Last Updated: August 20, 2026
The Tarforge is one of the most important progression systems in Mortal Shell 2, but it begins with nearly every feature locked. Until you recover its missing components, Franz can't upgrade your weapons, sidearms, Tarstones, or unlock the forge's advanced functions.
This guide covers all five Tarforge upgrades, their locations, what each one unlocks, the best order to collect them, and the fastest way to restore every Tarforge function.
📋 Table of Contents
- What Is the Tarforge?
- All Tarforge Upgrades at a Glance
- Where to Find Franz
- Muradean Actuator Location
- Obsidian Lathe Location
- Etching Needles Location
- Foundry Stone Location
- Endless Core Location
- What Each Upgrade Unlocks
- Which Upgrade Should You Get First?
- Best Early Tarforge Route
- Franz Shortcut: Should You Kill Him?
- Common Tarforge Problems
- FAQ
- Recommended Guides to Read Next
What Is the Tarforge?
The Tarforge is the main equipment forge located in Marrow Keep, operated by Franz. As you explore the world, you'll discover unique forge components that permanently unlock new upgrade categories.
Instead of upgrading everything immediately, the Tarforge gradually expands with:
- Weapon enhancement
- Sidearm enhancement
- Tarstone tempering
- Equipment smelting
- Endgame upgrade cap removal
Think of it as your permanent crafting and upgrade hub throughout the campaign.
All Tarforge Upgrades at a Glance
This is the quickest answer if you're trying to restore every forge function.
5 Total Upgrades
These five components permanently restore every Tarforge function.
Where to Find Franz
Before using any Tarforge upgrade, you need to meet Franz.
After completing the prologue, you'll arrive in Marrow Keep. Franz is standing beside the massive Tarforge, just north of the Gloom Siphon. Every upgrade component (except one) is brought back to him to permanently unlock new forge options.
Franz unlocks:
- Enhance Weapons
- Enhance Sidearms
- Temper Tarstones
- Smelt Equipment
The Endless Core is handled differently, which we'll cover later.
Muradean Actuator Location
Unlocks: Weapon Upgrades
The Muradean Actuator is found during the Village Outskirts cleanse dungeon in the tutorial region. Although cleansing the Beacon is mandatory, the chest containing the Actuator is optional, meaning it's surprisingly easy to walk past it.
How to find it
- Enter the Village Outskirts cleanse dungeon.
- Progress into Disciple's Path.
- Before riding the elevator downward, open the chest in the first large room.
- Return to Franz in Marrow Keep.
What it unlocks
The Muradean Actuator enables Enhance Weapons, allowing you to begin upgrading your primary melee weapons.
Beginner priority: Get this first. Early weapon upgrades have the biggest impact on your first several hours.
Missed it during the prologue?
Don't worry—it isn't missable. Once Beacon fast travel is available, you can revisit Village Outskirts and collect it later.
Obsidian Lathe Location
Unlocks: Sidearm Upgrades
The Obsidian Lathe is hidden inside Martyr's Tomb, one of the earliest optional dungeons in Fainweald.
Route
- Fast travel to Widow's Overlook
- Head southeast toward the church-like structure
- Enter Martyr's Tomb
- Fight through the dungeon
- Open the chest beside the sarcophagus
Don't get trapped
A lot of players think the dungeon is bugged.
After collecting the Lathe, the exit door remains locked until you shoot the target mounted above the doorway with your sidearm.
Is it worth rushing?
Only if your build relies heavily on ranged attacks.
Melee-focused players should prioritize weapon upgrades first, then return for the Obsidian Lathe.
Etching Needles Location
Unlocks: Tarstone Tempering
This is arguably the most valuable Tarforge upgrade after the Muradean Actuator because it unlocks the entire Tarstone progression system.
How to reach it
- Activate the Sunken Village Beacon.
- Continue into Glutted Mire.
- Cross the rope bridges.
- Defeat (or bypass) the Tarblighted Shepherd.
- Crawl through the wooden opening behind the arena.
- Follow the bridges until you reach Ruk.
- Open the nearby chest.
What Etching Needles actually do
Once returned to Franz, you'll unlock Temper Tarstones, allowing Tarstones to be upgraded with Coins after earning enough experience.
Why it's so important
Without the Etching Needles:
- Tarstones still gain XP.
- But they cannot be tempered into stronger versions.
- Your build progression stalls until the forge is restored.
This makes it one of the highest-priority upgrades for almost every playstyle.
Foundry Stone Location
Unlocks: Smelt Equipment
The Foundry Stone is easy to miss because it's sitting in an ordinary battlefield rather than a dungeon.
Route
- Fast travel to Outskirts of Mammon
- Head south down the slope
- Ignore the soldiers if you want
- Reach the castle wall fortifications
- Open the chest against the wall
What Smelt Equipment does
This is much more useful than it sounds.
Smelting allows you to:
- Revert a weapon to +0
- Recover the smithing materials invested into it
- Change builds without permanently wasting upgrades
If you upgraded the wrong weapon, the Foundry Stone essentially becomes your respec tool for equipment.
