You're riding Torrent through the soggy, blue-tinted marshes of Liurnia, dodging giant lobsters that have better aim than a professional sniper. You just want to upgrade your sword. Maybe you’re stuck on a boss, or maybe you're just tired of your weapon feeling like a wet pool noodle. Then you see it—a dark hole in the cliffside north of the Church of Vows.
Welcome to the Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel.
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Most people stumble into this place because they heard it's where the "infinite smithing stones" are. That's true, but if you go in unprepared, the miners will absolutely wreck you. Honestly, this place is a bit of a wake-up call for anyone who thinks they can just slash their way through every dungeon in Elden Ring.
Where Exactly Is This Place?
Finding the entrance is easier than it looks on the map. If you're looking at the Academy of Raya Lucaria, don't look at the building. Look way past it to the northeast.
Basically, you want to hug the eastern cliffs of the lake and keep heading north. You'll pass a Walking Mausoleum—the giant stone turtle thing with a bell. Just past that, tucked into a little alcove in the rock wall, is the tunnel.
The first thing you’ll see inside is a Site of Grace. Rest there. You're gonna need it because the enemies in here are literally made of stone.
Why the Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel Matters
Let's talk rewards. This isn't just another optional cave to tick off your list. It is arguably the most important dungeon in Liurnia for your character's progression.
The boss at the end drops the Smithing-Stone Miner's Bell Bearing [1].
Take that back to the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold. Suddenly, you can buy Smithing Stone [1] and [2] whenever you want. No more farming. No more hoping for drops. You can take any weapon you find and instantly pump it up to +6. That’s huge.
Beyond the bell bearing, the cave is a goldmine for:
- Smithing Stones [1], [2], and [3] (The yellow ones)
- Somber Smithing Stones [1], [2], and [3] (The white ones)
- Crystal Knife (A decent Int-scaling dagger)
- Shatter Earth (A sorcery that lets you slam the ground)
Survival Tips: Don't Let Your Sword Bounce
If you walk in here with a Katana or a Straight Sword, you’re going to have a bad time.
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The miners and the crystals have incredibly high physical defense. Hit them with a slashing weapon, and your blade will literally bounce off, leaving you wide open for a pickaxe to the face. It’s annoying. It's frustrating.
Use Strike Damage. Seriously. Grab a Mace, a Morning Star, or even a Club. Even if you haven't leveled up your Strength, the raw "Bonk" factor of a blunt weapon does significantly more damage here. If you’re a Mage, use Rock Sling. Since that spell deals physical/poise damage, it cracks these enemies way faster than Glintstone Pebbles.
Getting Through the Mine Without Dying
The layout is a bit vertical. You’ll be using a lot of elevators.
One thing most players miss? Jumping off the elevators halfway. As the lifts move, keep an eye on the walls. There are secret ledges you can jump onto that lead to chests containing those rare Somber Smithing Stones. If you just ride the elevator to the bottom, you’re missing the best loot.
Watch out for the Marionette Soldiers too. They’re the four-armed creeps that start flailing wildly when you get close. They can stun-lock you in a second. My advice? Back off when they start their "freak out" animation. Just let them spin themselves out, then move in for the kill.
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The Boss: The Ringblade Crystalian
At the very bottom, behind a fog gate, is the Crystalian.
She looks delicate. She's not.
When the fight starts, you'll feel like you’re doing zero damage. Your health bar barely moves. You'll think the game is bugged. It’s not. She has a "crystal skin" that acts as a massive shield.
The goal is Posture Breaking. You need to hit her with heavy attacks, jumping heavies, or Guard Counters until you hear a loud CRACK. Once her skin breaks, she becomes extremely weak. Every single hit will stagger her after that. You can basically bully her into a corner and keep swinging until she vanishes into dust.
Just watch out for her spinning disc attacks. They have a weird delay. You have to roll a split second later than you think you should.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re sitting at a Site of Grace right now wondering what to do, here is the play:
- Check your inventory for a blunt weapon. Even a basic Hammer or Flail will do.
- Equip a Torch or Lantern. It’s dark in there, and those miners love hiding in corners.
- Head to the northeastern shore of Liurnia. Look for the cave entrance east of the Walking Mausoleum.
- Clear the tunnel and kill the Crystalian. 5. Deliver the Bell Bearing immediately. Go to the Roundtable Hold and give it to the Twin Maiden Husks.
Once that’s done, you’ve unlocked a massive part of the mid-game. You can experiment with different weapons because you aren't "scared" of wasting Smithing Stones anymore. You can just buy more. It’s the ultimate freedom for any Tarnished trying to find their favorite build.