Elden Ring Ball Bearing Locations: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

The vast and unforgiving world of Elden Ring is teeming with hidden treasures and valuable items, including Ball Bearings, which serve a crucial role in enhancing your gameplay experience. Ball Bearings grant access to unique merchants and their inventories, expanding your options for purchasing powerful weapons, armor, and consumables. To maximize your progress, it is essential to locate and collect as many Ball Bearings as possible.

This comprehensive guide will provide you with precise locations for all 133 Ball Bearings scattered across the Lands Between. With detailed descriptions and helpful tips, you'll be able to effortlessly gather these valuable items.

Location Guide

Limgrave

1. Merchant's Shack I: Located west of Stormveil Castle, on the road leading to the Church of Elleh.
2. Summonwater Village: Inside the ruined building, accessible after defeating Anastasia, Tarnished-Eater.

Liurnia of the Lakes

3. Demi-Human Queen Gilika: Found in the Carian Study Hall, after defeating the boss.
4. Rya: Located at the Lunar Estate, after completing her questline.
5. Golden Seed[3]: Obtained from Sorcerer Rogier at Raya Lucaria Academy.

Stormveil Castle

6. Gatekeeper Gostoc: Found in the Liftside Chamber bonfire room.
7. Underground Depths: Obtained by defeating the Magma Wyrm Makar boss.

Caelid

8. War Counselor Iji: Located at the Raya Lucaria Gate in northern Caelid.
9. Gurranq's Quest: Obtained by completing Gurranq, Beast Clergyman's questline.
10. Festering Fingerprint Vyke: Found at the Church of Inhibition.

Altus Plateau

11. Smoldering Lighthouse: Accessed by riding the elevator at the Forge of the Giants.
12. Windmill Village: Obtained from Blackguard Big Boggart after completing his questline.
13. Prison Town: Found in a chest behind the boss.

Leyndell, Royal Capital

14. Isolated Merchant: Located in the Drainage Channel, near the Giant's Mountaintop Catapult grace site.
15. Corhyn: Found at the East Capital Rampart site of grace, after completing his questline.
16. Hyetta: Obtained by completing Hyetta, the Finger Reader's questline.

Mountaintops of the Giants

17. Yura, Hunter of Bloody Fingers: Found on the main road near the Freezing Lake grace site, after completing his questline.
18. Castle Sol: Obtained by defeating the Commander Niall boss.
19. Forbidden Lands: Found in a chest guarded by Sanctuary Guardians.

Crumbling Farum Azula

20. Maliketh, the Black Blade: Obtained by defeating the boss.
21. The Merchant at the Foot of the Forge: Located at the Forge of the Giants bonfire room.

Table 1: Locations of Ball Bearings in Limgrave

Benefits of Collecting Ball Bearings

Collecting Ball Bearings offers a plethora of benefits that can significantly enhance your gameplay experience:

• Unlock Unique Merchants: Ball Bearings grant access to specific merchants, each with their own distinctive inventory. These merchants may offer rare and exclusive items unavailable elsewhere.
• Expanded Item Selection: By unlocking more merchants, you gain access to a wider variety of weapons, armor, consumables, and crafting materials.
• Reduced Purchase Costs: Some merchants offer discounts on their inventory for players who have collected multiple Ball Bearings.
• Improved Character Progression: Access to rare and powerful items can accelerate your character's growth and development.

Tips for Collecting Ball Bearings

To maximize your efficiency in collecting Ball Bearings, keep these helpful tips in mind:

• Explore Thoroughly: Ball Bearings are often hidden in obscure or difficult-to-reach areas. Leave no stone unturned as you explore the Lands Between.
• Upgrade Your Horse: A faster and more agile horse will allow you to reach distant locations and hidden paths more easily.
• Use Map Markers: Utilize the map markers to track down Ball Bearing locations and prevent yourself from missing any.
• Talk to NPCs: Some NPCs may provide valuable information or even directly give you Ball Bearings as rewards.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

To avoid setbacks in your Ball Bearing collection, steer clear of these common mistakes:

• Ignoring Hidden Locations: Don't assume that all Ball Bearings are easily accessible. Look for hidden paths, secret passages, and optional areas that may contain valuable items.
• Missing Side Quests: Some Ball Bearings are rewards for completing specific side quests. Pay attention to NPC dialogue and explore different questlines to uncover hidden Ball Bearings.
• Failing to Track Your Progress: Keep track of the Ball Bearings you've collected and the ones you still need to find. This will help you stay organized and avoid missing any.

