Spirit Ashes are one of Elden Ring’s biggest power levers, turning brutal boss fights into controlled DPS races or aggro-management puzzles. Glovewort Bell Bearings are the key to removing the grind from that system entirely, letting you buy upgrade materials on demand instead of scouring catacombs every time a summon falls behind. If you care about optimizing builds, testing different Ashes, or pushing late-game content without friction, understanding how these Bell Bearings work is non-negotiable.
Grave Glovewort vs Ghost Glovewort Explained
Grave Glovewort is used to upgrade standard Spirit Ashes, which includes the vast majority of summons you’ll find early and mid-game. These are your wolves, soldiers, demi-humans, and most multi-unit Ashes that specialize in drawing aggro and applying consistent pressure. They’re plentiful in design, but fully upgrading them without Bell Bearings becomes a massive time sink.
Ghost Glovewort is reserved for special and legendary Spirit Ashes, typically single-entity summons with unique AI, higher survivability, and strong utility or damage output. These include fan-favorite powerhouses that can carry fights when properly leveled. Because Ghost Glovewort is rarer and more tightly progression-gated, its Bell Bearings are some of the most valuable unlocks in the game.
Upgrade Caps and the One Material You Can’t Buy
Both Grave and Ghost Spirit Ashes cap out at +10, but the path there matters. Levels +1 through +9 require their respective Glovewort tiers, while the final upgrade always consumes a Great Grave Glovewort or Great Ghost Glovewort. No matter how many Bell Bearings you unlock, those Great variants are never sold by merchants.
This design choice is intentional, forcing players to still engage with late-game exploration and dungeon challenges. Bell Bearings eliminate repetitive farming, not meaningful progression. You can experiment freely up to +9, but committing to a maxed-out summon still requires deliberate effort.
What Bell Bearings Actually Unlock
When you hand a Glovewort Bell Bearing to the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold, it permanently adds unlimited stock of specific Glovewort tiers to their shop. Each Bell Bearing corresponds to a range, meaning you’ll steadily unlock higher-tier materials as you progress through tougher regions and dungeons.
Once unlocked, these materials are always available, even in New Game Plus cycles. That permanence is what makes Bell Bearings so powerful for completionists and build tinkerers. You’re no longer locked into early upgrade decisions or punished for wanting to try a new summon.
Why This System Matters for Real Builds
Upgraded Spirit Ashes aren’t just tankier; they hit harder, hold aggro longer, and survive long enough to create real openings. At higher levels, the difference between a +4 and a +9 summon can completely change a boss’s pacing, especially in fights with relentless pressure or multi-target chaos.
Bell Bearings turn Spirit Ash upgrades into a strategic choice instead of a resource gamble. They let you adapt to encounter design, swap Ashes based on hitboxes or enemy behavior, and fully explore the system without fear of wasting materials. For players chasing full completion or optimizing every encounter, this is one of Elden Ring’s most important progression unlocks.
Early-Game Spirit Ash Progression: Grave Glovewort Bell Bearing [1] & [2] Locations
With the fundamentals out of the way, it’s time to move from theory into action. The first two Grave Glovewort Bell Bearings define your entire early-game Spirit Ash experience, letting you push standard summons to +3 and +6 without touching RNG drops or revisiting low-level dungeons. If you want reliable aggro holders before mid-game bosses spike in damage and pressure, these two upgrades are non-negotiable.
Grave Glovewort Bell Bearing [1] – Wyndham Catacombs (Altus Plateau)
Grave Glovewort Bell Bearing [1] unlocks unlimited purchase of Grave Glovewort [1], [2], and [3], which covers Spirit Ash upgrades up to +3. This Bell Bearing is found in Wyndham Catacombs, located in the northern Altus Plateau near the Wyndham Ruins and the Erdtree-Gazing Hill Site of Grace.
