Reaching the absolute peak of weapon potential in the Lands Between and the Land of Shadow requires more than just runes and basic ores. To push a special armament to its +10 limit or a standard weapon to +25, you must secure the rarest materials in the game: Ancient Dragon Somber Smithing Stones and their standard counterparts. These items are strictly limited per playthrough, making each one a strategic asset for your endgame build.

The lore describes these stones as scales of the Ancient Dragonlord, capable of lightly twisting time to forge a weapon that can slay a god. As of the current meta in 2026, with the integration of the Shadow of the Erdtree content, the number of available stones has increased, but they remain tucked away in the most treacherous corners of the world.

The Limited Economy of Final Upgrades

In a single New Game cycle, there is a fixed number of these stones. In the base game, you can find 8 Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones and 13 standard Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones. The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC adds 6 more Somber stones and 8 standard stones to the tally. Because these cannot be purchased from the Twin Maiden Husks—even with Bell Bearings—knowing their exact locations is mandatory for any player looking to experiment with multiple max-level weapons.

Base Game: Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone Locations

These stones are used for unique armaments like the Rivers of Blood, Blasphemous Blade, or the Sacred Relic Sword. Most are found in late-game areas such as Farum Azula, Elphael, and Mohgwyn Palace.

1. Mohgwyn Palace: The Dynasty Mausoleum Treasure

One of the earliest Somber stones you can grab is located in the Mohgwyn Palace region. From the Dynasty Mausoleum Midpoint site of grace, head toward the large statue surrounded by a group of Albinaurics and a Sanguine Noble. There is a chest at the foot of this statue containing the stone. It is often faster to sprint past the enemies, open the chest, and accept a potential death to secure the item early.

2. Consecrated Snowfield: Anastasia’s Third Invasion

Anastasia, Tarnished-Eater, invades your world three times. Her final stand occurs in the Consecrated Snowfield. Follow the frozen river west from the Inner Consecrated Snowfield site of grace. As you approach the area near the minor Erdtree, she will invade. Defeating her here rewards you with a Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone. Note that you must have progressed far enough to access the secret Haligtree medallions to reach this area.

3. Consecrated Snowfield: Latenna’s Final Reward

If you have followed Latenna the Albinauric’s questline from the Slumbering Wolf’s Shack in Liurnia, you can receive a stone as a final gift. After reaching the Apostate Derelict in the far north of the Snowfield, summon Latenna in front of her giant sister. Completing this dialogue grants the stone.

4. Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree: The Prayer Room Path

Elphael houses three Somber stones, making it the most lucrative area for special weapon upgrades.

  • The Gazebo Chest: From the Prayer Room site of grace, head north and exit onto the walkways. Look for a gazebo guarded by a red Teardrop Scarab. Jump onto the connecting support beams to reach the small room containing a chest with the stone.
  • The Putrid Avatar’s Guard: From the same Prayer Room grace, jump down to the lower walkway where a Putrid Avatar patrols near a large gate. The stone is found on a corpse at the southern end of this walkway, hidden behind a series of pillars.
  • The Millicent/Malenia Choice: This is the most complex stone to obtain. You must complete Millicent's questline, assisting her against her sisters. After defeating Malenia, a large scarlet flower will bloom in the boss arena. Use the Unalloyed Gold Needle on the flower to receive Miquella’s Needle and a Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.

5. Crumbling Farum Azula: The Lightning Dragon

Near the end of the dungeon, at the Dragon Temple Rooftop site of grace, you will see a Farum Azula Dragon in the distance performing lightning strikes. Sprint across the plaza toward the dragon. Just behind the beast is a small gazebo. You can either slay the dragon or quickly loot the stone from the gazebo and retreat.

6. Leyndell, Ashen Capital: The Gargoyle’s Perch

After the capital is buried in ash, head toward the main dragon wing. Climb up into the building that previously led toward the Erdtree. On the upper level, past a Gargoyle enemy, a corpse hanging over a railing holds the final base-game Somber stone.

Base Game: Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone Locations (+25)

Standard stones are slightly more numerous and are essential for weapons like the Nagakiba, Greatsword, or standard hammers.

  • Nepheli Loux Questline: Assist Nepheli and Kenneth Haight. After Morgott is defeated, they will move to the Stormveil Castle throne room. Nepheli will give you one stone, and Gatekeeper Gostoc (if alive) will sell you another for 20,000 runes.
  • Gurranq, Beast Clergyman: Feed Gurranq nine Deathroots in the Bestial Sanctum. After the ninth, he will reward you with a stone and depart. Alternatively, killing him after defeating Maliketh will also yield the stone.
  • Sorceress Sellen’s Betrayal: At the end of Sellen’s quest, if you choose to side with Witch-Hunter Jerren and kill Sellen, Jerren will reward you with an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone outside the Raya Lucaria Grand Library.
  • Yelough Anix Tunnel: Located in the Consecrated Snowfield, this dungeon contains a stone on a corpse in the deepest section, guarded by an Onyx Lord.
  • Mountaintops of the Giants: Near the Church of Repose, look for a massive giant skull on a cliffside. A corpse inside the mouth of the skull holds the stone.

