Mastering Great Runes in Elden Ring: A Tarnished Guide
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.
So, you’ve conquered a formidable foe and claimed a Great Rune as your prize. Congratulations, Tarnished! But simply possessing one isn’t enough. These powerful artifacts require specific steps to unlock their true potential. This guide will walk you through the process of equipping and using your Great Runes in Elden Ring, ensuring you’re ready to face the challenges ahead.
Equipping and Using Great Runes: A Step-by-Step Guide
The process of equipping and using a Great Rune involves three key phases:
-
Restoring the Great Rune’s Power: Upon defeating a boss that holds a Great Rune, you won’t immediately be able to use it. The Rune is dormant and needs to be restored to its full power. This is achieved by visiting the corresponding Divine Tower associated with the boss you defeated. For example, Godrick’s Great Rune needs to be restored at the Divine Tower of Limgrave. Each Divine Tower is usually a challenging journey in itself, often involving traversal puzzles and enemy encounters. Reaching the top of the Divine Tower and interacting with the Two Fingers (or the interactable object present) will restore the Great Rune’s power.
-
Equipping the Great Rune at a Site of Grace: Once you’ve restored a Great Rune’s power, you can equip it at any Site of Grace. When you rest at a Site of Grace, a new option will appear in the menu called “Great Runes“. Open this menu to view all the Great Runes you’ve restored. Select the Great Rune you wish to equip. Remember, you can only have one Great Rune equipped at a time, so choose wisely based on your current needs and playstyle.
-
Activating the Great Rune’s Power with a Rune Arc: Equipping the Great Rune is only half the battle. To actually benefit from its effects, you need to consume a Rune Arc. Rune Arcs are consumable items that temporarily activate the power of your equipped Great Rune. The effects of a Rune Arc last until you die. This adds a risk-reward element, encouraging careful play and skillful combat. Rune Arcs can be found throughout the Lands Between, often on corpses in challenging locations or as rare drops from enemies like rats. They can also be purchased from certain merchants.
That’s it! Follow these steps, and you’ll be wielding the power of a Great Rune to enhance your abilities and overcome the toughest obstacles Elden Ring throws your way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Great Runes
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of using Great Runes in Elden Ring:
How do I permanently activate Great Runes?
There is no way to permanently activate a Great Rune’s power. You must consume a Rune Arc each time after you die to reactivate its effects. This mechanic is designed to provide a powerful, temporary buff rather than a permanent passive bonus.
How many Great Runes can I equip at once?
You can only equip one Great Rune at a time. Consider your current objectives and playstyle when deciding which Great Rune to use. Swapping between them at a Site of Grace allows for strategic adaptation to different encounters.
What happens when I die with a Great Rune active?
When you die, the effect of the Rune Arc is lost, and the Great Rune’s power deactivates. You must use another Rune Arc to reactivate it at a Site of Grace.
Are Great Runes worth using?
Absolutely! While the temporary nature of their activation might seem like a drawback, the substantial buffs provided by Great Runes can significantly enhance your character’s abilities. For example, Godrick’s Great Rune raises all attributes by five, providing a well-rounded boost to your stats. This can make a huge difference in challenging areas or during boss fights.
Where can I find Rune Arcs?
Rune Arcs can be found in several ways:
- Looting corpses in dangerous areas.
- As rare drops from certain enemies (rats are a known source, albeit uncommon).
- Purchasing them from certain merchants.
- Playing as a cooperator and successfully defeating a boss.
Which Great Rune is the best?
There’s no single “best” Great Rune, as their usefulness depends on your playstyle and current needs. However, some are generally considered more versatile:
- Godrick’s Great Rune: A great all-around choice for any build, raising all attributes.
- Radahn’s Great Rune: Increases HP, FP, and Stamina, making it useful for tankier builds or those relying on weapon arts and spells.
- Morgott’s Great Rune: Increases your maximum HP, providing a significant boost to survivability.
Can I lose a Great Rune?
You cannot lose a Great Rune once you’ve obtained and restored it. Even if you die, the Great Rune remains in your possession, ready to be equipped again at a Site of Grace.
What is the purpose of the Divine Towers?
Divine Towers serve as the locations where you restore the power of the Great Runes obtained from major bosses. Each Great Rune has its own corresponding Divine Tower.
How do I know which Divine Tower to visit for each Great Rune?
The game doesn’t explicitly tell you which Divine Tower corresponds to each Great Rune, but here’s a general guideline based on the region where you defeated the boss:
- Godrick’s Great Rune: Divine Tower of Limgrave
- Rennala’s Great Rune: Divine Tower of Liurnia
- Radahn’s Great Rune: Divine Tower of Caelid
- Morgott’s Great Rune: Divine Tower of East Altus
- Mohg’s Great Rune: Divine Tower of East Altus
Some divine towers can be harder to get to than others!
What happens if I use a Remembrance instead of getting the Great Rune’s power?
If you consume a Remembrance (the item obtained after defeating a major boss) for runes, you will not be able to acquire the corresponding Great Rune. You need to transpose the Remembrance at the Roundtable Hold with Enia to obtain the Great Rune’s power (or the boss’s unique weapon or spell).
Can I activate a Great Rune without restoring it at a Divine Tower?
No, you must restore the Great Rune’s power at its corresponding Divine Tower before you can equip and activate it with a Rune Arc.
Are there any penalties for switching Great Runes?
There are no penalties for switching Great Runes at a Site of Grace. You can swap them freely based on your current needs and playstyle.
How do Great Runes affect multiplayer?
Great Runes function the same way in multiplayer as they do in single-player. If you are summoned as a cooperator and successfully help the host defeat a boss, you will receive a Rune Arc as a reward. You can then use this Rune Arc to activate your own Great Rune in your world.
Do Great Runes affect my character’s appearance?
No, Great Runes do not change your character’s appearance. Their effects are purely stat-based buffs.
What is the “Great Runes” menu?
The “Great Runes” menu is accessible when resting at a Site of Grace. It displays all the Great Runes you have restored and allows you to equip one. It also shows the effect of each Great Rune for easy reference.
Final Thoughts
Mastering the use of Great Runes is essential for tackling the late-game challenges in Elden Ring. By understanding how to acquire, restore, equip, and activate these powerful artifacts, you’ll gain a significant advantage in your journey to become the Elden Lord. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different Great Runes to find the ones that best suit your build and playstyle. Good luck, Tarnished, and may the Greater Will guide you!
For more insights into the world of gaming and learning, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or GamesLearningSociety.org.