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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallSomber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones are the final upgrade materials for special armaments in Elden Ring. Use one on a somber weapon at +9 to raise it to +10. They are not craftable, farmable, or sold through a Bell Bearing, so every stone is a finite reward in a playthrough.
The base game contains eight copies. Shadow of the Erdtree adds six more, for 14 fixed copies across the base game and DLC. The DLC copies are additional rewards, not an unlimited source.
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What Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones do
A Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone completes the somber upgrade path for a special armament:
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →- Somber weapon at +9: one Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone upgrades it to +10.
- Somber weapon at +10: it is already fully upgraded and cannot be improved further.
- Standard weapon at +24: it needs a regular Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone to reach +25 instead.
Special armaments include many unique, named, boss, remembrance, and other weapons that use one Somber Smithing Stone per upgrade level. They do not use the regular Smithing Stone tiers. Check the weapon’s upgrade screen before spending the final stone.
Visit Smithing Master Hewg at Roundtable Hold or another smith such as War Counselor Iji, select the weapon, and pay the required rune cost. The Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone is consumed during the upgrade. The item is the somber equivalent of a regular Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone, not a stronger version of an ordinary Smithing Stone. See the somber upgrade rules for the distinction between the two paths.
Important: these stones cannot be purchased or farmed
There is no Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone Bell Bearing. The Twin Maiden Husks do not add an unlimited supply to their shop, and no enemy provides an endlessly farmable drop. The base-game supply is limited to eight per playthrough; starting a new New Game Plus cycle gives you access to another world’s finite rewards.
Because one stone maxes out only one somber weapon, decide which weapons you actually use before upgrading. There is no universal best choice: the right weapon depends on your build, attributes, moveset, ash of war, and whether you intend to keep using it through the endgame.
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Base-game locations: all eight Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones
The following eight copies are available without Shadow of the Erdtree. Quest rewards can be missed or changed by progression, while the Leyndell copy requires the Ashen Capital state.
| # | Location or source | How to obtain it | Missable or state-dependent? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latenna’s quest | Take Latenna to the Apostate Derelict in the northwest Consecrated Snowfield and exhaust her dialogue. | Quest-dependent |
| 2 | Millicent’s quest | Complete the relevant Millicent quest outcome, including aiding her against her sisters, then finish the dialogue and return steps needed to receive the reward. | Quest-dependent |
| 3 | Anastasia, Tarnished-Eater | Defeat Anastasia at her Consecrated Snowfield invasion near the frozen river south of Ordina, Liturgical Town. | Enemy invasion |
| 4 | Mohgwyn Palace | Open the chest past the Dynasty Mausoleum Midpoint Site of Grace, in front of a statue guarded by enemies. | Fixed chest |
| 5 | Crumbling Farum Azula | Find the stone in a small gazebo behind the large dragon south of the Dragon Temple Rooftop Site of Grace. | Fixed pickup |
| 6 | Elphael chest | From the Prayer Room Site of Grace, cross the buttresses and gazebo route to the room containing the chest. | Fixed chest |
| 7 | Elphael lower section | Continue from the Prayer Room route into the lower area and loot the body guarded by an Erdtree Avatar. | Enemy-guarded pickup |
| 8 | Leyndell, Ashen Capital | Use the dragon-wing route, climb the ladder, and find the corpse near a gargoyle. | Requires Ashen Capital |
1. Latenna quest reward — Consecrated Snowfield
Progress Latenna’s quest and bring her to the Apostate Derelict, the large church in the northwest of the Consecrated Snowfield. Speak with her there and exhaust her dialogue to receive a Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
This is not the same as simply finding Latenna in the Lakeside Crystal Cave. You must advance the quest far enough to reach the Apostate Derelict. The route also depends on obtaining the relevant Haligtree Secret Medallion progression needed to access the Consecrated Snowfield.
For the quest sequence, see the Latenna quest reward guide.
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2. Millicent quest reward — Elphael questline
Advance Millicent’s quest to Elphael and choose the gold summon sign that lets you aid her against her sisters. Defeat the invaders, exhaust Millicent’s dialogue afterward, and complete the return or reload steps required at her location to claim the Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone reward.
This reward is easy to confuse with the Unalloyed Gold Needle. The needle is connected to the later conclusion of Millicent’s story and the consequences of the Malenia encounter; it is not the Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone itself. If you choose the opposing summon sign, you follow a different outcome and should not expect the same quest reward.
