Is Respec Unlimited in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide
No, respec is not unlimited in Elden Ring. While the game provides a flexible system for reallocating your character’s attribute points, it is ultimately bound by a finite resource: Larval Tears. These rare and precious items are required each time you wish to respec, and their availability is limited per playthrough. Understanding this constraint is crucial for any Tarnished looking to experiment with different builds or correct mistakes in their character development. You can respec as many times as you have Larval Tears.
Understanding Respec Mechanics in Elden Ring
The ability to respec in Elden Ring is unlocked after defeating Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, at the Raya Lucaria Academy. Once defeated, Rennala becomes a friendly NPC in the Grand Library, offering the “Rebirth” option in her menu. Choosing this option allows you to reallocate all the attribute points you’ve earned, effectively resetting your character to the baseline stats of your chosen class.
This sounds incredibly convenient, and it is. However, the catch is that each rebirth requires one Larval Tear. This unique item is not easily found and cannot be endlessly farmed. Knowing where to find them and carefully considering when to use them becomes a critical aspect of the game’s strategy.
The Importance of Larval Tears
Larval Tears are primarily acquired by defeating specific enemies and, in rare cases, found as static loot in the world. Unlike regular items, Larval Tears do not respawn, meaning each one you collect is a finite resource for the current playthrough. This makes them a very valuable commodity, and using them wisely is important for success in the game.
Larval Tear Limitations
The current maximum number of Larval Tears available in a single playthrough is 18. This translates to 18 possible respecs per playthrough. While 18 attempts may seem like a lot, it is still a limited number. In previous FromSoftware games, the respec options were significantly fewer, or even non-existent. The increased availability in Elden Ring offers more flexibility, but it’s important to remember that you cannot infinitely respec.
The fact that Larval Tears are not farmable reinforces the need for strategic planning. Rushing into a rebirth without careful consideration could leave you with insufficient tears later on when you might need them most. Furthermore, though you might initially feel an urgency to respec to explore your options, patience will benefit you later in the game when you are more acquainted with your character’s strengths and weaknesses.
Strategic Respec Management
Given the limited nature of respecs, a few strategies are important to consider when managing your Larval Tears:
- Research Builds: Before committing to a respec, research and plan your new build thoroughly. Experimentation is great, but you want to be as close as possible to your desired state with each respec.
- Avoid Impulsive Respecs: Try to avoid respecing just to address one issue or combat one boss, unless you feel your current build is completely insufficient. Think long-term.
- Consider Alternative Solutions: Remember that equipment and tactics can often compensate for less-than-optimal builds. Explore other options before spending a precious Larval Tear.
- Save Backup: In case you are still unsure of the best build, you can save your current game to an external device and then respec. If you do not like your changes, you can load your save to try a new build. This does, however, require some extra effort and planning to complete.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Respec: Although the resource is finite, there are enough Larval Tears to allow for you to explore new builds, playstyles and weapons. Don’t be afraid to try new things with your character, it may lead to discovering new builds that you enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many Larval Tears are there in Elden Ring?
There are a total of 18 Larval Tears available in a single playthrough of Elden Ring.
2. Can you farm Larval Tears?
No, Larval Tears are not farmable. They are a finite resource that can only be obtained once per source within each playthrough.
3. Do Larval Tears respawn?
No, Larval Tears do not respawn. Once acquired from a location or enemy, they will not reappear.
4. How do you unlock respec in Elden Ring?
You unlock the ability to respec by defeating Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, at the Raya Lucaria Academy.
5. How much does it cost to respec in Elden Ring?
Each respec costs one Larval Tear.
6. Can you cancel a respec and save a Larval Tear?
Yes, you can cancel the rebirth process by pressing the “Back” button in the rebirth menu. This way, you will not use a Larval Tear.
7. Where can you find Larval Tears?
Larval Tears are found by defeating specific enemies, such as disguised Silver Tear enemies, and occasionally as static loot in the world.
8. What level should you be when you first fight Rennala?
It’s recommended to be around level 40-45 with a weapon upgraded to +7/+8 when fighting Rennala.
9. What is the maximum level in Elden Ring?
The maximum level in Elden Ring is 713, which requires all stats to be capped at 99.
10. What does respec do?
Respec resets your character’s attribute points back to the base values for your chosen class, allowing you to reallocate them.
11. Who is responsible for Sellen’s transformation?
It is strongly believed that Queen Rennala is responsible for Sellen’s transformation.
12. What happens if you side with Sellen?
If you side with Sellen, you will receive Jerren’s Eccentric Armor Set, and Sellen will sell unique sorceries and equipment.
13. How do weapon scaling affect my build?
Weapon scaling determines how much a weapon benefits from your attributes. It’s essential to consider when developing a build, since it dictates the damage output.
14. How many weapons can you fully upgrade in one playthrough?
You can fully upgrade 8 special weapons and 13 normal weapons to their maximum levels in each playthrough. You can upgrade any number of additional weapons to the second-to-last level in each playthrough.
15. How many Runes are needed to reach max level?
It requires an estimated 1,692,566,842 Runes to reach the maximum level of 713, which is when all eight attributes are capped at 99 points each.
Conclusion
While Elden Ring provides ample opportunities for build experimentation through its respec mechanic, it’s important to remember that this feature isn’t unlimited. The limited supply of Larval Tears requires players to manage their respecs strategically and make thoughtful decisions about their character progression. By understanding the mechanics and being mindful of the finite nature of this resource, players can maximize their potential and enjoy the flexible character building offered by the game. Remember to consider all your options before committing to a respec, so you can make the best of your time in the Lands Between.