The Ruined Forges are some of the toughest dungeons in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, but there's one rare item that can make them much easier. There are several of these recurring dungeon types spread throughout Elden Ring's DLC map. Their hallmarks include bubbling pits of lava, hidden levers that open new paths, and, strangely enough, no bosses at all. That's right: once the player makes it to the heart of a Ruined Forge (generally called an altar), they're rewarded with an unguarded treasure and sent on their way.

But anyone with more than five minutes in Shadow of the Erdtree knows that bosses aren't always the hardest part of Elden Ring. Sometimes, environmental hazards take the cake, but in the case of the Ruined Forges, the regular enemies are the worst. Stone Golems are resistant to most forms of damage, except when dealt to the tiny weak spots located inconveniently on the smalls of their backs. While the player deals with them, they'll be sniped from behind by opportunistic Lava Slimes. Suffice it to say, Ruined Forges can be pretty miserable, but a rare consumable makes them easier.

Crystal Darts Make Elden Ring's Ruined Forges Play Themselves

How Crystal Darts Help With Stone Golems

Clever use of

can help clear out Shadow of the Erdtree's Ruined Forges within moments, and with minimal input from the player. These items function similarly to many other darts in Elden Ring - they're consumable ranged weapons that, in this case, deal magic damage, and are especially well suited for luring enemies out of groups. However, Crystal Darts have a hidden use when they're used on stone construct-type enemies, like Imps, Burial Watchdogs, and indeed Stone Golems, to charm them onto the player's side. So, if the player hurls enough Crystal Darts at a Stone Golem, it'll immediately turn against all the other enemies in the Ruined Forge. With a couple of Stone Golems on their side, the player can easily wipe out a room full of enemies without lifting a finger.

How To Find & Craft Crystal Darts In Elden Ring's DLC

Where To Get Crystal Darts In Shadow Of The Erdtree

It can be somewhat hard to come by Crystal Darts in Shadow of the Erdtree, but with the right materials, players can craft their own. Crystal Darts can be crafted with three pieces of

, which can either be farmed in the Sellia Crystal Tunnel or, once the player has found the by defeating the Crystalian (Spear) and Crystalian (Ringblade) in the Altus Tunnel, purchased from the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold for 300 Runes a pop. However, players will also need the Nomadic Warrior's Cookbook [11] in order to access the requisite crafting recipe. This can be purchased from the Nomadic Merchant in Liurnia of the Lakes for 1,500 Runes.

The Nomadic Merchant sits at a campsite off the west road. It's easiest to spot him by his fire, so if it's hard to find him, it's best to try traveling at night.

Gathering Crystal Darts may require a bit of preparation, but armed with just a few, clearing out Ruined Forges is infinitely easier. As a result, some of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree's most peculiar dungeons can become a snap.