Great Runes are important objects which you will come across as you progress around Elden Ring's main path. They are essential for specific actions as well as having various purposes for your character. However, the game never explains to you how to utilize them in different ways, let alone what you need to accomplish to even have the chance to use them.
Even still, in true FromSoftware fashion, the method is virtually challenging to figure out on your own. Throughout the game, there are various Great Runes to gather, each of which provides a different advantage to your powers after devouring a Rune Arc.
Disclaimer: This article will contain details revolving around Elden Ring and will contain spoilers for the game. Readers are advised to proceed at their own discretion.
What are Great Runes in Elden Ring?
One of the two new prizes for defeating the final bosses of Elden Ring's main dungeons is Great Runes. They're the titular Elden Ring's parts, and there are six of them to gather. After completing Stormveil Castle, you will confront Godric's Great Rune for the first time. They serve two purposes in gameplay: one is to simply reach the final region of the game (you will need at least two), and the other is to deliver incredibly substantial buffs to your character. However, you will not be able to achieve either of them unless you first perform some very particular tasks.
How To Use Great Runes In Elden Ring?
Great Runes can significantly improve the playability of the tarnished. This item offers a unique twist required to survive the Lands Between. To fully earn a Great Rune blessing, players must follow a series of complicated tasks.
Obtaining Great Runes
Restoring Great Runes' powers
Equipping restored Great Runes
Activating Great Runes
How many Great Runes are there in Elden Ring and who drops them?
Players must defeat a Demigod or a Shard Bearer to obtain a Great Rune. Those opponents are notoriously difficult to battle, therefore seeking assistance from online tarnished or Elden Ring NPCs can be really beneficial. After defeating the opponent, tarnished will gain their Great Runes and can proceed to the next level in acquiring the Great Runes' powers.
There are six real Great Runes accessible for players to locate and equip, as well as a few related objects (such as the Great Rune of the Unborn, which can't be "used" but to unlock a new type of merchant service from a significant NPC). The majority of the effects of these Great Runes are simple, albeit strong.
Godrick's Great Rune
The first monster that players will most likely face is Godrick the Grafted, who can be located in Stormveil Castle in Limgrave, and his rune will increase all qualities by five.
Radahn's Great Rune
This item may be won by fighting Starscourge Radahn in Caelid's Redmane Castle, and it increases players' Health Points by 15%, Stamina by 12.5%, and Focus Points by 12.5%.
Morgott's Great Rune
It is obtained by killing Morgott, the Omen King, in the Royal Capital of Leyndell, and increases total Health Points by 25%.
Rykard's Great Rune
To gain this rune, players must kill Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy in Mt. Gelmir's Volcano Manor, and activating it will heal players for 185 points every time they kill an adversary.
Mohg's Great Rune
This rune is earned by slaying Mohg, Lord of Blood in Mohgwyn Palace, and it allows players to enhance monsters when invading other players' worlds.
Malenia's Great Rune
The final rune can be obtained by defeating Malenia, Blade of Miquella in Elden Ring, and it will effectively establish the game's "rally" element. After taking damage, players will have a five-second window in which they can attack to heal themselves based on how much damage they took and inflicted. Crimsons Flasks, on the other hand, will only heal for around 25% of their normal amount as long as this Great Rune is active.
How to Awaken Great Runes?
Any Great Runes you discover must be activated in a Divine Tower, preferably one situated in the same territory as the boss that dropped the Great Rune. For example, slaying Godrick in Stormveil Castle necessitates restoring his Great Rune in the Divine Tower nearby. It will only work for that particular Great Rune, and you will only have to perform it once.
This is true throughout the game, albeit certain Towers are more difficult to enter over others, demanding you to battle difficult monsters, find artifacts, or solve puzzles. They all share the same visual theme that distinguishes them: large tiered constructions constructed of black stone, with a bridge halfway up that spans out to another location (but not always).
How To Equip and Activate Great Runes In Elden Ring?
Rest beside the nearest Site of Lost Grace once players have restored the power of the Great Rune. The Great Rune Menu will be unlocked. Inside, Elden Ring players can equip their character with the repaired Great Rune. Unfortunately, the Great Rune will not operate unless players take an additional step.
To activate Great Runes, players must first consume Rune Arcs in Elden Ring. These things are uncommon and generally available from merchants spread around the Lands Between.
FAQs
Q. Where do I activate Great Runes?
A. Great runes need to be activated in a Divine Tower, preferably one situated in the same territory as the boss that dropped the Great Rune.
