Hannan Mundia 
Elden Ring tasks the Tarnished player with collecting multiple Great Runes from powerful bosses, but activating Malenia’s Great Rune can get confusing.
Runes of the Elden Ring play a huge role in the game. Not just because they’re used for leveling up, either. From Morgott’s Great Rune to Godrick’s, players can restore the power of these runes after acquiring them from Shardbearer bosses to utilize powerful buffs. However, while activating most Great Runes is straightforward, the same can’t be said for Malenia’s Great Rune.
Malenia is considered one of the hardest bosses in the game, arguably second only to the DLC’s final boss. Therefore, players have high expectations from her Great Rune when they get it after finally defeating the tough boss. Here’s how to activate Malenia’s Great Rune and what it does when used.
How to activate Malenia’s Great Rune in Elden Ring
Players can activate Malenia’s Great Rune by interacting with the dead fingers at the top of the Isolated Divine Tower near Leyndell.
The game has two warp gates that take players to the Isolated Divine Tower. However, the one reached from Weeping Peninsula is the most convenient as it’s easier and the second gate gets blocked near the endgame point of the main story.
Go to the Tower of Return on the southwestern coasts of the Weeping Peninsula, directly south of the Fourth Church of Marika. Climb the tower to find a chest and open it to be transported to the Divine Bridge Site of Grace.
Progress forward to find a giant golem. It shouldn’t be hard for any player who defeated Malenia. Make quick work of the enemy and interact with the warp gate in the area to reach the Isolated Divine Tower.
As with the other Divine Towers, players can only open the tower’s gate if they defeat Malenia. With the gates open, climb the tower and activate Malenia’s Great Rune.
What does Malenia’s Great Rune do in Elden Ring?
Malenia’s Great Rune, also known as the Rune of Decay, allows players to restore some health by attacking enemies after receiving damage.
When used, Malenia’s Great Rune gives players a five-second window every time they’re attacked. Dealing damage to an enemy within that window allows players to restore their health slightly for every attack. It’s similar to the Rally combat mechanic in fellow FromSoftware game Bloodborne. By combining this rune with abilities like Bloodhound Step and weapons like Ghiza’s Wheel and the Repeating Crossbow, players can effectively cosplay a Yharnam Hunter in Elden Ring.
However, using this rune isn’t without its drawbacks. The Flask of Crimson Tears and healing incantations are 30% less effective while this Great Rune is active. Additionally, self-inflicted damage like Seppuku does not trigger this rune’s effect. This means that players will need to maintain a blistering, aggressive approach while using this rune.
