Unearthing Riches: What’s the Most Expensive Item in Elden Ring?
In the sprawling, perilous landscape of Elden Ring, defining the “most expensive” item isn’t as straightforward as simply looking at a merchant’s price tag. While certain items sell for a substantial number of Runes (the game’s primary currency), the truly most expensive item in Elden Ring is subjective, dependent on the player’s perspective. It could be the item with the highest Rune cost at a merchant, the item with the lowest drop rate making it the most difficult to acquire, or the item that is essential for a specific build and incredibly challenging to obtain.
Understanding “Expensive” in The Lands Between
Unlike some games where a single item holds a definitive monetary value and dominates the market, Elden Ring’s economic system is far more nuanced. “Expensive” encompasses multiple factors:
- Rune Cost: This is the most literal interpretation. Some consumables, spells, or even equipment pieces have hefty Rune price tags. While useful, these are generally affordable by mid-to-late game.
- Rarity/Drop Rate: Many powerful weapons and armor sets have incredibly low drop rates from specific enemies. The time and effort spent farming these items make them incredibly “expensive” in terms of player investment.
- Strategic Value: Certain items, even if relatively easy to obtain, can be considered incredibly valuable due to their unique effects. Think of items that allow respec, crucial ashes of war, or those that are essential for specific builds.
- Limited Availability: Items like larval tears are required to respec your character build. These can be hard to find, depending on your progress, making the “expensive” in terms of utility.
Considering these different interpretations, we can consider some contenders for the most expensive item:
The Most Expensive in Terms of Farming and Rarity: Black Dumpling
While it sells for very little, the Black Dumpling could be considered the most expensive item. The Black Dumpling is a helmet dropped by the Albinauric Wolfback Archers in Mohgwyn Palace with one of the lowest drop rates in Elden Ring. Farming for this item can take hours of work, making it extremely expensive in terms of time and effort.
A Close Contender: The Aristocrat Headband
The Aristocrat Headband is another item to consider. The Aristocrat Headband is a helmet dropped by wandering noble ladies in the Weeping Peninsula, Limgrave, and Liurnia of the Lakes. It has one of the lowest drop rates in Elden Ring, making it extremely expensive in terms of time and effort if you are trying to find it.
Ultimately, the “most expensive” item in Elden Ring is a deeply personal calculation, influenced by individual playstyles, priorities, and tolerance for grind. Whether it’s spending hours farming a specific enemy or hoarding Runes for that late-game spell, the cost is always relative to the player’s experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further illuminate the concept of expense and value within Elden Ring:
1. What is the most expensive item I can buy in Elden Ring using Runes?
The most expensive items you can purchase are typically high-level spells and incantations, certain late-game upgrade materials, and specific unique weapons sold by merchants in endgame areas. The price depends on the point in the game you are trying to buy the item.
2. Which items sell for the most Runes to merchants?
Remembrances sell for the most Runes. Remembrances are dropped by bosses when they die. You can consume the remembrance or trade it in for items, or sell it to a merchant for Runes.
3. What are the rarest weapons in Elden Ring based on drop rate?
Some of the rarest weapons with notoriously low drop rates include the Magma Blade, Monk’s Flameblade, Cleanrot Knight’s Sword, and any weapon dropped by uncommon enemies like Cleanrot Knights or Celebrants.
4. How can I efficiently farm Runes to afford expensive items?
Efficient Rune farming methods include defeating high-value enemies in late-game areas, exploiting enemy weaknesses (like using the Sacred Relic Sword’s Wave of Gold ability at the Albinauric farm), and utilizing Rune-boosting items like the Golden Scarab talisman and Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot. The Games Learning Society may also provide strategies within their community.
5. Are there any items that are “priceless” because they’re unique and cannot be obtained again?
Yes. Consumable items can be considered “priceless” in some playthroughs because they’re limited in supply per playthrough and don’t carry over to New Game Plus. This makes them particularly valuable. Larval Tears, required for respec, are an example. The limited availability of Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones make them another example.
6. What role does crafting play in the “expense” of items?
Crafting can make some items more affordable, since you may be able to make the items yourself. By collecting the ingredients needed to make an item yourself, you can save on the Rune cost of purchasing the same item from a merchant.
7. Do multiplayer aspects influence the “value” of items in Elden Ring?
Yes, in some ways. Certain items, like Furlcalling Finger Remedies used to summon other players for cooperative play, become more valuable to players who frequently engage in co-op. Similarly, items used for PvP have increased value for players who enjoy dueling and invasions.
8. What are the best early-game items to invest in?
Early-game investments should focus on items that improve survivability and exploration. The Crafting Kit allows you to create basic items, while Stonesword Keys can unlock valuable early-game dungeons.
9. How important is it to upgrade weapons, and how does that impact the overall “cost” of using them?
Upgrading weapons is crucial for increasing damage output and effectiveness, but it requires Smithing Stones, which can become scarce. The cost of upgrading a weapon can be significant, particularly for unique weapons requiring Somber Smithing Stones.
10. Are there any hidden costs associated with specific builds in Elden Ring?
Yes. Builds that rely heavily on specific status effects like bleed or frostbite require frequent use of consumables, adding to the ongoing “cost” of maintaining that build. Builds that require specific rare items or consumables will also have hidden costs.
11. How do covenants affect the “value” of items?
Covenants in Elden Ring don’t function in the traditional sense of previous Souls games. However, certain items, such as those used for PvP invasions, could be considered more valuable to players aligned with certain in-game factions or ideologies.
12. What should I do with duplicate gear that I don’t need?
Selling duplicate gear to merchants is a reliable way to earn Runes. However, consider whether the gear might be useful for alternative builds or for trading with other players.
13. Are there any items that increase the number of Runes I earn?
Yes, the Golden Scarab talisman significantly increases the number of Runes earned from defeating enemies. Using a Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot before engaging in combat with valuable foes will further boost your Rune acquisition.
14. How does New Game Plus affect the “value” of items?
In New Game Plus, you retain most of your items, making previously scarce resources like Smithing Stones and Larval Tears slightly less valuable. However, the increased difficulty means that powerful weapons and consumables remain highly valuable.
15. Where can I find more resources and strategies for managing my “expenses” in Elden Ring?
Online communities, wikis, and video guides are invaluable resources for learning efficient Rune farming methods, item locations, and optimal builds. Experimentation and sharing knowledge with other players are also key to mastering the economic aspects of Elden Ring. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for discussions and insights from other players and experts in the field.
By carefully considering these factors, players can make informed decisions about how to spend their Runes and invest their time in The Lands Between, ultimately determining what truly constitutes the “most expensive” item in their own unique Elden Ring journey.