeping Peninsula, the game naturally nudges you toward Smithing Stone [2]. This is the point where weapon scaling starts to matter, enemy HP spikes, and raw base damage falls off hard. The good news is that Elden Ring places multiple guaranteed [2] pickups directly along the critical path, with zero RNG involved.
These locations are designed to reward forward momentum, not farming. If you’re progressing cleanly, you can push a main weapon to +5 or +6 before ever thinking about miner loops or Bell Bearings.
Stormveil Castle: High Risk, Guaranteed Payoff
Stormveil Castle is the earliest dense concentration of Smithing Stone [2] in the game. Several stones are found as fixed corpse pickups along the main route, especially in interior rooms and rampart-side hallways. If you’re methodically clearing rooms instead of sprinting past enemies, you will naturally collect them.
Exile Soldiers and Banished Knight patrol zones are also important here. While their drops aren’t guaranteed, the castle’s environmental pickups are. Look carefully in side rooms, behind ballista positions, and near dead ends that seem optional, as Stormveil consistently hides upgrade materials off the critical path.
Rampart Tower and Courtyard Routes
From the Rampart Tower Site of Grace, explore downward paths before committing to the main gate route. Several corpse pickups along stairwells and rooftops contain Smithing Stone [2], often guarded by a single high-pressure enemy rather than a mob. These encounters are meant to test positioning and stamina management, not DPS checks.
In the central courtyard area, you’ll also find stones tucked near walls and broken siege equipment. You don’t need to clear the entire courtyard to grab them. Smart aggro pulls and quick loot runs let you secure upgrades without burning flasks.
Skipping Stormveil: Liurnia Cliffside Access
If Stormveil feels oppressive or you’re experimenting with a fragile build, Elden Ring offers an alternate route. The cliffside path east of Stormveil Castle leads directly into Liurnia of the Lakes. This route contains guaranteed Smithing Stone [2] pickups on corpses along narrow ledges and guarded camps.
The Lake-Facing Cliffs Site of Grace is your anchor point here. From it, explore downward paths toward the shoreline and broken structures. The enemies are slower and more forgiving than Stormveil’s elites, making this an excellent option for new players who still want progression without the stress.
Early Liurnia Field Pickups and Ruins
Liurnia’s overworld is deceptively generous with Smithing Stone [2] if you explore deliberately. Corpses near flooded ruins, collapsed bridges, and road-adjacent camps often carry them. You’ll find several without ever entering a legacy dungeon or fighting a boss.
Academy Gate Town’s outer ruins are especially valuable. Stick to the perimeter, avoid deep water ambushes, and loot visible corpses first. These stones are placed to ensure players entering Liurnia can immediately keep pace with enemy defenses.
Why These Routes Define Smooth Weapon Progression
Stormveil and early Liurnia aren’t just difficulty spikes; they’re upgrade checkpoints. The game expects your main weapon to reach Smithing Stone [2] tiers here, and these guaranteed pickups ensure that happens through exploration alone.
If you fully clear Stormveil or thoroughly explore Liurnia’s access routes, you eliminate the need for early grinding entirely. This keeps your rune economy focused on leveling, not repairs for underpowered gear, and preserves the intended combat rhythm Elden Ring is built around.
Best Early Farming Spots for Smithing Stone [1] (Repeatable and Low-Risk Routes)
Once guaranteed pickups dry up, repeatable farming becomes the cleanest way to push multiple weapons to +3 without stalling progression. The key is targeting enemies with consistent drop tables and routes that reset quickly with minimal flask usage. These spots are designed to be looped safely, even by low-Vigor builds.
Limgrave Tunnels: The Gold Standard Early Farm
Limgrave Tunnels is the most efficient Smithing Stone [1] farm available the moment you leave the First Step. The stone miners inside have a high drop rate for Smithing Stone [1], and nearly every wall deposit yields one on pickup. Strike-type weapons shred their defenses, but even light weapons can stagger them with charged heavies.
Start from the Limgrave Tunnels Site of Grace and clear outward, not inward. This lets you isolate miners one by one, avoid the lift ambush, and reset quickly. You can farm 6–8 stones per run in under five minutes with almost zero risk once you learn enemy spacing.
