Rune Arcs are one of the most valuable items in Elden Ring. These consumables can confer significant buffs to players when combined with a Great Rune, and can make a huge difference when trying to confront challenging enemies and bosses. However, it’s not immediately apparent how a Rune Arc works and what players need to do to change its powers.
What does a Rune Arc do in Elden Ring?
When a player has a Great Rune equipped in Elden Ring, they can use a Rune Arc to activate its buff. They’re actually a part of the Elden Ring, according to their description:
“A shard of the shattered Elden Ring.
Grants the blessing of an equipped Great Rune upon use.
Even if no Great Rune is equipped, it will slightly increase maximum HP upon use.
It is said that the lower arch of the Elden Ring receives its bounty, and this is a shard of one such arch.”
Rune Arcs can be found scattered throughout the Lands Between or purchased from several merchants in the game. However, players can also farm them. These valuable items are a rare drop from rats. From our playthrough, it seems like the ones in the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds in Leyndell are the most likely to drop one.
So far, we’ve found six Great Runes that can be equipped at any Site of Grace and activated with a Rune Arc:
- Godrick’s Great Rune: Raises all attributes by five points.
- Malenia’s Great Rune: Attacking enemies recovers HP.
- Mohg’s Great Rune: Grants a blessing of blood to phantoms (powers up Spirit Ashes).
- Morgott’s Great Rune: Raises max HP considerably.
- Radahn’s Great Rune: Raises max HP, FP, and stamina.
- Rykard’s Great Rune: Heals players each time they defeat an enemy.
There are ten slots for equippable Great Runes, so we suspect that there are four more hidden in the game somewhere.
Players should note that the effect of Rune Arcs lasts until a player dies. So, players can teleport and change gear and continue to enjoy the Great Rune buff.