Reaching Altus Plateau is the real gate here. You can either assemble the two halves of the Dectus Medallion or push through the Ruin-Strewn Precipice dungeon, which is faster for aggressive early builds. Once inside Wyndham Catacombs, expect tight corridors, ambush-heavy layouts, and classic imp pressure designed to punish careless stamina management.
The Bell Bearing itself drops from the dungeon boss, the Erdtree Burial Watchdog. This version favors heavy slam attacks and delayed hitboxes, so rolling early will get you clipped. Stay patient, punish recovery frames, and you’ll secure the first major quality-of-life upgrade for Spirit Ash progression.
Grave Glovewort Bell Bearing [2] – Black Knife Catacombs (Liurnia of the Lakes)
Grave Glovewort Bell Bearing [2] expands the shop to include Grave Glovewort [4], [5], and [6], enabling Spirit Ash upgrades up to +6. You’ll find it in Black Knife Catacombs, tucked into the northeastern cliffs of Liurnia of the Lakes, just below the Bellum Highway.
This dungeon is mechanically more demanding than most early catacombs. Invisible Black Knife Assassins patrol sections of the map, forcing you to rely on sound cues, cautious movement, and precise spacing rather than raw DPS. Bringing a Spirit Ash with wide attacks or persistent pressure helps reveal their position and prevent backstab chains.
The Bell Bearing drops from the Cemetery Shade boss at the dungeon’s end. This fight is about control, not damage races. The Shade has low poise but relentless aggression, so staggering it quickly and keeping pressure prevents its grab attacks from snowballing the encounter.
Why These Two Bell Bearings Change Early Builds
Together, Grave Glovewort Bell Bearing [1] and [2] remove nearly all friction from early Spirit Ash experimentation. You can freely test tank summons, DPS-focused ashes, or utility picks without worrying about wasting limited materials. That flexibility is crucial as enemy density increases and boss arenas start demanding smarter aggro manipulation.
More importantly, a +6 Spirit Ash in the early-to-mid game dramatically alters encounter flow. Bosses hold attention longer, openings become safer to exploit, and chaotic fights stop feeling like endurance checks. For completionists and build optimizers, these Bell Bearings aren’t optional detours; they’re the foundation that makes the entire Spirit Ash system feel complete.
Mid-Game Unlocks: Grave Glovewort Bell Bearing [3] & [4] Dungeon Breakdowns
Once you’ve removed the early-game bottleneck, Elden Ring quietly shifts expectations. Enemy health spikes, multi-phase bosses become the norm, and Spirit Ash survivability starts mattering more than raw summon count. This is where Grave Glovewort Bell Bearing [3] and [4] move from convenience to necessity, especially for players pushing Altus Plateau and beyond.
Grave Glovewort Bell Bearing [3] – Wyndham Catacombs (Altus Plateau)
Grave Glovewort Bell Bearing [3] unlocks unlimited purchases of Grave Glovewort [7], [8], and [9], effectively removing the mid-game upgrade wall. It’s found in Wyndham Catacombs, located in the northern Altus Plateau near the Minor Erdtree, just east of the Wyndham Ruins. You’ll almost certainly reach this dungeon naturally while progressing toward Leyndell.
Wyndham Catacombs leans heavily on vertical traps and pressure-based enemy placement. Blade pillars, cramped hallways, and ambush-heavy rooms punish panic rolling and greedy DPS windows. Take it slow, clear enemies methodically, and don’t be afraid to bait attacks to control aggro before committing.
The Bell Bearing drops from the Erdtree Burial Watchdog at the dungeon’s end. This version emphasizes delayed slam attacks and wide hitboxes, making mistimed rolls lethal. Stick close, roll into attacks rather than away, and punish the long recovery frames after overhead slams to keep the fight clean and predictable.
Grave Glovewort Bell Bearing [4] – Giants’ Mountaintop Catacombs (Mountaintops of the Giants)
Grave Glovewort Bell Bearing [4] is the final piece, unlocking unlimited Grave Glovewort [10] and enabling max-level Spirit Ash upgrades. You’ll find it in Giants’ Mountaintop Catacombs, located in the eastern Mountaintops of the Giants after clearing the main progression gates. This dungeon is firmly late mid-game, and it expects you to be comfortable with high-damage enemies and tight positioning.
