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Activating Malenia’s Great Rune: A Comprehensive Guide for Elden Ring Tarnished

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So, you’ve felled Malenia, Blade of Miquella – a feat deserving of legendary status in the Lands Between! Now you’re staring at her Great Rune and wondering, “How in the Erdtree do I use this thing?” Fear not, Tarnished! Activating Malenia’s Great Rune involves a specific, and somewhat convoluted, process. You’ll need to reach the Isolated Divine Tower, ascend its heights, and interact with the dead Two Fingers located at its peak. Let’s break down each step.

Reaching the Isolated Divine Tower

The Isolated Divine Tower isn’t exactly advertised on any map, and getting there requires a bit of ingenuity. There are two primary methods, one accessible early in the game, and the other unlocked after a significant story event.

Method 1: The Tower of Return and Divine Bridge (Early Access)

This method allows you to access the Isolated Divine Tower very early in your playthrough, though it does involve facing a powerful enemy immediately upon arrival.

Locate the Tower of Return: Travel to the Weeping Peninsula, south of Limgrave. On the southern tip of the peninsula, you’ll find the Tower of Return.
Climb the Tower: Scale the tower to its top, where you’ll find a seemingly innocuous chest.
Trigger the Teleport Trap: Opening the chest will trigger a teleport trap, instantly transporting you to Leyndell, Royal Capital.
The Divine Bridge: You’ll arrive on the Divine Bridge. This is not the Isolated Divine Tower. Be prepared to immediately face a Golem enemy. Either defeat it or avoid it.
Locate the Waygate: On the Divine Bridge, look for a inactive waygate. This is what we need to get to the tower.
Activating the Waygate: There are a couple of ways to do this. You can proceed deeper into Leyndell until you fight Morgott, the Omen King. Defeating him will automatically repair the Divine Bridge and activate the waygate. Alternately, you can head into the Forsaken Depths, beat Mohg, the Omen, and receive Mohg’s Shackles. These shackles will briefly stun Mohg if used during his fight, but they can also be used to activate the Divine Bridge waygate.
Take the Waygate: Once activated, the waygate will teleport you directly to the base of the Isolated Divine Tower.

Method 2: Post-Crumbling Farum Azula Access

After completing the Crumbling Farum Azula area, the Divine Bridge waypoint becomes inaccessible through normal means. Instead, it turns into a teleportation trap itself!

Return to the Tower of Return: As before, head to the Tower of Return in the Weeping Peninsula.
Trigger the Teleport Trap (Again): Open the chest at the top of the tower. This time, instead of going to the Divine Bridge, you will teleport directly to the entrance of the Tower of Return. This now provides access to the Divine Bridge.
The Divine Bridge: As mentioned above, on the Divine Bridge, look for an inactive waygate. This is what we need to get to the tower.
Take the Waygate: Once activated, the waygate will teleport you directly to the base of the Isolated Divine Tower.

Ascending and Activating the Rune

Once you’ve reached the base of the Isolated Divine Tower, the path to the top is relatively straightforward, but beware of enemy patrols.

Navigate the Tower: Ascend the tower. There’s a fairly linear path upward, involving elevators and walkways. Be cautious of the enemies you encounter along the way, as they can pose a threat, especially to lower-level characters.
Reach the Peak: At the very top of the tower, you’ll find the dead Two Fingers. This is the key to activating Malenia’s Great Rune.
Interact with the Two Fingers: Approach the dead Two Fingers and interact with them. This will activate Malenia’s Great Rune, allowing you to equip it at a Site of Grace.

Using Malenia’s Great Rune

Now that you’ve activated Malenia’s Great Rune, you need to understand how to actually use it.

Equip the Rune: At any Site of Grace, select the “Great Runes” option. From there, equip Malenia’s Great Rune.
Activate with a Rune Arc: To gain the benefits of the Rune, you must consume a Rune Arc. These are relatively rare consumable items that activate the equipped Great Rune until you die.
Understanding the Effect: Malenia’s Great Rune provides a unique effect: Attacks made immediately after receiving damage will partially recover HP. In essence, if you get hit, you have a brief window to retaliate and regain some of that lost health. This encourages aggressive play and can be a lifesaver in tough situations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Malenia’s Great Rune and its activation:

1. Can you still activate Malenia’s Great Rune after completing the game?

Yes, you can activate Malenia’s Great Rune at any point in the game, even after defeating the final boss. The methods for reaching the Isolated Divine Tower remain the same.

