Finding Somber Smithing Stone 5 in Elden Ring is an important step for players who want to continue upgrading their special weapons. These stones are used specifically for unique armaments, often acquired through boss fights or important NPC encounters. Unlike regular smithing stones, the somber variants are rarer and only required one per level. If you’ve already found Stones 1 through 4, then locating Somber Smithing Stone 5 is your next essential task. With the right guidance, it becomes much easier to gather enough of them to push your weapon to higher levels of power.
Understanding Somber Smithing Stone 5
Somber Smithing Stones are used at blacksmiths like Smithing Master Hewg to upgrade special weapons that cannot be enhanced with regular smithing stones. These weapons usually start at +1 and go up to +10, requiring one stone of each level. Somber Smithing Stone 5 is needed to bring your special weapon to +5, a notable power boost that makes a difference in both PvE and PvP combat.
What Makes Somber Stones Special?
Each somber stone corresponds to a single upgrade level. Instead of multiple stones per level like with standard weapons, you only need one per tier. This system makes it critical to find the exact stone for the upgrade you want. Somber Smithing Stone 5 often appears later in the game compared to Stones 1-4, but there are still reliable farming locations and guaranteed pickups.
Guaranteed Locations for Somber Smithing Stone 5
There are several locations where you can find Somber Smithing Stone 5 without relying on RNG. These are fixed spots in the world where the stone will always spawn. Below are some of the most efficient locations to visit:
Siofra River (Nokron, Eternal City)
After defeating Radahn, Nokron becomes accessible. Within this area, you can find a few Somber Smithing Stone 5 items on corpses and near cliff edges. Search thoroughly around Night’s Sacred Ground and areas near the Mimic Tear boss for lootable stones.
Lake of Rot Shoreside
In the dangerous Lake of Rot, you can find Somber Smithing Stone 5 inside stone ruins and behind enemy placements. It’s important to carry Preserving Boluses or spells to reduce Scarlet Rot, as this area is extremely hazardous. Once you master the area’s hazards, the rewards are well worth the effort.
Gael Tunnel
Located in Caelid, Gael Tunnel is one of the earlier areas where you can acquire Somber Smithing Stones. Near the boss room and around its mining caverns, several stones can be found, including higher-tier ones like Stone 5. Be ready to fight off miners and tough foes that guard these resources.
Sellia Crystal Tunnel
This dungeon in Caelid contains miners and crystallians guarding various crafting resources. Exploring the tunnel deeply can lead to both Somber Smithing Stones and other useful loot. This area can be tough due to the crystal enemies’ damage resistance, so come prepared with a strike weapon.
Purchasing Somber Smithing Stone 5
One of the most convenient ways to acquire Somber Smithing Stone 5 is through merchants, but to do this, you need to unlock them first by giving the appropriate Bell Bearings to the Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold.
Somberstone Miner’s Bell Bearing [3]
This item allows you to purchase Somber Smithing Stone 5 from the Twin Maiden Husks. Here’s how to get it:
- Location: Found in the Mountaintops of the Giants.
- Specific Area: Zamor Ruins, inside a chest.
Once the Bell Bearing is in your possession, return to Roundtable Hold and offer it to the Twin Maiden Husks. After that, you can purchase Somber Smithing Stone 5 for a set amount of runes, making upgrades much more accessible.
Farming Somber Smithing Stone 5
While guaranteed pickups and shops are reliable, some enemies also drop Somber Smithing Stones. Farming can be time-consuming but gives you more than one stone if you’re persistent.
Best Enemies to Farm
- Misbegotten Enemies: Found in Leyndell and surrounding areas. They occasionally drop high-tier somber stones, including Stone 5.
- Bell-Bearing Hunters: These nighttime bosses drop various loot and can appear multiple times if you haven’t defeated them all. Some drop high-value stones.
- Somber Miners: Found in late-game tunnels like Yelough Anix Tunnel and Consecrated Snowfield caves. Drop rates are low, but with item discovery boosts, farming becomes viable.
Using Item Discovery Buffs
To improve your farming efficiency, equip items like the Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot or wear the Silver Scarab Talisman to boost item discovery. This increases your chance of getting rare loot from defeated enemies, including somber stones.
Tips for Efficient Stone Management
Because Somber Smithing Stones are limited early on, it’s wise to use them strategically. Not every special weapon deserves upgrading unless it fits your build or playstyle.
Prioritize Your Main Weapon
Only upgrade weapons that you plan to use for the long term. Wasting a Somber Smithing Stone 5 on a weapon you abandon later is inefficient. Focus on your primary build: Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, or Faith.
Respec If Needed
If you’ve used a Somber Stone on a weapon that no longer fits your build, consider using a Larval Tear to respec your stats. This way, your investment in weapon upgrades doesn’t go to waste.
Use Stones From Exploration First
Don’t rush to buy Somber Smithing Stone 5 if you haven’t thoroughly explored areas like Nokron, Gael Tunnel, and Lake of Rot. You can usually find enough stones through natural exploration to upgrade one or two weapons to +5 without spending runes.
Somber Smithing Stone 5 is a key upgrade material in Elden Ring that helps push your special weapons toward their full potential. You can find them through exploration in areas like Nokron, Gael Tunnel, and Lake of Rot, or obtain them by farming tough enemies. Eventually, you can buy them by unlocking Somberstone Miner’s Bell Bearing [3] and offering it to the Twin Maiden Husks. With careful planning, smart farming, and strategic usage, you’ll always have enough Somber Smithing Stones to enhance your favorite weapons. Stay alert while exploring new areas, and remember that every powerful weapon deserves the right upgrades to shine in the Lands Between.