Ah, Godrick the Grafted. Just hearing his name brings back a wave of memories for many Tarnished, myself included. I remember my first real encounter with him, deep within Stormveil Castle. I’d scraped by Margit, barely, and thought I was hot stuff, ready to take on the world. Then Godrick rolled out, all bluster and multiple limbs, and promptly curb-stomped me into the ground. Again and again. Each death was a fresh sting, a reminder of the precious runes I’d dropped, wondering if the meager payout for finally beating him would even be worth the struggle. It’s a common experience, wondering what exactly you’re fighting for, rune-wise, when a boss feels like an insurmountable wall.
So, let’s cut right to the chase for those of you eager for the brass tacks: killing Godrick the Grafted in Elden Ring rewards you with a base amount of 15,000 runes. This figure is a critical early-game boost, a significant chunk of change that can jumpstart your journey through the treacherous Lands Between.
Understanding Godrick’s Rune Drop and Its Significance
The 15,000 runes you get from Godrick isn’t just a number; it’s a turning point. For many players, especially those new to FromSoftware’s particular brand of challenging action RPGs, Godrick serves as the first major skill check, the boss that truly tests if you’ve grasped the fundamentals of combat, exploration, and character progression. The reward reflects that challenge. It’s enough to gain a few crucial levels, buy some vital items, or upgrade a beloved weapon, setting you up for the next leg of your adventure.
However, it’s important to understand that 15,000 runes is just the base amount. There are several factors that can influence how many runes actually end up in your pocket after you deliver that final, satisfying blow to the Grafted Scion. Let’s dig into what can make that number climb even higher.
The Currency of the Lands Between: Why Runes Matter So Much
Before we break down the modifiers, it’s worth reiterating why runes are the lifeblood of Elden Ring. They aren’t just a score; they are your primary resource for nearly every form of character progression. Think of them as both experience points and money rolled into one.
- Leveling Up: This is arguably their most crucial function. Runes are spent at a Site of Grace (or with the guidance of Melina) to increase your character’s stats like Vigor (HP), Mind (FP), Endurance (Stamina/Equip Load), Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, and Arcane. Each level-up costs progressively more runes, so a significant early-game injection like Godrick’s bounty is a game-changer.
- Purchasing Items: Every merchant you encounter, from Kalé at the Church of Elleh to Roderika at the Roundtable Hold, requires runes for their wares. This includes vital consumables like crafting materials, arrows, bolts, and even essential Smithing Stones for weapon upgrades.
- Weapon and Armor Upgrades: While Smithing Stones are the primary component, the blacksmiths at the Roundtable Hold or Warmaster’s Shack also charge a small rune fee for their services.
- Spirit Ash Upgrades: To make your trusty Spirit Ashes like the Jellyfish or Wolves more potent, you’ll need to upgrade them with Gloveworts, and Roderika will ask for runes to perform the enhancement.
- Learning Spells and Incantations: Sorcery and Incantation teachers also require runes for their lessons, allowing you to expand your magical arsenal.
Given their versatility, the more runes you have, the more powerful and adaptable your Tarnished can become. Godrick’s 15,000 runes are a substantial step towards that goal.
Godrick’s Challenge: A Gateway to Greater Power
Godrick the Grafted isn’t just any boss; he’s often considered the true first “wall” for many players in Elden Ring. Margit, the Fell Omen, tests your resolve, but Godrick truly demands mastery of dodging, timing, and environmental awareness. His two phases, the second of which involves grafting a dragon head onto his arm for fiery attacks, can feel overwhelming.
Typically, players face Godrick somewhere between character level 20 and 30, though some brave (or foolhardy) Tarnished might try earlier. The runes he drops are perfectly scaled for this stage of the game, offering enough to push you a few levels higher, allowing you to meet the stat requirements for new weapons or spells you might have found, or simply to bolster your Vigor for a better chance at survival in the challenging areas beyond Stormveil Castle.
Optimizing Your Rune Acquisition Against Godrick
While 15,000 runes is the default, there are tried-and-true methods to inflate that number. Savvy Tarnished always look for an edge, and maximizing boss rune drops is a prime example. Here’s how you can make Godrick’s defeat even more lucrative:
The Golden Scarab Talisman: Your Rune Magnifier
This is, without a doubt, the single most impactful item for boosting your rune gains in Elden Ring. The Golden Scarab is a talisman that provides a significant buff to all rune acquisition. Many players, myself included, will go out of their way to acquire this before tackling major bosses like Godrick.
Effect: Increases rune acquisition by 20%.
