The Forge and the Forge Stones in Elden Ring
Feel like you're not doing enough damage when you hit your enemies in Elden Ring? Maybe it's time to switch to the forge!
First of all, we invite you to read our guide to the influence of statistics of your character in Elden Ring. We'll give you a summary: you won't be able to hit harder by investing in Force points.
No, what is important is the level of your weapon, rather than the level of your character!
The level of weapons
The vast majority of the weapons you pick up will be at level 0. It doesn't say that anywhere, but it does. By taking your weapon to a smith, he will offer to upgrade it and your weapon will gain a level for each upgrade. You will then be able to see the level of the weapon next to its name (for example: Uchigatana +7).
By increasing the level of a weapon, you make it gain a lot of power. This is equivalent to about 20 Strength points per level of your weapon. It is therefore more important to invest your levels in HP or stamina than in affinity.
The Three Blacksmiths of Elden Ring
There are three places where you can strengthen your weapons.
The first is at the beginning of the game, at the Church of Elleh. Opposite the merchant is an abandoned anvil. Here you will be able to put to good use the famous adage: it is by forging that we become blacksmiths.
Your skills are rather limited, though. You won't be able to go beyond level 3 on this simple anvil. To go further, you'll have to find one of the two blacksmiths in Elden Ring.
The second forge site is located in the Table of Grace. There is a master blacksmith there by the name of HewgThis is accessible at any time from the moment Melina invites you to join the order. To receive your invitation to the Table of Grace, simply rest at the Site of Grace on the road to Voilorage Castle.
The third venue is held by the giant IjiIt is located to the northwest of Liurnia. It is located next to the Site of Grace of the Route du Manoir It is possible that it will only show itself once you have crossed Caria's castle and met Ranni.
Both smiths strengthen your weapons in the same way. The only difference is the forging materials they are willing to sell you.
Forging stones and dark forging stones
It is not enough to hit a weapon with a hammer twice to improve it. You will have to pay some runes, but also provide forge stones. There are two main families of forge stones, the classic and the dark ones.
The forging stones The classic weapons allow for the improvement of common weapons.
The dark forge stones are used to improve unique and rare weapons.
Both types of stones come in several different levels. The level of the stone is written in brackets.
One level of Forge Stones can raise a common weapon by 3 levels. For example, to raise your weapon from level 0 to level 3, you will need Forge Stones (1). To go from level 3 to level 6, you will need Forge Stones (2). And so on.
For rare and unique weapons that use Dark Forge Stones, it is even simpler since the level of the weapon must match the level of the stone. When you want to raise a weapon to level 7, you need a Dark Forge Stone (7).
To find out what type of stone you will need to improve a weapon, there is no secret, you have to go and see the blacksmith and look at the stone he asks you for.
Where to find forging stones?
Forge stones can be found throughout the game. The dark forge stones are also found everywhere, but are much rarer than the classic forge stones. Both types of stones can be found on the corpses of certain enemies, in chests... but mostly in the dungeons and the different mines of the Entre-Terre!
Indeed, there are many galleries scattered around the map. Most of them are easy to spot at a glance on your map. If you see a big red and black circle, as if surrounded by flames, there is a gallery there! Inside, you should see a lot of zombies quietly picking through the gallery and in front of them, the famous forge stones. If you pick one up in front of a miner, he will be rather angry and start attacking you.
All galleries and mines in Elden Ring
Necrolimbus galleries :
Raya Lucaria crystal galleries:
Atlus Galleries :
Old Atlus galleries :
Gael's galleries :
Sellia Crystal Galleries:
Yelough Anix Tunnel
But I can't reach those mines, yet!
If you can't reach the mine that corresponds to the stone you need... well, you don't need it yet! Or rather that you don't have the level.
In Elden Ring, it's easy to tell if you're in the right zone for your level based on the level of the items you find. If all you find around you are level 7 forge stones or runes, while your weapon is still level 3, you are probably in the wrong place... (or you have neglected the forge too much).
Where to buy forging stones
If you have already emptied the mines, the forge stones will not reappear. However, you will sometimes find cinerary beads in your travels. If you offer them to the two-headed merchant at the Table of Grace, she will offer to sell you forging stones of the same level as the pearl.
Be prepared to invest a lot of runes, though, as they are very expensive. If you are a little light on your feet, we recommend our guide on the best ways to farm runes in Elden Ring.
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