Gatefront Ruins Soldiers: Low Threat, Low Stress
If you want a surface-level farm with no dungeon pressure, Gatefront Ruins is a surprisingly reliable option. Godrick Soldiers here can drop Smithing Stone [1], and their aggro is easy to manage with stealth or ranged pulls. Backstabs and guard counters trivialize them, even for new players.
Rest at the Gatefront Site of Grace and sweep the outer perimeter first. Ignore the central knight if your damage is low. This route is slower than Limgrave Tunnels but far safer for fragile casters or players still learning enemy patterns.
Coastal Cave and Shoreline Demi-Humans
The Demi-Humans along Limgrave’s western shoreline and inside Coastal Cave have a smaller drop chance, but the route is extremely forgiving. Enemies are weak, flinch easily, and cluster in groups that reward AoE or fast weapons. This is a good supplemental farm if you’re already clearing the area for runes.
Run from the Coastal Cave Site of Grace toward the beach camps, clear quickly, and reset. The rune gain is modest, but the low danger makes it ideal early on when every flask matters.
Buying Smithing Stone [1]: When Farming Stops Making Sense
While early farming works, it shouldn’t be permanent. Once you defeat the boss in Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel later on, you’ll unlock a bell bearing that allows Smithing Stone [1] and [2] purchases from the Twin Maiden Husks. At that point, rune farming completely replaces stone farming.
Until then, these routes bridge the gap cleanly. They let you experiment with multiple weapons, push upgrades without RNG frustration, and stay aligned with Elden Ring’s intended early-game power curve without overgrinding or hitting difficulty walls.
Best Early Farming Spots for Smithing Stone [2] (Enemy Drops and Mini-Dungeons)
Once Smithing Stone [1] stops being your bottleneck, the real early-game wall is Smithing Stone [2]. These upgrades are where weapons start to feel viable against Stormveil bosses and Liurnia enemies, so knowing where to farm them efficiently saves hours of frustration and underpowered DPS.
The key shift here is location. Smithing Stone [2] is far more dungeon-focused, with fewer reliable surface enemies dropping them early on. That makes route knowledge and reset efficiency more important than raw combat skill.
Morne Tunnel (Weeping Peninsula): Safest Early Smithing Stone [2] Farm
Morne Tunnel is the best early-game introduction to Smithing Stone [2] farming, especially for new players. The miners here drop Smithing Stone [2] consistently, and their slow attack animations make backstabs and charged heavies extremely safe.
Start at the Morne Tunnel Site of Grace and clear outward along the walls. Ignore the lift until last, and don’t rush the central cavern where miners cluster tightly. One clean run nets several Smithing Stone [2] drops plus fixed pickups, with minimal flask usage and low death risk.
Stormveil Castle: Guaranteed Pickups With Zero RNG
Stormveil Castle doesn’t offer great repeatable farming, but it excels at guaranteed Smithing Stone [2] placements. Several are found on corpses along side paths, rooftops, and interior rooms, especially near ballistae and elite enemy patrols.
The advantage here is certainty. Even if your build struggles with Stormveil’s enemies, careful exploration rewards you with enough stones to push a main weapon to a competitive upgrade level without relying on drops.
Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel: High Yield, Higher Punishment
Located in Liurnia of the Lakes, Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel is a major Smithing Stone [2] source, but it’s less forgiving than Morne Tunnel. The miners here have higher poise and resist slash damage, so strike weapons or guard counters perform significantly better.
Clear slowly from the Site of Grace, pulling enemies one at a time to avoid being boxed in. Even if you’re not ready for the boss, the enemy drops and fixed stones alone make this tunnel worth repeated runs once your survivability improves.
Sellia Crystal Tunnel (Caelid): Risk-Reward Power Farm
Sellia Crystal Tunnel offers some of the fastest Smithing Stone [2] gains in the early game, but it comes with brutal enemies and punishing damage. This route is best for confident players who can manage aggro, stagger miners efficiently, and escape bad pulls.
If you use this farm early, prioritize speed over full clears. Grab visible pickups, drop miners quickly, and reset. One or two successful runs here can fully fund multiple weapon upgrades, letting you leave Caelid immediately stronger than intended.
