Respec Like a Pro: Understanding the Max Larval Tears in Elden Ring
The burning question on every Tarnished’s mind is: “How many times can I truly reinvent myself in the Lands Between?” The answer lies in the Larval Tears, those precious, glistening orbs that allow you to rebirth your character and redistribute your stats. In a single playthrough of Elden Ring, you can find a maximum of 18 Larval Tears. This effectively allows you to respec your character up to 18 times, giving you ample opportunity to experiment with different builds and playstyles.
Understanding Larval Tears and Rebirth
Before diving deeper, let’s clarify what Larval Tears are and how they function within Elden Ring’s mechanics.
What is a Larval Tear?
A Larval Tear is a consumable item in Elden Ring that allows you to rebirth your character. This means you can reallocate all the attribute points you’ve earned through leveling up, effectively changing your build and optimizing your stats for a new playstyle or weapon.
How to Respec in Elden Ring
To respec, you need to defeat Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, in the Academy of Raya Lucaria. After defeating her, you can speak to her in her boss room. Choose the “Rebirth” option, and you’ll be able to redistribute your attribute points by spending one Larval Tear.
It’s crucial to remember that you can only respec points gained through leveling. Your base stats, determined by your starting class, remain unchanged. You can cancel the Rebirth process before finalizing your new stats without consuming a Larval Tear.
Finding Those Elusive Tears: Locations & Acquisition
Knowing that there’s a finite number of Larval Tears, finding them becomes a high priority. Here are some ways to find the tears:
- Overworld Exploration: Many Larval Tears are found as loot in specific locations throughout the Lands Between, often guarded by challenging enemies.
- Boss Rewards: Defeating certain bosses, such as the Mimic Tear in Nokron, Eternal City, will grant you Larval Tears.
- Enemy Drops: Certain enemies, like the Silver Tears found in Nokron, will drop Larval Tears, although they only drop once per enemy instance, no farming.
- Merchant Purchases: A few merchants sell Larval Tears, providing a reliable, albeit costly, way to acquire them. Pidia in Caria Manor, accessible after progressing through Ranni’s questline, is a vendor that provides access to the item.
Larval Tear FAQs: All Your Questions Answered
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further illuminate the mysteries surrounding Larval Tears and respec mechanics in Elden Ring:
1. How many Larval Tears does it take to rebirth?
It takes one Larval Tear to rebirth your character at Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon.
2. Are Larval Tears farmable?
Unfortunately, Larval Tears are not generally farmable. Certain enemies, like the Silver Tears in Nokron, will drop a Larval Tear the first time you defeat them, but they won’t drop more upon subsequent kills. This fixed drop rate makes true farming impossible.
3. Can I buy Larval Tears?
Yes, you can buy Larval Tears from certain merchants. For example, Pidia in Caria Manor sells two Larval Tears. Another merchant is located to the west of the Worshippers’ Woods site of grace.
4. Do Silver Tear Husks Respawn?
Silver Tear Husks, crafting materials found near Silver Tears, do respawn after resting at a Site of Grace. However, the Silver Tears themselves do not respawn with the tear.
5. Does cancelling rebirth cost a Larval Tear?
No, cancelling the rebirth process does not cost you a Larval Tear. You can back out of the menu before confirming your new stats without consuming the item.
6. Do Larval Tears carry over to NG+?
Yes, Larval Tears carry over to New Game Plus (NG+). Any Larval Tears you have in your inventory at the end of your current playthrough will be available in your next one.
7. Where is the best place to find Larval Tears early game?
One accessible early-game Larval Tear can be found in Limgrave. Check the ruins to the east of the Altus Plateau Minor Erdtree for an undead enemy cowering in the corner. This foe will transform into a Lion Guardian that drops a Larval Tear.
8. What happens if I run out of Larval Tears?
If you run out of Larval Tears in your current playthrough, you cannot respec again until you either find more in NG+ or start a new game.
9. Can I trade Larval Tears with other players?
No, Larval Tears cannot be traded with other players.
10. Is there a glitch to get unlimited Larval Tears?
There may have been limited-time glitches at launch, but as of this article, there are no known reliable glitches to obtain unlimited Larval Tears.
11. Does my starting class affect rebirth?
Your starting class does influence rebirth, as it determines your base attribute points. These base points cannot be changed during rebirth, only the points you’ve added through leveling.
12. Do I have to reallocate all my points during rebirth?
Yes, during rebirth, you must reallocate all the attribute points you’ve gained through leveling. You cannot choose to respec only certain stats.
13. Can I change my appearance during rebirth?
No, the rebirth process only allows you to reallocate attribute points. To change your appearance, you need to visit the mirror in the Roundtable Hold after finding a clouding catalyst.
14. Is there an optimal time to use a Larval Tear?
The optimal time to use a Larval Tear depends on your individual gameplay. Consider using one when you feel your current build is no longer effective or you want to experiment with a different playstyle or weapon that requires different stat investment.
15. What are Silver Tears weak to?
Silver Tears are invulnerable while transforming. Blobs are suspectible to Lightning Damage. While in blob form, they are immune to all status effects. After transforming, they become vulnerable to them, most notably to Madness and Hemorrhage.
Beyond the Build: The Educational Value of Elden Ring
Elden Ring, like many complex video games, offers players a unique learning experience. The game encourages experimentation, problem-solving, and strategic thinking. The act of respeccing, in particular, allows players to understand the impact of different attribute allocations and how they affect gameplay. This type of learning, where players actively engage with the game’s systems to achieve a goal, aligns perfectly with the principles of game-based learning. For more on the intersection of games and learning, explore the resources at the GamesLearningSociety.org or the Games Learning Society. These organizations study how games can be used to enhance education and develop valuable skills.
In conclusion, the limited number of Larval Tears in Elden Ring encourages thoughtful decision-making regarding character builds. While experimentation is key, understanding the game’s mechanics and strategically allocating your resources will ensure you make the most of each rebirth. So, Tarnished, venture forth and respec wisely!