Exploring the depths of Nokron, Eternal City in Elden Ring reveals not only beautiful ruins and dangerous enemies, but also valuable upgrade materials that are essential for any Tarnished looking to enhance their gear. Among these materials, the Somber Smithing Stone 7 holds particular importance. This rare upgrade item is used to enhance special weapons past their mid-tier levels, pushing them closer to their maximum potential. Players aiming to empower their unique weapons those that cannot be upgraded with regular smithing stones will need to track down Somber Smithing Stone 7 as part of their journey through the Lands Between. Nokron is one of the most promising locations to find it, though getting there and surviving its perils is no small feat.
What Is Somber Smithing Stone 7?
Somber Smithing Stone 7 is part of the upgrade material progression used exclusively for special or legendary armaments in Elden Ring. Unlike standard weapons that require multiple stones per level, special weapons only require one Somber Smithing Stone per upgrade tier, from level 1 through 10.
By the time a player is seeking Somber Smithing Stone 7, their unique weapon is already at level 6 and gaining notable damage output and scaling. Upgrading to level 7 significantly improves both its damage and often its additional effects like bleed, frost, or holy damage, depending on the weapon type.
Why Nokron Is Important
Nokron, Eternal City, is one of the few areas in the game that provides access to multiple Somber Smithing Stone 7 locations without requiring the purchase from a vendor. Reaching Nokron opens up several possibilities for exploration and item farming, making it a high-value target zone for players looking to enhance their loadouts efficiently.
How to Access Nokron, Eternal City
Access to Nokron is only available after a significant story progression. Specifically, players must defeat General Radahn, one of the shardbearers and major bosses in Elden Ring. Once Radahn is defeated, a cutscene plays showing a massive star crashing into the Lands Between, opening a large crater in southern Mistwood.
Steps to Reach Nokron
- Defeat General Radahn at Redmane Castle.
- After the cutscene, head to Mistwood (south of Limgrave).
- Enter the massive crater left by the star impact.
- Descend carefully and explore the ruins to arrive at Nokron, Eternal City.
Inside Nokron, be prepared to face spectral enemies, Silver Tear monsters, and environmental hazards. Bring ranged weapons or magic if possible, as some enemies are difficult to reach with melee alone.
Locations of Somber Smithing Stone 7 in Nokron
Once inside Nokron, there are several spots where Somber Smithing Stone 7 can be found. These are scattered across different paths and sub-areas within the city.
1. Night’s Sacred Ground
One of the primary sub-areas of Nokron, Night’s Sacred Ground, is home to a guaranteed Somber Smithing Stone 7. To get there, follow the rooftops and ledges from the Ancestral Woods Site of Grace. This path involves parkour-like traversal along ruins and broken buildings.
- From Ancestral Woods Grace, hop down to the rooftops.
- Proceed through the broken building interiors.
- Head toward the area with large Silver Tear blobs.
- Defeat the blob guarding the chest containing Somber Smithing Stone 7.
This area is known for its vertical design and multiple drop points, so be careful to avoid falling to your death. Use Spirit Ashes to assist in mob control if needed.
2. Aqueduct-Facing Cliffs
Another source of Somber Smithing Stone 7 is located near the Aqueduct-Facing Cliffs Site of Grace, which lies deeper in Nokron after progressing past the Mimic Tear boss.
- From the grace, follow the ledges along the aqueduct.
- Look for a corpse holding the item near the edge of the cliff.
- Be wary of Basilisk enemies nearby that can cause instant death via curse.
This path also eventually leads toward Siofra Aqueduct and the Valiant Gargoyle boss, but the stone itself can be looted without engaging in that boss fight.
3. Inside a Building Ruin in Main Nokron
There is a Somber Smithing Stone 7 located within a ruined building guarded by Silver Tear enemies near the center of Nokron. This is one of the easier ones to obtain but does require surviving a few challenging enemy encounters.
- After the Mimic Tear fight, explore the ruins straight ahead.
- Find the dome-like building with collapsed pillars and archways.
- Enter the ruin and loot the corpse sitting next to a glowing chest.
Expect to be ambushed by Silver Tears that drop from above, so prepare your flask and have AoE damage ready.
Tips for Farming and Preparation
Due to Nokron’s high enemy density and vertical layout, preparation is key to efficiently acquiring upgrade materials like Somber Smithing Stone 7.
Gear Suggestions
- High Poise or Fast Roll: Depending on your build, choose to tank damage or dodge quickly. Both are useful in Nokron.
- Torch or Lantern: Some interiors are poorly lit and contain traps.
- Ranged Weapon or Magic: Useful for dealing with distant Silver Tear archers or aerial blobs.
Other Considerations
- Bring Spirit Ashes: Summons help keep enemy attention off you in narrow hallways or rooftops.
- Don’t rush: Explore thoroughly. Nokron hides multiple valuable items in hidden corners or ledges.
Using Somber Smithing Stone 7
Once you have one or more Somber Smithing Stone 7s, head back to a blacksmith ideally Master Hewg in the Roundtable Hold. Your special weapon must already be at +6 to apply the level 7 upgrade.
Upgrading increases not only raw damage but also stat scaling, which can significantly affect builds relying on specific attributes like Intelligence, Faith, or Arcane. For weapons like Moonveil, Rivers of Blood, or Sacred Relic Sword, this upgrade is a major power spike.
Alternative Ways to Acquire Somber Smithing Stone 7
Aside from looting in Nokron, you can also obtain this upgrade material in other areas:
- Late-game Zones: Such as the Haligtree or Farum Azula.
- Buy from Twin Maiden Husks: After offering the Somberstone Miner’s Bell Bearing [4].
- Random Loot from Chests or Corpses: In secret areas like Deeproot Depths.
However, finding it in Nokron is more efficient for mid-game builds that haven’t yet reached the game’s final zones.
Acquiring Somber Smithing Stone 7 in Nokron is a smart move for players looking to enhance their special weapons during the mid-to-late stages of Elden Ring. Nokron offers a dense, reward-rich environment where a careful player can come away with powerful upgrade materials. The combination of atmospheric exploration, challenging combat, and high-value loot makes Nokron one of the best farming spots for upgrade stones like Somber Smithing Stone 7. Whether you’re pushing your favorite legendary weapon toward its peak or preparing for future battles, securing this resource early will give you a noticeable edge against the growing threats in the Lands Between.