Alright, Tarnished, listen up. It's 2026, and the Lands Between are as unforgiving as ever. You've probably heard whispers about the power of the Great Runes—fragments of the Elden Ring, held by the mighty (and let's be honest, sometimes terrifying) demigod bosses. Defeating these bosses is one thing, but claiming their power for yourself? That's the real endgame. These aren't just fancy trophies; they're game-changing buffs that can turn the tide of battle in your favor. But here's the kicker: simply defeating a boss and grabbing their rune isn't enough. You've got to go on a whole other quest to actually activate the darn thing. It's a classic FromSoftware move, making you work for every ounce of power.

So, let's break it all down. There are eight Great Runes to hunt down in the world, and one special one that's a bit of a wild card. Each one tells a story of its demigod bearer and offers a unique advantage to you, the aspiring Elden Lord.

🗺️ Where to Find (and Activate) Every Great Rune

First things first, you gotta get 'em. The table below is your treasure map. Remember, after you defeat the boss and claim the inert rune, you must take it to its corresponding Divine Tower to activate it and unlock its true potential. The only exception is the Great Rune of the Unborn, which works a bit differently.

Great Rune How to Obtain (The Boss Fight) Where to Activate It (The Divine Tower Quest)
the-ultimate-guide-to-elden-ring-s-great-runes-in-2026-power-locations-and-effects-image-0 Godrick's Great Rune Defeat the-ultimate-guide-to-elden-ring-s-great-runes-in-2026-power-locations-and-effects-image-1 Godrick the Grafted in Stormveil Castle. the-ultimate-guide-to-elden-ring-s-great-runes-in-2026-power-locations-and-effects-image-2 Divine Tower of Limgrave, east of Stormveil Castle. Your first taste of the activation ritual!
the-ultimate-guide-to-elden-ring-s-great-runes-in-2026-power-locations-and-effects-image-3 Radahn's Great Rune Take down the legend, the-ultimate-guide-to-elden-ring-s-great-runes-in-2026-power-locations-and-effects-image-4 Starscourge Radahn, in the epic festival battle at Redmane Castle. Divine Tower of Caelid, found northeast of the Dragonbarrow site of grace. A fittingly harsh place for a conqueror's power.
the-ultimate-guide-to-elden-ring-s-great-runes-in-2026-power-locations-and-effects-image-5 Great Rune of the Unborn Best the-ultimate-guide-to-elden-ring-s-great-runes-in-2026-power-locations-and-effects-image-6 Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon in the Raya Lucaria Academy. Cannot be activated. This one's a special case—it grants the ability to respec your character's stats with Rennala. No tower trip needed!
the-ultimate-guide-to-elden-ring-s-great-runes-in-2026-power-locations-and-effects-image-7 Rykard's Great Rune Topple the serpentine horror, the-ultimate-guide-to-elden-ring-s-great-runes-in-2026-power-locations-and-effects-image-8 Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, in Mt. Gelmir. the-ultimate-guide-to-elden-ring-s-great-runes-in-2026-power-locations-and-effects-image-9 Divine Tower of West Altus, hidden within the Raya Lucaria grounds. A sneaky location for a sneaky lord.
the-ultimate-guide-to-elden-ring-s-great-runes-in-2026-power-locations-and-effects-image-10 Malenia's Great Rune Achieve the ultimate challenge: defeat the-ultimate-guide-to-elden-ring-s-great-runes-in-2026-power-locations-and-effects-image-11 Malenia, Blade of Miquella in the Haligtree. the-ultimate-guide-to-elden-ring-s-great-runes-in-2026-power-locations-and-effects-image-12 Isolated Divine Tower, accessed through the Sealed Tunnel dungeon. For the power that never rotted, you must journey far.
the-ultimate-guide-to-elden-ring-s-great-runes-in-2026-power-locations-and-effects-image-13 Mohg's Great Rune Spill the blood of the-ultimate-guide-to-elden-ring-s-great-runes-in-2026-power-locations-and-effects-image-14 Mohg, Lord of Blood in his subterranean palace. Divine Tower of East Altus, at the top of the elevator near the Forbidden Lands. A lofty perch for a lord who dwelled below.
the-ultimate-guide-to-elden-ring-s-great-runes-in-2026-power-locations-and-effects-image-15 Morgott's Great Rune Overthrow the ruler of Leyndell, the-ultimate-guide-to-elden-ring-s-great-runes-in-2026-power-locations-and-effects-image-16 Morgott, the Omen King. Also the Divine Tower of East Altus. It seems this tower holds more than one secret.
Phantom Great Rune This is the wild card! You get it by using Mohg's Great Rune in PvP as an invader. Talk about a niche acquisition... Also activated at the Divine Tower of East Altus. A strange power for a different kind of conflict.