The catacombs double down on lethal traps and elite enemy variants, with less room for error than anything earlier. High Vigor and a reliable crowd-control option make a noticeable difference here. Rushing rooms will get you chain-staggered, so pull enemies deliberately and reset aggro whenever possible.
The boss guarding this Bell Bearing is an Ulcerated Tree Spirit, fought in a confined arena that amplifies its worst traits. Camera management is the real enemy, not DPS checks. Lock off when necessary, stay near its flank, and punish the brief pauses after body slams and fire eruptions to avoid getting clipped by lingering hitboxes.
Why These Bell Bearings Define Late-Game Spirit Ash Builds
With Grave Glovewort Bell Bearing [3] and [4] secured, Spirit Ash upgrades are no longer a strategic resource but a fully unlocked system. You can push multiple summons to +9 or +10 without farming, letting you adapt to boss mechanics instead of forcing one overleveled crutch. Tank ashes gain meaningful survivability, while aggressive summons scale into legitimate DPS contributors.
More importantly, these unlocks future-proof your playthrough. Late-game bosses assume you have access to fully upgraded tools, and Spirit Ashes are no exception. For completionists and optimized builds, these Bell Bearings aren’t just collectibles; they’re the switch that turns Spirit Ashes into a core pillar of endgame combat.
Late-Game Spirit Ash Mastery: Grave Glovewort Bell Bearing [5] Location and Requirements
If the Mountaintops felt like a final exam, Grave Glovewort Bell Bearing [5] is the post-graduate course. This Bell Bearing exists squarely in Elden Ring’s endgame and serves as the absolute final unlock for standard Spirit Ash upgrades. By the time you reach it, the game fully expects mastery of positioning, stamina control, and multi-enemy threat management.
This is the point where Spirit Ash upgrading stops being a limitation altogether. Once acquired, you can purchase unlimited high-tier Grave Glovewort directly from the Twin Maiden Husks, removing the last remaining friction from maxing out multiple summons.
Grave Glovewort Bell Bearing [5] – Crumbling Farum Azula Location
Grave Glovewort Bell Bearing [5] is found in Crumbling Farum Azula, the game’s definitive endgame legacy dungeon. You’ll naturally unlock this area after progressing through the Mountaintops of the Giants and advancing the main story. There’s no optional shortcut here; story progression is mandatory.
From the Dragon Temple Site of Grace, push deeper into Farum Azula until you reach the upper temple sections filled with Beastmen and lightning-infused enemies. The Bell Bearing is located in a chest guarded by elite Beastmen, positioned off the critical path but impossible to miss if you thoroughly clear the area. Expect ambushes and overlapping aggro zones, which punish tunnel vision hard.
Enemy Pressure and Survival Tips
Crumbling Farum Azula enemies hit fast, chain attacks aggressively, and punish panic rolls. Beastmen in particular will stagger-lock low Poise builds if you mismanage spacing, so treat every pull like a mini-encounter. Luring enemies one at a time and abusing doorways or elevation changes keeps fights controlled.
Lightning damage is everywhere here, so stacking resistance through armor or talismans noticeably smooths out incoming chip damage. This is not the place to test experimental builds; bring something proven and reliable. Survival consistency matters more than raw DPS.
Why Bell Bearing [5] Completes the Spirit Ash System
With Grave Glovewort Bell Bearing [5] secured, every standard Spirit Ash in the game can be upgraded without farming routes, RNG drops, or corpse looting detours. This frees you to tailor summons to specific boss matchups, whether that means durable tanks for aggro control or aggressive ashes that pressure enemy AI.
At this stage of the game, Spirit Ashes aren’t optional power spikes; they’re part of the assumed baseline. Endgame bosses are balanced around players having fully upgraded tools, and this Bell Bearing ensures your summons are never the weak link. For completionists, this is the final lock clicking open on Spirit Ash mastery.