Location: The Golden Scarab is found in the Abandoned Cave in Caelid, a notoriously challenging early-to-mid-game region. You’ll need to defeat the Cleanrot Knight duo boss at the end of the cave to claim it. Getting there involves navigating scarlet rot pools and tricky platforming, so it’s a mini-challenge in itself, but the reward is absolutely worth the effort, especially if you plan on farming runes later.
Why It’s Worth It for Godrick: If you equip the Golden Scarab before defeating Godrick, your 15,000 runes will jump to 18,000 runes. That’s an extra 3,000 runes – potentially another level or a decent chunk towards an item you’ve been eyeing.
Golden Pickled Fowl Foot: A Temporary Boost
Another excellent consumable for boosting rune gains is the Golden Pickled Fowl Foot. This item, when used, grants a temporary increase to rune acquisition for a short duration.
Effect: Increases rune acquisition by 30% for 3 minutes.
Acquisition: These can be crafted using the Furlcalling Finger Remedy recipe, which requires Rowa Fruit, Four-Toed Fowl Foot, and Gold Firefly. You can also find them as loot in various locations or occasionally purchase them from merchants.
Using it Wisely: The key here is timing. You want to use the Golden Pickled Fowl Foot just as you’re about to land the final hit on Godrick, or at least when you’re confident you can finish him off within the 3-minute window. Pairing this with the Golden Scarab yields the highest possible rune gain from a single boss kill.
Cooperative Play: Sharing the Load, Not Always the Full Haul
Fighting alongside other Tarnished can make a tough boss like Godrick more manageable, but it affects rune distribution for summoned phantoms.
- Host: If you’re the host summoning other players, you will receive the full rune amount (plus any bonuses from the Scarab or Fowl Foot). Your summoned allies are there to help you, and their reward is primarily their own sense of accomplishment and a Furlcalling Finger Remedy.
- Summoned Phantom: If you’re summoned to help another player, you will receive a reduced percentage of the boss’s total rune value, typically around 25% of the base amount. So, for Godrick, a phantom would get approximately 3,750 runes. This is still a decent amount for an early-game helper, but it’s not the full jackpot.
New Game Plus (NG+): Exponential Rune Scaling
Once you conquer the Lands Between and begin your journey anew in New Game Plus, the rune values from all enemies and bosses, including Godrick, scale up dramatically. This is designed to keep leveling and progression meaningful even when you’re much stronger.
While precise percentages can vary slightly between bosses and NG+ cycles, generally:
- NG+1 (Journey 2): Godrick will drop significantly more runes, often around 60,000 runes or more.
- Subsequent NG+ cycles: The rune value continues to increase, though typically at a diminishing rate after the first few cycles, eventually capping out.
This is why many players find that late-game farming in NG+ cycles is incredibly efficient for maxing out their character levels.
What Can Godrick’s Runes Buy You? A Detailed Breakdown
Okay, you’ve conquered Godrick, maybe even with the Golden Scarab and a Fowl Foot, netting you a hefty sum. Now what? Let’s break down the practical applications of those sweet, sweet runes.
Leveling Up: The Immediate Impact
In the early game, the cost of leveling up increases relatively slowly. Let’s assume you’re around level 25 when you beat Godrick.
| Current Level | Runes Needed for Next Level | Levels Gained (15,000 Runes) | Levels Gained (19,500 Runes w/ Boosts) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 25 | ~3,115 | ~4-5 Levels | ~6 Levels |
| Level 30 | ~3,874 | ~3-4 Levels | ~5 Levels |
As you can see, even a base 15,000 runes can net you a significant number of levels in the early game. With boosts, you’re looking at potentially half a dozen stat increases. This is huge for survivability, damage, or utility.
My Two Cents: My strong recommendation for most players, especially if you’re struggling, is to dump a good chunk of these runes into Vigor. More HP means more chances to make mistakes, learn boss patterns, and survive hits that would otherwise be fatal. You can always respec later, but early-game Vigor is an absolute game-changer.
Purchasing Essential Items and Services
Beyond leveling, Godrick’s runes open up a world of possibilities for equipping and preparing your Tarnished.
-
Smithing Stones:
- Smithing Stone (1) from Smithing Master Iji (Liurnia) or Twin Maiden Husks (Roundtable Hold): 200 runes each.
- Smithing Stone (2) from Iji or Husks: 400 runes each.
- With 15,000 runes, you could buy 37 Smithing Stone (1) and 19 Smithing Stone (2) – enough to get a weapon to +6 and beyond!
-
Arrows/Bolts:
- Standard Arrow/Bolt: 10 runes each.
- Great Arrow/Bolt: 300 runes each.
- A quick supply of arrows can make exploration and specific enemy encounters much easier.
