Where To Equip Great Runes
In Elden Ring, Great Runes are some of the most powerful and mysterious items players can acquire. These unique runes are rewards for defeating major bosses, specifically demigods, and they offer strong benefits when activated properly. However, many players are initially confused about where to equip Great Runes and how to use them effectively. This guide will walk you through exactly where and how to equip Great Runes in Elden Ring, as well as how to activate them and maintain their effects throughout your journey in the Lands Between.
Understanding the Purpose of Great Runes
What Are Great Runes?
Great Runes are key items dropped by some of the most powerful enemies in the game. These enemies are typically demigods tied to the core storyline, such as Godrick the Grafted or Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon. While each rune is different, they all serve as optional enhancements to your character. However, to use their effects, you must go through a few additional steps beyond just collecting them.
Why Equip Great Runes?
When equipped and activated, Great Runes can offer game-changing bonuses such as increased health, improved stats, or special abilities. These buffs can dramatically alter your build, provide advantages in combat, and enhance your survivability. However, the process of equipping a Great Rune is not immediately obvious, especially to players new to FromSoftware’s design style.
Where to Equip Great Runes
The Divine Tower Locations
After obtaining a Great Rune, your first step is to restore its power. This must be done at a specific Divine Tower associated with the demigod who dropped the rune. These towers are located throughout the Lands Between and are not always easy to reach.
- Godrick’s Great Rune: Restored at the Divine Tower of Limgrave, located on a bridge near Stormveil Castle.
- Radahn’s Great Rune: Restored at the Divine Tower of Caelid, which can be accessed through a series of portals after defeating Starscourge Radahn.
- Morgott’s Great Rune: Restored at the Divine Tower of East Altus, accessible from Leyndell, the Royal Capital.
To equip a Great Rune, you must first activate it at its corresponding Divine Tower. Without this step, the rune remains inert and unusable.
Opening the Equipment Menu
Once you’ve restored a rune’s power, head to a Site of Grace. Here’s how to equip it:
- Rest at any Site of Grace.
- Select the option Great Runes.
- Choose the restored Great Rune from the list.
Only one Great Rune can be equipped at a time, and switching between them requires visiting a Site of Grace again. Each rune provides different bonuses, so experiment with them based on the challenges you’re facing or your current build.
How to Activate Great Runes
Using Rune Arcs
Equipping a Great Rune doesn’t automatically grant its effects. To activate the bonus, you need to consume a Rune Arc. This item temporarily unlocks the power of your equipped Great Rune. The bonus will remain active until your character dies, at which point you must use another Rune Arc to reactivate the power.
Rune Arcs are consumables, so using them wisely is important. Save them for boss fights, exploration in dangerous areas, or invasions when you need the extra edge.
Where to Get Rune Arcs
You can find Rune Arcs in a number of ways:
- Looted from corpses and treasure chests.
- Dropped by rats and other enemies.
- Purchased from merchants in certain locations, such as Roundtable Hold.
- Earned by helping other players in co-op and defeating bosses together.
Farming Rune Arcs can be time-consuming, but it’s worth it if you rely heavily on Great Rune bonuses. Stockpiling a few will ensure you’re always prepared to make full use of your rune’s power.
Different Great Runes and Their Effects
Godrick’s Great Rune
Perhaps the first Great Rune most players will encounter, Godrick’s Rune grants a boost to all attributes. This includes Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, and more. It’s a versatile rune useful for almost any build, making it a strong choice for the early and mid-game.
Radahn’s Great Rune
This rune boosts your health, stamina, and FP, offering a significant boost to survivability and overall endurance. It’s an ideal choice for melee-focused builds or long dungeon runs where sustainability matters most.
Morgott’s Great Rune
When activated, Morgott’s rune significantly increases your maximum HP. This makes it a great choice for tanky builds or situations where high durability is needed, such as difficult boss battles or PvP invasions.
Other Runes
There are several more Great Runes throughout the game, each with specific effects. Some focus on unique mechanics like resistances, special damage types, or even healing. Exploring and experimenting with different runes adds a layer of depth and strategy to your character development.
Tips for Efficient Use of Great Runes
- Don’t waste Rune Arcs during easy content save them for challenging encounters.
- Visit Divine Towers early after acquiring a Great Rune to unlock its use.
- Switch Great Runes between activities to match their effects to your current goals.
- Farm Rune Arcs through jolly cooperation to avoid resource scarcity.
- Combine Great Runes with Talismans to enhance your build’s effectiveness.
Some players make the mistake of ignoring Great Runes altogether, assuming they are too limited or inconvenient. In truth, once you understand how to equip and activate them, Great Runes become one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal.
Equipping Great Runes in Elden Ring requires more than just defeating a boss and picking up the item. You need to restore its power at a Divine Tower, equip it at a Site of Grace, and then activate it using a Rune Arc. While this may seem like a lot of steps, the bonuses these runes provide are well worth the effort. From increased stats to extended health pools, Great Runes can enhance your gameplay and give you a significant edge in both PvE and PvP situations. Knowing where to equip Great Runes and how to use them effectively will help you survive and thrive in the treacherous world of the Lands Between.