Unlocking the Forge: A Comprehensive Guide to Bell Bearings for Smithing Stones

In the vast landscapes of Elden Ring, bell bearings serve as a lifeline for smithing stones, the indispensable resources for upgrading weapons and bolstering their capabilities. These unassuming items, when presented to Smithing Master Hewg at Roundtable Hold, grant access to a wide variety of smithing stones, empowering players to refine and strengthen their weaponry to face the formidable challenges that await them.

Acquiring Bell Bearings for Smithing Stones

Exploration and Discovery:

Embarking on perilous journeys across the Lands Between, keen-eyed adventurers may stumble upon hidden bell bearings tucked away amidst ruins, caves, and enemy camps. Perseverance and meticulous exploration often yield these valuable treasures.

Defeating Bell Bearing Hunters:

Formidable foes known as bell bearing hunters roam the realm, possessing coveted bell bearings as their spoils. Engaging in combat with these formidable adversaries rewards victors with their hard-earned booty, expanding their arsenal of smithing stones.

** Roundtable Hold Purchases:**

Within the hallowed halls of Roundtable Hold, players can directly purchase bell bearings from Twin Maiden Husks, the enigmatic vendors who offer a diverse range of items. With a sufficient supply of runes, dedicated smiths can acquire these essential resources without venturing into the treacherous wild.

Types of Bell Bearings for Smithing Stones

The world of Elden Ring encompasses a multitude of bell bearings, each corresponding to a specific type of smithing stone:

• Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing 1: Grants access to Somber Smithing Stone 1, an early game stone crucial for refining weapons in Limgrave and beyond.

• Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing 2: Unlocks Somber Smithing Stone 2, enabling players to further enhance their weapons in the mid-game regions of Liurnia of the Lakes and Caelid.

  

• Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing 3: Provides access to Somber Smithing Stone 3, a rare and potent stone essential for upgrading weapons in the late game areas of the Mountaintops of the Giants and Crumbling Farum Azula.

• Smithing Stone Miner's Bell Bearing 1: Grants access to Smithing Stone 1, the most common smithing stone in the Lands Between. Abundantly found, it forms the foundation of weapon enhancements in the early game.

• Smithing Stone Miner's Bell Bearing 2: Unlocks Smithing Stone 2, a mid-tier smithing stone found in greater abundance. It serves as the primary source of weapon upgrades in the mid-game.

• Smithing Stone Miner's Bell Bearing 3: Provides access to Smithing Stone 3, the penultimate smithing stone before reaching the exalted ranks of Ancient Smithing Stones. It is primarily used for weapon enhancements in the late game.

• Smithing Stone Miner's Bell Bearing 4: Grants access to Smithing Stone 4, the rarest and most potent smithing stone in the game. It is reserved for the most exceptional weapons and unlocks their full potential.

• Ancient Smithing Dragon Stone Miner's Bell Bearing: Provides access to Ancient Smithing Dragon Stone, the legendary smithing stone that transcends all others. It empowers players to fully upgrade their weapons to their maximum capabilities.

Locations of Bell Bearings for Smithing Stones

• Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing 1: Found in the Coastal Cave on the peninsula southeast of Limgrave.

• Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing 2: Dropped by Bell Bearing Hunter in Liurnia of the Lakes, near the site of grace at the Divine Tower of Liurnia.

• Somberstone Miner's Bell Bearing 3: Located in the upper reaches of Crumbling Farum Azula, near the site of grace at the Dragon Temple.

• Smithing Stone Miner's Bell Bearing 1: Acquired as a reward for defeating the boss, Leonine Misbegotten, in Stormveil Castle.

• Smithing Stone Miner's Bell Bearing 2: Dropped by Bell Bearing Hunter in Caelid, near the site of grace at the Bestial Sanctum.

• Smithing Stone Miner's Bell Bearing 3: Found in the Altus Plateau, near the site of grace at the Erdtree-Gazing Hill.

• Smithing Stone Miner's Bell Bearing 4: Obtained as a reward for defeating the boss, Godrick the Grafted, in Stormveil Castle.

