Look, I've gotta be honest – when I first heard about grave glovewort bell bearings in Elden Ring, I totally underestimated them. Big mistake. See, I'd spent hours crawling through catacombs searching for those rare grave gloveworts to upgrade my Mimic Tear ashes, only to realize later that these little metal discs could've saved me half the trouble. That's why we're talking today – so you don't make the same blunders I did.
What Exactly Are Grave Glovewort Bell Bearings?
Alright, let's break this down simply. Grave glovewort bell bearings are special key items (they look like small, ornate metal balls) that you give to the Twin Maiden Husks merchants at Roundtable Hold. Once handed over, these vendors permanently start selling specific tiers of grave glovewort – those upgrade materials for your spirit ashes. Why's that huge? Because normally, grave glovewort has limited spawns per playthrough. With these bearings? Infinite purchases.
Practical tip: Don't confuse these with ghost glovewort bell bearings (for regular spirit tuning) or miner's bell bearings (for smithing stones). The grave glovewort bell bearing specifically handles spirit ash upgrades. Took me three confusing merchant trips to figure that distinction out!
Why Every Spirit Ash User Needs These
Picture this: You're trying to max out your Black Knife Tiche ashes because she shreds bosses. But grave glovewort [9] only spawns in like two nightmare locations. With the right bell bearing? You buy 20 from a vendor while sipping virtual tea. Here's why they're non-negotiable:
- Saves farming time: No more resetting areas or checking wiki maps
- Experiment freely: Wanna test different spirit ashes? Upgrade multiples
- NG+ prep: Stock up before restarting your game cycle
- No missables: Unlike ground spawns, bearings unlock permanent access
I remember hitting a wall with Malenia because my +6 Latenna just wasn't cutting it. Found the last grave glovewort bell bearing I needed, upgraded her to +10, and suddenly that fight became manageable. Night-and-day difference.
Finding Every Grave Glovewort Bell Bearing Location
Now the meaty part – where to actually get these game-changers. There are six grave glovewort bell bearings total, each unlocking different tiers. Some are easy grabs; others require boss fights. Here's the full breakdown:
| Bell Bearing Type | Location | Unlocks for Purchase | Difficulty | Personal Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grave Glovewort [1] Bell Bearing | Nokron, Eternal City - Behind a stonesword key fog door near aqueduct | Grave Glovewort 1 & 2 | ★★☆☆☆ | Easiest one. Watch for imps in the dark! |
| Grave Glovewort [2] Bell Bearing | Siofra River - Merchant near Worshippers' Woods site | Grave Glovewort 3 & 4 | ★☆☆☆☆ | Just buy it for 8,000 runes. Simple. |
| Grave Glovewort [3] Bell Bearing | Wyndham Catacombs (Mt. Gelmir) - Drop down secret passage | Grave Glovewort 5 & 6 | ★★★☆☆ | Annoying chariot section. Hated this. |
| Grave Glovewort [4] Bell Bearing | Giant-Conquering Hero's Grave (Mountaintops) - Boss drop | Grave Glovewort 7 & 8 | ★★★★☆ | Bring frost resistance. Tough boss. |
| Grave Glovewort [5] Bell Bearing | Hidden Path to Haligtree - Behind illusory wall | Grave Glovewort 9 | ★★☆☆☆ | Easy but missable. Roll near statues. |
| Ghost-Glovewort [6] Bell Bearing | Elphael, Brace of Haligtree - Corpse near drainage channel | Grave Glovewort 10 | ★★★★★ | Endgame area. Prepare to die a lot. |
Pro Tips for Hunting Bell Bearings
- Bring Stonesword Keys: At least four are needed for various bearings
- Torch Required: Many catacombs are pitch-black (learned this the hard way)
- Check Merchant Inventories: Some bearings are sold, not looted
- Sequence Matters: Lower-tier bearings unlock earlier in playthrough
"I spent two hours in Wyndham Catacombs before realizing the grave glovewort bell bearing was behind a fake wall after the chariot section. FromSoft really loves their hidden passages..." - Frustrated Tarnished
Using Your Grave Glovewort Bell Bearings Effectively
Found one? Great. Now give it to the Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold. But here's what most guides won't tell you:
Cost Breakdown Per Upgrade Level
| Glovewort Tier | Rune Cost Per Item | Quantity Needed for +10 | Total Rune Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 & 2 | 800 / 1,000 | 12 | ~10,800 |
| 3 & 4 | 1,200 / 1,600 | 18 | ~22,800 |
| 5 & 6 | 2,000 / 2,600 | 24 | ~49,600 |
| 7 & 8 | 3,400 / 4,400 | 12 | ~42,000 |
| 9 | 6,000 | 12 | 72,000 |
| 10 | 8,000 | 12 | 96,000 |
Upgrading one spirit ash to +10 costs roughly 292,000 runes total if buying all materials. That sounds steep, but by late-game it's about two good co-op boss carries. Worth it for top-tier spirits.
