How to Collect: Smithing Stones can be found in Elden Ring Items various caves, dungeons, and regions, often dropped by enemies or discovered in treasure chests. Somber Smithing Stones are rarer and tied to special, often more powerful weapons.

Efficiency Tip: Prioritize dungeon exploration and boss encounters in earlier areas to gather Smithing Stones. These are often found in chests or dropped by stronger enemies and mini-bosses. Somber Smithing Stones can be harder to come by, so keep an eye on areas that reward rare weapons.

Runes (Currency for Leveling and Purchasing)
Purpose: Runes are the primary currency in Elden Ring, used for leveling up, purchasing gear, and buying consumables from merchants.

How to Collect: You can collect runes by defeating enemies, completing quests, and exploring various regions. Larger amounts of runes are typically gained from boss kills, mini-bosses, and certain items.

Efficiency Tip: Try to focus on farming high-yield areas with many enemies (e.g., Caelid, Limosire). Certain bosses and mini-bosses drop large amounts of runes, so target areas with high concentrations of challenging enemies. If you find a large source of enemies, consider using Rune Arcs to enhance rune gains.

Crafting Materials (Consumables, Status Effects, etc.)
Purpose: Crafting materials allow you to create a variety of useful items, including healing consumables, status effect cures, ammunition, and bombs. These materials are essential for any adventurer.

How to Collect: Collect materials by foraging in nature, defeating enemies, or opening treasure chests. Resources like Root Resin, Trina’s Lily, and Smoldering Wall can be crafted into powerful consumables like Firebombs or Poison Arrows.

Efficiency Tip: Keep a stock of essential materials for healing, buffs, and utility. Materials like Herb (for healing) or Pale Stones (for poison cures) are useful, especially when you don’t have time to Elden Ring Runes rest at a Site of Grace to refill your flasks.