Special Ash Upgrades Explained: Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearings Overview
With standard Spirit Ash upgrades fully unlocked, the progression naturally shifts toward the game’s most powerful summons. This is where Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearings come into play, governing upgrades for Legendary and Named Spirit Ashes. These aren’t optional luxury upgrades; they’re the backbone of endgame summon viability.
Unlike Grave Glovewort, Ghost Glovewort is far more tightly controlled by progression and dungeon completion. Each Bell Bearing directly unlocks an entire tier of upgrades at the Twin Maiden Husks, eliminating the need to scour late-game zones or gamble on limited pickups.
What Ghost Glovewort Actually Upgrades
Ghost Glovewort is used exclusively for special Spirit Ashes, including Mimic Tear, Black Knife Tiche, Latenna the Albinauric, and other high-impact summons. These ashes scale harder per upgrade level, gaining massive survivability, higher damage output, and improved AI aggression. A +10 special ash can completely reshape boss pacing by controlling aggro windows and forcing enemy pattern resets.
Because these summons often define entire builds, locking their upgrades behind Bell Bearings ensures players fully engage with Elden Ring’s late-game content. If you’re skipping Ghost Glovewort progression, you’re functionally leaving a core system underpowered.
How Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearings Are Structured
There are four Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearings in total, covering upgrade tiers from +1 through +9 for special Spirit Ashes. Each one is tied to a specific dungeon or boss encounter, with difficulty scaling sharply as you move toward the endgame. Unlike early Grave Glovewort Bearings, these are never handed out casually.
Most are found in late-game catacombs or locked behind remembrance-tier bosses. Expect cramped arenas, multi-phase fights, and enemies designed to punish sloppy positioning or panic rolls. If a dungeon feels optional, assume it isn’t if you’re chasing full Spirit Ash completion.
Why These Bell Bearings Matter More Than Farming
Without Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearings, upgrading special ashes requires limited pickups scattered across high-risk areas. Miss a few, and you’re locked out of max upgrades until New Game Plus. Bell Bearings remove that pressure entirely, letting you experiment freely with different summons at the Roundtable Hold.
For completionists, this is about control and efficiency. You unlock unlimited access, remove RNG from the equation, and ensure every Legendary Spirit Ash can be tested, refined, and fully powered before tackling the game’s hardest bosses.
Progression Timing and Difficulty Expectations
Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearings are deliberately spaced to align with Elden Ring’s difficulty curve. The early bearing appears once players are comfortable with mid-game dungeon mechanics, while the final one sits firmly in endgame territory alongside high-damage enemies and punishing boss designs.
Approach these dungeons with fully upgraded weapons, optimized talismans, and a summon you already trust. The irony is intentional: you need strong Spirit Ashes to earn the ability to perfect them. This feedback loop defines Elden Ring’s endgame progression and rewards players who engage with every system instead of rushing the critical path.
Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearing [1], [2], and [3] Locations (Mid-Game Catacombs and Bosses)
Once you understand how Ghost Glovewort progression is intentionally gated, the mid-game path forward becomes clear. These first three Bell Bearings are spaced across Nokron, Nokstella, and the Consecrated Snowfield, forcing players to engage with Elden Ring’s most hostile dungeon design before full Spirit Ash freedom is unlocked. Each one tests positioning, enemy control, and your ability to survive cramped arenas without panic rolling.
Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearing [1] – Nokron, Eternal City
Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearing [1] is located in Nokron, Eternal City, and becomes accessible only after defeating Starscourge Radahn and triggering the meteor event. From the Nokron, Eternal City Site of Grace, push through the city until you reach the area leading toward the Ancestral Woods, keeping an eye out for a Stonesword Key fog wall guarding a side chamber.
