Special armaments in Elden Ring offer some of the most powerful skills and unique move sets available to a Tarnished. However, these weapons require a specific upgrade material known as the Somber Smithing Stone 3 to progress from a +2 to a +3 reinforcement level. Unlike standard smithing stones, somber variants are rarer and require only one stone per level, making each find significantly more impactful for character progression.

As of 2026, the landscape of the Lands Between and the Land of Shadow provides several reliable methods to secure these stones. Whether venturing through the mist-shrouded lakes of Liurnia or exploring the jagged cliffs of the DLC areas, knowing the exact coordinates of these stones saves hours of aimless wandering.

Immediate Purchase from Smithing Master Iji

The most straightforward method to obtain a Somber Smithing Stone 3 during the early-to-mid game is by visiting Smithing Master Iji. Located in the northwestern region of Liurnia of the Lakes, Iji sits beside the Road to the Manor Site of Grace. For players who have bypassed Stormveil Castle using the hidden cliffside path to the east, reaching Iji is possible almost immediately after entering Liurnia.

Iji sells a limited stock of three Somber Smithing Stone 3 for 4,000 Runes each. This is often the fastest way to boost a special weapon like the Bloodhound's Fang or the Moonveil to +3 without engaging in difficult dungeon crawls. To reach him, follow the western coastline of Liurnia northward, past the Kingsrealm Ruins. An illusory floor in these ruins guards the path to his forge; hitting the floor or rolling over it reveals the road leading directly to the Giant Smith.

High-Yield Locations in Liurnia of the Lakes

For those who prefer scavenging over spending hard-earned Runes, the Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel is the primary destination. This mine is situated on the northeastern shore of the Liurnia lakebed, tucked into the cliffside. Inside this tunnel, explorers can find three separate Somber Smithing Stone 3 scattered across the cavern walls and on corpses. The tunnel is populated by Glintstone Miners who are highly resistant to physical slash damage but weak to strike damage and magic. Navigating to the lower levels of this mine provides a concentrated cluster of upgrade materials that can quickly bridge the gap to mid-game power levels.

Another reliable pickup is found within the Academy of Raya Lucaria. After progressing past the Church of the Cuckoo and navigating the graveyard section with the large rotating lift, look for a monolith guarded by a Monolith Guardian. A Somber Smithing Stone 3 rests there, offering a reward for those who dare to explore the academy's exterior. Additionally, a corpse tucked behind the altar inside the Church of the Cuckoo itself holds another stone, accessible as soon as the academy gates are unlocked.

Further north, Caria Manor serves as a treasure trove. On the eastern side of the manor walls, a narrow path leads to a corpse sitting at the edge, holding a stone. This area is perilous due to the Fingercreepers (hand-spiders) that haunt the grounds. Using fire-based attacks or grease is highly recommended here, as fire causes these enemies to writhe in pain, providing an opening to snatch the loot.

Exploring the Land of Shadow (DLC Content)

In the expanded territories of the Shadow of the Erdtree, Somber Smithing Stone 3 is more common but still strategically placed. In Belurat, Tower Settlement, the first fountain area contains stairs leading to a group of shadow enemies in prayer. Between them lies a stone, easily acquired if one can handle the sudden ambush of smaller shadows.

Castle Ensis also holds these materials. After dealing with the Moonrithyll, Carian Knight or the troll guarding the entrance, take the right-hand path through the charred remains to find a small rooftop. A corpse here provides a stone, which is useful for players testing out the new special weapons introduced in the expansion, such as the various Great Katanas or Light Greatswords that utilize somber upgrades.

Taylew's Ruined Forge is another critical location within the Land of Shadow. Forges in the DLC typically focus on providing a variety of smithing materials, and Taylew's is no exception. While navigating the lava-filled platforms and avoiding the golems, several higher-tier stones are present, including the third tier. These forges are essential for maintaining the power curve against the increasingly difficult bosses of the Shadow Realm.

Unlocking Infinite Supply: Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing 2

To move beyond scavenged resources and limited merchant stocks, players must locate the Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing [2]. This item, once offered to the Twin Maiden Husks in the Roundtable Hold, unlocks the ability to purchase an infinite amount of Somber Smithing Stone 3 and 4 for 4,000 and 6,000 Runes respectively.

The Bell Bearing is found in the Altus Tunnel, located in the Altus Plateau. This region is accessible via the Grand Lift of Dectus or the Ruin-Strewn Precipice. Once inside the Altus Tunnel, the player must defeat two Crystalian bosses—one wielding a spear and the other a ringblade.

Fighting Crystalians requires a specific strategy: their outer shell grants them massive damage negation until it is shattered. By using heavy jumping attacks or weapons that deal high poise damage (like hammers or colossal swords), the player can "crack" the Crystalian. Once cracked, their defense drops to nearly zero, and they become susceptible to backstabs and critical hits. Defeating this duo grants the Bell Bearing, effectively ending any scarcity of Somber Smithing Stone 3 for the remainder of the journey.

Rare Drops and Farming Strategies

While not the most efficient method, certain enemies have a low probability of dropping Somber Smithing Stone 3 upon death. This is mostly useful for players who find themselves stuck before reaching the Altus Plateau or those engaged in restricted challenge runs.

  1. Glintstone Miners: Found in the Raya Lucaria and Sellia Crystal Tunnels, these enemies have a roughly 2% drop rate. Farming them requires patience and a high Discovery stat, often boosted by the Silver Scarab talisman or Silver-Pickled Fowl Feet.
  2. Battlemages: Specifically the ones located near the Church of the Plague in Caelid or the West Windmill Pasture in Altus Plateau. These enemies are dangerous, casting powerful glintstone sorceries like Cannon of Haima, but they offer a 1.5% chance to drop the stone.
  3. Spider Scorpions: In the DLC, these horrifying hybrids have a drop rate ranging from 0.8% to 1.6%. Given their high health pools and lethal grab attacks, farming them is generally discouraged unless the player is already clearing the area for other resources.

The Strategic Importance of the +3 Milestone

The transition to +3 is a defining moment for special weapons. Most somber weapons at this level begin to see a significant shift in their attribute scaling. For instance, a weapon that started with D-scaling in Dexterity might shift to C-scaling at +3, meaning every point invested in that stat provides more attack power than before.

Furthermore, the unique skills (Ash of War) attached to these weapons often reach a damage threshold at +3 that allows them to one-shot common mob enemies in mid-game areas like Caelid or the Altus Plateau. When resources are tight, prioritizing a weapon with high stance-breaking potential or frost/bleed buildup is a sound strategy.

Summary of the Optimal Route

For a player looking to maximize efficiency, the recommended path to acquiring a Somber Smithing Stone 3 is as follows:

  • Step 1: Ride north through Liurnia to Smithing Master Iji and purchase the limited stock. This is the zero-combat option.
  • Step 2: Clear the Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel. This provides three stones and prepares the player for the difficulty of the Academy.
  • Step 3: Head to the Ainsel River (via the Ainsel River Well in East Liurnia). A corpse sitting on a chair overlooking the water holds a stone, and the area is relatively safe if the player avoids the oversized ants.
  • Step 4: Push toward the Altus Plateau as soon as the weapon is +4 or +5 to secure the Bell Bearing 2. This removes the need for manual searching forever.

By following these locations and strategies, the progression of special armaments remains smooth, ensuring the player is never underpowered for the challenges that lie ahead in the deeper reaches of the Lands Between or the Land of Shadow.