Mortal Shell 2 Tarforge Upgrades: All 5 Locations
Quick answer: Find five key items to fully activate the Tarforge in Marrow Keep. Four are handed to Franz; the late-game Endless Core is installed directly through the machine.
Official promotional screenshot: Steam / Cold Symmetry / Playstack
Every Tarforge unlock item
| Item | Location | Function | Install |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muradean Actuator | Village Outskirts Beacon dungeon in the tutorial route | Activates the Tarforge and melee weapon enhancement | Give to Franz |
| Obsidian Lathe | Martyr's Tomb, southeast of Widow's Overlook | Sidearm enhancement | Give to Franz |
| Etching Needles | Glutted Mire after the Tarblighted Shepherd and before Magdalena | Tarstone tempering and Tarcore progression | Give to Franz |
| Foundry Stone | Chest south of the Outskirts of Mammon Beacon | Smelt equipment and refund upgrade materials | Give to Franz |
| Endless Core | Hidden Nave Beacon dungeon in the Unfound Path | Removes the weapon and sidearm upgrade cap | Install through the Tarforge menu |
Recommended unlock order
- Return the Muradean Actuator as soon as Marrow Keep opens.
- Get the Obsidian Lathe if a sidearm is central to your build.
- Pick up Etching Needles before leaving the Glutted Mire route.
- Detour south of Outskirts of Mammon for the Foundry Stone before spending rare materials widely.
- Collect Endless Core at Hidden Nave before Zmey and raise the equipment you already know.
Important Franz shortcut warning
Community testing reports that killing Franz immediately enables the first four functions. That shortcut is irreversible for the current cycle and may affect dialogue or future patches, so this guide recommends collecting the intended items unless you deliberately accept the narrative tradeoff.
All five chests remain available during free roam after the final boss, before Send Ova starts New Game Plus.
What to upgrade first
- Raise the main weapon used in every encounter before spreading materials across the full collection.
- Upgrade a sidearm early only when its range or status effect solves a recurring matchup.
- Temper Tarstones after the main weapon/sidearm pairing is stable.
- Use smelting to recover investment from equipment you have stopped using.
Evidence: The official Over 9000 achievement confirms maxing a weapon at the Tarforge. Item functions and routes are community-verified synthesis checked against All Things How and current launch guides. Verified August 23, 2026.