Because this is a quest-dependent copy, finish Millicent’s route before making choices that end or alter her quest. The item checklist in the Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone location guide can be used to cross-check the reward route.
3. Anastasia, Tarnished-Eater — Consecrated Snowfield
Anastasia invades near the frozen river south of Ordina, Liturgical Town, in the Consecrated Snowfield. Defeat her to receive one stone.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThis is an invasion encounter rather than a chest or normal enemy drop. If Anastasia does not appear, confirm that you are searching the Consecrated Snowfield location and have progressed far enough into the area.
4. Mohgwyn Palace chest
Travel to the Dynasty Mausoleum Midpoint Site of Grace in Mohgwyn Palace. Continue through the nearby area toward the statue. A chest in front of the statue, guarded by enemies, contains one Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
You do not need to treat this as a random drop: open the fixed chest after clearing or running past the enemies. Mohgwyn Palace is a late-game area reached through the region’s access routes, including progression associated with Varre or the Consecrated Snowfield teleporter.
5. Crumbling Farum Azula gazebo
From the Dragon Temple Rooftop Site of Grace, travel south toward the large dragon. The stone is in a small gazebo behind it.
The dragon may retreat when you approach. You do not necessarily have to kill it to collect this item; wait for an opening, reach the gazebo, and pick up the stone. Take care around the surrounding enemies and the dragon’s area-of-effect attacks.
6. Elphael chest — Prayer Room route
Start at the Prayer Room Site of Grace in Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree. Move across the connected buttresses and platforms, using the gazebo section to reach the room with the chest. Open it to obtain one stone.
The route is more reliable if you treat the buttresses as a platforming path rather than dropping immediately to the lower level. Watch for ranged attacks and the area’s difficult Haligtree enemies while crossing.
7. Elphael body guarded by an Erdtree Avatar
A second Elphael copy is on a body in a lower section reached from the Prayer Room route. An Erdtree Avatar guards the area. Defeat it or run past it, then loot the body.
Elphael therefore contains three base-game Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones in total: the Millicent quest reward, the chest, and this lower-area body pickup. Do not count the Elphael chest and body as one item.
8. Leyndell, Ashen Capital corpse
This copy is available only after Leyndell becomes the Ashen Capital. From the transformed capital, follow the large dragon-wing route, climb the ladder, and search for the corpse near a gargoyle.
You cannot collect this item from Leyndell while it is still the ordinary Royal Capital. If you have not reached the Ashen Capital state, leave this entry for later rather than searching the pre-transformation version of the area.
Shadow of the Erdtree locations: six additional copies
Shadow of the Erdtree adds six more fixed Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones. They are separate from the eight base-game copies and are not an unlimited DLC supply.
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| # | DLC area | Source and route |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Gravesite Plain | Defeat the Ghostflame Dragon west of the Abandoned Ailing Village. |
| 10 | Scadu Altus | Defeat the Ghostflame Dragon south of Moorth Ruins in the Moorth Highway area. |
| 11 | Cerulean Coast | Defeat the Ghostflame Dragon in the Cerulean Coast area of the Southern Shore. |
| 12 | Jagged Peak | Defeat Ancient Dragon Senessax beyond the Foot of the Jagged Peak Site of Grace. |
| 13 | Jagged Peak Mountainside | Continue beyond the Senessax encounter and use the nearby Spiritsprings to reach the pickup guarded by small thunder-related enemies. |
| 14 | Enir-Ilim | From Spiral Rise, travel west toward the next spiral tower, use the elevator, and follow the route to the cut-off stairway overlooking Enir-Ilim. |
9. Ghostflame Dragon — Gravesite Plain
Defeat the Ghostflame Dragon west of the Abandoned Ailing Village in Gravesite Plain. The boss rewards a Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone and a Dragon Heart.
10. Ghostflame Dragon — Scadu Altus
Find the optional Ghostflame Dragon south of Moorth Ruins, in the Moorth Highway area of Scadu Altus. Defeat it to receive another stone. Messmer soldiers are present around the encounter, so clearing nearby threats can make the fight easier.
11. Ghostflame Dragon — Cerulean Coast
A third DLC Ghostflame Dragon appears in the Cerulean Coast region of the Southern Shore. Its defeat rewards a Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone and a Dragon Heart.
