Unlocking the Phantom Great Rune in Elden Ring: A Comprehensive Guide
The Phantom Great Rune is a unique item in Elden Ring obtained through PvP invasions after acquiring a Great Rune. It applies a specific buff to enemies in the invaded world. More precisely, it boosts their attack power when blood loss occurs nearby, adding a layer of tactical depth to your invasions. So, how exactly do you get your hands on this elusive rune? First, obtain a Great Rune and then successfully invade another player’s world to receive the effect of the Phantom Great Rune. This guide will break down each step, answer your burning questions, and turn you into a Phantom Great Rune master.
The Path to the Phantom Great Rune: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Defeat Mohg, Lord of Blood
Your journey begins with facing Mohg, Lord of Blood. This Demigod Boss resides deep within the Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum. Reaching Mohgwyn Palace is a feat in itself, often requiring progress in Varré’s questline or navigating through the Consecrated Snowfield. Mohg is a formidable opponent, known for his Bloodflame Talons and the devastating “NIHIL!” incantation. Proper preparation is essential: consider using items that resist blood loss and fire damage.
Step 2: Acquire Mohg’s Great Rune
Upon vanquishing Mohg, he will drop his Great Rune, a key item required for obtaining the Phantom Great Rune effect. Remember to pick it up; it doesn’t automatically appear in your inventory.
Step 3: Activate Mohg’s Great Rune at the Divine Tower of East Altus
Great Runes need to be activated at their respective Divine Towers. In Mohg’s case, you need to travel to the Divine Tower of East Altus. This tower is located in the Capital Outskirts, accessible after defeating the boss guarding the entrance to Leyndell, Royal Capital. The tower is a straightforward climb, but be wary of the Godskin Apostle guarding the elevator. Once at the top, interact with the Two Fingers statue to activate Mohg’s Great Rune.
Step 4: Invade Other Players
Now that you have Mohg’s Great Rune activated, the Phantom Great Rune effect comes into play during PvP invasions. Equip the activated Great Rune, use a Festering Bloody Finger or the Recusant Finger, and attempt to invade another player’s world. Note that you must be online and within the level range of potential hosts.
Step 5: Experience the Blessing of Blood
When you successfully invade a world, the enemies within that world will receive a blessing of blood. This blessing significantly boosts their attack power when blood loss occurs nearby. This creates a strategic advantage for you, as skilled players can use blood loss procs to amplify the threat posed by the host’s existing enemies. You don’t receive a physical “Phantom Great Rune” item; the effect is tied to invading while Mohg’s Great Rune is active.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does the Phantom Great Rune drop as a separate item?
No, the Phantom Great Rune doesn’t exist as a standalone item. The term refers to the effect granted when invading with Mohg’s Great Rune active. You won’t find it in your inventory.
2. Can I get the Phantom Great Rune effect without defeating Mohg?
No, defeating Mohg, Lord of Blood is a prerequisite to obtaining Mohg’s Great Rune, which is essential for triggering the Phantom Great Rune effect during invasions.
3. Does the Blessing of Blood affect all enemies in the invaded world?
Yes, when you invade with Mohg’s Great Rune active, all enemies in the invaded world receive the blessing of blood, which increases their attack power when blood loss occurs near them.
4. How long does the Phantom Great Rune effect last?
The Phantom Great Rune effect is active only during the invasion. Once the invasion ends, the effect disappears until you initiate another invasion with Mohg’s Great Rune activated.
5. Can I use Mohg’s Great Rune in co-op to give enemies the blessing of blood?
No, the Phantom Great Rune effect and the associated blessing of blood only apply during PvP invasions. It doesn’t work in cooperative play.
6. Does the host know that their enemies have received the blessing of blood?
There’s no explicit visual indicator for the host. However, a keen-eyed host might notice their enemies dealing significantly more damage during blood loss procs, potentially alerting them to your Phantom Great Rune strategy.
7. How do I maximize the effectiveness of the Phantom Great Rune?
Focus on weapons and spells that inflict blood loss quickly. The faster you can trigger blood loss, the more frequently the enemy attack boost will activate, creating a more dangerous environment for the host.
8. Can I stack Great Runes for multiple invasion effects?
No, you can only have one Great Rune active at a time. You can switch between activated Great Runes at a Site of Grace, but you can’t combine their effects.
9. What happens if I die during an invasion with Mohg’s Great Rune activated?
If you die during the invasion, the Great Rune remains active, and you can attempt another invasion. However, if you use a Rune Arc to gain the benefits of the Great Rune and then die outside of an invasion, the Rune Arc’s effect will be lost, and you’ll need to use another one.
10. Is the Phantom Great Rune effect worth it?
The Phantom Great Rune effect is a niche strategy, best suited for players who enjoy aggressive PvP and want to create chaos in the invaded world. Its effectiveness depends on your playstyle and the host’s combat prowess.
11. What level should I be to effectively use Mohg’s Great Rune for invasions?
Generally, levels 80-150 offer a good range for PvP activity. You’ll find potential hosts in various regions depending on your level and weapon upgrade level.
12. How do I respec my character to better utilize blood loss builds for the Phantom Great Rune?
You can respec your character by defeating Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, and using a Larval Tear at Raya Lucarian Grand Library. This allows you to redistribute your stats to focus on Arcane, Dexterity, or Strength depending on your chosen blood loss weapons.
13. Where can I find more Festering Bloody Fingers for invasions?
Festering Bloody Fingers can be found throughout the world, often as loot from corpses or rewards for completing certain NPC questlines, such as Varré’s questline.
14. Are there any educational resources on Elden Ring’s mechanics?
Yes, resources such as the Games Learning Society offer insights into game mechanics and design, though not specifically about Elden Ring. Further, many online communities and wikis delve deep into the mechanics of Elden Ring. You can learn more about game-based learning and the GamesLearningSociety.org at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
15. Could FromSoftware change how the Phantom Great Rune works in future patches?
Absolutely. FromSoftware is known for patching and balancing their games. The mechanics of the Phantom Great Rune, like other aspects of Elden Ring, could be adjusted in future updates based on player feedback and overall game balance. Keep an eye on patch notes!