Elden Ring features a lot of different weapons that are more or less suited to different playstyles, but they only manage to reach their full potential after they have been reinforced and customized.
Armament Reinforcement in Elden Ring has been significantly streamlined over the Dark Souls games, which featured multiple reinforcement item types that could be used on certain types of weapons. In the new game, the only reinforcement items are Smithing Stones, which are used for normal weapons, and Somber Smithing Stones, which are used for special weapons. Normal weapons can be reinforced up to +25, while special weapons can be upgraded up to +10. Both Smithing Stones and Somber Smithing Stones come in different tiers, which are indicated with a number. The higher the weapon reinforcement level, the higher the tier of the smithing stones required for reinforcement. As some of these items are available in limited quantities, it is better to conserve high tiers stones to use them only for your favorite weapons.
Below, you will find all the Smithing Stones and Sombering Smithing Stones available in Elden Ring and their uses.
- Smithing Stone [1] – Reinforce weapons to +5
- Smithing Stone [2] – Reinforce weapons to +6
- Smithing Stone [3] – Reinforce weapons to +9
- Smithing Stone [4] – Reinforce weapons to +12
- Smithing Stone [5] – Reinforce weapons to +15
- Smithing Stone [6] – Reinforce weapons to +18
- Smithing Stone [7] – Reinforce weapons to +21
- Smithing Stone [8] – Reinforce weapons to +24
- Smithing Stone [9] – Reinforce weapons to +25
- Somber Smithing Stone [1] – Reinforce special weapons to +1
- Somber Smithing Stone [2] – Reinforce special weapons to +2
- Somber Smithing Stone [3] – Reinforce special weapons to +3
- Somber Smithing Stone [4] – Reinforce special weapons to +4
- Somber Smithing Stone [5] – Reinforce special weapons to +5
- Somber Smithing Stone [6] – Reinforce special weapons to +6
- Somber Smithing Stone [7] – Reinforce special weapons to +7
- Somber Smithing Stone [8] – Reinforce special weapons to +8
- Somber Smithing Stone [9] – Reinforce special weapons to +9
- Somber Smithing Stone [10] – Reinforce special weapons to +10
Reinforcing weapons is only one of the ways players have to improve them, as the Ashes of War not only allow you to change the Weapon Art associated with any weapon but also to change its Affinity. Before you can alter your weapons with Ashes of War, you will first need to obtain the Whetstone Knife from the Gatefront Ruins.
Once you find the Whetstone Knife, Ashes of War can be imbued at Sites of Graces or by a blacksmith’s forge. Ashes of War can also be duplicated by a forge by using Lost Ashes of War. Additional whetstones hidden in select locations in the Lands Between will also further expand the Affinity options available at any given time.
The Affinities available in Elden Ring are:
- Standard – Default weapon scaling
- Heavy – Strength scaling
- Quality – Strength and Dexterity balanced scaling
- Keen – Dexterity scaling
- Magic – Intelligence scaling with split physical and Magic damage type
- Fire – Split physical and Fire damage type
- Sacred – Faith scaling with split physical and Holy damage type
- Lightning – Dexterity scaling with split physical and Lightning damage type
- Poison – Improved Strength, Dexterity, and Arcane scaling with Poison buildup
- Cold – Intelligence scaling with Frostbite buildup
- Blood – Arcane scaling with Bleed buildup
- Occult – Arcane scaling with undead reviving prevention
With the ability to imbue Ashes of War without using items or Runes, it is possible to apply changes to weapons almost on the fly. Make sure to take advantage of these mechanics to adapt your weapons to the enemies you are facing in a certain area and make recovering the Great Runes and becoming the Elden Lord much easier.
