You've probably ridden right past it. Most people do. You're charging across the Weeping Peninsula, trying to avoid getting sniped by a giant bow-wielding golem, and you completely miss the small opening tucked into the cliffside. Honestly, Earthbore Cave isn't the flashiest dungeon in Elden Ring. It doesn't have the cosmic horror of the eternal cities or the golden majesty of Leyndell. It’s just a damp, rat-infested hole in the ground.
But it’s a goldmine.
If you’re struggling with the early game or just want to feel a little less squishy before tackling Margit, this is where you need to be. It's located on the northern edge of the Weeping Peninsula, just a short gallop northwest from the Lookout Tower Site of Grace. You’ll know you’re close when the ground starts looking a bit more "sinkhole-ish" and the trees get gloomier.
Finding the Entrance to Earthbore Cave
Getting there is half the battle if you aren't looking at a map. You basically want to hug the northern cliffs of the Peninsula. If you find the Demi-Human Forest Ruins, you’ve gone a bit too far south. Look for a small pond with some jellyfish nearby; they're usually the universal Elden Ring sign for "something cool is over here."
Inside, things get dark. Fast.
If you haven’t bought a lantern from the nomadic merchant in Liurnia yet, or at least picked up a torch, you’re going to be swinging at shadows. The cave is designed to disorient you. It’s narrow, it’s muddy, and it’s packed with rats. Giant rats. The kind that stagger you just long enough for their smaller friends to finish the job.
The Loot: Why You Actually Care
Why bother? Because of the Spelldrake Talisman.
In the grand scheme of Elden Ring’s meta, magic damage is a constant threat. Whether you're dealing with the glintstone sorcerers in Academy of Raya Lucaria or just getting pelted by magic traps, having that extra magic damage negation is huge. The Spelldrake Talisman is tucked away at the very end of Earthbore Cave, and for a low-level Tarnished, it's a massive survivability boost.
There’s also a decent amount of Cave Moss and Silver Fireflies.
They might seem like junk.
They aren't.
If you’re into crafting—specifically making items that boost item discovery or help with resistances—you’ll want to vacuum up everything on the floor here.
Navigating the Rat Maze
The layout is pretty vertical. You'll drop down a series of ledges that feel like a point of no return. They kind of are, at least until you find the boss. The main threat isn't the boss, though. It's the ambush.
You’ll come across a section where the floor looks a bit... unstable. Surprise, it’s a pitfall. If you fall, you’re surrounded by rats. My advice? Don't panic roll. In Elden Ring, panic rolling gets you killed faster than the actual enemies. Take a breath, use a wide-swinging weapon like a Greatsword or even a simple torch attack to keep them at bay.
Facing the Runebear
At the bottom of Earthbore Cave lies a Runebear.
Now, if you’ve played Elden Ring for more than an hour, you know that Runebears are the real Elden Lords. They are faster than Torrent, hit like a freight train, and have an aggression level that makes Malenia look chill. However, the one at the end of this cave is a "boss" version, which sounds intimidating, but it’s actually more manageable because you have a dedicated arena.
- The Strategy: Stay under the belly.
- The Risk: If you stay in front, it’ll charge or bite.
- The Reward: 2,600 Runes and the Talisman.
Honestly, the Runebear in Earthbore Cave is a great "skill check." It teaches you how to manage stamina and how to dodge into attacks rather than away from them. If you can beat this bear, you’re ready for the harder parts of the Peninsula like Castle Morne.
Common Mistakes People Make in Earthbore Cave
Most players treat this as a "one and done" location. That’s a mistake. The cave is one of the best spots early on to farm for materials if you're trying to craft Silver-Pickled Fowl Feet. You need those fireflies, and Earthbore has them in spades.
Another mistake is ignoring the holes. Elden Ring developers love putting items on corpses that are only accessible if you fall down the "wrong" way. Spend a little time looking at the ledges before you jump. There are shards and smithing stones hidden in the nooks that most people miss because they're sprinting toward the boss fog.
Why This Cave Matters for the Lore
It’s subtle, but Earthbore Cave contributes to the "world-building" of the Weeping Peninsula. The peninsula is a place of decay and mourning. The cave feels like a literal wound in the earth. It’s infested with the lowliest creatures—rats and bears—showing how the influence of the Erdtree is thin in these outlying regions. It’s gritty. It’s dirty. It represents the "ground floor" of the Lands Between.
Preparing for Your Visit
Don't go in there naked. Even if you're doing a "wretch" run, grab some basic armor. The rats inflict posture damage quickly.
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- Bring a Torch: You literally cannot see the pitfalls without it.
- Beast-Repellent Torch: If you have the runes, buy this from the merchant in Caelid first. It makes the rats ignore you. It's a game-changer.
- Fire Damage: Rats and Bears both hate fire. Use Fire Grease or a simple Fire Pot.
Earthbore Cave is a microcosm of why Elden Ring is great. It’s a tiny, optional location that rewards exploration with a tangible upgrade. It’s not going to make you invincible, but that Spelldrake Talisman might be the reason you survive a stray glintstone pebble later on.
Actionable Steps for the Tarnished
To make the most of your trip to Earthbore Cave, follow this sequence:
- Grab the Site of Grace: Don't forget to touch the grace at the entrance. It sounds obvious, but if you die to the pitfall trap and have to ride back from the Lookout Tower, you’ll be annoyed.
- Clear the Rats First: Don't try to run past them to the boss. They will follow you, and they will enter the boss arena or trap you at the fog gate.
- Check the Walls: There are several Glowstone deposits. They aren't worth much, but they help light up the paths if you're struggling with visibility.
- Equip the Talisman Immediately: Once you kill the Runebear, put that Spelldrake Talisman on. There are plenty of magic-using enemies in the surrounding forest that it will help against.
- Farm the Fireflies: Before you teleport out, do a second sweep for Silver Fireflies. You'll thank yourself later when you're trying to farm rare weapon drops and need the item discovery boost.
Once you’ve cleared Earthbore, head south toward the Tombsward Ruins. You’re already in the neighborhood, and the progression curve from the cave to the ruins is one of the most natural feeling paths in the early game. You’ll find more upgrade materials there to complement what you just pulled out of the cave’s muddy depths.