In Enshrouded, there are not only many different weapons and classes to master; later in the game you can specialise even further in different combat styles. To do this, you’ll need one of the two upgrade types for your weapons: gems. Not all weapons can take them, but those that do unlock new special abilities. Gems aren’t that easy to get, and socketing them into weapons will cost you something as well. In this guide we’ll show you how to prepare for gems right from the start and how to hunt for the best gems.
Enshrouded gems: how gems and effects work
Gems were introduced with the “Thralls of Twilight” update in early 2025 and provide a way to grant weapons special abilities. Alongside enchantments, they’re another option to enhance your weapons and equip them with various additional effects. While enchantments are tailored directly to the weapon and can be upgraded step by step, you can swap gems freely.
There are more than twenty different gems to find in the game. They’re dropped by certain groups of enemies and are therefore tied to the regions of Embervale. Their effects vary widely, from more mana or health to damage multipliers or new features for your glider. That makes gems very versatile, letting you tailor them perfectly to your playstyle.
Archaic Essence in Enshrouded: uses and locations
You can’t just use gems anywhere; you can only upgrade them at specific places. These are the Gem Forges, often found in hard-to-reach areas. You’ll also need Archaic Essence to socket and level up gems. These golden, energy-charged essences can be found in different tiers by searching for brood nests in the regions. Mine them with your pickaxe or collect them by hand.
Gem Forges in Enshrouded: upgrade weapons with gems
The Gem Forges have three functions:
- Raise gems to the forge’s maximum level using Archaic Essence (this also works when they’re already socketed in weapons)
- Socket or remove gems in weapons using Archaic Essence
- Recycle gems for Archaic Essence
You can only socket gems at Gem Forges, and there are three per region. They’re tied to your character level, and likewise to the level of the gems you can find. Each forge has its own maximum level; you can’t upgrade gems beyond that.
- Springlands up to level 12 (Essence Lvl. 5)
- Revelwood up to level 18 (Essence Lvl. 13)
- Nomad Highlands up to level 22 (Essence Lvl. 18)
- Kindlewastes up to level 32 (Essence Lvl. 25)
- Albaneve Summits up to level 40 (Essence Lvl. 33)
- Veilwater Basin up to level 50 (Essence Lvl. 40)
The Archaic Essence also scales with these levels, and you’ll find a higher tier when you move into a new region. For example, if you’ve upgraded everything in the Kindlewastes up to level 32, you’ll then find Archaic Essence from level 33 in the Albaneve Summits.
Farming in Enshrouded: gems and Archaic Essence efficiently
You can collect both gems and Archaic Essence and use them to upgrade your weapons. Always pay attention to the appropriate level. If you’ve already reached the maximum level, you should prioritise the brood nests and Gem Forges in the Veilwater Basin; the others won’t be worth it any more.
Farming Archaic Essence: Depending on level, it can be found in the three brood nests per region. We already have a separate guide for all regions of Embervale if you want to learn more: (Enshrouded Biome Guide: Every Area in Embervale) . Thanks to its golden colour, essence is hard to miss, and you can pick it up by hand, mine it with your pickaxe, or obtain it by recycling gems at the forge.
Farming gems: Gems are significantly harder to obtain, as they’re tied to loot from specific monsters. They do not drop from chests; you’ll need to fight enemies to get them. As with essence, their drops are bound to regions and certain enemy types. Exactly which enemies and what they drop isn’t always obvious. The wiki is a great help here.
Best gems in Enshrouded: recommended gems and drops
You’re probably wondering which gems are actually worth it. There are more than twenty, and they only drop from specific enemies—so what should you look for? That depends strongly on your playstyle. An assassin needs different gems for rapiers or a bow than a mage needs for a staff. So there are no gems that are great for every class. Still, we’ve picked out a few that are broadly worthwhile.
| Gem | Effect | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Bloodlust | Drops life orbs that strengthen and heal you. | Albaneve Summits |
| Lycanthropy | Enemies drop moon orbs at night that boost almost all attributes. | Veilwater Basin |
| Light Focus | Mark enemies to deal increased damage; up to 3 stacks. | Kindlewastes |
| Cold Composure | Increases resistance but slows you; adds frost damage on hit. | Nomad Highlands |
| Corruption | Mark enemies to make them explode with Shroud damage. | Kindlewastes |
| Current | Soaks enemies when you’re soaked, boosting shock damage. | Veilwater Basin |
| Bleed | Applies bleeding on hit, dealing additional damage. | Springlands |
| Eye of the Storm | Marked enemies summon lightning that chains to others. | Nomad Highlands |
| Meteor Impact | Landing with the glider deals AoE damage and burns enemies. | Albaneve Summits |
Conclusion: power up your weapons with the right gems
Thanks to its deep combat and weapon systems, Enshrouded is perfect for players seeking challenge and variety. Gems are a key way to grant your weapons special abilities and tailor them to your combat style. Upgrade gems at Gem Forges with Archaic Essence, then socket them into weapon slots. The further you progress, the better the gems you’ll unlock.
Try upgrading your weapons right away by renting one of our Enshrouded servers. Play with friends and trade the gems you find to craft the best build.
More interesting articles
Enshrouded Weapons Guide: Weapon Types, Gems, Enchantments
Enshrouded Skill Tree Guide: All skills, builds and tips
Enshrouded Mage Guide: Best Weapons, Skills & Spells
