U4GM - How to Upgrade Items in Elden Ring: A Step-by-Step Guide
In the vast, intricate world of Elden Ring, upgrading your weapons, armor, and other items is crucial for your survival and progression. Whether you’re facing tough bosses or exploring dangerous regions, having the right gear can make all the difference. This Elden Ring items guide will walk you through the essential steps to upgrade your items, ensuring that you're prepared for whatever challenges the Lands Between throw at you.
Why Upgrading Elden Ring Items Is Important
Before diving into the mechanics of item upgrades, let’s discuss why it’s so important to enhance your gear in Elden Ring. As you progress through the game, enemies become more formidable, and boss fights grow increasingly difficult. Without upgraded weapons and armor, you risk being outclassed by your adversaries. Upgrading Elden Ring items ensures that you have the necessary firepower and defense to tackle tougher challenges.
Step 1: Gather Materials
To begin upgrading your items in Elden Ring, you’ll need various materials that you can find throughout the world. Some of the most common upgrade materials include:
Smithing Stones (Smithing Stone [1], Smithing Stone [2], etc.)
Somber Smithing Stones (used for upgrading special weapons)
Golden Runes (used for gaining additional runes)
Glowstone (used for enchanting)
These materials are scattered throughout the world, so be on the lookout while you explore. You’ll also find them by defeating enemies, looting treasure chests, and purchasing from merchants. Some materials are specific to certain upgrade tiers, so it’s crucial to keep an eye on what you’re collecting.
Step 2: Visit a Site of Grace and Locate a Smithing Table
To upgrade your Elden Ring items, you’ll need to visit a Smithing Table or a Blacksmith. Early in the game, Smithing Tables are common, and you’ll find them at various Sites of Grace. A Smithing Table allows you to upgrade your basic weapons and armor, while more advanced upgrades require you to visit a Blacksmith, such as Master Blacksmith Hewg in the Roundtable Hold.
When you approach a Smithing Table or Blacksmith, you’ll be able to see the items that you can upgrade, provided you have the necessary materials. The upgrade system works in a tiered manner, and each upgrade increases the base stats of your equipment, such as attack power, scaling, and defense.
Step 3: Choose Your Items to Upgrade
Once you’ve located a Smithing Table or Blacksmith, the next step is to select which items you wish to upgrade. You will see a list of weapons, shields, and armor that can be enhanced, and each item will display the materials required for the upgrade.
For weapons, the upgrade process will increase the weapon’s attack power, and in some cases, it will also improve its scaling with your character’s attributes (such as Strength, Dexterity, or Intelligence). For armor, upgrading generally improves defense against physical and elemental damage, making it more effective in protecting you during combat.
Step 4: Use the Right Materials
Upgrading Elden Ring items requires specific materials, and using the right ones is key to progressing through the game. There are two main types of materials:
Smithing Stones: These are used to upgrade standard weapons and shields.
Somber Smithing Stones: These are reserved for special weapons, often those that deal unique types of damage or are tied to specific attributes.
The higher the tier of the upgrade, the rarer and more difficult to find the materials become. For example, a weapon upgrade from +1 to +2 might only require basic Smithing Stones, but upgrading from +9 to +10 could require a rare Somber Smithing Stone [8]. Be sure to track which materials you need and save them for the right upgrades.
Step 5: Pay the Cost
Upgrading items in Elden Ring doesn’t come for free. Each upgrade requires runes, which are the primary currency in the game. The higher the upgrade tier, the more runes it will cost. Be prepared to farm for runes if you don’t have enough, or visit a merchant who sells Golden Runes to get a quick influx of currency.
The cost increases as you upgrade an item, so make sure you’ve gathered enough materials and runes before attempting higher-tier upgrades. If you run low on either, it might be a good idea to focus on upgrading only your most important items first.
Step 6: Consider Special Upgrades for Unique Weapons
Some weapons in Elden Ring are special or “legendary” items that require Somber Smithing Stones for upgrades. These weapons often have unique properties, such as elemental effects or scaling with a particular stat. While these items are not as common as standard weapons, they’re often more powerful when upgraded.
When you upgrade unique weapons, be aware that the materials needed for these upgrades are rarer than the standard Smithing Stones, and you’ll need to plan your upgrades carefully. If you want a powerful weapon for a specific build, upgrading these items is often a worthwhile investment.
Step 7: Max Out Your Items
Once your item reaches its maximum upgrade potential, you’ll see a significant increase in its effectiveness. However, not every item can be upgraded to the same level. Weapons and armor typically max out at +10 or +25, depending on whether they are standard or special items.
Be sure to focus your upgrade efforts on the gear you use most often, as this will give you the greatest benefit in battle. If you’re unsure which items to prioritize, consider the ones that suit your character build and playstyle.
Upgrading your Elden Ring items is a fundamental part of your journey through the game. By collecting materials, visiting Smithing Tables and Blacksmiths, and paying attention to the types of upgrades your items require, you can strengthen your character and make your gameplay experience much more enjoyable. Follow this Elden Ring items guide and ensure that you’re always ready to face the challenges that lie ahead.
Remember, upgrading isn’t just about making things stronger—it’s about making smarter choices for your character and gearing up for the long road ahead. Stay prepared, and you’ll find yourself conquering even the most fearsome foes in the Lands Between.