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Grindstone and Anvil Locations - Version 13 vs Version 14
May 23, 2026, 03:54 PM
Added internal wikilinks
Jun 8, 2026, 11:56 PM
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11Overview22Grindstones and anvils are environmental interaction stations scattered across Pywel that provide free, temporary stat boosts to your equipped gear. Grindstones sharpen your weapon to increase its attack power, while anvils reinforce your armor to raise its defense. These buffs cost nothing to apply and require no crafting materials, making them one of the easiest ways to gain an edge before a tough encounter.44Unlike permanent upgrades obtained through refinement at a blacksmith, reinforcement bonuses are temporary. They deplete gradually through combat rather than expiring on a timer, so you can apply them well before a fight without worrying about the buff running out while you travel. The reinforcement status is visible when you hover over your equipped gear in the inventory, displayed as a bonus value (such as +Attack or +Defense) next to the item's base stats.66Grindstones: Weapon Reinforcement88A grindstone is a rotating whetstone that Kliff can use to sharpen his currently equipped weapon. Interacting with one triggers the "Reinforce Weapon" prompt. Once activated, the weapon receives a temporary boost to its Attack stat, typically around +5 attack depending on your current progression stage. This damage increase applies to every strike until the reinforcement is fully depleted.1111The reinforcement bonus is usage-based, not time-based. Each hit you land in combat consumes a small portion of the buff. Once all charges are spent, the weapon returns to its base attack value. You can reapply the buff at any grindstone at any time, and there is no cooldown or limit on how frequently you can sharpen your weapon.1313Grindstones only affect the weapon you have equipped at the time of interaction. If you switch to a different weapon afterward, the new weapon will not carry the reinforcement bonus. Make sure your preferred weapon is equipped before using a grindstone, especially when preparing for a boss fight.1515Anvils: Armor Reinforcement1717Anvils function similarly to grindstones but target your armor instead of your weapon. When you interact with an anvil and select "Reinforce Armor," the game applies a temporary defense bonus to all of your currently equipped armor pieces simultaneously. The defensive boost can be substantial, often granting around +15 or more total defense spread across your equipped gear.1919Like weapon reinforcement, armor reinforcement is consumed through combat. Each time you take a hit from an enemy, the buff depletes slightly. Once the charges are exhausted, your armor returns to its base defense values. Because the anvil reinforces every equipped armor piece at once rather than a single slot, it provides a meaningful survivability increase for encounters where you expect to absorb significant damage.2121You can inspect the reinforcement status of each individual armor piece by checking its stats in your inventory. The bonus appears as an additional number alongside the item's base defense. If the reinforcement number has dropped to zero, it is time to visit another anvil before your next major engagement.2323How to Use Grindstones and Anvils2525Locate the station. Grindstones look like rotating whetstones, while anvils are the classic flat-topped metal blocks. They are not always marked on the map, so keep an eye out for their physical models in camps, settlements, and homesteads. Using your lantern at night can help you spot them in dark areas.Approach and interact. Walk up to the station and press the interaction button (Square on PlayStation, X on Xbox, or the interact key on PC). A prompt will appear offering "Reinforce Weapon" for grindstones or "Reinforce Armor" for anvils.Confirm the reinforcement. Select the option and the buff is applied instantly. There is no animation lock or waiting period beyond a brief interaction.Check your gear. Open your inventory to verify the buff. You will see the reinforcement bonus listed next to your weapon's Attack stat or your armor's Defense stat.2727Both stations are completely free to use. There is no silver cost, no material requirement, and no limit on how many times you can interact with the same station. Reinforcement buffs from grindstones and anvils can also be stacked with food buffs from cooking for even greater stat bonuses heading into difficult content.2929All Known Grindstone and Anvil Locations3131Grindstones and anvils appear throughout the world, though they are concentrated in areas where players are likely to prepare for combat. Below is a breakdown of all confirmed locations organized by region.3333Hernand Region3535The Hernand region is where you encounter your first grindstones and anvils. Because this area is the game's opening zone, there are more reinforcement stations here than in any other part of the map.3737LocationStation TypeNotesHernand City (near Turnali's Smithy)Grindstone and AnvilLocated outside Blacksmith Turnali's shop, near Rhett's Equipment Shop. Available from the start of the game. The most accessible pair of reinforcement stations in the early game.Bloomwood RanchAnvilSoutheast of Hernand City, near the homestead buildings. One