Endless Core Location
Unlocks: Higher Upgrade Levels
The Endless Core is the final Tarforge upgrade and belongs to late-game progression. It isn't obtained from Franz like the other components.
How to find it
- Progress into The Unfound Path
- Unlock the Hidden Nave Beacon
- Enter its cleanse dungeon
- Navigate through the fog sequence
- Open the chest at the end
Important difference
Unlike the other four upgrades:
- ❌ Don't give it to Franz.
- ✅ Install it directly through the Tarforge menu.
Doing so removes the normal weapon and sidearm upgrade cap, enabling endgame progression.
What Each Tarforge Upgrade Unlocks
Here's what each component actually changes.
Muradean Actuator – Enables melee weapon enhancement. Get this as early as possible.
Obsidian Lathe – Unlocks sidearm upgrades for ranged builds.
Etching Needles – Allows Tarstones to be tempered into stronger versions.
Foundry Stone – Unlocks Smelt Equipment, refunding weapon upgrade materials.
Endless Core – Removes the upgrade ceiling for weapons and sidearms.
Which Tarforge Upgrade Should You Get First?
Not every upgrade has equal value.
- Muradean Actuator – Weapon upgrades dramatically improve early damage output.
- Etching Needles – Unlocks long-term Tarstone progression.
- Obsidian Lathe – Excellent if you frequently use sidearms.
- Foundry Stone – Best for experimenting with different weapons.
- Endless Core – Purely an endgame progression upgrade.
For most players, this order provides the smoothest progression through the campaign.
Best Early Tarforge Route
Rather than wandering randomly, this route minimizes backtracking.
↓
Village Outskirts — Muradean Actuator
↓
Glutted Mire — Etching Needles
↓
Widow's Overlook — Obsidian Lathe
↓
Outskirts of Mammon — Foundry Stone
↓
Hidden Nave — Endless Core (Endgame)
↓
Fully Restored Tarforge
This progression naturally follows the campaign while unlocking the most useful forge functions early.
Franz Shortcut: Should You Kill Him?
Yes, there is a shortcut—but it comes with consequences.
Some players discovered that killing Franz immediately unlocks:
- Enhance Weapons
- Enhance Sidearms
- Temper Tarstones
- Smelt Equipment
without collecting the first four components. The Endless Core still has to be obtained normally later in the game.
Recommendation: Don't do this on your first playthrough. You'll miss Franz's intended progression, and the shortcut removes one of the game's most satisfying upgrade loops.
Common Tarforge Problems
- Why can't Franz upgrade my weapons? – You're missing the Muradean Actuator.
- Why can't I upgrade Tarstones? – Return the Etching Needles to Franz first.
- Smelt Equipment is greyed out – You need the Foundry Stone.
- I'm trapped inside Martyr's Tomb – Shoot the target above the sealed exit with your sidearm.
- Why won't Franz accept the Endless Core? – Because he isn't supposed to. Install it directly through the Tarforge interface.
FAQ
How many Tarforge upgrades are there in Mortal Shell 2?
There are five: Muradean Actuator, Obsidian Lathe, Etching Needles, Foundry Stone, and Endless Core.
Can I miss any Tarforge upgrade?
No. All five remain obtainable in free roam before starting New Game+, even if you skipped their chests earlier.
Which Tarforge upgrade should I get first?
The Muradean Actuator is the best first priority because it unlocks weapon upgrades, followed closely by the Etching Needles for Tarstone progression.
What does the Foundry Stone do?
It unlocks Smelt Equipment, allowing you to remove upgrades from weapons and recover the materials invested into them.
Where is the Obsidian Lathe?
Inside Martyr's Tomb, southeast of the Widow's Overlook Beacon, in the final chest beside the sarcophagus.
Do I need Franz for every upgrade?
For the first four components, yes. The Endless Core is the only upgrade installed directly through the Tarforge menu.
Final Tips
Before leaving Marrow Keep, keep this priority in mind:
- Get the Muradean Actuator for weapon upgrades.
- Unlock Etching Needles before investing heavily in Tarstones.
- Grab the Obsidian Lathe once ranged combat becomes important.
- Use the Foundry Stone if you want to respec weapon investments.
- Save the Endless Core for late-game progression.
That route gives you every major Tarforge function with minimal backtracking and naturally complements your weapon, Tarstone, and beginner progression.
Recommended Guides to Read Next
- Proxima Guide: How to Unlock, Abilities & Best Build
- Beginner Guide: Best Early Upgrades, Shells & What to Do First
- Mortal Shell 2 Weapon Locations: Find every weapon and sidearm.
- Mortal Shell 2 Seals Guide: All Seals, locations, Harden, Perfect Guard and Riposte.
- Mortal Shell 2 Posture Guide: How to break enemies and trigger Ripostes.
- Mortal Shell 2 Tarstones Guide: Locations, upgrades, farming and build uses.
Guide for Mortal Shell 2
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