Great Runes
Great Runes are powerful, fragmented remnants of the Elden Ring itself, shattered during the Night of the Black Knives. Possessing a Great Rune grants the wielder a significant passive bonus, but they must be activated at a Divine Tower and then restored with a Rune Arc to unlock their full potential. These are some of the most coveted items in the game, tied to the demigods who rule the Lands Between.
Each of the major demigods who claimed a shard of the Elden Ring wields a Great Rune. Upon defeating these bosses, you will acquire their respective Great Rune. However, simply holding it is not enough. To harness its power, you must journey to the corresponding Divine Tower, often located in the same region as the demigod's boss arena, and interact with the altar at its summit.
Once activated, the Great Rune provides a permanent passive buff. For example, Godrick's Great Rune increases all of your stats by 5. Mohg's Great Rune enhances blood loss buildup and resistance. Radahn's Great Rune increases HP, FP, and Stamina. The specific bonus varies greatly, making some Great Runes more universally useful than others.
To *activate* the effect of an activated Great Rune, you must consume a Rune Arc. These rare consumable items are found throughout the world, dropped by specific enemies (like the Crucible Knights), or purchased from certain merchants. Consuming a Rune Arc grants the Great Rune's bonus for a limited time, typically around 3 minutes. This makes them invaluable for challenging boss fights or difficult encounters where you need every advantage.
Here is a list of the major Great Runes and their associated demigods:
| Great Rune | Demigod | Divine Tower | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Godrick's Great Rune | Godrick the Grafted | Divine Tower of Limgrave | +5 to all stats |
| Radahn's Great Rune | Starscourage Radahn | Divine Tower of Caelid | Increases HP, FP, and Stamina |
| Morgott's Great Rune | Morgott, the Omen King | Divine Tower of East Altus | Greatly raises HP |
| Rykard's Great Rune | Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy | Divine Tower of West Altus | Restores HP upon defeating enemies |
| Malenia's Great Rune | Malenia, Blade of Miquella | Great-Jar's Accomplishment (no tower) | Restores HP after being hit |
| Mohg's Great Rune | Mohg, Lord of Blood | Divine Tower of East Altus | Enhances blood loss buildup and resistance |
| Rennala's Great Rune | Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon | Divine Tower of Liurnia | Restores FP upon defeating enemies |
| Ryckard's Great Rune | Ryckard, Lord of Blasphemy | Divine Tower of West Altus | Restores HP upon defeating enemies |
Collecting and activating these Great Runes is a significant step in your journey to becoming Elden Lord. They provide substantial boosts that can make a real difference in challenging encounters. Remember to keep an eye out for Rune Arcs, as they are the key to unlocking the immediate power of your activated Great Runes.