The ELDEN RING ancient dragon smithing stone is the rarest upgrade material in the game, and it's the only way to push a standard weapon from +24 to +25. That final step often means the difference between a build that struggles in the late-game and one that shreds through the Mountaintops of the Giants and beyond. Because the Tarnished Edition bundles all the latest balance patches and content updates, knowing exactly where to find these stones and which armaments deserve them has never been more important for your progression. For more detail, see the best daggers that use these stones, covered in our related guide.
Understanding the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone Upgrade System
The upgrade system in ELDEN RING splits into two parallel tracks, and the ELDEN RING ancient dragon smithing stone belongs to the standard weapon path. Regular weapons that accept standard smithing stones go from +1 all the way up to +25, while Somber weapons that use Somber Smithing Stones cap out at +10. The Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone is the final tier for the standard path, taking a +24 weapon to +25. Its Somber counterpart, the Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone, does the same for unique weapons, pushing them from +9 to +10.
According to the official ELDEN RING Tarnished Edition page on Bandai Namco's site, the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone takes regular weapons from +24 to +25, and two are sold by the Twin Maiden Husks for 200,000 runes each. One also drops from a Zamor Hero in the Mountaintops of the Giants, which community reports confirm as a consistent spawn.
How Weapon Scaling Interacts with Upgrade Levels
When you upgrade a weapon, its base damage increases, but the scaling coefficients also improve at specific breakpoints. This is where the ELDEN RING weapon scaling explained concept becomes crucial for deciding which armament to max out. A weapon with B scaling in Strength at +24 might jump to A scaling at +25, which dramatically changes how much damage you get from your stat investment.
The key insight is that the final upgrade level often pushes a weapon's scaling letter into a new tier, which means the ELDEN RING ancient dragon smithing stone isn't just about raw damage. It's about unlocking the full potential of your stat allocation. For example, a Quality build that splits points between Strength and Dexterity will see noticeably better returns on a +25 weapon with C/C scaling than on the same weapon at +24.
Regular vs. Somber Upgrade Paths Compared
| Upgrade Material | Weapon Type | Max Level | Final Upgrade Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone | Standard weapons | +25 | Takes weapon from +24 to +25 |
| Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone | Unique/Somber weapons | +10 | Takes weapon from +9 to +10 |
| Standard Smithing Stones | Regular weapons | +24 | Incremental upgrades to +24 |
| Somber Smithing Stones | Unique weapons | +9 | Incremental upgrades to +9 |
The distinction matters because Somber weapons often have unique weapon skills that you can't replace, while standard weapons let you swap Ashes of War freely. This flexibility means the ELDEN RING ancient dragon smithing stone is best saved for armaments where you want to experiment with different infusions, since the +25 upgrade will carry over regardless of which Ash of War you slot in.
Every Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone Location in the Tarnished Edition
Finding all the ELDEN RING ancient dragon smithing stone locations requires exploring the hardest zones in the game, and the Tarnished Edition doesn't change the base placement of these items. Community testing confirms that the distribution remains consistent with the original release, so you can plan your route with confidence.
The Twin Maiden Husks Purchase Option
The most reliable method is buying from the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold, but this requires a significant rune investment. Each stone costs 200,000 runes, and you can purchase two per playthrough. That's 400,000 runes total, which is a substantial amount even in the late game. However, this is the only guaranteed source that doesn't require defeating a difficult enemy or navigating a treacherous area.
To unlock this purchase, you need to progress far enough in the game to access the Mountaintops of the Giants, since the shop inventory expands based on story progression. Players who want to maximize their upgrade potential should farm runes efficiently before committing to this purchase, because the ELDEN RING ancient dragon smithing stone is a finite resource that you can't farm from regular enemies.
Zamor Hero Drop in the Mountaintops
One of the most reliable drops comes from a Zamor Hero located in the Mountaintops of the Giants, specifically in the Zamor Ruins area. This enemy respawns when you rest at a Site of Grace, which means you can farm it repeatedly until the stone drops. Community reports indicate the drop rate is decent but not guaranteed, so expect to kill it several times before getting the stone.
