Set in the dark world of Lands Between, Elden Ring is a challenging game that presents innovative combat mechanics and a compelling narrative. The game features a vast open world for players to explore, filled with dungeons and diverse landscapes. As the game advances, players encounter epic bosses and gather a range of materials to become the Elden Lord.

Rune Arcs are one of the many items that players can collect in Elden Ring. These are shards of the shattered Elden Ring that possess the ability to boost the stats of players and grant them powerful buffs when activated. Read on the following guide to learn how to get Rune Arcs in Elden Ring.

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How to Acquire Rune Arcs in Elden Ring

rune arcs guide elden ring

In Elden Ring, Rune Arcs offer slight stat boosts like increased HP, but these are minor enhancements. They grant buffs that last only until the player's death, much like Embers in Dark Souls 3. Upon respawn, players will have to regain the previous buff. While they can increase a player’s max HP, they can’t be used as healing items to restore HP.

To use Rune Arcs, gamers will need to go to their inventory, navigate to the ‘tools’ section, and once found, use them to activate the Great Rune's effect. Players can acquire Great Runes by defeating shardbearer bosses, such as Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, Mohg, Lord of Blood, and Malenia, Blade of Miquella. There are three ways to acquire Rune Arcs in Elden Ring: firstly, by exploring the map and looking for these items, by defeating enemies, and lastly, by purchasing them.

Chests Locations for Rune Arcs

Rune Arcs are scattered all over the map in Elden Ring mainly in chests, on corpses, and near Erdtrees. One of these chests is found at the back of the Academy Crystal Cave, guarded by a miniboss. Therefore, in order to collect the Rune Arc, players will need to defeat it.

Another Rune Arc can be found in Atlas Tunnel. To get it, proceed to the tunnel and locate the chest with the Rune arc in a cave next to the Site of Grace. Lastly, in the Consecrated Snowfield, search for the desired item in the snowy peaks of Albinauric Rise.

Corpses Locations for Rune Arcs

village of the albinaurics location elden ring

The easiest way to collect Rune Arcs while wandering the lands is to loot from the random corpses lying around. Players must check out the specific locations mentioned below and loot the dead bodies found therein.

Go to the Cliffbottom Catacombs and a corpse will be lying in front of the bookshelves at the end of a narrow corridor; search it for the Rune Arc. However, before accessing this area, players will need to defeat an Omen.

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Next, look for the Rune arc in the Village of the Albinaurics in Liurnia of the Lakes. Once players reach there, they will have to locate an abandoned house on the cliffside and find the body with a Rune Arc in it. In the same region, there is the Bellum Church, near which the corpse holding the Rune arc can be found. Just like that, gamers can find Rune Arcs in various locations where corpses are lying around. Keep an eye out for these arcs in places like Dragonbarrow, Castle Sol, Fort Gael, Caria Manor, and Dragon Temple.

It is important to mention that Rune Arcs aren't confined to chests or corpses; players can also stumble upon them in random locations. For example, when at Leyndell Royal Capital, check under the staircase in Cliffbottom Catacombs to collect Rune Arcs.

Buy Rune Arcs from Merchants

all roundtable hold merchants in elden ring

Players can also purchase Rune Arcs from vendors or shops in Elden Ring. There are five different shops, out of which four sell three Rune Arcs. These shops are located in Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum, Liurnia of the Lakes, Hermit Merchant's Shack, and Mountaintops of the Giants. The fifth shop is located in the Roundtable Hold and sells five Rune Arcs.

Kill Enemies to Get Rune Arcs

rileigh the idle location elden ring

In addition, players can easily obtain Rune Arcs from defeated enemies. For example, they can acquire Rune Arcs from the Volcano Manor mission, where the goal is to assassinate specific targets. Successfully defeating Old Knight Istvan, Rileigh the Idle, and Great Horned Tragoth during this mission will reward players with Rune Arcs. Players can also kill entire mobs to acquire more Rune Arcs.

Kill Rats to Obtain Rune Arcs

In the Northern Weeping Peninsula, head to the Earthbore Cave region and eliminate the rats to obtain Rune Arcs. However, it is important to note that it may take more time compared to the boss fight method. Collecting Rune Arcs not only enhances players' survival chances but also adds a level of convenience to the game.

elden ring cover
Elden Ring

Platform(s)
PS5 , Xbox One , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PC
Released
February 25, 2022
Developer(s)
From Software
Genre(s)
RPG , Action