U4GM - What You Need to Know About 13 Elden Ring Items Before You Upgrade
Upgrading in Elden Ring is more than just leveling up your stats. It’s about knowing which items to invest your precious runes and resources into—and which ones are better off untouched. Whether you're a Tarnished just starting your journey or a seasoned warrior prepping for New Game Plus, understanding the value of specific items is key to optimizing your build and survival.
Here’s a breakdown of 13 important Elden Ring items you should understand thoroughly before you upgrade—so you don’t end up wasting resources or regretting your decisions later.
1. Smithing Stones (All Types)
These stones are the backbone of weapon upgrades. Before you pump high-tier Smithing Stones into a weapon, be sure it's part of your long-term build. Otherwise, you’ll need to farm or buy Elden Ring items again to upgrade the weapon you actually plan to use.
2. Somber Smithing Stones
Used for upgrading special weapons like boss weapons and legendary gear. These are rare and expensive, and many players buy Elden Ring items like Somber Stones online to avoid tedious farming.
3. Sacred Tears
These upgrade the potency of your Flask of Crimson Tears. It’s best to use these as soon as you find them, but make sure you’ve explored an area thoroughly before moving on—you don’t want to miss one.
4. Golden Seeds
Essential for increasing your flask charges. Hold off on using them until you know the seed threshold for the next upgrade. Wasting two seeds for no increase is all too common.
5. Rune Arcs
Don’t upgrade your health pool or buff builds expecting Rune Arcs to be permanent. Their effects are temporary unless you’re using Great Runes actively. Stock up or buy Elden Ring runes to keep them flowing.
6. Spirit Ashes
Not all Spirit Ashes are worth upgrading. Focus on meta-relevant summons like Mimic Tear or Black Knife Tiche. Before using valuable materials like Ghost Glovewort, do your research—or get community-tested recommendations.
7. Larval Tears
These allow for stat respec. While you can’t "upgrade" them, they affect how you allocate your upgraded stats. Don’t burn one casually. If needed, consider using a platform like U4GM to buy Elden Ring items that support your new build.
8. Great Runes
You can only equip one at a time, so choose the one that complements your build. Don’t invest resources in rune arcs or strategies that support Great Runes you rarely use.
9. Whetblades
These unlock special Ash of War affinities. Upgrading a weapon to a specific affinity (like Cold or Bleed) changes its scaling. Make sure you have the right Whetblade and a solid game plan before committing.
10. Cookbooks
These unlock crafting recipes. Many players ignore them, but if you’re a fan of consumables or status effects, you might want to buy Elden Ring items that require unique crafting materials only found after unlocking the right cookbooks.
11. Upgrade Materials (Glovewort and Ghost Glovewort)
Used exclusively for Spirit Ash upgrades. They’re rare and valuable—many players rely on trusted sources like U4GM to buy Elden Ring runes or gloveworts to keep their favorite summons combat-ready.
12. Bell Bearings
They unlock item availability in the Twin Maiden Husks’ shop. If you skip collecting these, you might find yourself missing key upgrade items later. Don’t overlook them.
13. Ashes of War
Swapping these around is easy, but upgrading weapons based on an Ash of War can lead to waste if you change your mind. Test them out first—especially if you plan to buy Elden Ring items around a specific build.
Upgrading in Elden Ring is all about long-term investment. You don’t have to go it alone—many players turn to services like U4GM to skip the grind and focus on the fun. Just remember: not every shiny item is worth upgrading, and smart planning saves you from burning valuable runes.
Whether you farm, explore, or buy Elden Ring runes, make sure every item you upgrade truly fits your build and playstyle. It could make the difference between dominating a boss or hitting that dreaded “You Died” screen—again.