Of the many mysteries that shroud the Lands Between, the Great Runes shattered during the Shattering war are among the most coveted. These shards of the Elden Ring itself are not mere trinkets; they are fonts of immense power, capable of bending the very rules of reality for the Tarnished who proves worthy enough to restore them. However, acquiring a Great Rune is only half the battle. Its true potential remains locked away until it is activated with a Rune Arc, a rare and consumable item that transforms the Rune from a trophy into a tangible blessing.
This guide delves into the effects of all seven main Great Runes, offering a detailed analysis of their blessings to help you decide which power best suits your journey to become the Elden Lord.
1. Godrick's Great Rune: The All-Rounder's Boon
Acquired from: Godrick the Grafted in Stormveil Castle. Activated at: Divine Tower of Limgrave.
The Blessing: Boosts all attributes by +5.
Often the first Great Rune obtained by players, Godrick's is arguably the most versatile and universally beneficial. A flat +5 increase to Vigor, Mind, Endurance, Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, and Arcane is a monumental early to mid-game power spike.
This rune effectively provides 40 additional levels, allowing for significant stat flexibility. It can let a strength-based warrior suddenly meet the minimum requirements for potent utility spells, grant a mage a much larger health pool and stamina bar, or provide any build with a substantial boost to survivability and damage output. While its relative impact diminishes in the very late game when stats are soft-capped, its value through the majority of the playthrough is unparalleled for hybrid builds or those looking to round out their character's weaknesses.
2. Radahn's Great Rune: The Bruiser's Fortitude
Acquired from: Starscourge Radahn in Caelid. Activated at: Divine Tower of Caelid.
The Blessing: Increases maximum HP, FP, and Stamina by +15%.
Where Godrick's rune adds raw numbers, Radahn's offers powerful percentage-based boosts. This effect is exceptionally potent for builds that already invest heavily in Vigor, Mind, and Endurance. A character with 60 Vigor will see their health pool swell even further, making them incredibly durable. Similarly, spellcasters will appreciate the expanded FP pool for more incantations or sorceries, and melee fighters will benefit from the increased stamina for more attacks, blocks, and dodges.
This rune excels in the late game. The percentage-based scaling means its benefits grow alongside your character, unlike Godrick's flat bonus. It is the premier choice for tanks, pure melee builds, and any player who prioritizes a large reservoir of health and stamina over a spread of auxiliary stats.
3. Morgott's Great Rune: The Defensive Bulwark
Acquired from: Morgott, the Omen King in Leyndell, Royal Capital. Activated at: Divine Tower of East Altus.
The Blessing: Significantly increases maximum HP by +25%.
Morgott's Great Rune is the ultimate tool for survival. A straight 25% boost to your health is the single largest increase to survivability offered by any Great Rune. This blessing is straightforward but incredibly effective, especially in New Game+ cycles and against end-game bosses whose attacks can often one or two-shot players.
It lacks the versatility or additional utility of Godrick's or Radahn's runes, offering nothing for your FP, stamina, or other attributes. However, for players who find themselves consistently on the brink of death, or for those engaging in PvP where health is paramount, Morgott's rune provides a simple, massive, and reliable buffer.
4. Rykard's Great Rune: The Sustain Engine
Acquired from: Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy on Mt. Gelmir. Activated at: Divine Tower of West Altus.
The Blessing: Restores HP upon defeating enemies.
This rune evokes the effect of the "Souls" series staple like the "Ring of the Evil Eye." It is not a direct stat boost but a sustainability tool, perfect for exploration and clearing out dungeons. The HP restored per kill allows players to conserve Flask of Crimson Tears charges for boss fights and mitigate the gradual damage taken from minor encounters.
Its value is highly situational. In boss fights, where there are no minor enemies to defeat, it provides absolutely no benefit. Therefore, its use is primarily for traversing large, enemy-dense areas like the Consecrated Snowfield or clearing legacy dungeons without having to rest repeatedly. It's a quality-of-life rune rather than a combat-power rune.
5. Mohg's Great Rune: The Aggressor's Pact
Acquired from: Mohg, Lord of Blood in Mohgwyn Palace. Activated at: Divine Tower of East Altus (requires a special key from Mohg's area).
The Blessing: Grants a "Blessing of Blood" to phantoms and the host for PvE. In PvP, it applies a curse that builds bleed on nearby players.
Mohg's rune is bizarre and highly niche. Its primary described function is to bless allied phantoms (both NPC and player) during co-op, making them more powerful. However, its most famous and useful effect is its PvP application. When invading, it applies a constant, passive bleed build-up to all nearby hostile players (the world host and their phantoms).
This makes it an immensely powerful tool for invaders, effectively putting a timer on the host and forcing them to play aggressively or seek out a remedy. For pure PvE players who do not engage in co-op, this rune has very little practical use, making it the most specialized of the set.
6. Malenia's Great Rune: The High-Risk, High-Reward
Acquired from: Malenia, Blade of Miquella at the Haligtree. Activated at: Divine Tower of Limgrave (Isolated Tower).
The Blessing: Makes attacks heal slightly less than the damage they would have caused if landed without the rune. The healing effect is dramatically increased for a short period after taking damage.
Malenia's rune is a direct embodiment of her fight's mechanics. It changes the fundamental combat flow by allowing you to recover health through aggressive play, even if you've just been hit. This can be incredibly powerful for aggressive, high-damage builds that are constantly in the fray. It rewards skill and audacity.
However, it is also high-risk. It does not provide a flat health increase like Morgott's or Radahn's. If you are not consistently dealing damage, you gain no benefit. Against fast, aggressive bosses where landing hits is dangerous, this rune can be less effective than a straightforward health boost. It is a tool for experts who are confident in their ability to trade blows and maintain pressure.
7. The Great Rune of the Unborn: The Unique Exception
Acquired from: Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon in the Academy of Raya Lucaria.
This rune stands apart from all others. It cannot be equipped, nor does it require a Rune Arc to activate. Its power is passive and permanent upon acquisition. Its function is not a temporary blessing but a foundational mechanic: it allows you to Rebirth your character by talking to Rennala.
This is arguably one of the most important items in the game, as it enables limitless respecs (provided you have Larval Tears). It grants the ultimate flexibility, allowing you to completely rework your build, experiment with new weapons and spells, and correct any mistakes in your stat allocation without starting a new game.
Strategic Use of Rune Arcs
A Rune Arc is the key that unlocks a Great Rune's power until death. Use them strategically:
- Before a Boss Fight: Pop a Rune Arc just before entering a fog wall for a significant edge.
- During a Difficult Area: If you are struggling with a particular segment and have a few Rune Arcs to spare, using one can provide the boost needed to push through.
- Co-op and PvP: Engaging in multiplayer is an excellent time to use a Rune Arc, as helping a host defeat a boss or winning an invasion will reward you with more Rune Arcs, creating a sustainable loop.
In conclusion, the choice of Great Rune is a strategic decision that should complement your build and immediate challenge. Godrick's versatility, Radahn's scaling potency, Morgott's raw defense, and Malenia's aggressive regeneration each offer a unique path to power. Choose your blessing wisely, Tarnished, and may it guide you to the foot of the Elden Throne.