The Zamor Hero uses frost-based attacks and has a fast, aggressive moveset, so bring a weapon with high poise damage or a shield with good frost resistance. Since this is one of the few farmable sources for the ELDEN RING ancient dragon smithing stone, it's worth mastering the fight to secure a reliable supply for multiple weapons.
Additional Fixed Drops and Hidden Locations
| Location | Enemy/Requirement | Stone Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zamor Ruins | Zamor Hero | Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone | Respawns, farmable |
| Roundtable Hold | Twin Maiden Husks | Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone | 200k runes each, 2 available |
| Farum Azula | Various enemies | Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone | Late-game area |
| Consecrated Snowfield | Hidden cave | Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone | Requires exploration |
Beyond these, the Farum Azula area contains several fixed drops for the Somber variant, and a few hidden locations in the Consecrated Snowfield reward exploration. While the ELDEN RING ancient dragon smithing stone is limited to the sources above, the Somber version has more scattered placements, which gives you more flexibility when upgrading unique weapons.
Choosing the Right Weapons for Your Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone
Not every weapon deserves a +25 upgrade, and knowing which ones benefit most from the ELDEN RING ancient dragon smithing stone will save you from wasting this precious resource. The decision hinges on your build type, the weapon's base damage, and how well it scales with your primary stats.
Best Strength Weapons for the Final Upgrade
Strength builds have several standout options that transform with a +25 upgrade. The Giant-Crusher is a top contender because its already-massive base damage gets even more terrifying at +25, and the A scaling in Strength means you'll see substantial returns from 60+ Strength investment. The Greatsword (the colossal sword, not the straight sword) is another excellent choice, especially when infused with Heavy to maximize Strength scaling.
For players who prefer faster weapons, the Iron Greatsword offers a great balance of speed and damage, and it shines with a Heavy infusion at +25. When you're comparing options, consider that the ELDEN RING ancient dragon smithing stone adds roughly 10-15% more damage compared to +24, but the scaling letter improvement can push that number higher depending on your stats.
Best Dexterity Weapons for the Final Upgrade
Dexterity builds have equally compelling options. The Keen Uchigatana becomes a monster at +25, especially when paired with the Unsheathe Ash of War. The Guardian Swordspear is another standout, offering excellent reach and a moveset that benefits greatly from the final upgrade tier.
| Weapon | Build | Infusion | Why It Deserves +25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giant-Crusher | Strength | Heavy | Massive base damage, S scaling at +25 |
| Greatsword | Strength | Heavy | Reliable moveset, great poise damage |
| Uchigatana | Dexterity | Keen | Fast attacks, bleed buildup, Unsheathe |
| Guardian Swordspear | Dexterity | Keen | Long reach, versatile moveset |
The Bloodhound's Fang is a special case because it's a Somber weapon, so it uses the Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone instead. That said, it's one of the best dexterity weapons in the game, and the ELDER RING ancient dragon smithing stone discussion often brings it up because players confuse the two upgrade paths.
How to Infuse Weapons and Optimize Ashes of War
Once you've secured your ELDEN RING ancient dragon smithing stone, the next step is making sure your weapon has the right infusion and Ash of War equipped. The elden ring how to infuse weapons process is straightforward, but the choices you make significantly impact your damage output. Once you’ve settled on the right infusion and Ash of War, the final piece of the puzzle is knowing which new armaments are worth upgrading in the first place—so before you burn that dragon smithing stone, check out our Elden Ring Tarnished Edition New Weapons breakdown to see if your current pick is even among the best additions.
Understanding Infusions and Scaling
Infusions change a weapon's damage type and scaling distribution. Heavy infusions boost Strength scaling while reducing base damage slightly, Keen does the same for Dexterity, and Quality balances both. Magic and Fire infusions add elemental damage but split your scaling across Intelligence or Faith. The elden ring weapon scaling explained concept is essential here because the infusion you choose determines which stats you need to level.
For example, if you're using the Giant-Crusher with a Heavy infusion, you want to pump Strength to at least 60, ideally 80 for maximum returns. The +25 upgrade from the ELDEN RING ancient dragon smithing stone amplifies this by improving the scaling letter, which means your Strength investment pays off even more.