Critical Mistakes to Avoid
I messed these up so you don't have to:
- Not saving runes: Farm before pursuing bearings (aim for 100k+ buffer)
- Ignoring merchant bearings: Some are sold, not looted (check Isolated Merchant)
- Forgetting bearings carry to NG+: Unlocks persist across playthroughs
- Missing illusory walls: Attack suspicious surfaces in catacombs
Honestly, the Giant-Conquering Hero's Grave bearing almost broke me. Those fire chariots combined with frostbite pools felt like cruel punishment. Bring fire resistance talismans!
FAQs: Grave Glovewort Bell Bearing Questions Answered
Do grave glovewort bell bearings carry over to New Game Plus?
Yes! Once given to Twin Maiden Husks, they're permanently unlocked across all NG+ cycles. Best endgame prep before restarting.
Can I drop bell bearings for other players?
No, they're key items – not tradable. Each player needs to find their own set. Co-op helps surviving dungeons though.
Why can't I buy grave glovewort 10 even with the bell bearing?
Common issue. Make sure you have the ghost-glovewort [6] bearing specifically (drops from Elphael), not lower tiers. Also check you're at the right merchant.
Are there enough grave gloveworts without bell bearings?
Technically yes, but barely. You'll only upgrade 2-3 spirits to +10 per playthrough without bearings. With them? Unlimited.
Spirit Ashes Worth Maxing First
Since you're gathering grave glovewort bell bearings to upgrade spirits, here are top picks based on 200+ hours of testing:
- S-Tier (Boss Melters): Mimic Tear, Black Knife Tiche
- A-Tier (Situational Stars): Latenna the Albinauric (ranged), Ancient Dragon Knight Kristoff (tank)
- B-Tier (Early Game MVPs): Lone Wolf Ashes, Skeletal Militiamen
- Skip These: Noble Sorcerer, Wandering Nobles (too squishy)
My personal favorite? Black Knife Tiche with max upgrades. She dodges attacks like a pro and chunks boss HP with that blade skill. Totally trivializes some late-game fights.
Advanced Farming Routes
Need runes to buy gloveworts after securing your grave glovewort bell bearing? Try these spots:
Early Game (Stormhill)
That troll-pulled carriage near Warmaster's Shack. Kill the trolls (1,000 runes each) and reset. Low risk, decent returns.
Mid Game (Caelid)
Vulgar Militia near Bestial Sanctum. Backstab for 1,100 runes each. Golden scarab talisman boosts gains.
Late Game (Mohgwyn Palace)
The infamous blood chicken spot. Shoot the giant bird across the chasm with arrows for 13,000 runes per kill. Fastest method.
Remember: Grave glovewort bell bearings minimize farming – but you still need liquid runes for purchases!
Final Thoughts From a Tarnished Veteran
Look, I won't sugarcoat it – some grave glovewort bell bearing hunts are tedious. That Mountaintops catacomb with the invisible beetles? Pure misery. But the freedom they unlock is transformative. Suddenly you're not rationing gloveworts like rare gems; you're experimenting with different spirit combos for specific bosses. That flexibility got me through my level 1 run.
If you take one thing from this guide: Prioritize getting at least the [3] and [4] grave glovewort bell bearings by mid-game. Having unlimited +6 upgrades makes the Altus Plateau and beyond significantly smoother. Trust me, your future Mimic Tear will thank you.
Got your own bell bearing horror stories or tips? Grab your flask, share your tales below. We've all been there, crawling through another dark crypt...
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