Elden Ring: Unveiling the Mystery of Larval Tears – How Many Can You Find?

The burning question on every Tarnished’s mind, especially those prone to build experimentation, is: How many Larval Tears are there per playthrough? The answer, while seemingly straightforward, has nuances that every Elden Ring player should understand.

The long and short of it is that there are approximately 17-18 Larval Tears available in a single playthrough of Elden Ring. This number is finite; you cannot infinitely farm them. This scarcity adds a layer of strategic weight to each respec you perform. Think of it as a precious resource to be managed wisely.

This article will explore the significance of Larval Tears, their limited availability, and crucial information about this important resource. We will also cover some FAQs regarding Larval Tears.

Understanding Larval Tears in Elden Ring

Larval Tears are essential items that allow you to respec your character’s stats at any point after defeating Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, at the Academy of Raya Lucaria. Once defeated, Rennala becomes a friendly NPC in her boss arena, offering the “Rebirth” option. Interacting with her and expending one Larval Tear will let you reallocate your attribute points, fundamentally changing your build. This is invaluable for optimizing your character for different challenges, correcting early-game stat allocation mistakes, or trying out new playstyles.

Why Larval Tears Matter

• Build Flexibility: Elden Ring encourages experimentation. Larval Tears enable you to adapt your build to the specific demands of different areas, bosses, or even co-op sessions.
• Correcting Mistakes: Early game choices might not be ideal later on. Larval Tears provide a safety net, letting you fix suboptimal stat allocations.
• Trying New Weapons and Spells: Some weapons and spells require a significant stat investment. Respeccing allows you to temporarily meet those requirements and test out new gear.
• Optimizing for Endgame: The late-game demands a specialized build. Rebirth allows you to tailor your character to face the most challenging encounters.

The Finite Nature of Rebirth

Elden Ring’s world is filled with dangers, and your choices matter. Unlike some other RPGs, the number of Larval Tears is limited per playthrough. This makes build decisions more impactful. Knowing you only have a finite number of respecs encourages careful planning and thoughtful experimentation.

Location of Larval Tears

The most significant challenge regarding Larval Tears is finding all of them. They are scattered across the Lands Between and not always easy to acquire. Some are obtained by defeating specific enemies, others are found in chests or on corpses, and some are sold by merchants. Finding these is important if you plan to experiment with various builds.

How to Find Larval Tears

1. Overworld Exploration: The most common way to find Larval Tears is to explore the overworld. You can find them on corpses, in treasure chests, and as drops from specific enemies.
2. Defeating Enemies: Some enemies transform when you approach them. If they do, and they are in the overworld, they have a chance to drop a Larval Tear once defeated.
3. Completing Quests: Some quests reward you with a Larval Tear upon completion.

FAQs: Your Larval Tear Questions Answered

1. How many Larval Tears does it take to respec? It takes one Larval Tear each time you respec your character at Rennala.

2. Can you farm Larval Tears indefinitely? No, you cannot farm Larval Tears indefinitely. Most sources are one-time drops, and certain enemies that drop them only do so once.

3. Do Larval Tears reset in New Game Plus (NG+)? Yes, Larval Tears respawn in NG+. You can collect all 17-18 tears again in each subsequent playthrough. Also, you keep any Larval Tears you had in your inventory upon starting NG+.

4. Can you trade Larval Tears with other players? No, Larval Tears cannot be dropped or traded to other players.

5. How many Sacred Tears can you hold in Elden Ring? You can hold a maximum of 99 Sacred Tears in your inventory and store up to 600 Sacred Tears. These do not affect the Flask of Wondrous Physick. Sacred Tears improve the healing potency of your Flask of Crimson and Cerulean Tears, and are unrelated to Larval Tears.

6. Can you buy Larval Tears? Yes, a merchant west of the Worshippers’ Woods site of grace sells a Larval Tear for 3,000 runes. Alternatively, you can kill the merchant for their bell bearing and purchase the Larval Tear from the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold.

7. Do you get your Larval Tear back if you cancel rebirth? Yes, if you cancel the respec process by pressing “Back,” the Larval Tear will be returned to your inventory.

8. How many times can you rebirth in Elden Ring? You can rebirth as many times as you have Larval Tears. In a single playthrough, this is typically limited to 17-18 times. You can respec as many times as you’d like in a new game plus.

9. Where can I find a complete list of Larval Tear locations? Many online resources and guides offer detailed lists and maps of Larval Tear locations. Search online for “Elden Ring Larval Tear Locations.”

10. What happens if I use all my Larval Tears? You will be unable to respec your character until you find more in NG+ or a subsequent playthrough. Use them wisely!

11. Is the Mimic Tear Spirit Ash related to Larval Tears? No. The Mimic Tear is a Spirit Ash summon that creates a copy of your character. It is entirely separate from Larval Tears, which are used for respeccing.

12. What are some good weapons or builds to respec into? This depends on your playstyle and the challenges you’re facing. Some popular options include:

    • Strength/Faith Builds: Utilizing powerful incantations and heavy weapons.
    • Dexterity/Intelligence Builds: Focusing on fast attacks and sorceries.
    • Arcane Builds: Capitalizing on status effects like bleed and madness.

Experiment to find what suits you best!

13. What should I do after beating Rennala? After defeating Rennala, explore the rest of Liurnia of the Lakes, continue NPC questlines, and consider venturing to Caelid for new challenges and items.

14. Does difficulty affect Larval Tear drops? No, the game’s difficulty level does not affect whether or not Larval Tears drop.

15. Are Larval Tears affected by item discovery rate? Yes, item discovery rate does affect larval tear drops. You can improve item discovery rates by using the silver scarab talisman, or using the silver-pickled fowl foot.

Mastering Rebirth: A Strategic Approach

The key to effectively using Larval Tears is to have a plan. Don’t respec on a whim. Consider the following:

• Research Builds: Before respeccing, research different builds that appeal to you. Look at weapon and spell requirements, and plan your stat allocation accordingly.
• Test in a Controlled Environment: Use readily available, easier-to-kill enemies to test out your new build and assess its performance.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment: Elden Ring is about exploration and discovery. Don’t be afraid to try something new, but always keep in mind the limited availability of Larval Tears.

Conclusion

Larval Tears are a valuable resource in Elden Ring, offering flexibility and the ability to adapt your character to the game’s ever-changing challenges. While their limited availability might seem restrictive, it encourages thoughtful build planning and strategic decision-making. By understanding their purpose, location, and limitations, you can master the art of rebirth and become a truly formidable Tarnished. And remember, learning about game mechanics and strategy can be a game in itself. Check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for more on the educational aspects of gaming.

Each Larval Tear is precious. Use them wisely, and may your journey through the Lands Between be filled with success and satisfaction.

Elden Ring allows for players to experiment and find their favorite builds. Do not worry about making the wrong decision as respeccing with larval tears is always an option.