-
Spells/Incantations:
- Early-game spells from Sellen (Limgrave/Liurnia) or Corhyn (Roundtable Hold) range from 1,000 to 7,000 runes. Godrick’s runes could buy you 2-3 new magical abilities.
-
Spirit Ash Upgrades:
- Roderika at the Roundtable Hold charges runes for upgrading Spirit Ashes. The cost increases with each upgrade level, but Godrick’s runes can easily cover a few initial bumps for your favorite summon.
The “Rune Arc” Dilemma: Spend or Save?
While not directly tied to Godrick’s rune drop, Godrick’s Great Rune is another valuable reward. Activating it at the Divine Tower of Limgrave and then using a Rune Arc will grant you a significant boost to all your stats. Rune Arcs are relatively rare, dropped by rats or found as loot. Some players prefer to save them for particularly challenging areas or bosses, while others pop them as soon as they can. My advice? Don’t hoard them too much. If you’re about to tackle a tough area or a subsequent boss, a Rune Arc can give you that crucial edge. They’re meant to be used, not admired in your inventory.
Strategic Rune Spending After Godrick
With Godrick’s runes burning a hole in your pocket, making smart spending choices is paramount. It’s not just about spending; it’s about investing in your character’s immediate and long-term success.
- Prioritize Vigor: I can’t stress this enough. Unless you’re an absolute pro at dodging everything, Vigor is your best friend. An extra 5-10 levels in Vigor can turn one-shot deaths into two or three-shot deaths, giving you time to heal or react.
- Meet Weapon/Spell Requirements: If you’ve found an awesome new sword or a powerful spell, but you’re just a few points shy in Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, or Faith, Godrick’s runes are perfect for bridging that gap. Unlocking access to better gear can significantly boost your damage output.
- Upgrade Your Main Weapon: Getting your primary weapon to +3 or +4 (or even +6 if you acquire enough Smithing Stone (2)s) is a fantastic use of runes and Smithing Stones. Increased damage means shorter boss fights and less peril.
- Stock Up on Consumables: A healthy supply of crafting materials, arrows, and perhaps even a few more Flask charges (if you haven’t found enough Sacred Tears) can make future exploration much smoother.
- Consider Spirit Ash Upgrades: If you rely heavily on a particular Spirit Ash, giving it a couple of upgrades can make it much more tanky or deal more damage, providing a valuable distraction in combat.
The “Rune Farm” Mindset: Early Game Opportunities (Pre-Godrick)
While Godrick himself provides a significant rune boost, many Tarnished engage in a bit of “rune farming” even before facing him. This isn’t just about grinding; it’s about making sure you’re adequately prepared. Common early-game farming spots include:
- Gatefront Ruins: The soldiers here are easy to dispatch and respawn, offering a quick influx of runes and early gear.
- Agheel Lake North (Trolls): The massive Trolls patrolling this area drop 1,000 runes each. They’re tough but predictable, and mastering their movesets can quickly net you several levels.
- Patches’ Cave (Murkwater Cave): Defeating Patches (or sparing him) nets you a few runes and opens him as a merchant.
Engaging in a little pre-Godrick farming means you might already be higher level, making Godrick himself less of a brick wall and allowing his rune drop to push you even further ahead.
Beyond Runes: Godrick’s Great Rune and Remembrance
While the runes are a crucial reward, Godrick offers two other invaluable items upon his defeat:
Godrick’s Great Rune
This is your first Great Rune, a major key item in Elden Ring. Great Runes are fragments of the Elden Ring itself, imbued with immense power.
- Effect: When activated at a Divine Tower (for Godrick, it’s the Divine Tower of Limgrave), and then equipped, consuming a Rune Arc will grant you a temporary, significant increase to all your attributes. This is a massive boost to your character’s stats across the board, making you feel noticeably more powerful.
- Activation: After defeating Godrick, you must travel to the Divine Tower of Limgrave. This involves navigating a perilous path through Stormveil Castle, but the journey is worth it for the power it unlocks.
Remembrance of the Grafted
This is a unique boss item that can be exchanged for special rewards.
- Purpose: Take the Remembrance of the Grafted to Enia at the Roundtable Hold. She will allow you to choose one of two unique items crafted from Godrick’s essence:
- Axe of Godrick: A colossal weapon that scales with Strength and Dexterity, featuring the special skill “I Command Thee, Kneel!”
- Godrick’s Grafted Dragon: A fist weapon that scales with Strength and Dexterity, allowing you to use the skill “Bear Witness!” which breathes fire.
- Duplication: If you want both items, or if you accidentally consume the Remembrance for runes (which gives you 20,000 runes, but is generally not recommended as the items are far more valuable), you can duplicate it at a Walking Mausoleum. There are several of these giant, mobile structures throughout the Lands Between.
