Updating Weapons in Elden Ring Nightreign: best route to Legendary.

Last updated on November 18th, 2025 at 12:59 pm

I understand, OK, you are sick of being beaten death by Nightlords in starter gear. The first three runs proved to be difficult as I caught myself daring through the upgrade system. Here’s what actually works.

The Foundations: Two Stones and Four Tiers.

Nightreign abandoned the various upgrade routes out of the base game. Now it’s straightforward:

Smithing Stone transforms white-border guns to blue (Uncommon). These can be found in all places, purchased at Ghostly Merchants at 6,500 Runes, found in chests or in enemy drops. Then visit any Smithing Table close to merchants (check forts, churches, camps) and upgrade at no cost.

Smithing Stone ( is a weapon pushed to purple (Rare). The drawback here is that you are not able to purchase these. Get over to Mines noted on your map (watch out, you will find the tunnel entrance icons), kill the boss in there (most likely a Troll or a Pumpkin Head), and you will have one stone per mine.

Gold-border Legendary gear? It is at that point where it becomes interesting.

The Secret: Free Legendary Upgrades.

The majority level up to 10 in order to receive legendary loot. Sophisticated gamers do not bother at all.

Once you conquer Gladius (the first major Nightlord), a world event is made available to you which is referred to as Shifting Earth: The Crater. There is also a Special Armament Strengthening table in this volcanic region that upgrades a weapon, regardless of its colour, whether white, blue, purple, or any other colour, directly to legendary. Zero materials needed.

This is the reason why it is broken: no level requirement. Level 10 is required to obtain a regular legendary. Crater upgrades? Use them at level 1 if you want.

The downside? You only get one per run. Choose carefully.

Day-by-Day Strategy

Day 1: You are not going to go shopping around. Take a Smithing Stone of the first merchant you meet, and upgrade your initial weapon to a blue. Smith a Mine that is near you into a Smithing Stone . Damage increase will get you through initial zones significantly quicker than picking up stones will.

Day 2-3: Going to the Crater route? When you get there, you want level 6 minimum 8 Optimal before you can go with it. Once I have tried it on level 4 once – the Fire Prelates laughed at me. The end Boss Magma Wyrm is a truck hit.

Selection of Weapon: Do not see a gun and take it because it was stylish. Play your role – Raiders desire Colossal weapons, Ironeye likes the help of bows, Revenant will be using faith weapons. Look what your target Nightlord is weak to and make a NPV.

Common Mistakes I’ve Made

Preparing it all at the same rate – No. Shoot down one weapon before you can be shot at by anyone and the other can be shot later when you have some spare stones.

Climbing the Crater on Day 1 – Wait unless you are a masochist. The bosses in the way must have correct equipment and grades to deal with.

Disregarding element types – A blue weapon that has the right element overtakes a purple one that has got the wrong element. The weakness of Nightlord is more important than rarity.

FAQ’s

Is it possible to upgrade various weapons to legendary?

One via the Crater table per time. You could get the legendary drops of bosses individually, but they require level 10.

Are upgrades preserved or not?

Nope. All expeditions refresh upgrades, still, weapons that you have unlocked remain in your inventory.

Is it better to purchase Smithing Stone (the farm) or farm it?

Buy. 6,500 Runes is also a much faster way to save time than run up to the chests.

The Real Talk

The quickest way it can get to legendary clothes without the hard grind is the Crater method. It is not simple, those bosses will challenge you, but one successful run will grant you an amazing weapon that can be used at the next adventure right after the legendary firm.

Skip the long grind. Know the Crater path, select the weapon that suits your class and you will be melting the Nightlords much quicker than those who are continuing to farm to recruit level 10 items.

Also Read: Elden Ring Nightreign Gameplay Mechanics Guide