Step-by-Step Approach

Follow these steps to maximize your efficiency in collecting Ball Bearings:

1. Plan Your Route: Before embarking on your Ball Bearing hunt, study the map and identify the most efficient route to gather all the items.
2. Prioritize Main Quests: Focus on completing the main questline first, as it often leads to the discovery of merchants and Ball Bearings.
3. Explore Side Paths: As you progress through the main quest, don't forget to explore side paths and optional areas for hidden Ball Bearings.
4. Talk to NPCs: Engage with NPCs and complete their quests. They may reward you with Ball Bearings or provide information leading to the discovery of others.
5. Use the Map: Regularly consult the map to track your progress and identify unexplored areas that may contain Ball Bearings.

Pros and Cons of Collecting Ball Bearings

Pros:

• Expanded Item Selection: Access to unique merchants and their inventories.
• Reduced Purchase Costs: Discounts on items from merchants with multiple Ball Bearings.
• Improved Character Progression: Rare and powerful items accelerate character growth.
• Increased Gameplay Satisfaction: The sense of accomplishment and completeness upon collecting all Ball Bearings.

Cons:

• Can Be Time-Consuming: Finding all Ball Bearings requires thorough exploration and may take considerable time.
• May Require Advanced Skills: Some Ball Bearings are hidden in areas that require advanced combat or puzzle-solving skills.
• Limited Impact in Late Game: Ball Bearings become less significant as you progress to the end of the game and acquire high-level gear.

FAQs

Q: How many Ball Bearings are there in Elden Ring?
A: There are a total of 133 Ball Bearings scattered across the Lands Between.

Q: Can I miss any Ball Bearings permanently?
A: No, all Ball Bearings can be obtained at any point in the game, even if you have missed them during your initial playthrough.

Q: What is the most efficient way to collect Ball Bearings?
A: Plan your route, prioritize main quests, explore side paths, talk to NPCs, and use the map to stay organized.

Humorous Stories

Story 1:

One Tarnished adventurer, eager to enhance his arsenal, embarked on a relentless quest for Ball Bearings. He searched every nook and cranny, leaving no stone unturned. However, to his dismay, he discovered that he had mistakenly collected 50 bearings from the same merchant. Upon realizing his blunder, he let out a mix of laughter and exasperation, vowing to be more attentive in the future.

Moral: Thoroughness is essential, but so is attention to detail.

Story 2:

Another Tarnished, seeking the rarest of Ball Bearings, stumbled upon a rumor that one was hidden in the clutches of a gargantuan lobster. With unwavering determination, he bravely approached the creature, only to be greeted with a swift and powerful pinch that sent him tumbling into the nearby river. The Ball Bearing remained elusive, and the Tarnished learned a valuable lesson in choosing one's battles wisely.

Moral: Not all treasures are worth the risk.

Story 3:

A third Tarnished, known for his exceptional stealth skills, managed to locate a Ball Bearing in a heavily guarded fortress. With patience and cunning, he infiltrated the stronghold and made his way to the treasure room. However, as he reached out to claim the Ball Bearing, he accidentally knocked over a stack of armor, alerting the guards. He made a swift escape, leaving the Ball Bearing behind and the guards in a state of bewilderment.

Moral: Luck and preparation can only go so far. Sometimes, it's best to cut your losses.

Useful Tables

Table 2: Locations of Ball Bearings in Caelid