Bismuth Ore
Complete guide to Bismuth Ore in Crimson Desert: how to mine it using lightning attacks, best farming locations, Bismuth Crabs, Damiane's abilities, and uses for crafting and selling.
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Bismuth Ore is a unique mineral found throughout the continent of Pywel in Crimson Desert. Bismuth Ore was originally one of the more challenging materials to gather because deposits required a lightning attack to crack their crystalline shell before mining. However, Patch 1.00.03 (March 23, 2026) changed this mechanic significantly. Bismuth deposits are now petrified by default, and players can mine them directly with a pickaxe without needing an electrical attack first. This makes Bismuth Ore accessible much earlier in the game and removes the dependency on Damiane's lightning skills or elemental imbuements. Bismuth Ore remains 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, and the 1.00.03 patch made all of them minable from the moment players obtain a pickaxe.
Property | Value |
|---|---|
Category | |
Appearance | Shiny metallic cubes with a rainbow-tinted crystalline surface |
Mining Requirement | Pickaxe (direct mining since Patch 1.00.03) |
Tool Required | |
Sell Value | High (one of the more profitable ores to sell) |
Spawn Count |
Bismuth Ore deposits look like shiny metallic cubes protruding from rock surfaces. Since Patch 1.00.03, these deposits are petrified by default and can be mined directly with a pickaxe, just like Iron Ore or Copper Ore. Simply equip your pickaxe, aim at the deposit, and swing to extract the ore. No electrical attack or special preparation is required.
Before Patch 1.00.03, Bismuth deposits required a lightning attack to crack their crystalline shell before they could be mined. The following methods were used prior to the patch and are no longer necessary:
Before Patch 1.00.03, if Kliff had a lightning (shock) elemental imbuement active on his weapon, any attack on the Bismuth deposit would crack it open. Elemental imbuements were applied through the Alchemy system and the Witch faction questline. This method is no longer necessary, as all Bismuth deposits can now be mined with a standard pickaxe.
Before Patch 1.00.03, players commonly used Damiane's innate lightning-based skills (Smiting Bolt, Storm Pillar, Lightning Strike) to crack Bismuth deposits. Switching to Damiane and using any of her lightning attacks on a deposit would crack the shell and allow mining. Since the patch, this extra step is no longer needed. Damiane's lightning abilities remain useful in combat, but they are not required for gathering 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:
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 pickaxe equipped.
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).
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, 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.
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.
The Mining Knuckledrill is the best tool for Bismuth Ore farming. It provides a 10% chance to mine additional ore per swing at base level, increasing to 30% at max refinement. Since Patch 1.00.03 removed the lightning requirement, the Knuckledrill works on all Bismuth deposits from the moment you obtain it.
Ore deposits respawn after approximately 7 in-game days. When running a Bismuth farming route, mine every deposit and defeat every Bismuth Crab on the path so they all reset together. Use the time skip function at campfires or beds to advance time between farming runs.
You can also use the Charged Shot bow skill to break Bismuth deposits on high cliff faces that are difficult to reach by climbing. The ore chunks fall to the ground for easy collection.
Since Patch 1.00.03, Bismuth Ore can be mined with a standard pickaxe from the moment you obtain one. There is no longer a need to wait for Damiane or lightning imbuements.
Damiane is unlocked during Chapter 2 of the main story. While her lightning skills are no longer required for Bismuth mining after Patch 1.00.03, she remains a powerful combat companion.
The Mining Knuckledrill increases ore drops by 10% and speeds up mining. Since Patch 1.00.03, any pickaxe works on Bismuth deposits, so the Knuckledrill is the best tool for maximizing yield.
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.