12. Ancient Dragon Senessax — Jagged Peak
Continue along the Jagged Peak route past the Foot of the Jagged Peak Site of Grace and defeat Ancient Dragon Senessax. The boss rewards both a Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone and a regular Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
Those are two different upgrade materials: the somber stone is for a +9 special armament, while the regular stone finishes a standard weapon at +24.
13. Jagged Peak Mountainside pickup
After the Senessax area, continue toward Jagged Peak Mountainside. Use the nearby Spiritsprings to reach the elevated pickup, which is guarded by small thunder-related enemies.
The Spiritsprings are the intended way to gain the height needed for this route. If the pickup appears inaccessible from ground level, continue along the mountain path and look for the launch points rather than attempting a long direct jump.
14. Enir-Ilim pickup
Start from the Spiral Rise Site of Grace in Enir-Ilim. Progress west toward the next spiral tower, take the elevator, and follow the path to the cut-off stairway overlooking the area. The Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone is found along this route.
How to spend one without regretting it
- Confirm the upgrade path. The weapon should be a special armament that uses Somber Smithing Stones, not a standard weapon that uses regular Smithing Stones.
- Reach +9 first. A Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone only performs the final +9-to-+10 upgrade.
- Check your build. Make sure the weapon’s scaling and moveset suit your current attributes and playstyle.
- Test alternatives before committing. Upgrade lower tiers first, use the weapon in difficult areas, and confirm that you actually want it at maximum level.
- Use a smith and pay the rune cost. Smithing Master Hewg and War Counselor Iji are practical options, depending on your progression.
Do not spend the stone merely because you have reached the end of a weapon’s upgrade track. A fully upgraded weapon you no longer use consumes one of the playthrough’s scarce final materials.
Base game or DLC: what do you need?
You do not need the DLC to obtain the original eight stones. The base game has its own complete set of locations, including the quest rewards, Mohgwyn Palace chest, Farum Azula pickup, three Elphael sources, and Ashen Capital corpse.
The six Shadow of the Erdtree copies are useful if you own the expansion and want more fully upgraded special weapons in the same playthrough. For a DLC-specific physical reference, a Shadow of the Erdtree strategy guide may help with the expansion’s branching routes and underground or vertical areas. Verify the edition and current availability before buying; the book is optional and this is an affiliate link.
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This guide reflects the item rules and locations documented for Elden Ring with Shadow of the Erdtree, including the official patch history available through version 1.16.1, dated August 21, 2025. The researched 1.16.1 notes address an affinity/status issue and an online-player blocking exploit, not these acquisition routes or upgrade rules. See the official Elden Ring patch notes for the documented DLC-support update and consult later official notes if the game receives additional changes.
Quick checklist
- There are eight base-game copies.
- Shadow of the Erdtree adds six more fixed copies.
- The item upgrades a somber weapon from +9 to +10.
- It is not used on standard weapons.
- There is no Bell Bearing for unlimited purchases.
- It is not craftable or infinitely farmable.
- Finish the Latenna and Millicent routes before making quest choices that can prevent their rewards.
- Remember that Leyndell’s copy appears only in the Ashen Capital.
- Choose the weapon carefully because each stone is consumed for one final upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones are in Elden Ring?
The base game contains eight fixed copies. Shadow of the Erdtree adds six more, making 14 documented copies across one complete base-game-and-DLC world. The supply is finite within each playthrough.
Can you buy Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones?
No. There is no Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone Bell Bearing, so the Twin Maiden Husks do not sell them infinitely. New Game Plus provides another finite set rather than an unlimited purchase source.
What weapon level uses a Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone?
It upgrades a special armament from Somber +9 to +10. Standard weapons instead use a regular Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone to go from +24 to +25.
Which Millicent choice gives the stone?
Use the gold summon sign to aid Millicent against her sisters, defeat the invaders, exhaust her dialogue, and complete the return or reload steps for the quest reward. This is separate from the Unalloyed Gold Needle obtained through the later conclusion of her story.
Do you need Shadow of the Erdtree to get a Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone?
No. Eight copies are available in the base game. The DLC adds six optional copies in Gravesite Plain, Scadu Altus, Cerulean Coast, Jagged Peak, Jagged Peak Mountainside, and Enir-Ilim.
The Bottom Line
Save Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones for a special weapon you know you will keep using: each one is consumed to raise a +9 somber armament to +10, and neither the base game nor the DLC provides an unlimited source.
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