Elden Ring has no shortage of enemies for players to challenge on their journey to become Elden Lord. Luckily, The Lands Between are packed with top-tier weaponry that players can use to up the ante in their fight to the throne. These range from legendary armaments like the Sword of Night and Flame that boasts two types of elemental damage to a demigod's magic staff with sublime sorcery scaling, the Carian Regal Scepter. Players are spoiled for choice when it comes to dealing damage to those that stand in the way of their path to the Elden Throne.
However, to upgrade these unique weapons, players will need a special variety of Smithing Stone. The Somberstone can be found less frequently in the wild and tends to drop from The Lands Between's more fearsome enemies. However, players can obtain an easy, reliable and unlimited source of Somberstones with special items called Bell Bearings. When given to the Twin Maiden Husks in The Roundtable Hold, new items will become unlocked. Players can then spend their hard-earned runes on stones to upgrade their favorite weapons.
Elden Ring's First Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing
The first of these five elusive Bell Bearings can be found in the Sellia Crystal Tunnel in central Caelid, just north of Sellia, Town of Sorcery. Players will have to progress through the tunnel, fighting or sneaking past an abundance of Diggers and Prawn Miners along the way. At the very end, traverse the yellow mist and defeat the Fallingstar Beast, a fast-moving, horned quadruped with a powerful charged attack.
Dodging is the main strategy here. Use a Spirit Ash Summon for distraction and be ready to guard counter when an opportunity presents itself. Keep as safe a distance as possible in the second phase of the fight. The beast has a powerful Gravity Slam attack that covers a large area and does big damage. Run away from the purple sparks and wait to strike. Once defeated, the boss will drop the Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing that will grant access to Somberstones 1 and 2. Special Weapons can be upgraded to +2.
Elden Ring's Second Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing
Head to the Altus Tunnel in the Altus Plateau for the second Bell Bearing. The Tunnel can be found directly south of the Minor Erdtree. The Bearing itself is locked behind another boss fight. Similar to the first regular Smithing Stone Bell Bearing, players will face off against not one, but two Crystalian bosses simultaneously. One uses a spear, and the other a ringblade. As with the Fallingstar Beast, using a Spirit Ash Summon can take some heat off the player, dealing damage at the same time.
To begin with, it will seem like attacks aren't doing much. However, once each boss's stance is broken, players will start to deal significantly more damage. Guard counters can help to stagger the bosses, allowing for critical hits. Once defeated, the Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing will drop. Players will be able to purchase Somberstones 3 and 4 and can upgrade their weapons to +4.
Elden Ring's Third Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing
The third Bell Bearing is located near the First Church of Marika in the Mountaintop of the Giants region. Players will need to have progressed far enough in the story to access this area via the Grand Lift of Rold. Once in the region, head northeast towards the frozen lake. Progress south, being wary of Borealis the Freezing Fog, a dragon that can inflict Frostbite with its attacks. The church can be found atop the southern cliffside.
Elden Ring is kind enough to give its players a brief reprieve in felling bosses for this Bell Bearing. It can be found on a corpse just outside the Church of Marika. When given to the Twin Maiden Husks, players will be able to buy Somberstones 5 and 6 and can upgrade to +6. Underneath the statue lies a Sacred Tear, which can be used to enhance the player's flasks.
Elden Ring's Fourth Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing
The penultimate Bell Bearing can be obtained after players reach the final area of the game, Crumbling Farum Azula. This dilapidated sky fortress is home to some of the game's deadliest foes, so level up and upgrade weapons and Spirit Ashes as much as possible. Thankfully, like the previous entry, this Bell Bearing doesn't drop from a boss, but is available to pick up from the ground.
That said, players will have to defeat the Godskin Duo to progress beyond the Dragon Temple. After emerging victorious, travel to the Tempest-Facing Balcony Site of Grace. Just ahead, lying on a corpse on the cliff edge, will be the Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing. Once obtained, take it to the Twin Maiden Husks to be granted access to Somberstones 7 and 8. These stones will allow players to upgrade their Special Weapons to +8.
Elden Ring's Fifth Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing
The final Bell Bearing is found in the same area of the game as the last, just before the battle with Maliketh, The Black Blade. From the Beside the Great Bridge Site of Grace, head down the lift and to the right. Fight or evade the Azula Beastman in the corridor and bear right again into the room with the altar.
There are two more enemies in the altar room. Be wary of becoming overwhelmed, particularly if the Beastman from the corridor is still alive. The two new enemies wield ranged lightning attacks, so dodge roll where necessary. In front of the alter is a corpse bearing the Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing. Head back up the lift and take the final Bell Bearing to the Husks to unlock Somberstone 9 which will upgrade Special Weapons to +9.
Much like the regular Smithing-Stone Miner's Bell Bearings, the Somberstone variants won't unlock the final stone necessary to max out a player's weapon to +10. Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones will have to be gathered from specific points in the game's most advanced areas. There are only eight in total, so players wanting to upgrade more weapons to the max will have to embark on New Game + in order to gain more.