How to Find Smithing Master Hewg in Elden Ring

In the sprawling, mysterious world of Elden Ring, power isn't just determined by your level or how many bosses you've felled, it's also about the strength of your gear. From deadly katanas to colossal greatswords, upgrading your weapons is essential to surviving the harsh trials the Lands Between have in store. One of the most important figures in your journey toward combat mastery is Smithing Master Hewg, a misunderstood blacksmith whose talents will significantly shape your progression.

Whether you're trying to upgrade your weapons beyond +3 or duplicate powerful Ashes of War, Hewg is an indispensable NPC, and this guide will help you find him, understand his services, and make the most of your Elden Ring Runes and Elden Ring Items.

Who is Smithing Master Hewg

Smithing Master Hewg is a unique and sorrowful NPC, known as a Misbegotten, a race of twisted, beast-like humanoids treated as lesser beings. Despite his status as a prisoner, Hewg serves as the primary blacksmith for Tarnished who reach the Roundtable Hold, a key location in Elden Ring that serves as your home base for rest, upgrades, and alliances.

Hewg is chained to his work and seems resigned to his fate, dedicating his life to forging a weapon capable of killing a god, an enigmatic goal that speaks to his depth as a character.

Where to Find Hewg

To locate Smithing Master Hewg, you'll need to unlock the Roundtable Hold, a hub zone that becomes accessible after progressing a short way into the game. There are several conditions that can trigger its availability, such as:

    Defeating a major boss like Margit the Fell Omen.

    Reaching a certain area of the map, such as Stormveil Castle.

    Encountering Melina and accepting her offer to guide you.

Once unlocked, the Roundtable Hold can be accessed through fast travel from your map. When you enter, Hewg can be found in a forge chamber located off to the side of the central hall. The room is easily recognizable by the sounds of hammering and the dim red glow of the forge.

Hewg's Services

Smithing Master Hewg provides two critical services that go beyond what you can achieve at basic anvils found in the world:

1. Weapon Upgrades Beyond +3

While any anvil can be used to upgrade weapons up to +3 using Smithing Stones, only Hewg (or specialized upgrade stations found later in the game) can enhance weapons past that point. Upgrades require increasingly rare Elden Ring Items, such as:

    Smithing Stone, and so on.

    Somber Smithing Stones for unique weapons.

    Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone for max-tier upgrades.

Each level of upgrade not only increases damage but often improves scaling, making your weapon much more powerful. You'll need Elden Ring Runes to pay for each upgrade, so be prepared to farm or conserve your runes wisely.

2. Duplicating Ashes of War

Ashes of War are special abilities that can be applied to weapons, altering their combat moves and affinities. Hewg offers the ability to duplicate an Ash of War, allowing you to use the same skill across multiple weapons. This is especially useful if you're experimenting with build diversity or switching between weapon types.

Duplications require a fee in Elden Ring Runes and the proper items, often Lost Ashes of War, a rare item you'll need to collect during your travels.

Managing Your Runes and Items

Upgrading and duplicating aren't free. You'll need a steady supply of Elden Ring Runes, the game's primary currency. Runes are used for:

    Leveling up your character

    Purchasing Elden Ring items

    Paying for services like those Hewg offers

Efficient rune farming becomes essential. Consider farming rune-rich enemies like Albinaurics, using the Gold Scarab Talisman, or popping rune consumables found in dungeons. Managing your resources carefully will allow you to both level up and upgrade gear without falling behind.

Additionally, keeping an eye on Elden Ring items like Smithing Stones, Ashes of War, and upgrade materials is key. These aren't always sold by merchants and often require exploration or defeating strong enemies to obtain.

Tips for Using Hewg Effectively

    Return Often: Visit Hewg regularly to upgrade weapons as soon as you find better Smithing Stones. Delaying upgrades can make boss fights far more difficult.

    Mix and Match: Use Hewg to experiment with different Ashes of War combinations. You might discover a hidden synergy that elevates your build.

    Stockpile Resources: Keep extras of Elden Ring items like Lost Ashes of War for future use, you never know when you'll want to duplicate a skill for a new weapon.

    Listen to His Dialogue: Hewg has some of the most haunting and poetic dialogue in the game. His story is a tragic reflection of the world's despair and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of power.

Conclusion

Smithing Master Hewg is more than just a blacksmith, he's a symbol of what it means to persevere in a cursed land. His services are invaluable to any Tarnished looking to enhance their gear, refine their combat style, or simply survive the brutal encounters ahead.

So gather your Elden Ring Runes, collect your rare Elden Ring Items, and head to the Roundtable Hold. Your path to power begins not just with strength, but with the tools to shape it. And no one knows that better than Hewg.