Elden Ring: Nightreign – Weapon Upgrades & Smithing Stones Guide

Brave Nightfarer, you are nothing without your weapon of destruction and death. Without your armaments, your enemies will turn you to dust in the blink of an eye.

Weapons are key to surviving the two-day expedition across Limveld in Elden Ring: Nightreign. Whether battling bosses or clearing enemies, upgrading your weapon is crucial.

This guide covers everything you need to know about using Smithing Stones and finding upgrade materials to take your gear from basic to Legendary.

1. How to upgrade weapons in Elden Ring: Nightreign?

In Elden Ring: Nightreign, weapon upgrades are simpler than in past Soulsborne games. Upgrading still requires Smithing Stones, but only two types are used, making the system suitable for the game’s fast-paced roguelite style.

You’ll need an anvil found in Limveld to upgrade, all while racing against the clock and gathering runes before night falls. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about weapon rarities, where to find upgrade materials, and how to prepare for the final battle against the Nightlord.

i. Weapon Rarities & Upgrades

Weapons in Nightreign have four rarity tiers, each requiring specific resources:

• Common (White) → Uncommon (Blue)
  • Requires Smithing Stone (1)
• Uncommon (Blue) → Rare (Purple)
  • Requires Smithing Stone (2)
• Rare (Purple) → Legendary (Gold)
  • Requires access to a special Smithing Table found during a world event

Most Legendary weapons are earned as fixed drops from bosses rather than crafted. However, if you prefer to upgrade your starting weapon, you’ll need both Smithing Stones (1) and (2) to bring it up to Rare before getting to Legendary.

ii. Finding Smithing Stones

There are two types of Smithing Stones, both essential for progressing your weapon’s rarity:

• Smithing Stone (1): Upgrades Common → Uncommon
• Smithing Stone (2): Upgrades Uncommon → Rare

These are consumable items that occupy a pouch slot, so you’ll have to manage your inventory for the same. Here’s where to reliably find them:

A. Where to Find Smithing Stone (1)

In Elden Ring: Nightreign, Smithing Stone (1) can be acquired in two main ways:

• Buying from Merchants: You can purchase up to two Smithing Stones (1) from various merchants scattered across Limveld.
• Looting: Smithing Stone (1) can also be found in chests or dropped by enemies, though this is less consistent. Still, they’re fairly easy to come by during exploration.

Merchants are typically situated near key landmarks, such as forts, camps, churches, or castles. And even if you miss them during your run, don’t worry—there’s always a guaranteed merchant and Smithing Table available before each Nightlord encounter.

While their locations are fixed, the merchants that appear and what they sell are randomized each run. Most often, Smithing Stone (1) costs 6,500 Runes, though spending Runes this way is best saved as a last resort.

B. Where to Find Smithing Stone (2)

To upgrade an Uncommon weapon to Rare, you’ll need a Smithing Stone (2), which is only found in mines.

• Mine entrances are marked on the map with a tunnel icon—a rocky opening held up by wooden beams.
• Once inside, head to the lowest level of the mine. Look for a room with a wooden footbridge and a patrolling soldier.
• Drop down, follow the tunnel past a few miners, and you’ll find a sleeping troll miniboss.
• Defeating this troll always rewards a Smithing Stone (2).
• In rare cases, red phantoms (fallen players from other worlds) may also drop Smithing Stone (2).

Time is limited—Nightreign moves fast. Make it a priority to gather stones early in your run. Always keep an eye out for tunnels and cracked statues—they’re your main sources for higher-tier upgrade materials.

iii. Upgrading Weapons

Upgrading your weapons is essential for survival in the brutal world of Limveld and for ultimately defeating the Nightlord. Upgrades increase damage output but do not affect core skills or traits. 

Weapons can be upgraded through Smithing Tables. Ghostly Merchants scattered across the world (usually near forts or townships) provide access to anvils and smithing tables.

Regular Smithing Tables are marked by rising smoke and are found near merchants. A guaranteed Smithing Table is present before every Nightlord encounter. 

On Day 3, you’ll be teleported to the Spirit Shelter—your final opportunity to upgrade weapons before the endgame.

A. Upgrading Common to Rare

• Approach a Smithing Table.
• Interact with the table to access the upgrade menu.
• Select the weapon you wish to upgrade (materials required).

B. Upgrading Rare to Legendary

To upgrade a Rare weapon to Legendary, you must:

• Participate in the Shifting Earth: The Crater world event
  • This volcanic area becomes available after your first completed expedition.
  • Expect to face Magma Wyrms, Fire Monks, and other fire-based enemies.
• Find the Special Smithing Table in the Crater
  • This unique table instantly upgrades a Rare weapon to Legendary.
  • It removes all stat requirements, letting you equip it regardless of level or attributes.

Note that upgrades last only for the current match. If you upgrade a character’s default weapon, that enhancement stays across future runs. But all gear resets to Common rarity at the start of a new expedition. 

Prioritize upgrading before boss fights and use Relics to enhance your gear beyond the limits to gain the edge you need in your battles against the Nightlord.

May you forge wisely and fight bravely, dear Nightfarer.

2. About Elden Ring Nightreign

Elden Ring Nightreign, developed by FromSoftware and published by BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, is an upcoming standalone survival game within the Elden Ring universe. It is designed to offer a new gaming experience complete with iconic elements of Elden Ring. Nightreign also features 3-person co-op, giving you a better chance to take on the vicious evils lurking in the darkness.