Special armaments in the Lands Between and the Realm of Shadow offer some of the most potent skills and scaling potential. To push these unique weapons beyond their mid-game limitations, securing a Somber Smithing Stone 6 is a non-negotiable requirement. This specific tier of bolstering material transitions your gear from +5 to +6, a jump that often defines whether your build is ready for the mid-to-late game challenges like Leyndell, Royal Capital, or the harrowing dungeons of the Shadow Keep.

While lower-tier stones are abundant, the Somber Smithing Stone 6 acts as a bottleneck for many players. You cannot simply find them scattered on every roadside. Tracking them down requires precise knowledge of hidden caves, specific enemy drops, and the locations of the Bell Bearings that unlock an infinite supply.

Top early-access locations in Altus Plateau and Mt. Gelmir

For most players, the Altus Plateau and the treacherous slopes of Mt. Gelmir provide the first realistic opportunities to find a Somber Smithing Stone 6. These areas are accessible shortly after using the Grand Lift of Dectus or navigating the Ruin-Strewn Precipice.

Old Altus Tunnel

This is arguably the most efficient spot for players arriving at the plateau. Located in the ravine south of the Shaded Castle, the Old Altus Tunnel requires two Stonesword Keys to enter. Inside, you will find two Somber Smithing Stones [6].

  1. First Stone: Enter the main chamber with the wooden scaffolding. Head to the right and climb the ladder leading to a small, secluded cavern area. The stone is tucked away near some storage sheds. You might need to roll through some crates to see it clearly.
  2. Second Stone: Located on the lowest level of the same main chamber. It sits behind a wooden shed in the southern corner of the pit.

First Mt. Gelmir Campsite

Once you reach the First Mt. Gelmir Campsite Site of Grace, head slightly south. Look for a corpse sitting on a chair positioned at the edge of a cliff, overlooking the battlefield below. A lone wolf often sits nearby. Looting this corpse yields one stone. This is a "pick-up-and-go" location that involves zero combat if you are quick on Torrent.

Ninth Mt. Gelmir Campsite

At the peak of Mt. Gelmir, you will encounter a Full-Grown Fallingstar Beast. While this boss is a formidable opponent, defeating it rewards you with a Somber Smithing Stone 6 along with other high-level upgrade materials. If the boss is too difficult, you can technically use the Spiritspring to jump up, grab the stone if it's in the arena loot pool (depending on your patch version), and flee, though the boss drop is the primary guaranteed source here.

Underground and hidden region locations

If you have progressed through Ranni’s questline or explored the deeper reaches of the map, several stones are hidden in the subterranean regions. These areas are often less crowded than the surface but far more dangerous due to environmental hazards.

Deeproot Depths

This haunting underground forest contains multiple stones if you know where to look:

  • Ruins near the northern cliff: Navigate across the massive tree roots to reach the northernmost ruins. A corpse hanging off a ledge holds one stone.
  • The Ant Nest: Within the network of tunnels inhabited by giant ants, look for a glowing item near the back of the largest cavern. This is a Somber Smithing Stone 6.
  • The Rolling Ball: In the ruins north of the second Site of Grace (The Nameless Eternal City), there is a sentient rolling ball enemy. In the vicinity of this hazard, a stone can be found on a body in the rubble.

Nokstella, Eternal City

While exploring the grand architecture of Nokstella, keep a sharp eye out for Teardrop Scarabs. Specifically, on the high bridge and the walkways leading toward the Dragonkin Soldier, a scarab will drop a Somber Smithing Stone 6 upon being killed. Be wary of the Silver Tears that attempt to ambush you in this area.

Lake of Rot

The Lake of Rot is a nightmare of Scarlet Rot, but it is a goldmine for upgrade materials. A Teardrop Scarab is located in the middle of the lake, south of the shores. You will need to bring plenty of Preserving Boluses or use the "Flame, Cleanse Me" incantation to survive the trek out to the scarab.

Somber Smithing Stone 6 in the Realm of Shadow (DLC)

With the expansion of the map into the Realm of Shadow, new reliable sources of Somber Smithing Stone 6 have emerged. These are particularly useful for upgrading the new weapon classes like Great Katanas or Light Greatswords without having to return to the Lands Between.

