Upgrading your gear in Elden Ring can mean the difference between surviving a boss fight and facing the "You Died" screen. Whether you're enhancing a katana for bleed builds or powering up a colossal weapon, upgrade materials are essential. As someone who has explored the Lands Between extensively and experimented with dozens of weapon builds, I've put together this guide to help you efficiently farm some of the most vital Elden Ring items used for upgrades.
For those who want to speed things up, there's also the option to Elden Ring buy items with PayPal, which offers a convenient way to get the materials you need without grinding endlessly.
Here are the top seven spots I personally farmed for upgrade items—and why they’re worth your time.
1. Limgrave Tunnels (Smithing Stones [1] & [2])
Early in the game, this is the best spot to get basic smithing stones. The enemies are slow and easy to handle, and there are plenty of mining nodes.
My experience: I used Limgrave Tunnels to upgrade my starting Uchigatana early, which helped me breeze through the first few major bosses.
2. Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel (Smithing Stones [3] & [4])
This location becomes accessible after reaching Liurnia. It’s packed with tougher enemies, but it also drops higher-tier upgrade materials.
Pro tip: Use a strike weapon like a mace to defeat the crystal miners more easily. I usually cleared the area with a Morning Star for fast results.
3. Sealed Tunnel (Somber Smithing Stones [5] to [7])
Hidden in Leyndell, this tunnel is a goldmine for somber upgrade materials used for special weapons.
My experience: I farmed here to upgrade the Moonveil Katana and Rivers of Blood. The path is a bit tricky, but once you learn the layout, it becomes efficient.
4. Mountaintops of the Giants – Zamor Ruins (Smithing Stones [6] to [8])
Higher-tier smithing stones are found in this late-game area, especially near the Zamor Ruins. You’ll also encounter more formidable enemies, so be prepared.
How I handled it: I used stealth and fast mounts to farm while avoiding combat. If you’re underleveled, patience is key.
5. Mohgwyn Palace (Albinaurics for Rune Arcs and Somber Stones)
Accessible via a portal from White-Faced Varre’s quest, this is one of the best late-game farming areas. It’s great for both upgrade materials and runes.
Personal tip: I farmed the Albinaurics here for hours to gather resources while stacking runes. A sacred relic sword makes the process even faster.
6. Sellia Crystal Tunnel (Smithing Stones [4] & [5])
This place is dangerous but rewarding. The crystal miners here drop solid mid-tier smithing stones.
My advice: Use ranged attacks or AoE spells to clear the tight spaces safely. This was part of my farming route during my sorcery-focused run.
7. Gael Tunnel (Somber Smithing Stones [1] & [2])
Great for early upgrades to special weapons. It’s located on the border between Limgrave and Caelid, and it’s one of the first places I visited with a somber upgrade in mind.
My experience: I picked up the Meteoric Ore Blade nearby and used this tunnel to immediately boost its power for early-game dominance.
Farming upgrade Elden Ring items doesn’t have to feel like a chore. With the right routes and a little patience, you can empower your favorite weapons and be ready for any boss or PvP duel. If you're ever short on time or simply want to skip the grind, it’s perfectly reasonable to Elden Ring buy items with PayPal through reliable services like U4GM.
From personal experience, mixing exploration with targeted farming made my builds not only stronger but more enjoyable to use. Happy farming, Tarnished—and may your blades stay sharp and your spirits even sharper.
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