How to Activate the Great Rune of the Grafted in Elden Ring
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
To activate the Great Rune of the Grafted in Elden Ring, you must first defeat its holder, Godrick the Grafted, at the end of Stormveil Castle. Then, you need to travel to the Divine Tower of Limgrave and restore the rune’s power at the tower’s top. This involves navigating a challenging path, but once completed, you can equip the activated Great Rune at a Site of Grace after using a Rune Arc.
Obtaining and Restoring Godrick’s Great Rune
Defeating Godrick the Grafted
Godrick the Grafted is one of the first major bosses encountered in Elden Ring. He resides at the end of Stormveil Castle in the Limgrave region. Beating him is a necessary step in advancing the main story and, crucially, in obtaining his Great Rune. Prepare for a multi-stage fight with varying attacks and a challenging second phase involving a dragon head. Employing spirit ashes and utilizing NPC summons, like Nepheli Loux, can greatly assist in this battle.
Journey to the Divine Tower of Limgrave
Once Godrick is defeated, you’ll receive the Great Rune of the Grafted. However, it’s currently inert and needs to be restored to its full power. This requires visiting the Divine Tower of Limgrave. This tower is located east of Stormveil Castle and is accessed by leaving the castle through the main gate.
- Navigating the Bridge: The path to the tower involves crossing a long, crumbling bridge guarded by Golem enemies. Be cautious as these enemies can easily knock you off the bridge. A combination of running and dodging their attacks is essential. Consider using ranged attacks to weaken them before engaging in melee combat.
- Entering the Tower: Upon reaching the tower, you’ll find an elevator inside. Take the elevator to the top of the tower. This ascent is a linear and safe journey, allowing you to gather your thoughts before activating the rune.
Restoring the Great Rune’s Power
At the summit of the Divine Tower of Limgrave, you’ll find a prominent interactable point. Approach this point and interact with it to restore the power of the Great Rune of the Grafted. A short cutscene will play, signifying the restoration process.
Equipping and Using the Great Rune
Equipping at a Site of Grace
With the Great Rune restored, you can now equip it at any Site of Grace. When interacting with a Site of Grace, a new option will appear: “Activate Great Rune“. Selecting this option allows you to choose which restored Great Rune you want to equip. You can only equip one Great Rune at a time.
Using a Rune Arc
Equipping a Great Rune is only half the equation. To actually gain the benefits of the Great Rune of the Grafted, you must use a Rune Arc. Rune Arcs are consumable items that, when used, grant you the Great Rune’s passive effect until death.
- Obtaining Rune Arcs: Rune Arcs can be obtained in several ways: defeating bosses (especially online), purchasing them from merchants, and finding them as loot in the game world.
- The Grafted Rune’s Effect: The Great Rune of the Grafted provides a significant boost to all your attributes – Vigor, Mind, Endurance, Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, and Arcane. This temporary buff can be invaluable in challenging areas or during boss fights.
Strategic Use
Rune Arcs are relatively rare, so it’s wise to use them strategically. Consider using them before attempting a difficult boss or exploring a particularly dangerous area. Also, remember that the effect is lost upon death, so weigh the risk before using one in an area you’re unfamiliar with.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happens if I die while using a Rune Arc?
Upon death, the effects of the Rune Arc are lost, and you will need to use another Rune Arc to regain the Great Rune’s bonus.
2. Can I equip multiple Great Runes at once?
No, you can only have one Great Rune equipped at a Site of Grace at any given time. You can swap between different Great Runes at any Site of Grace if you have restored more than one.
3. Where can I find more Rune Arcs?
Rune Arcs can be found by defeating bosses (especially when playing online, as you receive them for helping others defeat bosses), purchased from some merchants, and found as loot throughout the game world.
4. Do Great Runes have any negative effects?
No, Great Runes themselves have no negative effects. The only drawback is the need to consume a Rune Arc to activate their benefits, and the effect is lost upon death.
5. What if I haven’t explored the area near Stormveil Castle yet?
It’s highly recommended to explore Limgrave and the surrounding areas before tackling Stormveil Castle. This will allow you to level up, gather better equipment, and become more familiar with the game’s mechanics, making the fight against Godrick and the subsequent journey to the Divine Tower much easier.
6. Can I lose the Great Rune of the Grafted?
No, you cannot permanently lose the Great Rune once you acquire it. Even if you die, the Great Rune remains in your inventory and can be equipped at any Site of Grace after it has been restored at the Divine Tower.
7. Is the Great Rune of the Grafted worth using?
Yes, the Great Rune of the Grafted is generally considered one of the best Great Runes to use early in the game due to the well-rounded stat boost it provides. It’s especially useful for builds that rely on multiple stats.
8. What level should I be before fighting Godrick?
A recommended level range for fighting Godrick the Grafted is between level 30 and 40, with weapon upgrades around +3 to +5. However, this can vary based on your build and skill level.
9. Do other Great Runes require their own Divine Towers?
Yes, each Great Rune obtained from defeating a shardbearer requires you to visit a specific Divine Tower to restore its power. These towers are typically located in the region associated with the respective shardbearer.
10. Can I summon other players to help me with Godrick?
Yes, you can summon other players to assist you in the fight against Godrick the Grafted. Look for summoning pools near the boss arena and use a Furlcalling Finger Remedy to reveal summon signs.
11. What are some good strategies for fighting the Golems on the bridge to the Divine Tower?
Utilizing ranged attacks to weaken the Golems before they get close is a good strategy. Also, be patient and time your dodges carefully to avoid their powerful attacks. Alternatively, you can try to run past them entirely, but this is riskier.
12. Are there any side quests related to Godrick or the Divine Tower of Limgrave?
There are several NPC questlines that intersect with Stormveil Castle and the area around it. Exploring thoroughly and talking to NPCs will reveal these quests, which can provide valuable rewards and lore. The questline involving Nepheli Loux is one such example.
13. Can I respec my character and still keep the Great Rune of the Grafted?
Yes, you can respec your character using Larval Tears and still retain any Great Runes you have obtained and restored. This allows you to experiment with different builds without losing your progress.
14. Is it possible to skip Stormveil Castle entirely?
Yes, it is possible to bypass Stormveil Castle and access the Liurnia of the Lakes region. However, skipping Stormveil means you will miss out on obtaining the Great Rune of the Grafted and other important items and experiences.
15. How do I know if I’m using the Rune Arc effectively?
You’ll know you’re effectively using a Rune Arc because your stats will receive a temporary boost as indicated in your status screen. Also, the buff icon will appear on the left side of your health bar. The effects will remain active until you die.