Mastering Elden Ring’s Sacred Tears: A Tarnished Guide to Optimal Flask Potency
The absolute best use of Sacred Tears in Elden Ring is to increase the potency of your Flasks, ensuring each sip provides a more substantial boost to your HP (Flask of Crimson Tears) or FP (Flask of Cerulean Tears). By maximizing the healing and mana restoration of your flasks, you significantly improve your survivability and resource management, allowing you to conquer even the toughest challenges the Lands Between throws your way.
Understanding the Power of Sacred Tears
Elden Ring is a grueling game, famed for its difficulty and intricate combat. One of the most crucial tools in a Tarnished’s arsenal is the Sacred Flask, which restores either health or focus points (FP). Sacred Tears are unique items scattered throughout the world, specifically designed to enhance the restorative power of these flasks. Each Sacred Tear you find and use at a Site of Grace increases the amount of HP or FP replenished by each flask charge, significantly boosting your sustainability in combat.
Imagine facing a relentless boss, barely clinging to life. A fully upgraded Flask of Crimson Tears could mean the difference between a narrow victory and a crushing defeat. Similarly, for magic users, a potent Flask of Cerulean Tears allows for more frequent spellcasting, unlocking devastating attacks and strategic maneuvers. Investing your Sacred Tears is therefore paramount to progress.
Prioritizing Flask Potency: When and Why
The question isn’t if you should use Sacred Tears, but when and on which flask to prioritize. Early in the game, focusing on the Flask of Crimson Tears is generally recommended. Your health pool is smaller, and taking damage is almost unavoidable as you learn enemy attack patterns. A stronger healing flask provides a crucial safety net.
As you progress and begin incorporating more weapon skills and incantations, you might find yourself frequently running out of FP. This is when diverting some Sacred Tears to the Flask of Cerulean Tears becomes essential. Finding a balance between HP and FP restoration is key, adapting to your specific build and playstyle.
Sacred Tears vs. Golden Seeds: A Crucial Distinction
It’s vital to understand the difference between Sacred Tears and Golden Seeds. Golden Seeds increase the number of Flask charges, allowing you to heal or replenish FP more often. Sacred Tears, on the other hand, improve the amount of HP or FP each flask restores.
Think of it this way: Golden Seeds give you more uses, while Sacred Tears make each use more effective. Both are important, but Sacred Tears directly impact your survivability in individual encounters.
Finding the Sacred Tears
The article you provided aptly highlights that there are 12 Sacred Tears hidden within the Lands Between. They are primarily found in churches, often located near statues or altars. These locations are frequently guarded, so be prepared for a fight. Locating these churches and claiming their Sacred Tears is a core element of strengthening your character. Remember to explore thoroughly!
Utilizing Your Sacred Tears: A Step-by-Step Guide
Using a Sacred Tear is a straightforward process:
- Rest at a Site of Grace.
- Select the Flask option from the menu.
- Choose “Increase the amount replenished by flasks.”
- Confirm your selection.
The game will then consume the Sacred Tear, permanently increasing the potency of your flasks.
The +12 Potency Cap: Maxing Out Your Flasks
You can upgrade your Flask Potency to a maximum of +12 using Sacred Tears. This is a significant investment and provides a dramatic increase in the amount of HP or FP restored with each use. Reaching the +12 cap should be a primary goal for any Tarnished seeking to conquer the challenges of Elden Ring.
FAQs: Sacred Tears and Flask Management
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Sacred Tears and flask management in Elden Ring:
1. Are Sacred Tears Consumable?
Yes, Sacred Tears are consumable items. Once used at a Site of Grace to increase flask potency, they are permanently consumed.
2. Do Sacred Tears Respawn in New Game Plus (NG+)?
Yes! All Sacred Tears are available to be found again during your NG+ playthroughs. This lets you further optimize your flask potency throughout multiple game cycles.
3. Can I Use Sacred Tears on the Flask of Wondrous Physick?
No, Sacred Tears only affect the Flask of Crimson Tears and the Flask of Cerulean Tears. The Flask of Wondrous Physick is upgraded using different materials.
4. What Happens if I Refuse Melina?
Refusing Melina prevents you from progressing past certain points in the game. She provides an item essential for accessing the Great Lift of Rold. You will be locked out before the capital.
5. Can I Refund Sacred Tear Upgrades?
No. Once a Sacred Tear is used, the upgrade is permanent and cannot be refunded. Choose wisely!
6. Is It Worth it to Allocate All Flasks to HP or FP?
This depends on your build. Melee characters typically need more HP flasks, while magic users need more FP flasks. A balanced approach is usually recommended, but optimize based on your playstyle.
7. What is the Best Starting Keepsake?
The Golden Seed is an excellent starting Keepsake. An extra flask early game vastly improves survivability.
8. What’s the Max Number of Flask Charges?
You can upgrade your flask a maximum of 10 times (with a total of 30 Golden Seeds), taking your maximum flask charges to 14.
9. Where is the Easiest Sacred Tear to Find?
The Sacred Tear within the Third Church of Marika is the easiest to acquire early in the game.
10. What’s the Difference Between Sacred Tears and Crystal Tears?
Sacred Tears are used to increase the potency of your Sacred Flasks, while Crystal Tears are used to customize the effects of your Flask of Wondrous Physick. They serve entirely different purposes.
11. How Many Sacred Tears Are in One Playthrough?
There are 12 Sacred Tears available in a single playthrough of Elden Ring.
12. Can I See How Many Sacred Tears I’ve Used?
The game doesn’t track how many Sacred Tears you’ve used, but you can see your current flask potency level at a Site of Grace.
13. Should I Use Golden Seeds Early in the Game?
Yes, using Golden Seeds early in the game is highly recommended. Having more flask charges significantly increases your survivability, especially in challenging areas.
14. Can I Respec My Character?
Yes, you can respec your character stats after defeating Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon. This allows you to reallocate your stat points and experiment with different builds.
15. Where Can I Learn More About Game Design and Learning Principles?
To learn more about the fascinating intersection of games and learning, visit the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. The Games Learning Society explores how games can be leveraged for educational purposes and how game design principles can enhance learning experiences.
Conclusion: Embrace the Sacred Tear
Sacred Tears are an invaluable resource in Elden Ring. By understanding their purpose and strategically allocating them to your flasks, you can significantly improve your survivability and optimize your character’s build. Embrace the power of the Sacred Tear, and may your journey through the Lands Between be filled with triumph. Good luck, Tarnished!