Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree expands upon the game's crafting and combat systems in remarkable ways, introducing new materials and throwable items that give players more control over how they approach encounters. One of the most deceptively powerful and versatile items introduced in the DLC is the Roundrock- a small but dense projectile that deals Strike damage and doubles as a crafting material. While its appearance may seem unremarkable, understanding when to throw Roundrocks directly versus when to craft them into powerful items like Hefty Rock Pots can make a massive difference in both exploration efficiency and combat strategy.

This guide breaks down everything you need to Elden Ring Runes know about Roundrock- what it is, where to find it, the best farming routes, and how to make the most out of every stone you collect.

What Is Roundrock in Shadow of the Erdtree?

Roundrock is a throwable Strike-damage projectile that can be used directly as a consumable weapon or as a crafting material for stronger throwable pots. It's similar in concept to basic throwing stones found in earlier areas of Elden Ring, but Roundrocks pack a much heavier punch- especially against enemies with high physical defense or those that are vulnerable to Strike damage, such as golems, knights, and crystalline foes.

What makes Roundrock stand out is its dual purpose. You can:

Throw it directly as a low-cost ranged option.

Use it as an ingredient in crafting, particularly for Hefty Rock Pots, which deal devastating area-of-effect (AoE) damage and scale with Strength.

That versatility makes Roundrock a valuable resource for both melee-focused builds and hybrid characters who appreciate ranged options during exploration or boss fights.

How Roundrock Works

When thrown directly, a Roundrock travels in a moderately fast arc, dealing Strike damage upon impact. It has a short delay between throws, similar to other throwing consumables like Kukris or Throwing Daggers, but compensates with higher base damage and staggering power.

However, Roundrocks truly shine when crafted into Hefty Rock Pots. These crafted weapons deal massive AoE Strike damage and scale impressively with Strength, making them one of the best consumable options for Strength-based builds in Shadow of the Erdtree. Each Hefty Rock Pot requires a few Roundrocks to make, so players must choose carefully between using their stones immediately or saving them for crafting sessions.

Where to Find Roundrocks

Roundrocks can be found scattered throughout river caves and subterranean areas in the Land of Shadow. They are typically mined from rock clusters or looted from corpses in damp, mineral-rich environments. The two best farming locations are:

Ellac River Cave

Found deep within the Ellac River area, this cave is one of the richest sources of Roundrocks in the game.

You'll encounter groups of humanoid enemies and rock formations that can be broken to yield multiple Roundrocks at once.

A complete run through the cave can net you 15–20 Roundrocks, making it ideal for bulk farming.

Rivermouth Cave

Located at the lower mouth of the river system, this smaller but easily accessible cave contains several respawning deposits of Roundrocks.

Enemies here are weaker, allowing for faster farming cycles.

Recommended for players looking to gather materials early or restock between major boss runs.

Both caves reset their Roundrock deposits upon resting at a Site of Grace, allowing for infinite farming. For efficiency, equip a Lantern or Torch, as the caves are quite dark, and bring a Beast-Repellent Torch if you dislike dealing with bats and minor beasts.

Best Roundrock Farming Route

For those looking to stockpile Roundrocks quickly:

Start at the Ellac River Downstream Site of Grace.

Enter Ellac River Cave, clearing enemies and mining every shiny cluster you see.

Exit through the southern passage and rest at the nearby Grace to reset.

Warp to Rivermouth Cave and repeat the process.

This two-cave loop takes around 6–8 minutes per run and can yield 40+ Roundrocks depending on your efficiency and luck. Using a Silver Scarab talisman or Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot will not affect material drop rates, as these items only enhance rune gain, not loot, but maximizing movement speed through Light Load or Great Rune of Radahn helps reduce travel time.

When to Throw Roundrocks

You should throw Roundrocks directly when:

You are low on FP and need a reliable ranged option.

You are fighting Strike-weak enemies, like golems, armored knights, or crystal beasts.

You need to interrupt enemy casts or animations- Roundrocks stagger most humanoid enemies.

You are exploring early-game or mid-tier zones and don't yet have enough materials to justify crafting Hefty Pots.

In short, Roundrocks are excellent for quick, reactive combat situations where you need an immediate ranged attack without consuming FP or arrows. They also help Strength builds maintain offensive pressure from a distance.

When to Craft Hefty Rock Pots Instead

Crafting Hefty Rock Pots is almost always the better long-term use of Roundrocks once your crafting capacity and material supply stabilize. These crafted consumables deal massive Strike damage and scale with Strength, making them perfect for endgame encounters and boss fights.

Each Hefty Rock Pot requires a set number of Roundrocks, plus additional materials such as Cracked Pots and Root Resin. They can one-shot or heavily stagger smaller enemies and even deal significant damage to bosses with poor Strike resistance.

You should prioritize crafting when:

You have at least 30+ Roundrocks in storage.

You plan to tackle bosses or large-scale enemies.

You prefer burst damage over sustained throwing.

You have a Strength or hybrid Strength/Faith build that can take advantage of the scaling.

Hefty Rock Pots are also reusable once crafted, as long as you have enough Cracked Pots in your inventory. This makes them far more efficient for long-term play.

Balancing Throwing and Crafting

The best strategy is to maintain a balance between immediate and future use. Keep around 10–15 Roundrocks on hand for spontaneous throwing, and funnel the rest into crafting sessions whenever you're near a Site of Grace.

For Strength builds, prioritize Hefty Rock Pots. For Dexterity or hybrid builds, keep a larger reserve for throwing since these builds benefit from agile, low-cost ranged attacks. If you often find yourself running low on Roundrocks, stick to farming runs until your inventory comfortably exceeds 50 units- that's usually the point where crafting doesn't feel restrictive anymore.

Final Thoughts

Roundrock may seem like a humble rock at first glance, but in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, it represents one of the most efficient and flexible tools for players who value versatility. Whether you use it to pressure enemies from afar, conserve FP, or craft devastating Hefty Rock Pots, this material deserves a place in every adventurer's inventory.

Understanding when to throw and when to Elden Ring Items craft is the key to getting the most from this unassuming resource. If you master the balance between these two uses- and pair it with efficient farming routes like Ellac River Cave and Rivermouth Cave- you'll never find yourself unprepared in the Land of Shadow.
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