Inside, you’ll find the Bell Bearing in a chest, but the real threat comes from the surrounding Silver Tears and tight walkways. Control aggro carefully and avoid pulling multiple enemies at once, as their delayed attacks can easily clip panic rolls. Once turned in at the Roundtable Hold, this bearing unlocks unlimited Ghost Glovewort [1], [2], and [3] purchases.
Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearing [2] – Nokstella, Eternal City
The second Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearing is found in Nokstella, Eternal City, reached via Ainsel River Main after progressing Ranni’s questline. From the Nokstella Site of Grace, descend deeper into the city and move past the patrolling Silver Tears until you reach a heavily guarded chest along the main path.
This section is less about a single boss and more about endurance and spatial awareness. Enemies here love stagger-locking careless players, and the narrow corridors punish poor stamina management. Grab the chest, disengage safely, and return to the Roundtable Hold to unlock Ghost Glovewort [4], [5], and [6] for purchase.
Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearing [3] – Consecrated Snowfield Catacombs
Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearing [3] is dropped by the boss of the Consecrated Snowfield Catacombs, making it one of the most punishing mid-to-late-game Bell Bearings to acquire. This dungeon is located in the northern Consecrated Snowfield and is filled with high-damage enemies, ambushes, and visibility issues that punish overconfidence.
The final encounter is against the Putrid Grave Warden Duelist, a boss that thrives on bleed pressure and delayed swings designed to catch early rolls. Maintain spacing, abuse I-frames on vertical attacks, and don’t get greedy with DPS windows. Defeating him rewards the final mid-game Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearing, unlocking Ghost Glovewort [7], [8], and [9] for unlimited purchase and pushing your special Spirit Ashes to their true power ceiling.
Endgame & Secret Area Bell Bearings: Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearing [4], [5], and [6]
By the time you’re hunting these final Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearings, Elden Ring has fully dropped the pretense of mercy. These are tucked away in true endgame zones and optional legacy dungeons, gated behind brutal enemy density, late-game bosses, and areas most players never fully clear on a first run. If you want unrestricted access to max-tier Spirit Ash upgrades without farming, these are non-negotiable pickups.
Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearing [4] – Crumbling Farum Azula
Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearing [4] is found in Crumbling Farum Azula, one of Elden Ring’s most mechanically demanding legacy dungeons. From the Dragon Temple Rooftop Site of Grace, push forward through the Beastmen-infested platforms until you reach a side structure guarded by multiple elite enemies with overlapping aggro ranges.
The Bell Bearing sits in a chest, but the encounter is the real challenge. Enemy attack patterns here are fast, erratic, and designed to punish panic rolls with lingering hitboxes. Isolate targets, abuse elevation for safe healing windows, and don’t be afraid to disengage, as dying here means a long corpse run. Turning this in unlocks unlimited Ghost Glovewort [10] purchases, pushing special Spirit Ashes into true endgame viability.
Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearing [5] – Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree
Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree houses Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearing [5], and it’s exactly as unforgiving as the zone’s reputation suggests. Starting from the Prayer Room Site of Grace, descend through the rot-soaked battlements while dealing with Haligtree Knights, Cleanrot enemies, and constant projectile pressure.
The Bell Bearing is located in a guarded chest along a lower side path, often overlooked due to enemy saturation. This area is less about raw DPS and more about positioning, stamina discipline, and managing multiple threats without overcommitting. Secure the chest, then retreat deliberately rather than pushing deeper unprepared. Once delivered to the Twin Maiden Husks, this bearing further expands your ability to stockpile high-tier Ghost Glovewort without relying on limited world spawns.
Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearing [6] – Mohgwyn Palace
The final Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearing is hidden within Mohgwyn Palace, a late-game secret area accessible via Varre’s questline or a teleporter in the Consecrated Snowfield. From the Palace Approach Ledge-Road Site of Grace, work your way deeper into the dynasty grounds, where hyper-aggressive enemies and constant bleed buildup punish sloppy movement.
