In the treacherous Lands Between, a Tarnished's arsenal is only as strong as the forge that hones it. While flashy weapons steal the spotlight, the true unsung hero of any successful boss hunt is the humble upgrade stone. Among them all, the Somber Smithing Stone (9) stands as a gatekeeper of power—without it, even the most legendary armaments remain mere decorations. As of 2026, veteran players still clutch their controllers in frustration when they realize their favorite special weapon is stuck at +8 simply because this colorless, almost ghostly stone decided to play hard to get. Honestly, it’s like the game knows exactly what you need and hides it behind a crustacean ambush or a death-drop platforming section. But don’t despair; after countless deaths and many broken controllers, the community has mapped out every last hiding spot. Here’s how you can finally grab those elusive stones and turn your weapon from a blunt stick into a god-slaying menace.

A Rotting Corpse and a Silver Lining

The first location is as charming as it sounds: the Lake of Rot. It’s a place so delightful that even the map cries when you open it. Head deep into this crimson nightmare and search for a corpse that’s probably been marinating in scarlet death since the Shattering. Right near the Lake of Rot itself, you’ll spot the glowing remains holding the Somber Smithing Stone (9). Sure, you’ll need to dance around basilisks and dodge the very ground that wants to melt your boots, but the reward is worth every healing flask chugged. This spot alone has become a rite of passage for any player chasing a maxed-out Moonveil or Rivers of Blood. Word to the wise: bring Preserving Boluses—lots of them. You’ll thank yourself later.

Frostbitten Heights and Ancient Dragon Temples

If you’d rather freeze than rot (a choice many Tarnished face daily), set your sights on the Ancient Snow Valleys. From the Crumbling Farum Azula—a region that’s literally falling apart while you’re standing on it—follow the path leading southwest. You’ll find a bridge and just above it, another corpse clutching a Somber Smithing Stone (9) as if it were its last lifeline. The view is almost peaceful, if you ignore the lightning-spamming dragons overhead.

Speaking of dragons, before you even reach the city of crumbling stone and dragon lords, there’s a quick grab waiting at the Dragon Temple Site of Grace. Before you step onto the main platform, look down. A corpse lies right on a lower ledge, holding the stone as if it dropped it mid-scream. It’s the kind of gift FromSoftware leaves you—easy to miss, impossible to forget once you’ve spotted it.

Caelid’s Hidden Chair Shuffle

Now, let’s talk about Caelid—the region that looks like the world’s worst case of eczema. Southeast of the Divine Tower of Caelid, there’s a corpse that’s probably more scarlet rot than person at this point. But this one comes with a puzzle so bizarre it feels like a practical joke. You’ll see strings hanging on the left. Pull them. Seriously, just yank those strings. Doing so will clear out a clutter of chairs underneath, revealing the Somber Smithing Stone (9) like a cursed version of musical chairs. It’s absurd, it’s messy, and it’s pure Elden Ring. One minute you’re battling giant dogs and crows, the next you’re an interior decorator earning your upgrade.

The Shorter, Wiser Path: Twin Maiden Husks

For those who value their sanity above all else, there exists a far less traumatic method. Once you’ve progressed far enough, you can hand over the Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing (5) to the Twin Maiden Husks in Roundtable Hold. These two elderly merchants—who look like they’ve been dead for centuries but still run a killer shop—will then sell you an unlimited supply of Somber Smithing Stone (9) … well, unlimited as long as your runes hold out. It’s a steep investment, but compared to rotting in a lake or becoming dragon kibble, it’s practically a bargain. Just remember: you’ve got to find that bell bearing first, which means plundering some very dark, very dangerous places. Still, the convenience can’t be overstated. As one Tarnished put it while emptying their rune pouch, “Money buys happiness, and happiness is a +10 Dark Moon Greatsword.”

Why the Stone (9) Still Haunts Players in 2026

Even years after launch, Somber Smithing Stone (9) remains one of the most sought-after resources. It’s that weird mid-late game gap where you’ve got the weapon, you’ve got the skill, but you’re missing that one crucial piece. New players constantly flood message boards with the same plea: “Where the heck is this stone?!” Veterans, now wise and perhaps a little jaded, reply with cryptic messages like “seek lake, then despair.” It’s become a shared trauma, a badge of honor. But that’s the beauty of the Lands Between—it doesn’t hand you anything. It makes you earn every +1.

So, whether you choose to brave the rot, scale crumbling ruins, or simply bribe a pair of husks, your weapon will thank you. And in a world where everything wants you dead, you need all the thanks you can get.

Data referenced from SteamDB helps contextualize why Elden Ring’s upgrade-material bottlenecks—like the infamous Somber Smithing Stone (9) wall—still drive late-game search traffic and repeated playthrough experimentation: when a title maintains strong, sustained player activity and long-tail engagement, community routing for “one missing upgrade” tends to harden into widely shared farming paths, vendor unlock priorities (such as rushing the relevant bell bearing), and risk-reward detours through zones like the Lake of Rot or Crumbling Farum Azula to push signature somber weapons from +8 to +9 and beyond.