In Elden Ring, Stonesword Keys are precious and limited resources that players use to unlock fog-bound passages guarded by imp statues. Since these keys aren't abundant, and their use can define the efficacy of your journey through the lands, it’s crucial to determine which paths offer the most rewarding experiences. This guide will illuminate the best places to utilize your Stonesword Keys for the maximum benefit, ensuring that each key opens doors to valuable treasures, formidable equipment, and pivotal game-changing moments.

Tombsward Catacombs - Weeping Peninsula

Located in the serene yet eerie Weeping Peninsula south of the Church of Pilgrims, the Tombsward Catacombs is an essential early-game destination. As you navigate your way to this cavernous domain, you will encounter a locked room cloaked in fog. Using a Stonesword Key here grants access to the Nomadic Warrior's Cookbook [9], a significant find that expands your crafting repertoire with the Rancor Pot — an excellent asset that summons vengeful spirits, aiding those who utilize FP efficiently.

If you decide to venture further into the catacombs, be prepared to face the Cemetery Shade. Conquering this eerie entity rewards you with Lhutel the Headless Ashes, an invaluable summon that can shoulder many burdens in battle and greatly enrich your tactical options.

Academy Crystal Cave - Liurnia Of The Lakes

For sorcerers and those delving into magical arts, the Academy Crystal Cave east of Raya Lucaria Academy is paramount. Hidden within the cave, behind a foggy barrier, lies the spell Terra Magica — a boon for magic users enhancing their combat prowess. Along your journey through this cave, you will also find a Stonesword Key, effectively refunding your investment and thus maximizing your resource management.

While the Crystalians guarding the cavern's depths can be quite a nuisance, especially without a blunt weapon, overcoming them promises profound rewards and a gratifying enhancement to your arsenal.

Seethewater Cave - Mt. Gelmir

Nestled at the watery base of Mt. Gelmir, Seethewater Cave demands attention, especially for those adopting poison or rot builds. Guarded by obstinate Basilisks, this cave can be hazardous but yields significant treasures — primarily the full Mushroom armor set, whose potent helmet underpins numerous niche yet powerful builds capable of achieving one-shot boss encounters.

The journey doesn't end with the armor; you will also find the Kindred of Rot's Exultation within these shadowy depths, a talisman indispensable for poison-centric strategies that dramatically boost potential.

Cliffbottom Catacombs - Liurnia of the Lakes

The Cliffbottom Catacombs in Liurnia of the Lakes are more than worth the Stonesword Key investment. Tucked near the Purified Ruins, once you breach the fog’s facade, a fierce and hidden Imp encounter awaits. Triumph here rewards you with the Nox Mirrorhelm — a helmet designed for those who’ve committed high treason. While its weaknesses against strike damage could be noted, it maintains good utility for specific scenarios.

Moreover, completing the catacomb's trials brings additional surprises, rewarding thorough explorers with items that cater to various play styles and strategies, solidifying your detour’s worth.

Volcano Manor - Talismans and Treasures

Volcano Manor boasts several doors that beckon for Stonesword Key's attention. The two primary talismans to seek out include the Dagger Talisman and the Crimson Amber Medallion +1. Both are situated behind imp statues demanding Stonesword Keys.

1. Dagger Talisman: Progress through Volcano Manor until you find the waygate teleporter just before the Rykard boss battle. Instead of taking the portal, turn back and ascend the stairs to encounter a fog-gated barricade that requires two Stonesword Keys. The efforts inside lead to the Dagger Talisman, an esteemed tool that bolsters critical hit damage.
2. Crimson Amber Medallion +1: From the Prison Town Church Site of Grace, make your way through the convoluted pathways until you find another fog-bound door. Beyond this barrier, your efforts yield this elevated Medallion, increasing maximum HP considerably—a worthwhile boon for the treacherous journeys ahead.

Fringefolk Hero's Grave - Limgrave (Two Keys Required)

One of the first Stonesword Key monuments you’ll encounter is situated near the tutorial area at Stranded Graveyard in Limgrave. Though challenging for fresh adventurers, returning here after gaining substantial levels unveils a labyrinth teeming with perils and rewards. A death chariot puzzle is your main adversary within this dungeon, but perseverance pays off with a clash against the Ulcerated Tree Spirit. Victory grants a Golden Seed, which aids significantly by upgrading your healing capabilities.

Room Near Rampart Tower - Stormveil Castle

Stormveil Castle is a nexus of intertwining secret passages, one of which is accessible via the Rampart Tower. Here, unlocking a shadowy door requires a Stonesword Key and the defeat of two opponents wielding greataxes. Despite these barriers, delving inside reaps pivotal rewards such as the Iron Whetblade—an item central to optimizing weapon scaling for various builds, alongside supplementary items like the Miséricorde and Hawk Crest Wooden Shield.

Underground Cavern - Summonwater Village

Summonwater Village, a derelict settlement on the Stormhill main road, conceals a wealth of treasures beneath its ruins. Vanquish the Tibia Mariner haunting this location, and you find an underground cavern locked behind a Stonesword-guarded gate. Inside, the chest beckons with the Green Turtle Talisman, a critical asset that enhances stamina recovery, making it invaluable for melees or physical class characters.

Honorable Mentions and Key Refunds

While the mentioned locations are among the top tier, several other areas provide remarkable benefits for your Stonesword Key utilizations. Such locations include:

• Cellar Room Near Courtyard - Stormveil Castle: Home to the Godskin Prayerbook and Godslayer's Seal, crucial for Black Flame Incantation adopters.
• Nokstella, Eternal City: A fogged room conceals the Nightmaiden & Swordstress Puppets Ashes, offering potent spirit summons for battle.
• Auriza Hero's Grave - Leyndell, Royal Capital: Multiple rewards await, such as the Crucible Axe Set, Crucible Feather Talisman, and a chance to obtain the Tree Sentinel armor set.
• Mimic Tear Ashes Room - Night's Sacred Ground: Arguably the most powerful Spirit Ash, this location should not be overlooked and should be prioritized for a Stonesword Key.
• Marika's Soreseal Room - Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree: Providing a total of 20 attribute-level savings, it's essential for late-game adventurers.
• Dragon Temple Lift - Crumbling Farum Azula: Unlocks a treasure trove of items and serves as a pivotal checkpoint, making it worthy of two Stonesword Keys.

Maximizing Key Efficiency

To maximize the effectiveness of your Stonesword Keys across your Elden Ring journey, integrate the following strategies:

1. Research Before Unlocking: Familiarize yourself with key locations and prioritize those offering valuable rewards or enhancements.
2. Resource Management: Scatter your key usage across early, mid, and late-game phases to ensure balanced growth and progression.
3. Revisit Unlocked Areas: Some areas may hold additional surprises upon revisitation or after certain milestones in your journey. Keep notes of previously traversed locations for future exploration.

By judiciously distributing your Stonesword Key usage and focusing on high-yield unlocks you’ll carve a more efficient and rewarding path through the Lands Between. Each choice and every unlocked door will contribute to an enriched gameplay experience, unveiling secrets, enhancing abilities, and paving the way for newfound prowess in the sprawling world of Elden Ring.