This Bell Bearing is obtained after defeating a powerful elite enemy guarding a chest deep within the palace interior. Expect delayed swings, massive bleed procs, and minimal room for error. Manage aggro carefully, use terrain to break line of sight, and respect enemy recovery frames before committing. Claiming this final bearing effectively removes all remaining restrictions on Ghost Glovewort acquisition, giving completionists full control over Spirit Ash upgrading for the remainder of the game.
Optimal Unlock Order & Progression Tips for Unlimited Spirit Ash Upgrades
With every Grave and Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearing accounted for, the final step is understanding when and how to prioritize them. Elden Ring’s Spirit Ash system scales aggressively, and unlocking unlimited glovewort at the right moments dramatically smooths difficulty spikes, especially for solo players. This order minimizes backtracking, avoids premature difficulty walls, and ensures your best summons are always combat-ready.
Early Game: Secure Grave Glovewort [1]–[3] Before Stormveil
Your first priority should be the early Grave Glovewort Bell Bearings found in Limgrave and Liurnia catacombs. These dungeons are mechanically simple, enemy aggro is manageable, and death carries minimal risk. Unlocking unlimited low-tier Grave Glovewort early lets you freely experiment with multiple Spirit Ashes instead of locking yourself into one summon due to scarcity.
This is especially valuable before Stormveil Castle, where multi-enemy encounters punish poor positioning. Upgrading even basic Ashes like Lone Wolves or Skeletal Militiamen improves survivability and aggro control, giving you breathing room to learn boss patterns.
Midgame Power Spike: Grave Glovewort [4]–[6] and Ghost Glovewort [1]–[3]
As you move through Caelid, Altus Plateau, and Nokron, prioritize catacombs that reward mid-tier Grave Glovewort Bell Bearings. These unlocks coincide perfectly with enemies gaining more HP, tighter hitboxes, and higher damage output. A +4 to +6 Spirit Ash isn’t just tankier, it survives long enough to meaningfully contribute DPS and stagger pressure.
This is also where Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearings start to matter. Special Spirit Ashes like Lhutel the Headless or Black Knife Tiche scale absurdly well, but only if you invest early. Grabbing Ghost Glovewort [1]–[3] before Leyndell ensures these elite summons don’t fall behind your weapon upgrades.
Leyndell to Mountaintops: Eliminate All Remaining Glovewort Bottlenecks
By the time you reach Leyndell, any remaining glovewort scarcity becomes a liability. Late-game areas assume you’re using upgraded Spirit Ashes, especially in arenas with multiple elites or delayed reinforcement spawns. Prioritize the catacombs tied to Grave Glovewort [7]–[9] as you move toward the Mountaintops of the Giants.
This is also the ideal window to secure Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearings [4] and [5]. The difficulty spike is real, but your build should be online by now. Use fully upgraded standard Spirit Ashes as disposable tanks while your special Ashes become boss killers with proper timing and positioning.
Endgame Cleanup: Mohgwyn Palace and True Unlimited Upgrades
Mohgwyn Palace should be treated as the final checkpoint for Spirit Ash progression. Once Ghost Glovewort Bell Bearing [6] is turned in, every upgrade material in the game becomes purchasable on demand. At this point, you’re no longer managing resources, you’re optimizing loadouts.
This freedom lets completionists tailor Spirit Ashes to specific fights without hesitation. Swap between tank-focused summons, high-DPS assassins, or crowd-control options depending on boss behavior, arena size, and aggression patterns. Elden Ring’s toughest encounters are balanced around this flexibility.
Final Tip: Upgrade Breadth Beats Depth Early
A common mistake is maxing one Spirit Ash too early while ignoring others. Early and midgame success comes from having multiple viable options, not one over-leveled summon. Once unlimited glovewort is unlocked, specialization becomes safe, but until then, adaptability wins fights.
Mastering Spirit Ash progression transforms Elden Ring from a punishing endurance test into a strategic sandbox. With every Bell Bearing secured and the Twin Maiden Husks fully stocked, you’re free to focus on execution, spacing, and mastery of FromSoftware’s brutal but beautiful combat design.