Elden Ring: How to Use and Hoard Rune Arcs Effectively
This guide breaks down what Rune Arcs do, how to use them, where to find them, and how to hoard them efficiently for when they matter most.
1. What Are Rune Arcs?
Rune Arcs are special consumable items that temporarily activate the power of your equipped Great Rune. You can think of them as keys that unlock the full potential of a Great Rune’s buff until you die.
When you first defeat a demigod boss—such as Godrick the Grafted, Rennala, or Morgott—you receive their Great Rune. After restoring that rune at a Divine Tower, you can equip it at a Site of Grace. However, the rune’s effects remain dormant until you use a Rune Arc to activate it.
Here’s how it works:
Using a Rune Arc grants you the Great Rune’s unique power (for example, increased stats or health regeneration).
The buff lasts indefinitely until you die.
Once you die, the effect is lost, and you’ll need another Rune Arc to reactivate it.
If no Great Rune is equipped, using a Rune Arc will simply provide a small, temporary maximum HP boost—still useful in early game but far less impactful later on.
2. How to Use Rune Arcs
Using Rune Arcs is simple:
Equip a Great Rune at a Site of Grace (under the “Great Runes” menu).
Open your Inventory and select a Rune Arc under the “Tools” tab.
Use it to activate your Great Rune’s effects.
Alternatively, you can add Rune Arcs to your quick item slot or pouch for fast use during combat or boss attempts.
Pro tip: If you’re heading into a tough fight, activate the Rune Arc right before the boss fog gate—not before traveling—so you don’t waste it in case you die en route.
3. Effects of Popular Great Runes
Godrick’s Great Rune
Effect: Increases all attributes by +5.
Best For: Balanced builds or early-game players who need an all-around stat boost.
Radahn’s Great Rune
Effect: Raises maximum HP, FP, and Stamina.
Best For: Hybrid or caster builds that rely on both magic and stamina in long fights.
Morgott’s Great Rune
Effect: Greatly increases maximum HP.
Best For: Melee-focused builds and tank players who prioritize durability.
Rykard’s Great Rune
Effect: Restores HP upon defeating enemies.
Best For: PvE exploration and farming zones with high enemy density.
Mohg’s Great Rune
Effect: Increases attack power when inflicting blood loss on enemies.
Best For: Bleed builds and aggressive PvP fighters who exploit status effects.
Malenia’s Great Rune
Effect: Restores HP from successive attacks but reduces Flask healing power.
Best For: Dexterity or combo-based builds that thrive on continuous offense.
Miquella’s Great Rune (Unreleased/Datamined)
Effect: Currently unknown; rumored to boost Faith-based or healing abilities.
Best For: Anticipated synergy with Paladin or support-style Faith builds once released.
4. Where to Find Rune Arcs
Rune Arcs aren’t terribly rare, but early in the game they can be tricky to collect consistently. Fortunately, there are several reliable methods for obtaining them:
A. Defeating Bosses
Every time you defeat an invading NPC or a multiplayer boss, there’s a chance you’ll be rewarded with a Rune Arc.
B. Multiplayer Assistance
The most consistent way to farm Rune Arcs is to help other players defeat bosses as a golden phantom (by using a Furlcalling Finger Remedy to summon or be summoned). Winning a boss fight as a cooperator nearly always grants you one Rune Arc.
This is the best, safest method—since even if you die, you lose nothing.
C. Farming Rats
Many low-level and mid-game rats have a small chance (about 1–2%) to drop Rune Arcs. Notable farming locations include:
Stormveil Castle sewers
Liurnia of the Lakes cliffside ruins
Leyndell catacombs
While the drop rate is low, this is still a renewable way to stockpile them if you prefer solo play.
D. Merchants
Several merchants sell Rune Arcs, typically for 4,000 runes each:
Twin Maiden Husks (Roundtable Hold) after offering certain Bell Bearings
Nomadic merchants scattered across the map (check Weeping Peninsula and Mountaintops)
E. Online Rewards and Exploration
Certain dungeons, Evergaols, and towers also contain Rune Arcs as loot—so always explore fully. You’ll often find them near boss rooms or corpse piles guarded by rats.
5. When to Use Rune Arcs
Many players fall into two extremes—either hoarding Rune Arcs forever or wasting them before minor encounters. The key is balance.
Use Rune Arcs when:
You’re facing a major boss for the first time (especially demigods or Shardbearers).
You’re entering a high-risk farming area, such as Mohgwyn Palace or late-game dungeons.
You’re in multiplayer PvP, where the stat and HP bonuses can turn the tide of a duel.
Avoid using them:
In low-level zones where death is frequent.
When exploring uncharted areas alone, unless you’re well-prepared.
Before learning boss patterns—save Rune Arcs for confident attempts.
Remember: if you die, the Rune Arc’s effect disappears, and you’ll need another one.
6. How to Hoard Rune Arcs Efficiently
The secret to building a healthy stockpile of Rune Arcs lies in consistency and restraint.
Step 1 – Farm via Multiplayer:
Use your Small Golden Effigy near boss gates or active areas (like Margit’s or Morgott’s arena). Help other players beat bosses repeatedly to accumulate Rune Arcs with zero risk.
Step 2 – Rat Farming:
When you need extras, head to a rat-heavy location with high item discovery (use the Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot or Silver Scarab talisman) and farm for drops.
Step 3 – Buy in Bulk:
Once you’re deep enough into the game to generate rune wealth, purchase Rune Arcs in bulk from vendors. Keeping 20–30 in reserve is a good baseline for boss-rich areas like the Mountaintops of the Giants.
Step 4 – Smart Usage:
Activate Rune Arcs only when you’re about to enter key fights or when a rune’s effect perfectly complements your build—for instance, using Rykard’s Great Rune while farming mobs.
7. Advanced Tips
Rune Arc buffs stack with other consumables like Physick tears, Incantations, and Great Rune Blessings for massive temporary boosts.
In co-op or invasion PvP, using a Rune Arc gives all summoned allies a blood blessing if you have Mohg’s Great Rune equipped.
Keep Rune Arcs in your quick bar rather than your pouch so you can easily activate them right before entering a fog gate.
Final Thoughts
Rune Arcs are a perfect example of Elden Ring’s risk-reward design: incredible power balanced by the fear of loss. The best Tarnished know when to unleash their runes and when to hold back.
By farming efficiently, activating strategically, and cheap Elden Ring Runes pairing your Rune Arcs with the right Great Runes, you’ll transform them from a forgotten consumable into a defining part of your strength in the Lands Between. Whether you’re a co-op hero or a lone wanderer, mastering Rune Arc management is one of the most satisfying ways to ascend as an Elden Lord.