Elden Ring is a game filled with mysteries. The freedom to explore in any direction you choose, while exhilarating, can also be overwhelming. Discovering new locations, enemies, and stunning vistas is a key part of Elden Ring’s appeal, but the game doesn’t always clearly explain its mechanics, particularly when it comes to Great Runes. These powerful items, obtained from defeating main dungeon bosses, offer significant buffs and unlock access to the game’s final area. However, their activation and usage aren’t immediately apparent. This guide breaks down the process of Awaken Great Runes, utilizing their power, and obtaining the necessary Rune Arcs.
What are Great Runes?
Great Runes are pieces of the titular Elden Ring, obtained from defeating the main bosses of Elden Ring’s dungeons. There are six Great Runes to collect, the first being Godric’s Great Rune, earned after conquering Stormveil Castle. They serve two crucial purposes: enabling access to the game’s final area (requiring at least two Great Runes) and providing substantial buffs for your character. However, these benefits are only unlocked after a specific activation process.
How to Awaken Great Runes
Before a Great Rune can bestow its power, it must be Awakened. Here’s the step-by-step process:
1.
Obtain a Great Rune:
As mentioned earlier, defeating a dungeon boss will grant you a Great Rune.2.
Locate the Divine Tower:
Each Great Rune corresponds to a specific Divine Tower, which serves as its activation point. For instance, Godric’s Great Rune’s Divine Tower is located near Stormveil Castle, at the end of the long broken bridge extending northeast.3.
Open Stormveil Castle’s front gate:
If you haven’t already, you’ll need to open the front gate of Stormveil Castle to access the bridge leading to the Divine Tower.4.
Survive the bridge crossing:
The bridge is guarded by three Guardian Golems, including one wielding a powerful bow. Prepare for a challenging encounter.5.
Reach the teleporter:
At the end of the accessible portion of the bridge, a teleporter will transport you to the Divine Tower.6.
Ascend the tower:
A lift will take you to the top of the tower where you’ll find statues and a large bone in the center.7.
Activate the Great Rune:
Interact with the statue to activate the Great Rune, imbuing it with its full potential.How to Use Great Runes
A Great Rune is an equippable item that offers powerful buffs once activated. Here’s how to utilize them:
1.
Visit a Site of Grace:
After activating a Great Rune, visit any Site of Grace.2.
Equip the Great Rune:
From the Site of Grace menu, select the ‘Equip Great Rune’ option and choose the desired Great Rune.3.
Use a Rune Arc:
Equipping a Great Rune alone doesn’t activate its buffs. You must use a rare item called a Rune Arc to evoke the Great Rune’s power. Rune Arcs can be purchased from a merchant in the Roundtable Hold for 4,000 runes or found in the world as rare drops.4.
Enjoy the buff:
The equipped Great Rune’s buff will remain active until you die. After death, you’ll need another Rune Arc to reactivate the buff. Save your Rune Arcs for challenging encounters where the extra edge can mean the difference between victory and defeat.Remember, reaching the game’s final area requires two Awakened Great Runes. Once you have them, the door will open, granting access to the game’s final challenges.
