To activate Great Runes in Elden Ring, you must journey to their respective Divine Towers, overcome the challenges to reach the summit, and restore their power.
Understanding Great Runes
Great Runes are incredibly potent artifacts acquired by defeating the demigod Shardbearer bosses across the Lands Between. Each Great Rune possesses unique properties and, once activated, can significantly bolster your character's abilities, offering substantial advantages in combat and exploration.
The Activation Process
The process of activating a Great Rune involves a specific pilgrimage to its associated Divine Tower, followed by a ritual to re-invigorate its dormant power.
Step-by-Step Activation
Follow these steps to successfully activate your Great Runes:
- Acquire a Great Rune: Your first step is to defeat one of the major Shardbearer bosses in Elden Ring. Each of these formidable foes drops a Great Rune upon defeat.
- Locate its Divine Tower: Every Great Rune is intrinsically linked to a specific Divine Tower. The challenge often lies in solving the "riddle" of how to reach this tower, as access can sometimes be hidden, require specific conditions, or involve navigating complex areas of the world.
- Ascend to the Summit: Once you've successfully reached the Divine Tower, you will need to find the means to reach its very top. This usually involves taking a grand lift or overcoming various obstacles and enemies within the tower itself.
- Re-invigorate the Rune: At the pinnacle of the Divine Tower, you will discover a designated spot where you can re-invigorate your Great Rune. Interacting with this location will restore the rune's inherent powers, making it ready for use.
- Utilize its Power (for a price): After activation, the Great Rune is not automatically active. You must first equip it at any Site of Grace. To then benefit from its immense power, you must consume a Rune Arc. This is the "price" for its activation, granting you the rune's benefits until you suffer your next death.
Benefits of Activated Great Runes
When a Great Rune is active, it provides powerful stat boosts or unique effects that significantly enhance your character. These benefits persist until you are defeated in combat, at which point you will need to consume another Rune Arc to reactivate them. For example, Godrick's Great Rune boosts all attributes, while Radahn's Great Rune increases maximum HP, FP, and Stamina.
Important Considerations
- Specific Towers: Remember that each Great Rune has its own unique Divine Tower for activation. You cannot activate all runes at a single tower.
- Rune Arcs: Rune Arcs are a finite resource, though they can be found throughout the world or earned by defeating certain enemies or bosses. Manage their usage wisely.
- Equipping and Re-activating: Always ensure your desired Great Rune is equipped at a Site of Grace, and be prepared to use a Rune Arc each time you wish to regain its benefits after dying.
- One Active Rune: Only one Great Rune can be equipped and active at any given time.
