Chasing a real endgame staff? The Carian Regal Scepter is already on your list. It drops from Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, and it's one of the best pure-INT casting tools in the whole game. I spent a dumb amount of runes on this thing before I realized what it actually did, so let me save you the headache—how to upgrade it, what you need, and how to build around it so your sorceries actually delete bosses.
Three things before you scroll further:
- Regular Smithing Stones. Don't feed them to this staff. It won't work.
- Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone. Don't burn it until you're 100% sure.
- 60 Intelligence requirement. Two-handing does NOT bypass it. Stop trying.
Why You Should Upgrade the Carian Regal Scepter
This isn't just another staff you loot and forget. Once your Intelligence gets high enough, it turns into the single most reliable all-around staff for a committed sorcery build.
On top of that, it buffs the Full Moon sorceries tied to Rennala. Those spells already strip magic resistance. Stack the two and you've got a nasty one-two punch that most bosses can't survive.
Honestly? This is the most dependable "pure mage" weapon in Elden Ring. It's got zero flashy special attacks, and it doesn't need them.
Push it to +10 and the sorcery scaling gets silly. The damage jump compared to early-mid staves like the Meteorite Staff is not subtle.
Carian Regal Scepter Upgrade Materials
The Carian Regal Scepter is a unique/somber weapon, so regular Smithing Stones do absolutely nothing. You're on Somber Smithing Stones, and the upgrade path runs +0 to +10.
The full shopping list:
- +0 to +1: Somber Smithing Stone [1] ×1
- +1 to +2: Somber Smithing Stone [2] ×1
- +2 to +3: Somber Smithing Stone [3] ×1
- +3 to +4: Somber Smithing Stone [4] ×1
- +4 to +5: Somber Smithing Stone [5] ×1
- +5 to +6: Somber Smithing Stone [6] ×1
- +6 to +7: Somber Smithing Stone [7] ×1
- +7 to +8: Somber Smithing Stone [8] ×1
- +8 to +9: Somber Smithing Stone [9] ×1
- +9 to +10: Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone ×1
One of each Somber Smithing Stone from [1] to [9], plus the Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone on top. That final stone is rare—you only find a handful per playthrough. Do NOT blow it on some random side weapon you'll ditch by week two.
Carian Regal Scepter Upgrade: Step-By-Step
How to actually get this thing and push it to +10 without getting lost in Liurnia.
Step 1: Beat Rennala
The Carian Regal Scepter isn't a world drop. You've got to kill Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon at Raya Lucaria Academy in Liurnia.
Walk out with the Remembrance of the Full Moon Queen.
Step 2: Trade the Remembrance at Roundtable Hold
Carry that Remembrance over to Roundtable Hold and find Finger Reader Enia, the old lady parked by the big table.
Hand over the Remembrance and pick the Carian Regal Scepter.
You can take Rennala's Full Moon sorcery instead. If you actually want the staff, pick the scepter. Want both? New game cycle, or duplicate the Remembrance at a Walking Mausoleum.
Step 3: Gather Somber Smithing Stones
Now the grind. Somber Smithing Stones are tucked into mines, tunnels, and late-game corners. Some enemies drop them too.
Too lazy to explore? The Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold sell them. Caveat: that shop only opens after you hand over the right Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearings.
Step 4: Talk to a Blacksmith
Back to Roundtable Hold for Hewg. Iji over at Caria Manor works too, but Hewg is right there, so just use him.
"Upgrade Weapon," pick the Carian Regal Scepter, and if you've got the stones you can shove it straight to +9.
Step 5: Use the Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone for +10
The last upgrade is different. +9 to +10 needs a Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
These things are one-shot per playthrough, so check your inventory before you commit. You find them in late-game places like Crumbling Farum Azula. Watch your back—they're usually either guarded by something disgusting or sitting on a corpse run that'll cost you everything.
Step 6: Get 60+ Intelligence
The Carian Regal Scepter demands 60 Intelligence. Don't have it? You can't hold it. Period.
No amount of Strength or Dexterity lets you two-hand your way around this. Stop trying. Pump Intelligence first.
Carian Regal Scepter Stats and How It Works
Fully upgraded, this staff has absurd Intelligence scaling. At max level it hits S scaling in Intelligence, which is exactly what a pure sorcery build wants to see.
It also quietly buffs the Full Moon sorceries. That means Rennala's Full Moon and Ranni's Dark Moon both hit harder than they do on any other staff.
Those Moon spells already shave magic resistance off the target. So the boss loop is comically simple: Moon spell, then Comet or Glintstone Pebble until they stop moving.
