Rykard’s Great Rune: A Deep Dive into its Healing Power

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How much HP does Rykard’s Great Rune restore? The answer is multifaceted: upon defeating an enemy while Rykard’s Great Rune is activated, it restores 80 HP plus 7% of your maximum HP. This is not a fixed amount; the actual healing depends on your character’s max Vigor stat which determines your total health. The more Vigor you have, the higher your maximum health, and thus, the more HP you will recover with each kill while the rune is active. Furthermore, this effect is triggered specifically when an enemy is defeated, not merely damaged.

Rykard’s Great Rune is one of the more unique Great Runes in Elden Ring, standing apart from its stat-boosting counterparts by offering a sustain-focused benefit. Unlike Godrick’s Great Rune which increases all attributes or Radahn’s Great Rune that boosts HP, FP, and stamina, Rykard’s focuses solely on healing through combat.

How to Utilize Rykard’s Great Rune

Activating the Rune

Acquiring Rykard’s Great Rune involves defeating the formidable boss, Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, located in Mt. Gelmir. Once defeated, he will drop the rune. To activate the rune’s effects, you must first restore its power by visiting the Divine Tower of West Altus, which is near the Sealed Tunnel site of grace. Once restored, you can equip it at any Site of Grace. Upon resting, select “Great Runes,” and equip the restored rune to benefit from its unique healing abilities. It is important to note that you must also consume a Rune Arc to activate the rune’s power. This consumable item will enable the rune’s effects until death or until the Great Rune is unequipped.

How the Healing Works

The healing from Rykard’s Great Rune triggers every time you defeat an enemy while under the effects of a Rune Arc. This makes it highly effective in areas with many weak enemies. The flat healing of 80 HP is consistent, while the 7% max HP restore is a crucial part of its effectiveness, making the rune more beneficial as your character grows stronger and gains more Vigor. Note that this healing effect stacks with other forms of lifesteal. This means that if you are using a weapon with lifesteal properties or are utilizing spells that restore health upon inflicting damage, the effect of Rykard’s Great Rune is additive, leading to powerful sustainability.

Strengths and Weaknesses

The strength of Rykard’s Great Rune lies in its ability to turn encounters into opportunities for healing. Unlike traditional healing items that need to be used strategically, Rykard’s Great Rune passively heals you as you navigate through the world. This is particularly useful for melee-focused builds that engage frequently in close-quarters combat. However, its effectiveness diminishes drastically when facing singular, powerful enemies like bosses, unless there are adds to defeat. The need for a Rune Arc to activate its effects also means that players have to manage their supply of these items, making it a less sustainable strategy for players who die often.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Rykard’s Great Rune

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Rykard’s Great Rune and its mechanics to further help players understand its function within Elden Ring:

1. Does Rykard’s Great Rune heal based on damage dealt or kills? Rykard’s Great Rune heals you upon the defeat of an enemy, not based on the damage dealt.

2. Can the healing from Rykard’s Great Rune overheal? No, the healing only restores HP up to your character’s maximum health.

3. Does the Great Rune’s effect stack with other healing abilities? Yes, the healing stacks with other lifesteal effects, such as those from certain weapons and spells.

4. How long does Rykard’s Great Rune last? It lasts until you die or switch to a different great rune. The rune’s effect is active when you have used a rune arc.

5. Can you use a Rune Arc to reactivate a great rune while one is already active? Yes, you can use a new Rune Arc to re-apply an already equipped Great Rune’s effects, should it be necessary.

6. Is Rykard’s Great Rune better than Godrick’s Great Rune? This depends on your build. Godrick’s Great Rune offers a straight buff to all attributes, while Rykard’s Great Rune provides a sustained healing effect. If you need a flat stat boost, Godrick’s might be better; however, Rykard’s is perfect for extended exploration and dungeon runs if you use a melee build.

7. How many Runes does Rykard drop? Rykard drops 100,000 Runes upon defeat.

8. What is the Remembrance of Rykard used for? The Remembrance of Rykard can be traded with Enia at the Roundtable Hold for items, or consumed for a large number of runes.

9. What stats are needed for the Blasphemous Blade, made from the Remembrance of Rykard? The Blasphemous Blade requires 22 Strength, 15 Dexterity, and 21 Faith.

10. Where can I find the Divine Tower of West Altus? The Divine Tower of West Altus is near the Sealed Tunnel site of grace in the Capital Outskirts.

11. Does the Great Rune’s healing effect work on bosses? Yes, it works on bosses, but only upon defeating any summoned adds (if any), making the Great Rune less effective in these situations.

12. What happens if I switch to another Great Rune? If you switch to another Great Rune, the effects of Rykard’s Great Rune will cease until it is re-equipped and reactivated with a Rune Arc.

13. How much HP does a Rune Arc increase by itself? A Rune Arc will slightly increase your maximum HP but provides only a marginal boost. They are best saved to activate the effects of Great Runes.

14. What is the best Faith Seal in Elden Ring? The Erdtree Seal is considered the best Faith Seal due to its high incantation scaling which begins S scaling with Faith at +5.

15. What other great runes are considered top-tier in Elden Ring? While it’s a subjective opinion, Godrick’s Great Rune is considered one of the best, as well as Morgott’s Great Rune and Radahn’s Great Rune which boost HP, FP and Stamina.

Conclusion

Rykard’s Great Rune is a powerful tool for players focusing on sustained combat, offering a reliable source of healing as long as enemies are defeated. While it may not be the best choice for every scenario, it provides great utility for players that want to explore dungeons and areas at length. It also stacks well with other lifesteal abilities, creating a high-sustain build for players focused on melee engagements. Understanding its specific mechanics will allow players to fully appreciate the potential of Rykard’s Great Rune in their journey through the Lands Between.