Castle Ensis

During your approach to Rellana, Twin Moon Knight, you can find a stone within the castle grounds. After crossing the main bridge and dealing with the Carian Knight, look for a side path leading to a small balcony overlooking the waterfall. A corpse here holds a Somber Smithing Stone 6.

Ruined Forge Lava Intake

The ruined forges are a new type of dungeon introduced in the DLC, specifically designed around smithing materials. In the Lava Intake dungeon, take the first ladder down and move past the Golem. After clearing the fire blobs, turn left into a room where a Golem is sitting. The stone is located against the back wall. This dungeon is highly recommended as it also contains the Ancient Forge where you can find even higher-tier materials.

Ancient Ruins of Rauh

In the late-game area of Rauh, specifically the section filled with Spider-Scorpions, there is a stone located on a corpse inside the stone ruins. Follow the path toward the Grand Altar, and before heading upstairs, check the right-side alcoves in the spider-infested hallway.

How to unlock infinite Somber Smithing Stone 6

Farming individual stones is useful for a quick upgrade, but eventually, you will want the ability to purchase them with Runes. This requires finding the Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing [3].

Bell Bearing Location

The Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing [3] is found in the Mountaintops of the Giants. Specifically, it is located on a corpse right outside the First Church of Marika. This church is situated on the frozen lake's eastern shore.

Once you have the Bell Bearing:

  1. Travel to the Roundtable Hold.
  2. Present the Bell Bearing to the Twin Maiden Husks.
  3. You can now purchase Somber Smithing Stone 5 and Somber Smithing Stone 6 infinitely for 9,000 and 12,000 Runes, respectively.

This is the most critical milestone for any player looking to experiment with multiple special weapons. Once this is unlocked, the bottleneck is completely removed, provided you have a reliable Rune farming method (such as the Mohgwyn Palace approach).

Enemy farming and rare drops

If you are not yet at the Mountaintops of the Giants but need more stones than the world loot provides, certain enemies have a percentage chance to drop Somber Smithing Stone 6. However, be aware that the drop rates are generally low, making this a secondary option to exploration.

  • Magnus the Beast Claw: Found in the Altus Plateau (Writheblood Ruins). Defeating this NPC invader yields a stone. This is a one-time drop but accessible relatively early.
  • Crucible Knights: The spear-wielding Lesser Crucible Knight in the Siofra Aqueduct drops a stone upon defeat.
  • Fingercreepers: The giant hands found in Mt. Gelmir and the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds have a very low drop rate (approximately 1%) for Somber Smithing Stone 6. It is not recommended to farm these unless you have extremely high Item Discovery.
  • Golem Smiths (DLC): In the Ruined Forges of the DLC, the Golem Smiths have a slightly better drop rate (around 1.8%). Given their high health and defense, this is only viable if you are already clearing these dungeons for other materials.

Strategic advice for weapon upgrades

When you obtain your first Somber Smithing Stone 6, choosing which weapon to upgrade is a pivotal decision. Unlike standard weapons that require 12 stones per tier, special weapons only require one.

If you are running a Dexterity/Intelligence build, the Moonveil Katana at +6 starts to show significant scaling in its Transient Moonlight skill. For Strength/Faith builds, the Blasphemous Blade becomes a powerhouse at this level, allowing you to sustain through the tougher mobs of Leyndell.

Always prioritize your primary "boss killer" weapon first. The leap from +5 to +6 often represents a 10-15% increase in total Attack Power (AR), which can be the difference-maker in tight encounters. Once you reach the First Church of Marika and unlock the Bell Bearing, you can then afford to be more liberal with your upgrades, bringing secondary weapons like the Envoy's Long Horn or various DLC armaments up to speed.

Summary of best locations

  • Fastest pick-up: First Mt. Gelmir Campsite (on the chair).
  • Best dungeon: Old Altus Tunnel (contains two stones).
  • Best DLC spot: Ruined Forge Lava Intake.
  • Long-term solution: First Church of Marika (Bell Bearing [3]).

By systematically hitting these locations, you will ensure that your special armaments remain potent enough to handle the escalating difficulty of Elden Ring’s endgame content. Whether you are navigating the rot-stained lakes of the underground or the shadow-drenched keeps of the expansion, the Somber Smithing Stone 6 remains one of the most vital assets in your inventory.