The Tarforge in Mortal Shell 2, located in Marrow Keep, serves as the central hub for all weapon and gear enhancements. To fully activate and upgrade this crucial machine, players must acquire five distinct items scattered throughout the game world. Four of these items require interaction with an NPC named Franz, who stands beside the Tarforge, while the fifth is integrated directly into the Tarforge's menu system. Players should be aware that this guide contains minor story spoilers.

Tarforge Upgrade Components

To fully upgrade the Tarforge, you will need to collect the following five items: the Muradean Actuator, the Obsidian Lathe, the Etching Needles, the Foundry Stone, and the Endless Core. Each of these components unlocks specific functionalities for weapon and Tarstone progression.

Locating the Upgrade Materials

Muradean Actuator

The Muradean Actuator is the first Tarforge upgrade and is acquired early in the game during the prologue. It can be found within a chest near the Village Outskirts beacon. Cleansing this beacon is a mandatory step, ensuring players will discover this item. The Muradean Actuator is essential for activating the Tarforge and enabling melee weapon enhancements.

Obsidian Lathe

Located in the Martyr's Tomb dungeon, south of the Widow's Overlook beacon in Fainweald, the Obsidian Lathe is found near the grave where the Tiel shell can be unlocked. To exit the room after obtaining the item, players can shoot a device positioned above the gate. This upgrade allows for the enhancement of sidearms. A Tarstone is also available within the mine where the Obsidian Lathe is discovered.

Etching Needles

The Etching Needles are obtained from the Corrupted Gate dungeon in the Glutted Mire, located in the southeastern region of Fainweald. Players should progress through the dungeon until they reach the Sunken Village beacon. After crossing a rope bridge and defeating the Tarblighted Shepherd boss, players will need to squeeze through a gap in some wooden boards. In the subsequent area, after encountering Ruk, players will find the chest containing the Etching Needles just past his location. This item is crucial for leveling up Tarstones and collecting Tarcore. It is found shortly before the Magdalena boss fight.

Foundry Stone

To acquire the Foundry Stone, players should fast travel to the Outskirts of Mammon beacon. From there, look towards the blasted area adjacent to the gateway. A chest containing the Foundry Stone is present, but players should be prepared for a confrontation with numerous knights and soldiers who guard it. This upgrade enables the weapon smelting function.

Endless Core

The Endless Core is a late-game item found within the Unfound Path, the final major dungeon. After clearing the corrupted tendrils, players will unlock the Hidden Nave beacon. Near the first bonfire within this area, players will find a torch that magically spawns after reaching a second bonfire. Picking up this torch and proceeding through a fogged-up passageway will reveal a new area. Following the sloping path to its end will lead to a chest containing the Endless Core. Before looting, it is recommended to interact with a nearby doorway and offer any accumulated gloom. This action allows for the looting of all resources without further impedance. The Endless Core removes the level cap on all weapon and sidearm upgrades.

Weapon and Sidearm Enhancements

Upgrading weapons and sidearms requires a combination of in-game currency and specific smithing stones, such as Ventrium, Laterite, Dorsalite, Thoracium, and Ossinite. The smelting function provided by the Tarforge allows players to revert an armament to its unleveled state, recouping the resources used in its previous upgrades. Prioritizing upgrades for impactful weapons, like the Axatana, is advisable.

Tarstone Progression

Tarstones gain experience points (XP) from enemy kills, but only when slotted into an equipped weapon or sidearm. Upon reaching the first XP threshold (10,000 XP), a Tarstone can be leveled up at the Tarforge for 100 coins, yielding a Tarcore. Reaching the subsequent threshold (20,000 XP) requires expending six Tarcore to fully max out the Tarstone. This system necessitates leveling multiple Tarstones to acquire enough Tarcore to fully upgrade preferred Tarstones, unlocking their maximum potential effects.