Just wrapped up another insane run in Elden Ring Nightreign, and I'm still buzzing from that last Nightlord takedown! After 50+ hours of gameplay, I've finally cracked the weapon upgrade system that's been giving so many players headaches. The new streamlined approach is like finding an oasis in the desert of complicated Soulsborne mechanics we've been trudging through for years.

The New Rarity System

Forget everything you knew about weapon upgrades from previous FromSoftware games. Nightreign has completely transformed the system like a butterfly emerging from the chrysalis of its predecessor. Weapons now follow a color-coded rarity system:

• ⚪ White (Common)

• 🔵 Blue (Uncommon)

• 🟣 Purple (Rare)

• 🟡 Gold (Legendary)

I was initially skeptical about this change, but it fits the roguelite pace perfectly. Instead of hoarding dozens of different smithing stone variants like a dragon with its treasure, we now only need two types!

Hunting for Smithing Stone (1)

Getting your hands on Smithing Stone (1) is fairly straightforward. I've had the most success finding them in chests scattered throughout Limveld. Last night, I stumbled upon three in a single dungeon run—talk about hitting the jackpot!

If RNG isn't smiling upon you (we've all been there), merchants will sell them for 6,500 Runes. Yes, that's a steep price, but trust me, upgrading from common to uncommon can be the difference between a Nightlord turning you into paste or you sending them back to the void.

Pro tip: Keep an eye out for merchants near landmarks like:

• 🏰 Castles

• ⛪ Churches

• ⛺ Camps

• 🏯 Forts

Even if Limveld's procedural generation doesn't bless you with a merchant, don't panic like a headless chicken in a storm—there's always a guaranteed merchant and smithing table before each Nightlord encounter. I've learned to save some Runes specifically for this purpose!

The Elusive Smithing Stone (2)

Now, for the real game-changer: Smithing Stone (2). These babies are like finding four-leaf clovers in a field of disappointment. The most reliable method I've found is exploring mineshafts, which appear on your map as tunnel entrance icons.

Yesterday, I ventured into one that was swarming with knights and miners. My heart was pounding like a war drum as I dashed past them, making a beeline for the center. There, as expected, was the giant troll miniboss, guarding his precious Smithing Stone (2) like it was his firstborn child.

The fight was intense—I nearly depleted all my flasks—but the guaranteed Smithing Stone (2) drop made it all worthwhile. That upgrade from uncommon to rare turned my humble Greatsword into a Nightlord-slaying machine!

The Upgrade Process

Once you've got your smithing stones, find a smithing table (always next to merchants). The process itself is as simple as breathing—just interact with the table, select your weapon, and confirm the upgrade. The best part? It doesn't cost any additional Runes! In a game where every Rune counts, this feels like finding an unlimited buffet in the middle of a famine.

One crucial detail I've discovered through painful experience: you cannot upgrade weapons from rare to legendary. Purple is as high as you can go through upgrades. Those gold-tier weapons? You'll need to find them naturally during your runs or through other special methods (I'm still researching this—will update in a future post!).

My Strategy for Maximum Impact

After dozens of runs, I've developed a strategy that works like clockwork:

1. 🔍 Explore Limveld thoroughly in the early game, prioritizing chests for Smithing Stone (1)

2. 💰 Save at least 6,500 Runes as a backup plan for purchasing a stone if needed

3. ⛏️ Target one mineshaft per run for that precious Smithing Stone (2)

4. 🛡️ Focus upgrades on your main damage dealer first, then secondary weapons

With the right Relics complementing your upgraded weapon, even the most terrifying Nightlord will fall like a house of cards in a hurricane. Last night, my rare-tier Moonveil Katana combined with the Bloodthirst and Lightning Affinity Relics absolutely melted through a Nightlord that had previously wiped me three times!

Worth the Effort?

Is the upgrade system worth engaging with? Absolutely, unequivocally YES. The damage difference between tiers is substantial—like comparing a paper airplane to a fighter jet. My testing shows roughly a 30% increase from common to uncommon, and another 35% from uncommon to rare.

Have you been struggling with Nightreign's weapon upgrade system? Drop your questions below! I'm planning more deep dives into other mechanics soon—what would you like to see next? And if you've discovered any legendary weapon locations, please share your secrets! We're all in this brutal world together!

EldenRing #Nightreign #GamingTips #WeaponUpgrades