Upgrading special weapons to near-max potential in Elden Ring requires the rare and powerful Somber Smithing Stone 9. This upgrade material is essential for those who use unique weapons like boss drops or legendary arms and want to enhance them to +9. Unlike regular smithing stones, somber variants are tied to unique weapons and can’t be farmed endlessly in the same way. Players often struggle to find reliable sources for this late-game resource. Fortunately, with the right route and knowledge of in-game vendors, exploring the Lands Between for Somber Smithing Stone 9 becomes a rewarding task that boosts your character’s strength significantly.
Understanding Somber Smithing Stone 9
What Is Somber Smithing Stone 9?
Somber Smithing Stone 9 is a rare material used in Elden Ring to upgrade special weapons from +8 to +9. These stones are used only for weapons that scale with somber upgrades, including legendary weapons, remembrances, and other one-of-a-kind armaments.
Each upgrade with a somber stone increases the weapon’s power significantly, making every level vital for late-game bosses and PvP encounters. Since you only need one stone per upgrade level for somber weapons, finding even one Somber Smithing Stone 9 can make a big difference.
Best Locations to Find Somber Smithing Stone 9
Late-Game Zones
Somber Smithing Stone 9 can generally be found in higher-level areas across the map. Exploring these locations thoroughly is key to collecting enough for multiple weapons. Below are some of the best places to look:
- Consecrated Snowfield: This snowy region is home to powerful enemies and hidden treasures. Search carefully near cliffs and ruins for lootable bodies and chests containing Somber Smithing Stone 9.
- Miquella’s Haligtree: This difficult legacy dungeon has multiple spots where Somber Smithing Stone 9 can be looted from corpses or dropped by tough enemies. Be prepared for intense fights.
- Crumbling Farum Azula: This collapsing floating fortress has several stones scattered along precarious walkways and guarded by beastmen. It’s also the source of multiple Somber stones in various levels.
- Mountaintops of the Giants: This area is full of endgame-tier loot. Keep an eye out in caves, near Erdtree Avatars, or on corpse piles that are usually guarded by strong enemies.
Vendor Availability
If exploration isn’t enough or you’re missing a few stones, you can gain the ability to buy Somber Smithing Stone 9 from Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold.
How to Unlock Somber Smithing Stone 9 for Purchase
To unlock Somber Smithing Stone 9 for purchase, you need to find and offer the correct Bell Bearing to the Twin Maiden Husks. Here’s what to do:
- Get Somberstone Miner’s Bell Bearing [5]: Found in Crumbling Farum Azula after defeating certain bosses or exploring secret chambers. Offering this to the Twin Maiden Husks allows you to buy Somber Smithing Stone 9 with runes.
- Purchase from Roundtable Hold: After turning in the Bell Bearing, the item becomes available for purchase. You’ll need a good amount of runes per stone, so prepare accordingly.
Enemy Drops and Farm Spots
Who Drops Somber Smithing Stone 9?
While not common, some enemies have a small chance of dropping Somber Smithing Stone 9. These enemies are typically found in late-game zones and are usually powerful themselves.
- Beastmen in Crumbling Farum Azula: These enemies can drop a range of Somber Stones depending on your luck. Use silver-pickled fowl foot and the Silver Scarab talisman to boost item discovery.
- Misbegotten Warriors: Often found guarding high-tier loot, some of these enemies may drop high-level smithing stones.
Farming these enemies is not the most efficient method but may help if you’re short on stones and enjoy combat grinding.
Treasure Locations for Somber Smithing Stone 9
Hidden Bodies and Chests
Many of the game’s Somber Smithing Stones are placed deliberately on corpses, often off the main path or hidden behind strong enemies. Use Torrent to explore cliff edges, rooftops, and narrow ledges where items may glow faintly in the distance. Below are a few precise examples:
- Haligtree Town: After reaching the lower levels of Haligtree, look near the roots and rooftops. Some enemies hide next to lootable corpses with upgrade materials.
- Dragon Temple Rooftops: In Crumbling Farum Azula, explore the high paths and broken architecture. Several stones can be found on isolated corpses.
- Mountaintop of the Giants – Yelough Anix Tunnel: This tunnel has multiple upgrade stones and is a great spot to explore fully if you’re low on somber materials.
Optional Dungeons
Some of the tougher optional dungeons also offer Somber Smithing Stone 9 as part of their final rewards. Completing these can double as practice for boss mechanics while farming loot:
- Sealed Tunnel: Near the Capital outskirts, this dungeon includes several hidden walls and strong foes. It’s often overlooked but highly rewarding.
- Hidden Path to the Haligtree: This secret area has chests and side paths that reward high-tier stones.
Using Somber Smithing Stone 9 Efficiently
Choosing the Right Weapon to Upgrade
Since Somber Smithing Stones are rare, especially at tier 9, think carefully before using one. Consider upgrading weapons that:
- Scale well with your current build stats (e.g., strength, dexterity, intelligence).
- Have good versatility in both PvE and PvP.
- Offer unique weapon skills or ash of war effects that suit your combat style.
Popular weapons like Moonveil, Rivers of Blood, Blasphemous Blade, and the Dark Moon Greatsword are strong choices for full somber upgrades.
Upgrade Path Summary
To upgrade a special weapon to +9, follow this path:
- +1 → Somber Smithing Stone [1]
- +2 → Somber Smithing Stone [2]
- +3 → Somber Smithing Stone [3]
- …and so on, until
- +9 → Somber Smithing Stone [9]
Each upgrade gives a substantial increase in weapon scaling and raw damage. After +9, you can use Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone to reach +10, the maximum upgrade level.
Final Tips for Farming Somber Smithing Stone 9
- Use Item Discovery Buffs: Equip gear and consumables that increase item discovery to raise your chances of enemy drops.
- Complete Bell Bearings: Prioritize finding the final Bell Bearing so you can buy these stones rather than rely on luck.
- Plan Your Exploration: Keep track of high-level zones you’ve cleared and revisit with a loot-focused mindset.
Getting Somber Smithing Stone 9 in Elden Ring is an important step for those who want to take their special weapons to peak power. Whether you explore Crumbling Farum Azula, brave the Haligtree, or unlock the Bell Bearings to purchase them directly, these upgrade materials are well worth the effort. With proper planning and determination, you’ll gather enough Somber Smithing Stones to bring your favorite weapons to +9 and beyond ready to face even the toughest foes in the Lands Between.