• Ancient Smithing Dragon Stone Miner's Bell Bearing: Dropped by the ancient dragon, Lansseax, in the Altus Plateau.

Stories of Bell Bearings

A Tale of Misadventure:
Emboldened by tales of hidden treasures, a group of adventurers embarked on a perilous quest for a legendary bell bearing rumored to unlock ancient smithing stones. However, their enthusiasm turned to dismay when they stumbled upon a formidable bell bearing hunter. Caught in a fierce battle, their dreams of forging the finest weapons crumbled into dust.

What We Learn: Always approach unknown dangers with caution, for even the most coveted treasures may come at a steep cost.

The Merchant's Bargain:
A cunning merchant, ever seeking profit, discovered a bell bearing of immense value. Recognizing its potential, he offered it to a renowned blacksmith, seeking to negotiate a favorable price. To his astonishment, the blacksmith refused, knowing that the bell bearing held the power to craft weapons that could threaten his own livelihood.

What We Learn: True craftsmanship cannot be bought or sold, for its value transcends mere monetary gain.

The Smith's Redemption:
A once-proud blacksmith, consumed by greed, sought to monopolize the supply of smithing stones by hoarding bell bearings. However, his avarice led to his downfall, as his rivals formed an alliance to strip him of his ill-gotten gains. In his solitude, he realized the folly of his actions and vowed to make amends, using his newfound humility to forge unparalleled weapons for those in need.

Benefits of Using Bell Bearings for Smithing Stones

• Increased Weapon Durability: Upgrading weapons with smithing stones enhances their durability, making them more resistant to damage and capable of withstanding the rigors of combat.

• Boosted Weapon Scaling: Smithing stones improve the scaling of weapons, increasing their damage output based on various stats such as strength, dexterity, and intelligence.

• Access to Powerful Ashes of War: Certain upgrades unlock new and powerful Ashes of War, special abilities that can be infused into weapons to enhance their functionality and combat effectiveness.

• Reduced Crafting Costs: Upgrading weapons with bell bearings reduces the number of runes required to craft them, saving players valuable resources.

• Convenience and Time-Saving: Obtaining bell bearings eliminates the need to farm for smithing stones, saving players time and effort that can be invested in other aspects of their journey.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Neglecting Bell Bearing Acquisition: Overlooking the importance of bell bearings can hinder weapon upgrades and limit the player's combat capabilities.

• Undervaluing Upgrade Materials: Not fully utilizing smithing stones to upgrade weapons can result in subpar performance in challenging battles.

• Overspending Resources: Upgrading weapons to excessive levels can deplete valuable resources, leaving players short-handed for future upgrades.

• Ignoring Weapon Scaling: Upgrading weapons without considering their scaling can lead to inefficient use of smithing stones and suboptimal damage output.

• Inconsistent Weapon Choices: Upgrading multiple weapons simultaneously can spread resources too thin, hindering the progression of any particular weapon.

Potential Drawbacks

• Limited Availability: Certain bell bearings, particularly those for rarer smithing stones, may be difficult to acquire, requiring significant exploration and effort.

• Farming Limitations: While bell bearings reduce the need for farming smithing stones, some players may prefer the flexibility and control of gathering specific stones directly.

• Potential for Duplication: Exploiting glitches or unintended game mechanics to duplicate bell bearings may lead to an imbalance in the game and diminish the value of these items.

• Overreliance on Upgrades: Relying solely on weapon upgrades without developing skills and strategies can lead to overconfidence and negligence in other aspects of combat.

• Costly Upgrades: Upgrading weapons to the highest levels can be prohibitively expensive, requiring a large investment of runes.

Conclusion

Bell bearings for smithing stones serve as a vital resource for adventurers in Elden Ring, empowering them to forge and enhance their weapons to face the formidable challenges that await them. Understanding the types, locations, and benefits of these coveted items is paramount to unlocking the full potential of one's arsenal. By avoiding common pitfalls and embracing the opportunities presented by bell bearings, players can elevate their combat prowess and conquer the Lands Between with unmatched strength.