Greater Runes are special rewards earned after defeating story bosses that significantly boost a character in Elden Ring. This guide covers all the major runes, explains their properties, and highlights which are most useful in different playstyles.
What are great runes and how do you use them?
The journey begins with Godrick the Grafted, the first story boss. Defeating him grants a great rune and unlocks a new section in the character menu. The rune is stored in a special lock, not in the regular inventory, and must be equipped from there.
Activation is required for every rune to unleash its power. Players must locate a suitable tower containing an activator. There are six runes, each tied to its own tower, and these buildings are typically found near the boss arena.
After activation, the rune’s effects are not immediately available. Players should open the runic archive in their inventory and use a consumable to receive the buffs associated with the great rune. If the character dies, the effect ends, and a new activation is needed for the effect to return.
Like ashes of war, great runes can be changed or swapped without penalty.
Greater Rune activation requires a one-time ritual in a dedicated location. The process is straightforward: locate the appropriate arc and apply the buff using the corresponding consumable. Note that the effect does not persist through death and must be reapplied for continued benefit.
In practice, the path to maximizing power with runes blends strategic activation with build choices. The rune system rewards careful planning and situational use, rather than a single universal solution.
Greater Rune of Mog
The Lord of Blood is among the tougher adversaries, yet Mog’s rune proves most beneficial in specific contexts. The description indicates a blood blessing on phantoms, suggesting a strong PvP orientation. Blessings from Blood restore a small amount of health when summoned allies defeat enemies, but the effect is weak in single-player campaigns.
The Mog fight unfolds in the Mausoleum of the Mogwin Dynasty, and the rune is activated from the Divine Tower of East Altus. Players should plan for a zone where cooperative play or strategic timing matters most.
Greater Rune of Malenia
Malenia is renowned for her brutal challenge. The great rune she grants offers lifesteal for a short window after taking damage, typically lasting about five seconds. For players who favor dodging and tactical pacing over charging in as a tank, the rune can feel underwhelming.
The healing is capped by the amount of life lost, and without additional passive regen sources, the rune’s impact remains limited. Malenia’s duel occurs at the Holy Tree of Mikella location, and activation is done in the isolated sacred tower.
Greater Rune of Ricard
The Greater Rune of Rijkaard is an enhanced variant of Malenia’s rune, granting 185 health per enemy defeated. This makes it highly effective for exploration and crowd control rather than boss fights. In the right circumstances, it can contribute to a pseudo-immortality when combined with the right sustain.
The Rickard battle takes place at Volcano Manor. Activation is achieved by visiting the Divine Tower of Western Altus, linking the rune to a path that players can plan around during exploration.
Greater Rune of Morgoth
The Morgoth great rune is considered among the strongest options in the game. It substantially increases the character’s maximum health, and when combined with choices that bolster magic or stamina, it helps balance a build. Morgoth’s fight is held in Leindell, and the rune is activated from the Divine Tower of East Altus, making it a popular pick for early and midgame progression.
Greater Rune of Radan
Radan’s relic stands out by boosting not only health but also mana and stamina. This makes it a solid choice for players who want an all-around fighter who does not want to sacrifice stats. To locate Radan, players use a teleport to reach the Howling Dunes; the portal sits near Redmayne Castle in the southern Starry Wastes. Activation is available from the Divine Tower of the Starry Wastes.
Greater Rune of Godric
The Greater Rune of Godric delivers broad utility across many builds by adding five points to every stat, effectively granting a substantial leveling boost. The total increase is not tied to current character level, so it remains attractive even at higher levels. The boss encounter happens at Storm’s End Castle, with activation possible at the Divine Tower of the Graveyard.
When comparing options, it becomes clear that early access to the Godric rune often provides the most noticeable advantages for a wide range of playstyles.
Other guides
All guides and practical tips for Elden Ring are available through a variety of resources and communities. Readers should seek current, well-sourced information to support their in-game decisions. (citation: VG Times)