In Elden Ring, gathering crafting materials is crucial for creating consumables, arrows, and buffs, as well as upgrading your weapons and armor. Below is a detailed guide on how to efficiently gather crafting materials and where to find them.
Types of Crafting Materials
•Smithing Stones: Used to upgrade weapons and shields.
•Smithing Stone [1-8]: Regular stones for upgrading standard weapons.
•Somber Smithing Stones [1-10]: For upgrading unique weapons (like boss weapons).
•Cracked and Crystal Tears: Used to craft items for your Flask of Wondrous Physick.
•Crimson Crystal Tear: Restores health.
•Magic-Shrouding Cracked Tear: Boosts magic attacks temporarily.
•Herbs and Plants: Essential for crafting consumables.
•Erdleaf Flower: Commonly found across the Lands Between, used for summoning items.
•Melted Mushroom: Found in dungeons and caves, used in special potions.
•Poisonbloom: Found in poison-infested areas, used for creating poison-based items.
•Animal Parts: Collected from hunting wildlife, necessary for making certain consumables.
•Beast Bones: Dropped from wolves, deer, and other wildlife; used to craft arrows and bolts.
•Thin Beast Bones: From smaller animals like sheep and rabbits; used for lighter arrows.
•Flight Pinions: Dropped from birds; used for crafting flight-based arrows.
Other Materials
•Rowa Fruit: Found in grassy areas, used in crafting basic healing items.
•Trina’s Lily: A rarer flower used in sleep-inducing consumables.
•Golden Runes: Dropped by enemies, used as a currency to upgrade gear.
Best Locations for Gathering Materials
Smithing Stones
•Limgrave: Found in caves and mines like the Limgrave Tunnels.
•Weeping Peninsula: Check caves and enemy camps.
•Caelid: Higher-tier stones can be found in dangerous mines like Gael Tunnel.
•Altus Plateau and Mountaintops of the Giants: High-tier stones and Somber Smithing Stones are found in these regions.
Crystal and Cracked Tears
•Minor Erdtrees: Check the base of these trees for different tears.
•Churches: Some tears are found near churches scattered throughout the game.
•Defeating Bosses and Enemies: Unique tears can be acquired by defeating specific enemies or bosses.
Herbs and Plants
•Limgrave: Abundant in Rowa Fruit, Erdleaf Flowers, and Golden Sunflowers.
•Mistwood: Poisonbloom can be found in this foggy, swampy area.
•Liurnia of the Lakes: Blue-flowered plants and Trina’s Lily can be found around the wetlands.
•Caelid: Poisonous plants, mushrooms, and rare flowers grow here.
Animal Parts
•Mistwood and Weeping Peninsula: Abundant wildlife like wolves, deer, and birds.
•Caelid: Tougher beasts drop more materials.
•Mountaintops of the Giants: Different wildlife, including large birds, drop unique feathers and bones.
Other Materials
•Caves and Ruins: Many materials can be found in chests and scattered throughout caves and ruins.
•Enemy Camps: Enemies guarding camps often drop crafting materials like bones and rare plants.
•Merchants: Purchase crafting materials directly if you’re running low or need a specific ingredient.
Tips for Efficient Gathering 
•Explore Thoroughly: Take your time to explore each area thoroughly, as many materials are hidden off the main paths.
•Mark Locations on Your Map: When you find a reliable source of a particular material, mark it on your map for future reference.
•Use Summoning and Spirit Ashes: Summons can help clear out wildlife quickly, making it easier to gather resources.
•Hunt Regularly: Don’t ignore animals; they drop valuable crafting parts that are used frequently.
•Upgrade Your Flasks: Some Cracked Tears boost your flasks’ effects, so gather those from Minor Erdtrees and hidden spots.
Useful Cookbooks to Unlock Crafting Recipes
Nomadic Warrior’s Cookbook
•Found In: Various locations across the Lands Between. Unlocks basic healing and arrow recipes.
Armorer’s Cookbook
•Found In: Caves and merchant stalls; unlocks recipes for defensive consumables.
Perfumer’s Cookbook
•Found In: Perfumer Ruins and other late-game locations; unlocks powerful crafting recipes for buffs.
Conclusion
Gathering crafting materials in Elden Ring requires exploration, hunting, and sometimes engaging in combat. By learning where to find each material and making good use of the cookbooks you collect, you can craft a wide range of items to help you in your journey through the Lands Between. Make sure to collect materials whenever possible to stay prepared for any situation!