2. What is the best Great Rune in Elden Ring?

The “best” Great Rune is subjective and depends on your playstyle. However, Godrick’s Great Rune, which boosts all stats, is generally considered one of the most versatile and powerful. Malenia’s is definitely up there as well, especially for aggressive, skilled players.

3. Is Malenia’s Great Rune worth using?

Absolutely! If you favor an aggressive playstyle and are confident in your ability to trade blows effectively, Malenia’s Great Rune can be incredibly beneficial. The HP recovery after taking damage can turn the tide of battle.

4. Where is the Divine Tower for Malenia?

As mentioned, the Divine Tower for Malenia is the Isolated Divine Tower, located near Leyndell, Royal Capital. Access it via the Divine Bridge Waygate.

5. What does Malenia’s Great Rune actually do?

Malenia’s Great Rune allows you to recover HP by attacking enemies immediately after you have been hit yourself. This is a very powerful ability that rewards aggressive play.

6. How much HP does Malenia’s Great Rune restore?

The amount of HP restored is proportional to the damage you deal in the retaliatory attack. Think of it as a temporary “vampiric” effect.

7. What is the best weapon to use with Malenia’s Great Rune?

Weapons with fast attack speeds or those that allow for quick follow-up attacks after taking damage work best with Malenia’s Great Rune. Consider weapons like katanas, curved swords, or even fast-casting spells.

8. Does Malenia’s Great Rune work with spells and incantations?

Yes, it absolutely works with spells and incantations! If you get hit and then immediately cast a spell that deals damage, you’ll regain HP.

9. Can I permanently activate a Great Rune?

No, there is no way to permanently activate a Great Rune. The effect lasts only until you die. Once you die, you need to consume another Rune Arc.

10. What happens if I die while using Malenia’s Great Rune?

Upon death, the Great Rune’s effect is lost. You must consume another Rune Arc and re-equip the rune at a Site of Grace to reactivate it.

11. Does Malenia’s Great Rune affect Flask of Crimson Tears?

No, using Malenia’s Great Rune doesn’t change how the Flask of Crimson Tears work. But the article did mention that the blessing of the Great Rune reduces the healing power of the Flask of Crimson Tears.

12. Can I stack the effects of Malenia’s Great Rune with other healing abilities?

Yes, you can stack the HP recovery from Malenia’s Great Rune with other healing abilities, such as incantations like “Blessing’s Boon” or talismans like the “Blessed Dew Talisman.”

13. Is it worth using Rune Arcs just for Malenia’s Great Rune?

That depends on how often you engage in combat and how confident you are in your skills. If you find yourself constantly trading blows, the HP recovery can make a significant difference. However, if you prefer a more cautious approach, other Great Runes might be more suitable.

14. Does armor or talismans affect the effectiveness of the Rune?

While armor and talismans won’t directly increase the amount of HP recovered, they can indirectly improve its effectiveness. For example, talismans that boost attack power will increase the amount of HP restored when you retaliate. Similarly, high poise armor can allow you to withstand attacks and retaliate more reliably.

15. Where can I find more Rune Arcs?

Rune Arcs are relatively rare, but you can find them in several ways:

Defeating Bosses: You often receive a Rune Arc for defeating a major boss.
Multiplayer: Successfully assisting another player as a summon will reward you with a Rune Arc.
Exploring: Some can be found as loot in the open world, particularly in areas with challenging enemies.
Purchasing: Occasionally, merchants will sell Rune Arcs, though their stock is limited.

Activating and effectively using Malenia’s Great Rune requires a bit of strategic thinking. However, with the right approach and a bit of practice, you can harness its power to become an even more formidable Tarnished in the Lands Between. Remember that gaming is a great tool for learning! Learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.