Overview
Bismuth Ore is a unique mineral found throughout the continent of Pywel in Crimson Desert. Unlike standard ores such as Iron Ore and Copper Ore, Bismuth Ore deposits cannot be mined with a pickaxe alone. Each deposit must first be struck with a lightning attack to crack the crystalline shell before it becomes mineable. This extra step makes Bismuth Ore one of the more challenging materials to gather, but it is valuable both as a crafting resource and as a source of income when sold.
Bismuth deposits appear as distinctive shiny metallic cubes embedded in rock faces and cliff walls. There are approximately 410 known Bismuth Ore spawn locations across the map, though many players encounter the ore long before they have the tools to mine it.
Item Properties
Property | Value |
|---|---|
Category | |
Appearance | Shiny metallic cubes with a rainbow-tinted crystalline surface |
Mining Requirement | Must be hit with a lightning attack before mining |
Tool Required | Pickaxe (after cracking with lightning) |
Sell Value | High (one of the more profitable ores to sell) |
Spawn Count | Approximately 410 locations across Pywel |
How to Mine Bismuth Ore
Bismuth Ore deposits look like shiny metallic cubes protruding from rock surfaces. If you approach one with a pickaxe and try to mine it normally, nothing will happen. You must first hit the deposit with an electrical (lightning) attack to crack the crystalline shell. Once the shell is cracked, you can then mine it with a pickaxe just like any other ore.
There are two main ways to deliver the required lightning attack:
Option 1: Lightning-Imbued Weapons
If Kliff has an elemental imbuement active on his weapon, specifically a lightning (shock) imbuement, any attack that connects with the Bismuth deposit will crack it open. Elemental imbuements are applied through the Alchemy system and the Witch faction questline. You need to have progressed far enough to unlock elemental imbuing before this method becomes available.
Option 2: Damiane's Lightning Abilities
The companion character Damiane has innate lightning-based skills in her skill tree. Her abilities include Smiting Bolt (a heavy attack that damages enemies with a blast of light), Storm Pillar, and Lightning Strike, all of which deal electrical damage. When you switch to Damiane and use any of her lightning attacks on a Bismuth deposit, it will crack the shell and allow mining. This is often the easiest method, especially in the early and mid game before Kliff has access to elemental imbuements.
Where to Find Bismuth Ore
Bismuth Ore can be found across all major regions of Pywel, but certain areas have a higher concentration of deposits. The best farming spots include:
Southeast of Hernand (Best Early Location)
The best early-game farming location is a short walk southeast of Hernand. This area contains multiple Bismuth Ore nodes clustered together, and more importantly, it is home to a group of Bismuth Crabs (also called Stoneback Abyss Crabs). These crabs drop multiple Bismuth Ore when defeated, making the area doubly profitable. The nodes are accessible as soon as you reach Hernand and have a way to deal lightning damage.
South of Anvil Hill
There is a cluster of Bismuth Crabs that spawn on the edge of the cliff south of Anvil Hill, underneath the Abyss Cresset. This spot is convenient because the area is visited frequently during early-game quests and is close to other ore deposits (Iron Ore and Copper Ore).
Abyss Fast Travel Points
Bismuth Crabs can often be found near Abyss Nexus fast travel points throughout Pywel. If you are traveling between Abyss Nexus nodes, keep an eye out for the distinctive metallic crabs near each teleportation point.
Bismuth Crabs (Stoneback Abyss Crabs)
Bismuth Crabs, formally known as Stoneback Abyss Crabs, are enemies with Bismuth Ore deposits growing on their backs. When defeated, they drop multiple Bismuth Ore along with the occasional Abyss Cell. Farming these crabs is one of the fastest ways to accumulate Bismuth Ore, as each crab can drop several ores at once compared to the 1 or 2 ores from a standard deposit.
Bismuth Crabs are moderately tough, especially early in the game. They have high physical defense and can hit hard at close range. Consider the following when farming them:
They are best tackled after you have progressed through at least the first few chapters of the main story and have decent equipment.
Using Damiane's lightning attacks is effective since it both damages the crab and cracks any Bismuth deposits in the area simultaneously.
The crabs respawn after a set time, so you can revisit the same spots for repeated farming runs. See Enemy and Gatherable Respawning for respawn timers.
Killing crabs near cliffs can cause the dropped ore to roll off the edge. Position yourself carefully so the drops land on flat ground.
Uses
Bismuth Ore is used in the following ways:
Equipment refinement: Bismuth Ore is required for mid-to-late game weapon and armor upgrades at the blacksmith. Refinement incrementally enhances base stats on your gear.
Camp expansion: Some Greymane Camp structures and upgrades require Bismuth Ore as a building material.
Selling for profit: Bismuth Ore sells for a high price at vendors, making it an excellent source of income. Farming Bismuth Crabs and selling their drops is one of the more reliable money-making methods in the game. See How to Make Money Fast for more tips.
Tips
If you do not have access to lightning damage yet, mark Bismuth deposits on your map and return later once you have unlocked Damiane or obtained a lightning imbuement.
Damiane is unlocked during Chapter 2 of the main story. Once she joins the party, you can switch to her at will and use her lightning skills to crack Bismuth nodes.
The Mining Knuckledrill increases ore drops by 10% and speeds up mining. Pair it with lightning attacks for the fastest Bismuth farming.
Bismuth deposits respawn over time. Establish a farming route through the southeast Hernand area and revisit it periodically.
Keep spare pickaxes in your inventory. Gathering tools degrade with use, and you do not want to run out mid-farming.