Why These Farms Matter Before Bell Bearings
Before you unlock the Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing that enables buying Smithing Stone [2], these locations define your upgrade ceiling. Farming them strategically lets you commit to a main weapon, test scaling paths, and keep pace with Elden Ring’s difficulty curve without excessive rune grinding.
If Smithing Stone [1] farming taught spacing and efficiency, Smithing Stone [2] farming teaches route control and risk assessment. Mastering these early farms sets up a smoother transition into Liurnia, legacy dungeons, and build-defining upgrades.
Bell Bearings Explained: Unlocking Unlimited Smithing Stone [1] & [2] Purchases
All of the early-game farming routes you’ve used up to this point are a means to an end. Bell Bearings are the system that permanently removes RNG from weapon upgrades, letting you buy Smithing Stones on demand and focus entirely on build execution.
Once you hand the correct Bell Bearing to the Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold, Smithing Stone scarcity effectively disappears. For Smithing Stone [1] and [2], this moment is one of the most important progression checkpoints in Elden Ring’s early to mid-game.
Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing [1]: Exact Location
The Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing [1] is found in Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel, the same dungeon you were already farming for Smithing Stone [2]. It drops from the dungeon’s boss, a Crystalian, making this a clean extension of the previous section’s route.
If you can reliably clear miners and survive Liurnia patrols, you’re already equipped to get this Bell Bearing. There’s no alternate path or NPC requirement, just a straight dungeon clear and a boss kill.
How to Beat the Crystalian Without Overgearing
Crystalians have extreme resistance to slash and pierce damage until their crystal armor breaks. Strike weapons, charged heavies, jump attacks, and guard counters are the fastest way to stagger them and expose their true hitbox.
Play patiently and avoid panic rolls. Once the armor cracks, their poise collapses and the fight ends quickly, even with modest DPS.
What This Bell Bearing Unlocks
After returning to Roundtable Hold, give the Bell Bearing to the Twin Maiden Husks. This permanently adds Smithing Stone [1] and Smithing Stone [2] to their shop inventory.
Smithing Stone [1] costs 800 runes each, while Smithing Stone [2] costs 1,600 runes. From this point forward, every normal weapon can be upgraded to +6 without relying on enemy drops, dungeon resets, or merchant stock limits.
Why Unlimited Purchases Change Early-Game Progression
This is the moment Elden Ring stops testing your patience and starts rewarding smart rune management. Instead of hoarding stones “just in case,” you can freely experiment with weapons, ash synergies, and scaling paths.
It also stabilizes difficulty. If an area feels overtuned, you now have a guaranteed way to increase weapon damage without grinding enemies that outscale your build or punish mistakes.
When to Rush This vs. Farm Longer
If you already have a main weapon picked, rushing the Bell Bearing is optimal. You’ll spend fewer total runes upgrading and gain immediate access to consistent DPS increases.
If you’re still undecided on a build, limited farming beforehand isn’t wasted. Those extra stones convert directly into upgrades once the shop unlocks, letting you pivot weapons instantly instead of starting from zero.
Important Clarification About Later Bell Bearings
Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing [2] does not unlock Smithing Stone [1] or [2]. It unlocks higher tiers later in the game, meaning this first Bell Bearing is the only requirement for infinite early-game upgrades.
That’s why everything up to this point funnels toward Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel. Secure this Bell Bearing, and early weapon progression becomes a solved problem rather than a constant obstacle.
Merchants That Sell Smithing Stone [1] and [2] (When and How to Access Them)
Before the Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing [1] turns upgrades into a solved equation, a handful of merchants offer limited but reliable access to Smithing Stone [1] and [2]. These sellers act as pressure valves for early progression, letting you push a weapon a few levels higher without committing to dungeon clears or RNG-heavy farming routes.
Knowing exactly who sells what, and when they become available, can save hours of frustration, especially for new players still learning how Elden Ring gates power behind exploration.
Merchant Kale (Church of Elleh)
Merchant Kale is the first and most accessible source of Smithing Stone [1] in the game. He sells a small, finite number of Smithing Stone [1] as soon as you reach Limgrave, no side quests or bosses required.
This stock is intentionally limited, but it’s enough to push a starter weapon to +2 or +3 early on. For melee builds struggling with early DPS checks, those upgrades noticeably tighten stamina-to-damage efficiency and reduce how long you stay in danger during trades.
