Elden Ring is an intimidating experience for new players. There are several mechanics and items that are both very useful and not very well-explained. Among them are Crystal Tears, which are some the most important items you’ll find while exploring. Like Crimson and Cerulean Tears, these can be used to heal your character early in the journey. However, they can also be used to buff poise, stamina, elemental damage, defense, and so much more.
How to Use Crystal Tears in Elden Ring
Crystal Tears in Elden Ring are reusable items that are mixed into the Flask of Wondrous Physick. Different Tears bestow different effects, like boosting stamina or restoring health. Once found, you can mix Crystal Tears together by resting at any Site of Lost Grace. Then, you can use the Flask of Wondrous Physick to gain their effects.
The Flask of Wondrous Physick is important, because without it, you cannot use Crystal Tears. With it, you can mix and match bonuses however you like. Think about it like mixing your own custom potions; you already have ones for HP and FP (Crimson and Cerulean Tears, respectively), and the third is for whatever effect you like. Some Tears boost elemental attack power, some increase poise, and yet others simply restore HP and FP.
Where to Find the Flask of Wondrous Physick
You’re likely to find the Flask of Wondrous Physick fairly early into the game. It’s located in the Third Church of Marika in eastern Limgrave. To get there, follow the main road east, then look for the church right as the path swings south toward a graveyard.
Where to Find Crystal Tears
Once you have the Flask of Wondrous Physick in your inventory, you’ll be able to start mixing Tears. However, you might not have any Tears in your possession yet. For that, you’ll have to go out exploring.
Crystal Tears can be found all throughout Elden Ring, but they’re usually either slightly hidden or well-guarded. For example, you’ll likely stumble into the Spiked Cracked Tear while exploring near the Minor Erdtree in Limgrave. Others, like the Leaden Hardtear, are dropped from powerful bosses in late-game areas. One of the only exceptions is the Crimson Crystal Tear, which is also found in the Third Church of Marika.
Remember, Crystal Tears Are Reusable
Crystal Tears are not consumed when mixed into the Flask of Wondrous Physick. As long as you’ve got a Crystal Tear, you can reuse it as many times as you like.
The same goes for the Flask, too. However, unlike your other flasks, you can only use Wondrous Physick once per rest. It cannot be upgraded through the use of Golden Seeds or Sacred Tears.
Don’t be tricked into thinking Crystal Tears will disappear after use. They are meant to be reused over and over again, to apply whichever effects you need through the Flask of Wondrous Physick. New players may forget to use this special Flask early in the game, but they shouldn’t. The defensive buffs and restorative effects it can provide are some of the most useful in the entire game.