Best Ashes of War to Pair with +25 Weapons
The elden ring best ashes of war depend on your weapon type and build. For Strength weapons, Lion's Claw is a top pick because it deals massive poise damage and can stagger most enemies. Giant Hunt is another excellent choice for its high damage and knockback potential. Dexterity builds often prefer Unsheathe for its fast, high-damage slash, or Bloodhound Step for the incredible mobility it provides.
| Ash of War | Best For | Weapon Type | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lion's Claw | Strength builds | Colossal/Great | High poise damage, staggers |
| Giant Hunt | Strength builds | Great/Colossal | Massive damage, knockback |
| Unsheathe | Dexterity builds | Katana | Fast, high damage, bleed synergy |
| Bloodhound Step | Any build | Any | Dodges with i-frames, repositioning |
The elden ring how to get ashes of war process involves finding them in the world, buying them from merchants, or receiving them from NPCs. Some of the best ones are hidden in late-game areas, so it's worth exploring thoroughly before settling on your final setup. Once you've applied the right Ash of War and infusion, the ELDEN RING ancient dragon smithing stone upgrade will maximize your weapon's potential.
Strategic Considerations for Spending Your Stones
With only a handful of ELDEN RING ancient dragon smithing stones available per playthrough, you need a clear strategy for allocating them. The Tarnished Edition doesn't add extra stones, so your choices matter even more.
Prioritizing Weapons for Different Content
Your priorities should shift depending on whether you're focusing on PvE, PvP, or a mix of both. For PvE, the Giant-Crusher or Greatsword with Heavy infusion is a safe bet because they handle most bosses effectively. For PvP, faster weapons like the Uchigatana with Keen infusion often perform better because they're harder to dodge and punish.
The ELDEN RING ancient dragon smithing stone is also worth saving for weapons that you'll use across multiple playthroughs, since New Game+ doesn't reset your upgrade levels. If you're planning to respec your build later, consider upgrading a weapon that works with multiple stat distributions, like a Quality-infused weapon that scales with both Strength and Dexterity.
When to Save vs. Spend Your Stones
| Scenario | Recommendation | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| First playthrough, unsure of build | Save until late game | You might find a better weapon |
| NG+ farming runes | Spend on Twin Maiden Husks | Guaranteed source, farmable runes |
| PvP-focused build | Spend on meta weapons | Maximize competitive performance |
| Collection/completionist | Save for all weapons | Limited supply per playthrough |
If you're still exploring the game and haven't committed to a final build, it's wise to hold onto your stones until you've tried several weapons. The Zamor Hero farm in the Mountaintops is a reliable way to get extra stones, but it's time-consuming, so weigh that against the convenience of buying from the Twin Maiden Husks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones are in ELDEN RING?
There are 13 Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones per playthrough, including the two sold by the Twin Maiden Husks and the one dropped by the Zamor Hero. The rest are found in fixed locations throughout the game world, mostly in the Mountaintops of the Giants and Farum Azula.
Can I farm Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones?
Yes, the Zamor Hero in the Zamor Ruins drops the ELDEN RING ancient dragon smithing stone and respawns when you rest at a Site of Grace. The drop rate isn't guaranteed, so you may need multiple attempts, but it's the only farmable source for this material.
What's the difference between Ancient Dragon and Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones?
The Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone upgrades standard weapons from +24 to +25, while the Somber version upgrades unique weapons from +9 to +10. Standard weapons accept regular Smithing Stones and can use any Ash of War, while Somber weapons have fixed skills and use Somber Smithing Stones.
Should I use my Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone on a Somber weapon?
No. Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones only upgrade standard weapons from +24 to +25; Somber weapons need the Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone to reach +10. Check your weapon's upgrade material at the smithing table first, or you'll waste a rare drop from the Mountaintops' Zamor Hero.
What is the best weapon to upgrade to +25?
The best choice depends on your build, but the Giant-Crusher with Heavy infusion for Strength builds and the Uchigatana with Keen infusion for Dexterity builds are top contenders. Both benefit significantly from the final upgrade tier, and their scaling improvements at +25 make them excellent investments.