Sword of Darkness is a Straight Sword in Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree that scales with Strength, Dexterity, and Faith. Read on to learn how to get the Sword of Darkness, as well as its location, description, upgrades, stat requirements, and best Ashes of War.

Sword of Darkness Location

Convert the Stone-Sheathed Sword at an Unused Altar

To get the Sword of Darkness, you'll first need to obtain the Stone-Sheathed Sword from one of the 3 altars in the Realm of Shadow. Once you have the Stone-Sheathed Sword, take it to the one of the remaining 2 altars to transform it into the Sword of Darkness.

Darkness Altar Depends on Which Altar You Get the Stone-Sheathed Sword From

Stone-Sheathed Sword Location	Altars for Conversion
Fog Rift Catacombs	Darkness Altar: Ruins of Unte Light Altar: Ancient Ruins of Rauh
Ruins of Unte	Darkness Altar: Fog Rift Catacombs Light Altar: Ancient Ruins of Rauh
Ancient Ruins of Rauh	Darkness Altar: Fog Rift Catacombs Light Altar: Ruins of Unte

The altar that transforms the Stone-Sheathed Sword into the Sword of Darkness will depend on where you got the Stone-Sheathed Sword.

If you get the Stone-Sheathed Sword from Fog Rift Catacombs, convert it to Darkness at the Ruins of Unte. But if you got the Stone-Sheathed Sword from either Ruins of Unte or the Ancient Ruins of Rauh instead, convert it at the Fog Rift Catacombs.

Visit Fog Rift Catacombs First to Get the Sword of Darkness Early

The quickest route to get the Sword of Darkness would be to get the Stone-Sheathed Sword from the Fog Rift Catacombs and transform it at the Ruins of Unte altar.

This also makes it easier to revisit both the Light and Darkness Altars in your current save, as the altar in Fog Rift Catacombs is near the end of the dungeon and can be a hassle to return to if it becomes your Light or Darkness Altar.

1	From the crossroads at the Castle Front Site of Grace by Castle Ensis, follow the northbound road until you reach Fog Rift Catacombs at the end.
2	Progress through the Catacombs until you reach the long room with 3 spike traps in a row. Go to the elevated platform at the end, then jump inside a hole in the last trap. Ride it up, hop out, then run across the tops of the traps once they start lowering to reach a side room with the Altar. Get the Stone-Sheathed Sword.
3	Start heading to the Ruins of Unte by finding the hidden coffin in Shadow Keep. On the castle rampart with flaming boats, look for the ladder leading down to find a room with a painting.
4	Hit the illusory wall to the right of the painting and go down the path until you reach the hidden coffin. Ride the coffin.
5	After riding the coffin, you'll arrive at the Castle Watering Hole. The Ruins of Unte will be just east of your position.
6	Parkour with Torrent to a ledge where you can throw a Hefty Furnace Pot into the head of the dormant Furnace Golem to awaken it and unblock the entrance into the Ruins.
7	Interact with the Altar to convert the Stone-Sheathed Sword into the Sword of Darkness.

Swap Infinitely Between Swords of Light and Darkness

After you get the Stone-Sheathed Sword, you can swap it between the Light and Darkness versions infinitely at their corresponding Altars. It is not possible to turn it back into a Stone-Sheathed Sword after its first transformation.

Sword of Darkness Description and Stats Overview

Basic Information

Sword of Darkness	Overview
	Type: Straight Sword ATK Type: Standard/Pierce Skill: Darkness Weight: 4.0
Description
Sword of darkness, pulled from its stone scabbard at an altar. From the quick of the root, wandering coils of darkness coalesce and release, their eddies and vortices giving form to the dark blade.

Required Stats to Equip

Stat Scaling

Basic Stats

Sword of Darkness Upgrades

Base and Max Level Comparison

Max Upgrade Level in Each Affinity

Required Upgrade Materials

Sword of Darkness requires one Somber Smithing Stone for every level to upgrade until +9. The final level at +10 requires a Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.

Somber Smithing Stones Farming Guide

Sword of Darkness Ashes of War

Cannot Be Infused with Ashes of War

The Sword of Darkness cannot be infused with a different Ash of War since it is considered a unique weapon. Weapons that are upgraded using Somber Smithing Stones are classified as unique weapons.

Elden Ring Related Guides

All Weapons List

Weapon Guides

List of Weapons by Stat Scaling

List of Weapons by Damage Types

Standard	Strike	Slash	Pierce
Magic	Fire	Holy	Lightning

List of Weapons by Status Effects

Bleed	Frost	Scarlet Rot
Sleep	Poison	Madness

List of Weapon Types