Unleash the Power of Elden Ring Ball Bearings: A Comprehensive Guide

In the realm of Elden Ring, where danger lurks at every corner, the Elden Ring Ball Bearing stands as a beacon of hope, offering players a unique opportunity to enhance their gameplay experience. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer to the Lands Between, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to maximize the potential of these enigmatic items.

Understanding Ball Bearings

Ball Bearings are small, spherical objects scattered throughout the world of Elden Ring. They come in two types: Small Ball Bearings and Large Ball Bearings. Small Ball Bearings are used to activate merchants, while Large Ball Bearings unlock new shop inventories. Merchants offer a wide range of items, including weapons, armor, and consumables, which can significantly enhance your character's capabilities.

Locations and Acquisition

Small Ball Bearings can be found hidden in various locations, such as chests, corpses, and on the ground. They are often found near potential merchant locations or hidden in obscure areas. Large Ball Bearings are usually guarded by formidable enemies or found in well-hidden areas. Some of these ball bearings are essential for unlocking key merchants and expanding your access to valuable items.

Activating Merchants

Once you acquire a Small Ball Bearing, it must be used to activate a merchant. To do this, find the merchant's location and interact with them. Select the "Offer Small Ball Bearing" option, and the merchant will become active, allowing you to trade with them. It's important to note that each merchant can only be activated once per playthrough.

Unlocking New Inventories

Large Ball Bearings are used to unlock new shop inventories. These inventories typically offer a wider variety of items than merchants activated with Small Ball Bearings. To unlock a new inventory, visit the Roundtable Hold and speak to the Twin Maiden Husks. Give them the Large Ball Bearing, and they will add the new inventory to their shop.

Identifying Ball Bearings

Ball Bearings can be easily identified by their unique appearance. Small Ball Bearings are small, reddish-orange orbs, while Large Ball Bearings are larger, golden orbs. They emit a faint glow and produce a distinct chime when picked up. This chime can help you locate ball bearings hidden in the environment.

Collected Ball Bearings

Once a Small Ball Bearing has been used to activate a merchant, it disappears from your inventory. Large Ball Bearings, however, remain in your inventory even after being given to the Twin Maiden Husks. This allows you to track the number of Large Ball Bearings you have collected and the potential inventories you can unlock.

Effective Strategies

• Explore thoroughly: Ball Bearings can be found in various locations, so it's crucial to explore thoroughly to find them all. Don't overlook hidden areas or corpses.

• Consult guides: If you're struggling to find a specific ball bearing, consider consulting online guides or walkthroughs to pinpoint its location.

• Prioritize merchants: Choose which merchants you want to activate based on your character's needs and playstyle. Some merchants offer essential items, while others offer more niche or specialized gear.

• Consider long-term benefits: While Small Ball Bearings may activate immediate merchants, Large Ball Bearings unlock inventories that remain available throughout the entire game. Plan your ball bearing usage strategically to maximize long-term benefits.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overlooking hidden ball bearings: Some ball bearings are hidden in obscure areas. Take your time to explore thoroughly and use the chime to locate them.

• Activating unnecessary merchants: Avoid activating merchants who sell items you don't need or can find elsewhere. Focus on merchants who offer unique or valuable items that enhance your gameplay.

• Missing essential Large Ball Bearings: There are several Large Ball Bearings that unlock crucial inventories. Make sure to find and give these ball bearings to the Twin Maiden Husks to avoid missing out on key items.

Advanced Features

• Bell Bearing Hunter: This NPC invades you when you have at least one Large Ball Bearing in your inventory. Defeating them rewards you with an additional Large Ball Bearing.

• Ball Bearing Mimic: These creatures disguise themselves as objects in the environment but transform into powerful enemies when approached. Defeating them often rewards you with a ball bearing.

Humorous Stories

• The Great Ball Bearing Hunt: A group of adventurers embarked on a quest to find every ball bearing in the Lands Between. Their journey was filled with laughter and misadventures, including one instance where they mistook a giant rat for a ball bearing.

• The Merchant Overlord: A player managed to activate every merchant in the game, creating an unstoppable army of vendors. He then proceeded to overwhelm the enemy with an endless supply of arrows and healing potions.

• The Ball Bearing Collector: A dedicated player spent countless hours farming ball bearings. When asked why, they simply replied, "Because they're shiny."

Key Takeaways

• Ball Bearings are essential for enhancing gameplay by activating merchants and unlocking new shop inventories.
• Explore thoroughly and consult guides to find all ball bearings, both Small and Large.
• Prioritize activating merchants based on your character's needs and the availability of items.
• Be aware of common mistakes and advanced features to optimize your ball bearing usage.
• Don't forget to have fun and enjoy the humorous misadventures that await you in the relentless world of Elden Ring.

Tables

### Table 1: Small Ball Bearing Merchants

### Table 2: Large Ball Bearing Merchants

### Table 3: Hidden Ball Bearing Locations