of the earliest anvils you can find while exploring the countryside.Timberturner WainwrightGrindstoneSoutheast of Hernand City, near logging areas and homesteads. A reliable early-game grindstone that is easy to reach while exploring the surrounding farmlands.Howling Hill Camp (Greymane Base)Grindstone and AnvilUnlocked after upgrading the camp through Greymane dispatch missions (available from Chapter 3 onward). Once fully upgraded, both a grindstone and an anvil spawn permanently inside the camp, making this an ideal home base for reinforcement.Hernand CastleGrindstoneFound just inside the main entrance of the castle. Convenient for weapon maintenance when visiting the castle for story quests or exploration.Bandit Camps (Hernand Outskirts)Grindstone and/or AnvilMany bandit camps and strongholds throughout the Hernand countryside contain one or both station types. After liberating a camp, the stations remain usable. Check each camp you clear for reinforcement opportunities.3939Demeniss Region4040As you progress into the Demeniss region during the later chapters of the story, additional reinforcement stations become available. Grindstones and anvils in Demeniss typically appear inside major settlements, often positioned near Equipment Shops or Tailor Shops. Look for the anvil icon on your map when entering new towns in this region.4242LocationStation TypeNotesDemeniss SettlementsGrindstone and AnvilFound in major towns near Equipment and Tailor shops. Become available after reaching the Demeniss region (region 2). Look for the anvil icon on the map to locate them.Liberated Camps and StrongholdsGrindstone and/or AnvilSimilar to the Hernand region, enemy camps and strongholds throughout Demeniss often contain reinforcement stations that become accessible after clearing the enemies.4444Boss Arenas and Other Locations4545Some boss arenas and pre-boss areas contain grindstones or anvils placed deliberately by the developers as a preparation opportunity. If you see one near a fog gate or arena entrance, take a moment to sharpen and reinforce before stepping through. Wandering through the open world, you will also occasionally encounter standalone stations at roadside camps, rest stops, and near quest-giving NPCs.4747Reinforcement vs. Refinement4949Crimson Desert has two separate systems for improving your gear, and it is important to understand the difference between them. Reinforcement (via grindstones and anvils) is temporary and free. Refinement (via blacksmiths) is permanent but costs materials.5151FeatureReinforcement (Grindstone/Anvil)Refinement (Blacksmith)DurationTemporary; depletes through combatPermanent; stays until further upgradedCostFree; no materials or silver requiredRequires crafting materials (ore, timber, leather, hides) and eventually Abyss ArtifactsWhereEnvironmental stations in camps, towns, settlements, and boss arenasBlacksmiths such as Turnali in Hernand City and at the Howling Hill CampEffectAdds a temporary +Attack or +Defense bonus on top of base statsIncreases the base Attack, Defense, or Critical Hit stats permanently (up to 10 levels per item)How It DepletesUsage-based; each hit dealt (weapon) or taken (armor) consumes chargesDoes not deplete; permanent upgradeBest UseQuick buff before boss fights, stronghold liberations, or tough encountersLong-term gear progression throughout the game5353Both systems complement each other. You should refine your gear at a blacksmith for permanent stat growth and then reinforce at a grindstone and anvil for an additional temporary edge before any major challenge. Refinement requires completing the optional quest "Turnali's Request" in Hernand to unlock the feature at all blacksmiths.5454Hidden Camp Grindstone and Anvil5656Behind the main tent at the Howling Hill Camp sits a pair of often-missed stations: a grindstone and an anvil, placed side by side behind the tent so they do not appear in your natural walking path. Both stations appear to be available from the moment the camp first unlocks in Chapter 3, no expansion or recruitment required, and they are completely free to use.5858This is the single most convenient reinforcement spot in the game for early chapters. Before any boss fight, stronghold liberation run, or long expedition, fast travel to Howling Hill, walk around the back of the main tent, and refresh both your weapon and armor buffs in under a minute. Because this location is absent from most map guides, the camp stations are listed separately from the main regional tables above.6060Unlocking the Howling Hill Camp Stations6262The Howling Hill Camp is the Greymane mercenary band's main base of operations and one of the most convenient locations for reinforcement in the entire game. However, the grindstone and anvil do not appear here by default. You need to expand and upgrade the camp through dispatch missions to unlock them.6464Dispatch missions become available starting in Chapter 3. As you complete more dispatches and invest in camp expansions through faction quests, the camp grows and new facilities appear. After enough upgrades, both a grindstone and an anvil spawn permanently within the camp grounds. Since Howling Hill Camp also is a fast travel point once its Abyss Nexus is activated, this makes it an ideal hub for topping off your reinforcement buffs before heading out to tackle story missions or