Elden Ring holds nothing back in terms of challenging its players aspiring to become Elden Lord. From a colossal Tree Sentinel right outside the tutorial area to a spirit-summoning witch demigod Queen, players will be tested to their very limits. To make their journey to the Elden Throne a little easier, players can upgrade their weapons with special items called Smithing Stones. Ranging from basic level 1 to end-game level 8, these stones can be given to Smithing Master Hewg at the Roundtable Hold. He will upgrade the player's weapon, enhancing the damage it can deal.

Smithing Stones can be found scattered across The Lands Between in the abundance of its dungeons or dropped by its enemies. Their most reliable source, however, comes from the Twin Maiden Husks in the Roundtable Hold. Once given specific items called Bell Bearings, the Husks will increase what they sell depending on the Bearing. Through them, players can actually have every item available to buy from the game's many hermits in one convenient location. However, to be able to buy Smithing Stones, players will need four specific Bell Bearings.

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The Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel Bell Bearing

Map Location of the Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel in Elden Ring

The first Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing can be found at the Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel, located in the Liurnia of the Lakes region northeast of the Raya Lucaria Academy. To obtain the Bell Bearing, players will have to traverse this mine and pass through the yellow mist at the end. On the other side of the mist is a boss fight with a blue Crystalian.

It is recommended that players summon a Spirit Ash to take some of the heat off them. Attacks will deflect for the first half of the fight until the boss has been staggered once. Using guard counters and strong attacks will help against the Crystalian's powerful spin attacks and stalwart defense. After breaking through the defense, players can start to deal significant damage. Upon defeat, the Crystalian will drop the Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing 1. At the Twin Maiden Husks, it will unlock Smithing Stones 1 and 2 as well as Glintstone Scraps. These stones will allow players to upgrade their standard weapons from +1 up to +6.

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The Altus Plateau Bell Bearing

Map Location of the Sealed Tunnel in Elden Ring

The second Bell Bearing can be found in the Altus Plateau region. To access this region, players must ascend the Grand Lift of Dectus by finding the two Medallion halves. Once there, players should head to an area called the Sealed Tunnel, which can be accessed at the most southwestern point of the small lakes encircling the Royal Capital of Leyendell. Players should use the rock structure that splits the lake in two to descend into the water area. The tunnel contains many fake walls that players can pass through by striking with their weapon, jumping at or rolling through.

A chest can be found within the first hidden room, just west of the Sealed Tunnel’s Site of Grace, that contains the Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing 2. When given to the Twin Maiden Husks, it will grant access to purchasing Smithing Stones 3 and 4 from them so long as they have the runes to do so. This will allow players to upgrade their weapons all the way up to +12.

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The Mountaintop Of The Giants Bell Bearing

Map Location of the Zamor Ruins in Elden Ring

A significant amount of story progress is needed to access the Mountaintop of the Giants region where the third Bell Bearing resides. This frigid environment can be accessed via the Grand Lift of Rold after defeating a certain boss in the Royal Capital and obtaining the Rold Medallion from Melina. After reaching the Mountaintops, players should make for the Zamor Ruins, east of the lift’s peak.

The Ruins contain a large number of tough enemies known as Knights of Zamor that can pose a threat if outnumbered. Players should attempt to tackle them one by one to reduce their threat, or alternatively sneak past them. Then, heading toward the southwestern corner of the ruins, players will need to locate a staircase into the cellar to access the chest that contains the Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing 3. This item will unlock Smithing Stones 5 and 6, and weapons will upgrade to +18.

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The Dragon Temple Bell Bearing

Map Location of the Dragon Temple in Elden Ring

The last Bell Bearing for regular Smithing Stones can be found in the very last area of the game -- aside from a secret area locked behind two Medallion halves. After defeating the Fire Giant and speaking with Melina at the Forge of the Giants, players will be transported to the Crumbling Farum Azula. Players should head toward a location called the Dragon Temple. Inside the central room, players will be ambushed by the Godskin Duo, a particularly challenging boss battle against two bosses at the same time.

Players may have had some experience with these two before if they have explored The Lands Between. The trick to beating the Godskin Apostle and the Godskin Noble is to use the room's pillars to separate them. Distracting them with a Spirit Ash summon will also help. Once defeated, they drop the Smithing-Stone Miner’s Bell Bearing 4. When the item is given to the Twin Maiden Husks, players can buy Smithing Stones 7 and 8, allowing them to upgrade their weapons up to +24.

To get their final upgrade, players will need to source an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone in the wilds of The Lands Between. While these Smithing Stones can't be bought, they can be found in Crumbling Farum Azula, the Consecrated Snowfield and the Haligtree areas. This stone will allow the final upgrade level of +25, giving players the most upgraded version of their weapon possible. With all the Bell Bearings, the Tarnished Hero can upgrade as many weapons as they like with ease, or even purchase extras to bring with them should they want to start a New Game+.

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