These unique drops are arguably more significant in the long run than the immediate rune gain, offering powerful options for specific builds and unlocking a core mechanic of the game.
Rune Loss and Recovery: The Souls-like Scourge
No discussion about runes would be complete without acknowledging the ever-present threat of losing them. In Elden Ring, as in other FromSoftware titles, death means dropping all your currently held runes at the spot you died. If you die again before retrieving them, they are gone forever.
This mechanic adds immense tension and strategy:
- Spend Them Wisely: The best defense against rune loss is to not have many on hand. After a significant haul like Godrick’s, get to a Site of Grace and spend those runes! Level up, buy items, upgrade gear. Don’t let them sit idly.
- Assess the Risk: If you’ve died in a dangerous area, sometimes it’s better to make a naked run to retrieve your runes, minimizing the risk of losing more gear. Other times, it might be safer to farm a few quick runes to level up once or twice, making your retrieval run less perilous.
- Fear of the “Rune Ghost”: That glowing spot on the ground representing your lost runes can be a powerful motivator, but also a source of intense frustration if you fail to retrieve them. Embrace the learning experience, and try to learn from what killed you.
Checklist: Maximizing Your Godrick Rune Haul
Here’s a quick rundown to ensure you get the absolute most out of defeating Godrick the Grafted:
Frequently Asked Questions About Godrick’s Runes
Is it worth farming before fighting Godrick?
Absolutely, it can be. While Godrick himself drops a generous amount of runes, getting a few extra levels or weapon upgrades before facing him can significantly ease the difficulty of the fight. The difference between being level 20 and level 25 with a +3 weapon can be substantial. Spending an hour or so farming the Trolls near Agheel Lake North or the soldiers at Gatefront Ruins can make the Godrick fight much more manageable, reducing frustration and making your eventual rune haul even sweeter.
Moreover, farming allows you to practice combat mechanics, explore Limgrave more thoroughly, and potentially discover items or talismans that will aid you against Godrick. It’s not just about the runes; it’s about building confidence and character strength before the big boss.
What should I spend Godrick’s runes on first?
This really depends on your playstyle and current struggles, but a general rule of thumb for most players is to prioritize Vigor. More health means you can survive more hits, giving you crucial time to learn boss patterns and heal. After Vigor, consider boosting your primary damage stat (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, or Arcane) to meet the requirements of any powerful weapons or spells you’ve acquired.
Don’t forget utility items either. A few levels for Vigor, then maybe enough runes to upgrade your main weapon a few times, and finally, grab any essential crafting materials or arrows you might need from merchants. Avoiding rune loss by spending them quickly is also a priority!
Does multiplayer affect the host’s rune gain from Godrick?
No, the host of a multiplayer session will receive the full rune amount from defeating Godrick (15,000 base), plus any bonuses from items like the Golden Scarab or Golden Pickled Fowl Foot. It’s the summoned phantoms who receive a reduced amount, typically around 25% of the boss’s base runes. So, if you’re the one summoning help, you won’t be penalized in terms of rune gain.
This design choice encourages cooperation without punishing the host for seeking assistance. Your summoned allies are there to help you progress, and their rune reward is a bonus for their service, not a cut of your earnings.
Can I get Godrick’s runes multiple times?
Yes, but not in the same playthrough for the base amount. You will only receive the initial 15,000 runes (plus any bonuses) once per playthrough when you defeat Godrick the Grafted as the host. However, you can fight Godrick again and receive his runes in subsequent New Game Plus (NG+) cycles. In NG+, his rune drop will be significantly higher, scaling up with each consecutive journey.
Additionally, you can be summoned as a phantom to help other players defeat Godrick in their worlds. In this scenario, you will receive a percentage of his base runes (around 3,750 runes for Godrick), and you can do this as many times as you like. So, while you only get the big payout once per playthrough as host, there are ways to earn runes from Godrick repeatedly.
How much “XP” is Godrick’s rune drop equivalent to?
Given that runes function as both currency and experience points, Godrick’s 15,000 runes represent a substantial amount of “XP” in the early game. As discussed, for a character around level 25-30, 15,000 runes is enough to gain approximately 4-5 levels. If you manage to boost that to 19,500 runes with a Golden Scarab and a Golden Pickled Fowl Foot, you could be looking at 5-6 levels.
This makes Godrick’s defeat a critical milestone for character progression. It provides the necessary boost to either round out your stats, meet the requirements for new gear, or simply increase your survivability, preparing you for the challenges of Liurnia of the Lakes and beyond. It’s an immediate power surge that few other early-game activities can match.