Can You Farm the Balls for Larval Tears in Elden Ring? A Definitive Guide
No, you cannot farm the ball-shaped enemies (also known as Silver Tears or Living Jars) for Larval Tears in Elden Ring. These enemies, particularly the larger, giant variants, are a one-time source for a Larval Tear. The first time you defeat a specific ball enemy, it will drop a Larval Tear. However, after that initial drop, they will not drop any more Larval Tears upon subsequent kills. This mechanic is intentional, preventing players from endlessly farming these creatures to acquire an infinite supply of Larval Tears. This makes these valuable items quite scarce and necessitates that you make strategic decisions when using them.
Understanding Larval Tears and Their Importance
Larval Tears are essential items in Elden Ring, allowing players to respec their character’s attributes through the process of rebirth at the hands of Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon. This is crucial for experimenting with different builds, correcting mistakes in stat allocation, or optimizing your character for specific challenges and encounters. Given their scarcity, every Larval Tear carries significant weight and careful planning is required to maximize their usage. The game limits the amount you can acquire in each playthrough, so it’s important to be thoughtful with each stat redistribution.
Why the Misconception About Farming
The misconception around farming ball enemies for Larval Tears likely stems from the fact that Silver Tear Husks do respawn. These are smaller, less powerful versions of the ball enemies, but they do not drop Larval Tears. The fact that these Husks respawn can lead some players to believe that they might also be able to farm the larger variants. However, it’s crucial to distinguish between the different types of ball enemies and their loot drops. Only the specific, more powerful ball enemies (like the giant ones or those found in certain key locations) will yield a single Larval Tear, and only on their first defeat.
Larval Tear Farming Misconceptions Debunked
- One-time Drop: As mentioned, larger ball enemies drop a Larval Tear only upon their first defeat. Subsequent kills will yield no further Tears.
- Not the Silver Tear Husks: The smaller, respawning Silver Tear Husks do not drop Larval Tears. They drop other items, such as smithing stones.
- Discovery Stat: Increasing your item discovery stat will not affect the drop of Larval Tears from these enemies. Whether you have 100 item discovery or 300, the outcome is the same—a Larval Tear only drops on the first kill of specific ball enemies.
- No Infinite Farming: There is no legitimate method to infinitely farm Larval Tears in Elden Ring through the ball enemies. Once the limited amount of Tears in the game are collected, that is your supply for that playthrough.
How to Efficiently Gather Larval Tears
While you can’t farm the ball enemies infinitely, there are several confirmed locations and methods for acquiring Larval Tears:
- Exploration: The primary way to obtain Larval Tears is through exploration of The Lands Between. They are scattered throughout the game world, sometimes as loot in key locations.
- Specific Enemy Drops: Certain ball enemies, such as the giant ones and those disguised as Grafted Scions, drop Larval Tears upon their initial defeat.
- Merchant Purchase: One specific merchant sells a single Larval Tear for 3,000 runes.
- Quest Rewards: Some quests may reward Larval Tears as part of their completion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many Larval Tears are there in Elden Ring?
There are a limited number of 18 Larval Tears scattered throughout The Lands Between in a single playthrough. This number might vary slightly depending on the source, with some players reporting a total of 17. However, the confirmed number is most consistently around 18.
2. Where can I find the earliest Larval Tear?
The earliest Larval Tear can be found in the graveyard in the Village of the Albinaurics, located southwest of Liurnia of the Lakes.
3. Do all ball enemies drop Larval Tears?
No, only specific ball enemies, such as the larger or more challenging ones, drop Larval Tears on their first defeat. The smaller Silver Tear Husks do not drop them.
4. Can I buy Larval Tears from merchants?
Yes, a single Larval Tear can be purchased from a merchant west of the Worshippers’ Woods site of grace for 3,000 runes. You can also obtain his bell bearing after defeating him to buy it from the Twin Maiden Husks.
5. What is the purpose of Larval Tears?
Larval Tears are used to respec your character’s attributes at Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon. This allows for experimentation with builds.
6. Does item discovery affect the drop rate of Larval Tears from ball enemies?
No, item discovery does not affect the drop rate of Larval Tears from the larger ball enemies. They will always drop a single tear on their first defeat.
7. Do Silver Tear Husks drop Larval Tears?
No, Silver Tear Husks do not drop Larval Tears. They primarily drop smithing stones and other minor items.
8. Are there any locations where multiple Larval Tears can be found?
Yes, there are two Larval Tears located in Nokron, Eternal City. These are relatively easy to access within that area.
9. Can I infinitely respec in Elden Ring?
No, you cannot infinitely respec in Elden Ring due to the limited number of Larval Tears per playthrough.
10. What is the best way to use Larval Tears?
It’s recommended to save Larval Tears for major build adjustments or to optimize your character for difficult encounters. Plan your stat reallocation carefully.
11. What is a Grafted Scion disguised as a Giant Crayfish?
This is a specific enemy found near the gazebo between Rose Church and Boilprawn Shack. Defeating it will yield a Larval Tear on the first encounter.
12. Is there a way to farm Silver Tear Husks?
Yes, Silver Tear Husks respawn after resting at a Site of Grace, allowing you to farm them for other items like smithing stones, but they will never drop Larval Tears.
13. How do I respec at Rennala?
To respec, speak to Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, after defeating her and select the “rebirth” option. You will need one Larval Tear per respec.
14. Does respec reset all of my stats?
No, the respec will only reset the attributes you’ve earned through leveling. Stats from your starting class are set and can’t be changed.
15. Is it better to buy the Larval Tear from the merchant or kill him?
It’s a matter of preference. You can either buy the tear for 3,000 runes or defeat the merchant to obtain his bell bearing. The bell bearing can then be given to the Twin Maiden Husks, allowing you to purchase the same tear indefinitely. However, you only get one tear from this merchant, whether by buying or killing.
Conclusion
While the idea of endlessly farming the ball-shaped enemies for Larval Tears might be appealing, it is simply not possible in Elden Ring. The scarcity of these items is deliberate, forcing players to be thoughtful about how they develop their characters and encouraging exploration to discover the limited supply. Focusing on exploring, knowing which enemies to target for first-time drops, and understanding the limitations of the item will allow you to effectively use your respec abilities. Remember, each Larval Tear is precious, and should be used strategically to craft your perfect build in the Lands Between.