Upgrading your weapons efficiently in Elden Ring can dramatically improve your combat effectiveness, especially during the early stages of the game. Whether you’re tackling challenging bosses or exploring the vast open world, having properly enhanced weapons is essential. As an experienced player, I’ve compiled 18 practical tips to help you maximize your weapon upgrades early on and get the most out of your resources.

1. Prioritize Weapons You Enjoy Using

Focus on upgrading your favorite weapons first. Investing resources into a weapon you like will make the grind more enjoyable and effective.

2. Gather Smithing Stones Early

Smithing stones are the key to weapon upgrades. Make sure to explore caves and defeat enemies in early zones to stockpile these materials.

3. Farm Efficiently for Upgrade Materials

Use areas with dense enemy populations to farm smithing stones quickly. Familiarize yourself with spots where stones respawn rapidly.

4. Visit Blacksmiths Regularly

Keep visiting blacksmiths to upgrade your weapons as soon as you have the materials. Don’t wait too long to enhance your gear.

5. Don’t Forget to Upgrade Ashes of War

Ashes of War can enhance your weapon’s abilities. Combining weapon upgrades with Ashes of War buffs will optimize your damage output.

6. Use Spirit Ashes to Farm Safely

When farming upgrade materials, summon Spirit Ashes to help clear enemies faster and reduce risk.

7. Explore Side Areas for Rare Materials

Some less obvious side dungeons and caves hold valuable upgrade materials. Don’t just stick to the main path.

8. Balance Your Runes and Upgrade Materials

While farming for runes, keep an eye out for upgrade materials to avoid running low when you’re ready to upgrade.

9. Use Consumables to Boost Upgrade Efficiency

Items like the Rune Arc temporarily increase rune gain, making it easier to gather the currency needed for upgrades.

10. Consider Trading for Materials

If farming isn’t your style, there are trusted sources to buy Elden Ring Runes and upgrade materials online. The best site to buy Elden Ring Runes and the best site to buy Elden Ring Items can help you jumpstart your upgrades without the grind.

11. Upgrade Your Weapon at the Right Time

Don’t rush to max out a weapon too early; upgrade step by step to maintain a balance between offense and your rune economy.

12. Combine Different Upgrade Paths

Some weapons have unique upgrade paths like magic or fire infusion. Experiment to see which scaling suits your build.

13. Save Rare Materials for Key Weapons

Upgrade materials like Somber Smithing Stones are rarer and should be reserved for legendary or unique weapons.

14. Keep Backup Weapons Upgraded

Having a secondary weapon ready with decent upgrades can save your runes if you need to switch due to enemy weaknesses.

15. Learn Enemy Weaknesses

Upgrade weapons that exploit enemy vulnerabilities to maximize damage and reduce farming time.

16. Watch for Upgrade Material Drops in Multiplayer

Engaging in co-op or PvP can sometimes reward you with upgrade materials, making multiplayer a viable farming option.

17. Manage Your Inventory Efficiently

Keep track of your smithing stones and upgrade materials so you don’t waste time looking for what you already have.

18. Use Reliable Marketplaces Like U4GM

For players who want to save time, U4GM is known as a dependable platform where you can acquire Elden Ring Runes and items safely, helping you get those upgrades faster.

Maximizing your weapon upgrades early in Elden Ring can give you a significant edge and make your journey smoother. By combining smart farming strategies with occasional use of trusted resources like the best site to buy Elden Ring Runes or Elden Ring Items, you can focus more on enjoying the game rather than grinding endlessly. Keep these tips in mind as you explore the Lands Between, and you’ll be upgrading like a pro in no time.