One warning: this staff is garbage up close. Yeah, you can bonk someone with it. That's not the job. Casting tool. Keep your distance.
Best Carian Regal Scepter Builds
This staff loves the classic high-Intelligence setup. You don't need to touch Strength or Faith. Dump Int, keep Mind comfortable, and throw just enough Vigor at the problem so you don't get one-shot by a pigeon.
Pure Intelligence Moon Mage
Most natural build for the Carian Regal Scepter, hands down. All in on sorcery damage, Intelligence sitting at 70 to 80.
By level 150, you're looking at:
- Vigor: 40
- Mind: 35
- Endurance: 20
- Intelligence: 70 to 80
- Strength/Dexterity/Faith: base starting stats only
What you should actually have equipped:
- Rennala's Full Moon – debuff first, then follow up
- Ranni's Dark Moon – same bonus, frost-flavored
- Comet Azur – a straight line of pure violence
- Glintstone Pebble – the spell you spam when nothing fancy is needed
- Terra Magica – stand in the circle, watch bosses melt
Talismans that make this work:
- Graven-Mass Talisman – raw sorcery damage up
- Magic Scorpion Charm – more magic damage, but you get hit harder too
- Radagon Icon – faster casts
- Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman – physical defense, in case the Magic Scorpion Charm turns you into tissue paper
Wanna go full glass cannon? Dump the Dragoncrest for Godfrey Icon, which boosts charged spells—especially funny when you're pairing Comet Azur with Terra Magica.
Carian Regal Scepter + Off-Hand Staff Combo
Dumb little min-maxer trick: keep the Carian Regal Scepter in one hand and a support staff in the other.
Running gravity spells? Meteorite Staff off-hand for the gravity boost. Want faster casting? Hold Azur's Glintstone Staff.
Your off-hand staff doesn't replace the Regal Scepter's main job, though. It's still your best bet for high sorcery scaling and Moon spells. The combo only matters if you're squeezing every last drop of damage out of a specific spell type.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I've seen veterans mess these up. Don't be them.
Regular Smithing Stones Won’t Work
The Carian Regal Scepter doesn't take Smithing Stones. Drag a pile of regular stones up to Hewg and you'll stare at a locked upgrade option.
Somber Smithing Stones, every time. This is the single most common mistake people make on this staff.
Not Leveling Intelligence to 60 First
The staff is gated behind 60 Intelligence. If you've been pouring points into Mind or Vigor and only have 30 Int, it's a fancy stick in your hands and nothing more.
Two-handing won't save you. Int first, then the rest.
Wasting Your Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone
That +10 needs a Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone. You get so few per run.
Burn it on a weapon you never touch? Then you're waiting for New Game Plus or hunting another hidden one before this staff can max out. I did this once. I'm still mad.
Treating It Like a Melee Weapon
Don't run into a pack of enemies and start clubbing them with this thing like it's a morning star.
It can bonk. It's miserable at it. Stay back, cast, let the scaling do the work.
Ignoring the Full Moon Sorcery Bonus
If you're carrying this staff, bring at least one Full Moon sorcery. The staff literally buffs them.
Skip Rennala's Full Moon and Ranni's Dark Moon? You're leaving free damage on the floor. Not every boss needs a moon to the face. Most should get one anyway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Carian Regal Scepter better than the Meteorite Staff?
For late-game builds, yeah. The Meteorite Staff is amazing early because it already has S Intelligence scaling and doesn't need upgrade stones. Catch: it can't be upgraded at all.
Carian Regal Scepter at +10 leaves it in the dust once your Int is high enough. Ride the Meteorite Staff until you can actually upgrade the Regal Scepter.
Can I use the Carian Regal Scepter with Ranni’s Dark Moon?
Yes. Ranni's Dark Moon is one of the Moon sorceries this staff buffs. Pair it with Rennala's Full Moon and you've got some nasty frost-plus-magic combos.
How many Somber Smithing Stones do I need for +10?
One of each Somber Smithing Stone from [1] through [9], plus the Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone for the final push to +10. Ten upgrade stones total.
Does two-handing let me use the staff with less Intelligence?
No. Two-handing only boosts effective Strength. The 60 Intelligence requirement does not care. You're leveling Int to 60, no workarounds.
Follow the steps, keep your stones straight, save that Ancient Dragon Stone for the right moment, and stay at 60+ Intelligence. The Carian Regal Scepter is an endgame monster for mage builds. Feel that +10 damage once and you'll never touch your starter staff again.