exploration.6666Tips and Strategies6868Always Reinforce Before Boss Fights7070This is the single most important habit to develop. Every time you are about to face a boss or enter a liberation zone, take a detour to the nearest grindstone and anvil. The temporary attack and defense bonuses can make the difference between a clean victory and a frustrating defeat. Since the buffs are usage-based rather than time-based, you do not lose anything by applying them early.7272Combine with Food Buffs7474Reinforcement bonuses stack with consumable buffs from cooked meals. Before a particularly difficult encounter, sharpen your weapon at a grindstone, reinforce your armor at an anvil, and eat a stat-boosting meal. This triple-buff approach maximizes your damage output and survivability without spending any silver.7676Mark Stations on Your Map7878Grindstones and anvils are not always indicated by map icons, especially those found in smaller camps and homesteads. When you discover one in the wild, place a custom map marker on it so you can return easily before your next big fight. This is particularly useful in the Hernand countryside, where stations are spread across a large area.8080Prioritize the Howling Hill Camp Upgrade8282Investing in camp expansions through Greymane dispatch missions pays off quickly. Once the Howling Hill Camp has both a grindstone and an anvil, you have a one-stop reinforcement hub connected to the fast travel network. This saves time you would otherwise spend hunting for stations in the field.8484Check Reinforcement Status Regularly8686After a long combat session or a series of smaller encounters, open your inventory and inspect your gear. If the reinforcement bonus has dropped to zero on your weapon or armor, plan a stop at the nearest station before your next major engagement. The buff can deplete faster than you expect during prolonged fights.8888Use Liberated Camp Stations9090Every bandit camp and enemy stronghold you clear is worth checking for reinforcement stations. Many camps contain a grindstone, an anvil, or both. After liberation, these stations remain permanently accessible and serve as convenient pit stops during exploration.9292Do Not Confuse Reinforcement with Repair9494Some players mix up reinforcement with gear repair. Reinforcement adds a temporary stat bonus on top of your equipment's current values. Repair, on the other hand, is handled through the general equipment maintenance system. If your armor is broken or degraded, reinforcing it at an anvil will not fix the underlying damage. Make sure your gear is in good condition before reinforcing for maximum effectiveness.9696Frequently Asked Questions9898Does Reinforcement Cost Silver or Materials?100100No. Using a grindstone or anvil is completely free. There is no silver cost, no material requirement, and no limit on how many times you can use the same station.102102How Long Does the Reinforcement Buff Last?104104The buff is usage-based, not time-based. For weapons, each attack you land consumes a small portion of the bonus. For armor, each hit you receive depletes the buff slightly. The reinforcement does not expire while you are traveling or standing idle, so you can safely apply it before a long journey to a boss arena.106106Can I Carry a Grindstone or Anvil in My Inventory?108108No. Grindstones and anvils are fixed world objects that cannot be picked up or placed. You must visit their locations in the world to use them.110110Does Reinforcement Affect All My Weapons or Just the Equipped One?112112Grindstones only sharpen your currently equipped weapon. If you switch weapons after reinforcing, the new weapon will not have the buff. Anvils, by contrast, reinforce all currently equipped armor pieces at the same time.114114Can I Stack Multiple Reinforcement Applications?116116Using a grindstone or anvil while you already have an active reinforcement buff will refresh the buff to its full value rather than stacking on top of the existing bonus. There is no penalty for refreshing, so feel free to top off your buffs whenever you pass a station.118118Do Grindstones and Anvils Respawn or Reset?120120Grindstones and anvils are permanent fixtures in the world. They do not disappear or break from repeated use. You can return to the same station as many times as you like throughout the entire game.122122Related Articles124124Refinement and Upgrade Materials - Permanent gear upgrades at blacksmithsStats - How Attack, Defense, and other stats workBosses - All boss encounters and strategiesHowling Hill Camp - Greymane base camp details and upgradesInventory Management - Managing your gear and itemsCooking - Food buffs that stack with reinforcementTurnali's Request - Quest to unlock permanent refinement at blacksmithsVendors - Shops and merchants across Pywel126126Greymane Camp: Pre-Boss Buff Station128128The Greymane Camp has its own whetstone and anvil set up directly behind the main tent. Using them applies buffs that increase your outgoing damage and reduce incoming damage for a limited time. Because the camp functions as a hub you return to constantly, it is the single most convenient buff station in the game.130130Make it a habit to stop at the whetstone and anvil every time you pass through camp before a boss attempt. The damage swing is meaningful and the duration comfortably covers travel to any nearby boss arena.