Nomadic Merchant (Coastal Cave Area, West Limgrave)
The Nomadic Merchant found along the western coast of Limgrave sells additional Smithing Stone [1]. You’ll encounter him naturally if you explore the shoreline near the Coastal Cave, which most players visit for early runes and crafting materials.
His inventory mirrors Kale’s role: small quantities, no Smithing Stone [2], and no restock. Think of these stones as stopgap upgrades meant to carry you through Limgrave’s field bosses and legacy-adjacent encounters.
Isolated Merchant (Weeping Peninsula)
The Isolated Merchant in the Weeping Peninsula is the first vendor who meaningfully extends early upgrade paths. He sells both Smithing Stone [1] and Smithing Stone [2], making him incredibly valuable before you unlock the Bell Bearing.
Accessing him only requires crossing the Bridge of Sacrifice, which is guarded but far from a hard check. For early-game players, this area is intentionally forgiving, and the stones here can carry a weapon all the way to +4 or +5 if you plan purchases carefully.
Why Merchant Stones Are Not a Long-Term Solution
Every merchant that sells Smithing Stones before the Bell Bearing has a hard stock limit. Once they’re sold out, they’re gone permanently, and no amount of resting or fast traveling will refresh their inventory.
That’s why these merchants should be treated as strategic boosts, not a farming alternative. Spend these stones on a weapon you’re confident in, not on testing every new drop, or you’ll hit an upgrade wall faster than expected.
When to Buy vs. When to Hold Runes
If you’re pushing a single main weapon, buying out merchant stock is almost always worth it. Early upgrades scale aggressively, and even one extra reinforcement level can turn a three-hit kill into a two-hit kill, reducing incoming damage and flask usage across the board.
If you’re still experimenting, hold some runes back. Once the Twin Maiden Husks gain unlimited stock through the Bell Bearing, every rune spent earlier becomes less efficient than simply buying stones on demand from Roundtable Hold.
How These Merchants Fit Into the Bigger Progression Plan
Merchant-sold Smithing Stones exist to smooth the path to Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel, not replace it. They help you survive long enough, and hit hard enough, to secure the Bell Bearing that removes all early-game upgrade friction.
Use them to stabilize difficulty spikes, not to brute-force progression. Once unlimited purchases unlock, these early vendors fade into the background, having served their purpose as stepping stones rather than solutions.
Optimal Upgrade Path: When to Use Stones vs. When to Save Runes
Understanding when to commit Smithing Stones versus when to bank runes is what separates smooth early progression from self-inflicted difficulty spikes. Elden Ring gives you just enough resources to upgrade one main weapon comfortably, but not enough to experiment freely without consequences. The goal here is momentum, not perfection.
Early Limgrave: Commit Fast, but Only Once
In Limgrave and the Weeping Peninsula, Smithing Stone [1] and [2] are far more valuable than your runes. Early reinforcement levels dramatically boost base damage, often providing more real DPS than a few stat points ever could at this stage.
If you’ve chosen a weapon that fits your build direction, upgrading it to +3 or +4 immediately is almost always correct. Use guaranteed stones from Limgrave tunnels, scattered ruins, and merchant stock to hit this breakpoint before investing heavily in levels.
Why Over-Upgrading Multiple Weapons Is a Trap
Every early Smithing Stone you spend testing weapons delays your main upgrade path. Merchants don’t restock, and dungeon drops are finite until you unlock farming routes. This is how players end up underpowered despite having explored thoroughly.
If you’re unsure about a weapon, test it unupgraded against basic enemies. Save stones until you’re confident, because upgrading two weapons to +2 is far weaker than pushing one to +4.
Rune Spending Priorities Before the Bell Bearing
Before securing the Smithing Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing, runes are best spent selectively. Buying Smithing Stone [1] and [2] from early merchants is efficient only if it directly enables a reinforcement level you’re about to use.
Avoid stockpiling stones you can’t immediately convert into upgrades. Those runes could instead fund levels, flask upgrades, or key items that improve survivability while you work toward unlocking unlimited stone purchases.
Transition Point: Farming vs. Buying
Once you reach Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel, the entire economy shifts. The dungeon guarantees access to the Bell Bearing that unlocks unlimited Smithing Stone [1] and [2] purchases at the Twin Maiden Husks.