the-ultimate-guide-to-elden-ring-s-great-runes-in-2026-power-locations-and-effects-image-17

⚡ What Do These Great Runes Actually Do?

Okay, you've activated your rune. Now what? To actually benefit from its blessing, you need to consume a Rune Arc. Think of the activated rune as equipping a powerful weapon, and the Rune Arc as the ammunition to fire it. The effect lasts until you die. So, choose your moment wisely!

Here’s the breakdown of what each rune offers when you pop that Rune Arc:

  • Godrick's Great Rune: The classic all-rounder. It gives you a flat +5 boost to all attributes. It's like getting several extra levels for free—perfect for trying out new weapons or spell requirements early on. A solid choice for any build, no question.

  • Radahn's Great Rune: The survivalist's pick. It provides a hefty +15% increase to your HP, FP (mana), and Stamina. More health to tank hits, more magic to cast spells, and more stamina to roll, block, and attack. It's incredibly reliable for long, grueling dungeons.

  • Great Rune of the Unborn: The mulligan. As mentioned, this one doesn't need a Rune Arc. It's your ticket to respec your character's stats with Rennala. Made a mistake? Want to try a totally new build? This is your best friend.

  • Rykard's Great Rune: The sustain engine. After defeating an enemy, it restores a portion of your HP. This is fantastic for exploration and clearing out areas without constantly dipping into your Flask of Crimson Tears. It makes you feel like a true predator, feeding on your victories.

  • Malenia's Great Rune: The comeback mechanic. This one is... interesting. When you take damage, your next successful attack will restore a chunk of the HP you just lost. It rewards aggressive play after getting hit. High risk, high reward, just like the boss it came from. Not for the faint of heart.

  • Mohg's Great Rune: The summoner's delight. This buffs your Spirit Ashes and co-op summons. When they defeat enemies, you heal. If they deal Blood Loss damage, they get an attack power boost. If you love fighting with allies by your side, this rune turns your crew into a lifestealing army.

  • Morgott's Great Rune: The tank booster. Simple and effective: it increases your maximum HP by a massive 25%. If you just want to be as sturdy as possible, especially for boss fights where every hit counts, Morgott's rune is a top-tier choice. Sometimes, the simple solutions are the best.

  • Phantom Great Rune: The PvP specialist. This unique rune allows you to reposition yourself three times in a host's world during an invasion. It’s a tactical tool for confusing your opponents, escaping bad situations, or setting up ambushes. Useless in PvE, but a game-changer for invaders.

🎯 Putting It All Together: A Tarnished's Strategy

Choosing the right Great Rune is like picking the right tool for the job. Heading into a brutal boss fight? Morgott's massive health pool or Radahn's all-around stats might save your skin. Exploring a vast, enemy-filled region? Rykard's health-on-kill can keep you going for ages. Experimenting with a new playstyle? Godrick's is your flexible friend, and don't forget Rennala's rune lets you re-spec if it doesn't work out.

And let's not forget the Phantom Great Rune. In the vibrant PvP scene of 2026, where invaders have honed their skills to a razor's edge, having that extra mobility can mean the difference between a glorious victory and a swift return to your world. It’s a different kind of power, for a different kind of warrior.

The journey for each Great Rune is a story in itself—a duel with a demigod, followed by a pilgrimage to a forgotten tower. The power they grant is more than just numbers; it's a piece of the world's shattered order, now fueling your rise. So get out there, Tarnished. Claim your runes, activate their power, and shape the Lands Between in your image. The throne awaits... but maybe grab a Rune Arc first.