In Elden Ring, upgrading your weapons is essential to keep up with the increasingly difficult enemies as you progress through the game. Usually, this requires collecting Smithing Stones—resources that can sometimes be scarce or hard to farm early on. But what if you could upgrade certain weapons without relying on these stones?

This guide covers 10 unique weapons that can be upgraded through alternative methods, saving you the hassle of farming or purchasing expensive materials. Whether you’re looking to optimize your build on a budget or want to avoid running back and forth between sites of grace, these weapons offer a practical path to stronger gear without traditional smithing stone requirements.

1. Sacred Relics and Remembrances

Some weapons can be obtained and upgraded by exchanging boss Remembrances, which means you don’t need to use Smithing Stones. These unique upgrades often grant powerful effects or skills exclusive to the weapon.

2. Ashes of War Weapons

Certain weapons come with upgrade paths tied to Ashes of War, allowing you to enhance them with different affinities or unique buffs without traditional smithing stone consumption. This flexibility makes them versatile choices for many builds.

3. Spirit Ash Summon Weapons

Spirit Ashes don’t require upgrading like normal weapons, but their summoning power can be enhanced through talismans and stats. While this isn’t a direct weapon upgrade, it helps boost overall combat effectiveness without farming Smithing Stones.

4. Crafting Weapons from Materials

Some weapons can be crafted using materials bought from vendors or found in the world and then upgraded by simply combining duplicates or using special upgrade items sold at the elden shop. This approach sometimes bypasses the need for Smithing Stones.

5. Legendary Weapons from Quests

Certain quest rewards grant weapons that level up via unique upgrade materials linked to their storylines. This means you can progress their upgrades by completing objectives rather than farming Smithing Stones.

6. Magic or Sorcery-Enhanced Weapons

Weapons infused with magic or sorcery may have their damage and effectiveness improved by increasing your Intelligence stat or equipping specific talismans, thus indirectly upgrading their performance without traditional stone usage.

7. Faith-Scaled Weapons

Some weapons scale with Faith and receive buffs or special abilities when paired with certain incantations or talismans, boosting their power without needing to physically upgrade with Smithing Stones.

8. Unique Weapons Purchased from Elden Shop Vendors

Occasionally, you’ll find unique weapons available for purchase that come with upgrade paths tied to specific quest or vendor interactions. These paths might involve unique materials or currency instead of Smithing Stones, helping you conserve resources.

9. Consumable Buffs and Temporary Upgrades

While not permanent, using buffs like weapon enchantments, resin coatings, or temporary enhancements can significantly boost weapon damage without the need to upgrade. Pairing these with weapons that don’t require Smithing Stones can be a strong mid-game strategy.

10. Hybrid Weapons with Multi-Upgrade Options

Some hybrid weapons allow upgrading via special items or through scaling stats, giving players options to increase damage output without relying solely on Smithing Stones.

Why This Matters

Knowing which weapons can be upgraded without Smithing Stones is a game-changer for players who want to invest their cheap Elden Ring runes wisely. Farming stones can be time-consuming, so bypassing this requirement can free up your resources for leveling stats, buying consumables, or stocking up at the elden shop.

Exploring these options also adds diversity to your gameplay experience and opens up builds that might otherwise be difficult to maintain or upgrade.

Whether you’re early in the game or pushing through the late stages, considering weapons that don’t need Smithing Stones for upgrades can help streamline your progression and keep your combat effectiveness high. Keep an eye out for these special weapons as you journey through the Lands Between.