Shadow of the Erdtree: DLC Somber Stone Locations

The Land of Shadow introduced 6 additional Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones, vital for the new flashy DLC boss weapons.

1. Belurat, Tower Settlement: Ghostflame Dragon

In the shallow lake to the east of Belurat, a Ghostflame Dragon patrols. Defeating this boss provides a Somber stone. Fire-based attacks or Holy damage are highly effective here to bypass its resistance.

2. Scadu Altus: Moorth Ruins Ghostflame Dragon

South of the Moorth Ruins, another Ghostflame Dragon can be found in a valley. Like its counterpart in Belurat, killing it rewards you with the upgrade material.

3. Cerulean Coast: The Southern Ghostflame Dragon

At the far southern tip of the Cerulean Coast, near the fissure, a third Ghostflame Dragon resides. The strategy remains the same: use fire or strike damage to bring it down for the stone.

4. Jagged Peak: Ancient Dragon Senessax

As you ascend the Jagged Peak to face Bayle the Dread, you will encounter Ancient Dragon Senessax in a large water-filled cavern. This is a brutal fight involving massive AOE red lightning. Defeating Senessax rewards you with both a Somber stone and a standard Ancient Dragon stone.

5. Jagged Peak: The Mountainside Corpse

Near the Jagged Peak Mountainside grace, follow the path through the area filled with dragon carcasses. If you head toward the edge of the cliffs on the left before reaching the summit, a corpse on a ledge holds a Somber stone.

6. Enir-Ilim: The Secret Elevator

In the final legacy dungeon, Enir-Ilim, start from the Cleansing Chamber Anteroom. Head back down the stairs to the elevator you used to reach the area. There is a hidden path near the base of the elevator shafts that leads to a ledge overlooking the tower. A stone is found here on a corpse guarded by a powerful Inquisitor enemy.

Shadow of the Erdtree: DLC Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones

For those wielding the new Greataxes and Great Katanas from the DLC, these 8 stones are the keys to maximum damage.

  • The Suppressing Pillar: Located in the Gravesite Plain, climb to the top of this massive tower. A chest at the summit contains one stone. This is likely the first one you will find in the DLC.
  • Dragon’s Pit: Deep within the Dragon’s Pit dungeon (the path leading to Jagged Peak), you will face a Magma Wyrm in a large arena. Slaying this beast yields the stone.
  • Ruined Forge Lava Intake: At the very end of this dungeon, near the anvil where you receive the Anvil Hammer, you can find a stone.
  • Ruined Forge of Starfall Past: Similar to the Lava Intake, reaching the final forge area in this Scadu Altus dungeon rewards you with an Ancient Meteoric Ore Greatsword and a stone.
  • Taylew’s Ruined Forge: Located in Rauh Base, this forge contains two stones. One is found on a high balcony reached by manipulating the central pillar, and another is located near the final anvil.
  • Jagged Peak Summit: Just before the boss fog for Bayle the Dread, look for a side path among the rocky crags. A stone is tucked away on a body lying amidst the lightning-scarred rocks.

Strategic Recommendations for Stone Usage

Given the scarcity of these materials, you should prioritize weapons that scale well into the late-game and DLC scaling. For Somber stones, weapons with unique Ash of War skills like Mohgwyn's Sacred Spear or the Sword of Night (DLC) offer the best return on investment.

For standard stones, ensure you have reached the 80-99 cap in your primary stat (Strength, Dexterity, or Intelligence) before committing. A +25 Keen Backhand Blade or a Heavy Giant-Crusher will often outperform unique weapons in pure DPS if the scaling is utilized correctly.

If you find yourself lacking stones, remember that entering New Game Plus (NG+) is the only way to reset these pickups. All stones in your inventory carry over, so it is highly advised to collect every single one mentioned above before interacting with the Enia at the Roundtable Hold to begin a new journey.

Tips for Efficient Hunting

  1. Fire Pot Prep: Ghostflame Dragons in the DLC are the primary source of Somber stones. They are exceptionally weak to fire. Crafting Hefty Fire Pots or using the Blasphemous Blade makes these encounters significantly shorter.
  2. The Hidden Path to Rauh Base: To get the stones in Taylew's Forge, you must find the cave north of the Moorth Ruins that leads to the Rauh Base. Many players miss this entire region, and thus the two stones within it.
  3. Don't Kill NPCs Prematurely: Killing Gostoc or Jerren too early can lock you out of stones. Always complete their respective dialogue and quest triggers before resorting to violence for loot.

By following this roadmap, you can secure every Ancient Dragon Somber Smithing Stone and Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone available as of 2026. This preparation is what separates a standard Tarnished from the Lord of the Frenzied Flame or the Consort of Miquella.