Unlock the power of Elden Ring Great Runes with effects, locations, and the best runes for every build
Elden Ring Great Runes are more than just trophies from powerful demigods. They are unique items, dropped by Shardbearer bosses, unlock powerful effects that can boost your HP, enhance spirit summons, or give you an edge in PvP. To use them, you’ll need to restore each rune at a Divine Tower and activate it with a Rune Arc.
In this guide, we’ll cover every Great Rune in the base game, explain how to activate them, and help you choose the ones that truly impact your build.
How to Use Great Runes 🗺️
- Defeat a Shardbearer boss (e.g., Godrick, Radahn)
- Go to the related Divine Tower and restore the rune
- Equip it at a Site of Grace
- Use a Rune Arc to activate its effect (lasts until death)
💡 Pro Tip: You can farm Rune Arcs in multiplayer or buy them from merchants in late-game areas.
🗝️ Still haven’t accessed the DLC? Here’s how to unlock Shadow of the Erdtree and face new challenges worthy of your Great Rune setup.
Elden Ring Great Runes
1. Godrick’s Great Rune
- 📍 Dropped by: Godrick the Grafted
- 🗺️ Restored at: Divine Tower of Limgrave
- 🛡️ Effect: +5 to all attributes
- ✅ Best for: Early to mid-game builds
- 💡 Why it’s great: Simple, powerful, and universally useful. It’s like a full stat injection.
2. Radahn’s Great Rune
- 📍 Dropped by: Starscourge Radahn
- 🗺️ Restored at: Divine Tower of Caelid
- 🛡️ Effect: Increases HP, FP, and Stamina by a large amount
- ✅ Best for: Balanced and tanky builds
- 💡 Why it’s great: Great for long fights and exploration. More endurance = more everything.
3. Morgott’s Great Rune
- 📍 Dropped by: Morgott, the Omen King
- 🗺️ Restored at: Divine Tower of East Altus
- 🛡️ Effect: Boosts HP significantly
- ✅ Best for: Glass cannons needing survivability
- 💡 Why it’s great: PvP? Boss fights? This rune gives you the cushion you need.
4. Rykard’s Great Rune
- 📍 Dropped by: Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy
- 🗺️ Restored at: Divine Tower of West Altus
- 🛡️ Effect: Restores HP when defeating enemies
- ✅ Best for: PvE & mob-heavy areas
- 💡 Why it’s great: Synergizes perfectly with AoE builds and farming runs.
5. Mohg’s Great Rune
- 📍 Dropped by: Mohg, Lord of Blood
- 🗺️ Restored at: Divine Tower of East Altus (via hidden teleporter)
- 🛡️ Effect: Grants a blessing of blood to summoned spirits
- ✅ Best for: Spirit summoners and bleed builds
- 💡 Why it’s great: Niche but devastating in the right setups—especially bleed.
6. Malenia’s Great Rune
- 📍 Dropped by: Malenia, Blade of Miquella
- 🗺️ Restored at: Isolated Divine Tower
- 🛡️ Effect: Heals you slightly after taking damage—but only if you attack fast
- ✅ Best for: Aggressive melee players
- 💡 Why it’s great: High risk, high reward. Best with katanas, twinblades, or curved swords.
- ⚔️ Pairing it with fast-striking gear can maximize its potential — especially if you’re using any of the new Elden Ring DLC weapons designed for aggressive builds.
Best Great Rune in Elden Ring? 🥇
While it depends on your build, here’s a quick recommendation:
- Beginners: Godrick’s Great Rune – easiest to use
- Melee Tanks: Radahn’s or Morgott’s Rune
- Bleed/Spirit Builds: Mohg’s Rune
- High DPS Builds: Malenia’s Rune (if you can handle it)
Want a real test for your rune-powered build? Take on the toughest new bosses in our Top 10 Elden Ring DLC Bosses Ranked list — and see how they stack up against the original Shardbearers.
Divine Tower Locations Overview 🏛️
| Shardbearer | Divine Tower Location |
|---|---|
| Godrick | Divine Tower of Limgrave |
| Radahn | Divine Tower of Caelid |
| Morgott | Divine Tower of East Altus |
| Rykard | Divine Tower of West Altus |
| Mohg | Divine Tower of East Altus (via secret) |
| Malenia | Isolated Divine Tower |
Final Thoughts 🧠
Great Runes aren’t just powerful artifacts — they’re pieces of Elden Ring’s shattered history. Each one reflects the personality and ambition of a fallen demigod, offering unique advantages that can completely shift your build or playstyle.
Whether you’re boosting your stats with Godrick’s Rune or pushing high-risk healing with Malenia’s, choosing the right Great Rune can make all the difference in your journey through the Lands Between.
💡 Tip: Don’t forget to pair your rune with the right gear and Rune Arcs — that synergy is where the real power lies.
🛡️ Looking for gear that complements your rune choice? See the best options in our Elden Ring DLC Armor Guide.
Join the GG squad for everything about Elden Ring
Want more Elden Ring secrets, DLC guides, boss strategies, build tips, and hidden lore breakdowns? Join the GG squad and never miss a rune, a reveal, or a ridiculous death again — whether you’re a Tarnished just starting out or a veteran chasing the final shard.
