Looking to take your regular weapon all the way to the mighty +25 level cap in Elden Ring? The Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone is your ticket to unbeatable power in the Lands Between. However, these are as rare as they are fantastic in name and design. That is why this guide will show you the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone locations in Elden Ring.
Sure, you can boost your weapon’s damage by leveling up your stats or experimenting with Talismans and spells. But none of them can hold a candle to the devastating power of a weapon maxed out with the coveted Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone. So, without further ado, let’s jump into the hunt!
Where to Find the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone in Elden Ring
There are various sources of Elden Ring’s Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone. Precisely, you’ll find thirteen pieces of it throughout the Lands Between. Some can be obtained by completing NPC questlines, while others are rewards for defeating formidable enemies. You’ll even stumble upon some as loot from corpses.
I’ve listed where to find each one right below:
Nephelli Loux Side Quest
Chances are the first Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone you’ll find is the one from Nephelli Loux’s side quest. However, you can easily mess up the questline and permanently lock yourself out of obtaining the rare gem.
While Nephelli Loux’s questline is quite long; briefly, the point of no return is when Seluvis asks us to feed the dual-axe-wielding barbarian a potion and turn her into a puppet. To avoid this, you can brief Gideon on the situation, and he’ll hold on to the item for you; alternatively, you can have the Dung Eater drink the concoction.
Beyond that, the quest plays out smoothly as you will only need to retrieve the Stormhawk King key item from the Chapel of the Anticipation. Alongside this, the quest also requires you to have cleared off Fort Haight of the Demi-Humans. After that, Nephelli relocates to the Throne Room in Stormveil Castle and will give you the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
Note: Players must have defeated Morgott in Leyndell, Royal Capital to see the quest to its conclusion.
Deathroot for an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone
Few Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones are associated with NPC questlines, and this one can be obtained by feeding Gurranq, the Beast Clergyman the ninth and final Deathroot in the Bestial Sanctum. You can initiate his side quest if you talk to D, Hunter of the Dead in the Roundtable Hold.
Alternatively, if you’re not interested in a Faith-based build and would rather not go through the questline, you can kill Gurranq outright. Doing so will make him drop the rare Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
You might also resort to killing him for the magical gem in case you’ve fed him the fifth Deathroot right after the fourth one. You should avoid doing this because Gurranq does not give out a reward for it, as the NPC must turn hostile in between receiving the fourth and fifth Deathroot. In short, the fifth one is wasted and will count as one less in this scenario.
Side with Witch-Hunter Jerren
A major dilemma you’ll face toward the end of Sorceress Sellen’s quest is whether to assist your teacher or align yourself with Witch-Hunter Jerren near the Raya Lucaria Grand Library. While it is entirely up to you, the upside to siding with the latter is an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
If you’re employing sorcery spells in your first playthrough, I recommend helping Sellen. However, from a roleplaying perspective, Sellen’s intentions are not entirely pure once you get to know her more, and we have a good reason to help Jerren out and acquire the apex Smithing Stone.
Gatekeeper Gostoc
Gostoc is an old codger tending to Stormveil Castle’s main gate. The NPC’s peevish attitude will get on your nerves, and after learning that he locks you with a tough foe and steals a fraction of your Runes, you’ll have all the reasons to kill him.
But Gostoc’s worth keeping around; after acquiring Nephelli’s Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone, you can purchase one more from him. The NPC can be found alongside Nephelli and Kenneth Haight in the Throne Room and will sell you the item for a hefty 20000 Runes.
Mountaintops of the Giants
The Mountaintops of the Giants Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone can be found inside the mouth of a giant skull, southeast of the Church of Repose. You can access the Mountaintops of the Giants by operating the Grand Lift of Rold after beating Morgott in Leyndell, Royal Capital.
Consecrated Snowfield
The first Consecrated Snowfield Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone can be found on a corpse sitting on a rocky ledge in the frozen waterfall to the east of the Cave of the Forlorn’s entrance. Just know that you can only access the Consecrated Snowfield after procuring both halves of the Haligtree Secret Medallion.
Yelough Anix Tunnel
The second Consecrated Snowfield Ancient Dragon Smithing is inside the Yelough Anix Tunnel. Try heading southwest from the Inner Consecrated Snowfield Site of Grace to reach the tunnel’s entrance.
Once inside, keep heading forward until you can drop down an opening. After that, progress forward a little and drop down to the floor below again. Now, if you turn your head to the north, you’ll find a corpse with a golden glow holding the item.
Night’s Cavalry Duo Boss Fight
There is yet another Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone in the Consecrated Snowfield. This time, you’ll have to wait for a passing caravan to the southwest in the distance at night time near the Inner Consecrated Snowfield Site of Grace. The caravan is towed by two trolls and escorted by two of the imposing Night’s Cavalry.
Your concern is the Night’s Cavalry, and vanquishing the duo night time boss will yield the item. Your best bet is to lure one away from the other and deal with them separately.
Farum Azula Dragon: First Encounter
Shortly after arriving in the Crumbling Farum Azula, a Farum Azula dragon swoops in to ambush you on the sloping rooftop of a colosseum. The foe wields similar attacks to that of the ancient dragons. Successfully slaying the beast will drop an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
Crumbling Farum Azula: Dragon Temple
You’ll find the next Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone in an area that you’d least expect it to be. To get to the item, head north of the Dragon Temple Altar and work your way through the floating debris to reach a narrow hallway laden with dragon statues.
At the other end of this hallway is a spiral staircase that you can take up. After that, veer south and cross a makeshift pillar bridge to reach a platform where you can find the Smithing Stone on a corpse dangling on a ledge.
Farum Azula Dragon: Dragon Temple Rooftop
Yet another Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone can be obtained by felling another Farum Azula Dragon. This one is not far from the Dragon Temple Rooftop and can be found northeast of the Site of Grace.
However, reaching the massive beast is no easy feat, thanks to some obstacles. A pack of Warhawks fiercely guards the path leading to the dragon, and to make matters worse, the dragon itself unleashes relentless barrages of red lightning after spotting you from afar.
Mequilla’s Haligtree
Mequilla’s Haligtree is an end-region that will net you the coveted stone. You’ll find the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone location to the north of the Haligtree Town on a corpse in front of a statue.
Head outside the Site of Grace and proceed forward into the next building. From the building, continue ahead and jump to the next platform with a small wooden bridge leading to a hallway. Beyond that hallway is the corpse guarded by three hard-hitting enemies.
Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree
After defeating Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree, you will see yourself descending a rather long ladder to reach Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree. Once you get to the floor, head upstairs to find a chest. Loot it to obtain the thirteenth and final Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone in Elden Ring.
Final Thoughts
That covers all the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone locations in Elden Ring. Hopefully, you can now easily claim these precious stones to become an unstoppable force in the world of Elden Ring. Good luck, Tarnished.
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