At this point, saving runes becomes more important than saving stones. Farming enemies like the miners inside the tunnel or nearby early-game zones becomes a repeatable, low-risk way to fund upgrades on demand rather than hoarding limited supplies.
Post-Bell Bearing Efficiency: Spend Stones Freely, Guard Your Runes
After unlimited stock is unlocked, Smithing Stones stop being the bottleneck. Runes become the limiting factor, and every upgrade has a clear, predictable cost.
This is when experimentation becomes safe. Try new weapons, push backups to match your main armament, and adjust builds without fear of permanently wasting progression resources.
The Golden Rule of Early Upgrades
Use stones early to stabilize difficulty, save runes until they can buy unlimited solutions. Merchant stones and dungeon pickups are tools to get you to the Bell Bearing, not resources to hoard indefinitely.
If your weapon is killing faster and costing fewer flasks, you’re spending correctly. If you’re rune-poor with half-upgraded gear, it’s time to refocus and streamline your path forward.
Common Mistakes New Players Make When Farming Smithing Stones
Even after understanding when to farm versus buy, many players still lose hours to avoidable errors. These mistakes don’t just slow upgrades; they actively make early Elden Ring harder than it needs to be. Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing where to go.
Farming Random Enemies Instead of Targeted Stone Sources
One of the biggest missteps is killing overworld mobs and hoping Smithing Stones drop through RNG. Most soldiers, demi-humans, and wildlife have terrible drop rates and aren’t intended stone sources. You’re trading time, flasks, and runes for almost nothing.
If you’re farming, do it where the game clearly signals intent. Limgrave Tunnels and Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel are designed stone farms, with miners that drop Smithing Stone [1] and [2] at dramatically higher rates. Miners are weak to strike damage, so even an unupgraded mace or club speeds runs and cuts flask usage.
Ignoring Guaranteed Dungeon Pickups
Many new players tunnel-vision on farming loops and miss free stones sitting in fixed locations. Limgrave Tunnels alone contains enough Smithing Stone [1] drops to push a weapon to +3 without a single enemy respawn. Morne Tunnel on the Weeping Peninsula adds even more guaranteed stones with minimal difficulty.
Skipping these dungeons early forces unnecessary grinding later. These caves are short, low-risk, and explicitly designed to front-load your upgrade path. Always clear them once before committing to farming or buying.
Buying Stones Too Early from Merchants
Merchants like Kale in the Church of Elleh sell Smithing Stone [1], and while that seems helpful, it’s easy to overspend. Buying stones before you can immediately hit a new reinforcement level often leaves you under-leveled and rune-starved. This is especially punishing for new players still learning dodge timing and enemy patterns.
Use merchants only to bridge a gap. If you’re one or two stones away from +3 or +4, buy them and move on. Otherwise, save those runes for levels, flask charges, or the run you’ll need to reach the Bell Bearing.
Over-Upgrading Multiple Weapons at Once
Splitting Smithing Stones across several weapons is a silent progression killer. Two weapons at +2 don’t outperform a single +4, especially in early zones where raw damage determines how many hits you trade. Longer fights mean more mistakes, more flask use, and more rune loss.
Commit to one primary weapon until Smithing Stone [1] and [2] become unlimited. Backup weapons can wait. Once the Twin Maiden Husks sell stones freely, experimentation becomes efficient instead of punishing.
Delaying Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel Too Long
Some players avoid this dungeon because it’s off the main road or sounds intimidating. In reality, it’s one of the most important progression checkpoints in the early game. Completing it unlocks the Smithing Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing, permanently removing scarcity for Smithing Stone [1] and [2].
Delaying this tunnel means every upgrade feels expensive and stressful. Prioritize reaching it as soon as your build is stable, even if that means sneaking past enemies or summoning help. The payoff reshapes the entire upgrade economy in your favor.
Final Tip: Farm with a Goal, Not Hope
Every Smithing Stone decision should answer a simple question: what upgrade does this unlock right now? If the answer is unclear, you’re probably wasting time or runes. Elden Ring rewards intentional routes, not blind grinding.
Target the right tunnels, grab guaranteed pickups, rush the Bell Bearing, and let unlimited stones carry your experimentation. Upgrade smart, and the Lands Between open up faster than you’d expect.