Every Hunter venturing into Yharnam knows that weapons, armor, and insight matter—but runes, especially Caryll Runes, are one of the most under-appreciated tools in a build. Equipping the right Bloodborne Runes can boost damage, survivability, or resource gain, making early and mid-game progress smoother. This guide walks you through the top 10 Bloodborne Runes every Hunter should strive for, where to get them, and how to use them effectively.
What Are Bloodborne Runes and Why They Matter
Bloodborne Runes—specifically Caryll Runes—are passive buffs that players can equip at the Memory Altar after obtaining the Rune Workshop Tool. These runes grant enhancements like increased HP, stamina, resistances, visceral damage, Blood Echoes, item discovery, and more. You’ll unlock rune usage after defeating the Witch of Hemwick and acquiring the Rune Workshop Tool. From there, the Memory Altar in the Hunter’s Dream allows you to equip up to three standard runes and one Oath rune.
Runes provide consistent bonuses without needing constant input or resources. In a game as punishing as Bloodborne, small passive advantages stack up quickly. Equipping the right runes turns a difficult fight into a manageable one and allows you to progress further without constantly farming or grinding for supplies.
Top 10 Bloodborne Runes Every Hunter Should Equip
Here are the ten most impactful Bloodborne Runes for early to mid-game progression. These runes give the biggest returns for survivability, resource generation, and damage efficiency.
1. Moon Rune
Moon Runes increase the amount of Blood Echoes you gain from defeated enemies. They come in multiple tiers, each offering more bonus echoes. This is arguably one of the most important runes in the game because Blood Echoes are your primary resource for leveling, upgrading gear, and buying supplies. More echoes early means faster progression and less time spent farming. Multiple Moon Runes can be stacked if you unlock more than one.
2. Heir Rune
Heir is another Blood Echo boosting rune, but it specifically enhances echoes gained through visceral attacks. This makes it a great pairing with Clawmark or Oedon Writhe if you specialize in parrying and backstabbing enemies. Like Moon, Heir also has multiple versions with increasing bonuses. Equipping both Heir and Moon together maximizes your echo gain potential.
3. Clockwise Metamorphosis
Clockwise Metamorphosis increases your max HP. Early in the game, when your health pool is still growing, this rune can make a huge difference. It can mean the difference between surviving a hit from a boss or dying instantly. For new players or those struggling with timing, extra HP provides valuable breathing room in tough fights.
4. Anti-Clockwise Metamorphosis
This rune increases your maximum stamina. Since stamina governs dodging, sprinting, and attacking, having more stamina allows you to be more aggressive and reactive in combat. Equipping this rune gives you extra stamina to dodge longer boss combos or land more hits in a stagger window. It’s especially effective for players who rely on quick, repeated attacks like those using skill-based weapons.
5. Clawmark Rune
Clawmark boosts visceral attack damage. Hunters who regularly land parries or sneak in backstabs will benefit greatly from this rune. It significantly increases damage during a visceral animation, often allowing you to finish enemies in fewer hits. If you’re confident with parrying or use the Reiterpallasch or Evelyn frequently, this rune fits your style perfectly.
6. Blood Rapture
Blood Rapture restores a portion of your health each time you land a visceral attack. This makes it not only an offensive rune but a defensive one. It reduces your reliance on Blood Vials, which is incredibly helpful in boss fights or long dungeon runs. Combine it with Clawmark and you’ll deal more damage and regain health in one fluid motion.
7. Oedon Writhe
This rune restores Quicksilver Bullets when you land visceral attacks. Much like Blood Rapture, this helps you manage your resources better. Hunters who use firearms frequently will find this rune helpful to maintain a constant stream of parries and stagger setups. It also pairs well with Bloodtinge builds or anyone who uses gun tools often.
8. Great Deep Sea
The Great Deep Sea rune, and its variants, increase your resistances to elemental or status effects. Poison, frenzy, and slow poisoning can be incredibly frustrating, especially in areas like the Nightmare Frontier or during Chalice Dungeon runs. Equipping a Deep Sea rune helps you survive longer in areas with environmental hazards or status-heavy enemies.
9. Great Lake
The Great Lake rune offers all-around damage reduction. While it doesn’t specialize in any one defense, the overall reduction it provides adds up over time. For newer players or cautious explorers, this rune offers consistent durability that can help you get through unknown zones without dying to random hits or unlucky combos.
10. Guidance Rune
Guidance enhances your rally potential, which is the ability to regain lost health by striking enemies immediately after taking damage. In Bloodborne, aggressive play is often rewarded, and Guidance enhances that loop. It encourages more front-foot combat and can lead to significant healing over the course of a fight. It’s a smart choice for players who like to stay in the fight rather than back off and heal.
How to Equip and Upgrade Your Rune Loadout
Once you’ve obtained the Rune Workshop Tool, visit the Memory Altar in the Hunter’s Dream to begin equipping runes. Initially, you’ll only have one or two slots available, but additional memory slots unlock as you progress or defeat key bosses. Oath runes become available through specific covenants and progression events.
Choose your runes based on where you’re headed. If you’re going into an echo-rich area, stack Moon and Heir. If you’re heading into a dungeon or poison-filled swamp, slot in Deep Sea. Facing a boss? Equip Clockwise Metamorphosis and Guidance to give yourself more tankiness and survivability.
How to Get Runes Early in the Game
The first step to unlocking runes is defeating the Witch of Hemwick in Hemwick Charnel Lane. This boss drops the Rune Workshop Tool. After that, you’ll begin to find runes scattered in later zones or dropped by specific enemies and bosses. Some, like the Moon and Heir runes, require progression through side content or Chalice Dungeons.
Keep an eye out for glowing messages on corpses—those are often rune pickups. It’s also worth exploring side paths, as many early rune pickups are hidden just out of the main path. Prioritize these when you start seeing them—they’re small upgrades that make a big difference over time.
Final Thoughts
Bloodborne Runes are one of the most efficient and reliable ways to boost your performance. While they may seem passive compared to weapons or items, the benefits they offer stack up quickly and can turn a close fight into a comfortable win. Whether you’re looking to farm faster, survive longer, or boost damage, these ten runes give you the tools to do it.
Equip the runes that fit your playstyle—if you play aggressively, go with Clawmark, Blood Rapture, and Guidance. If you prefer safety, lean into Clockwise Metamorphosis and Great Lake. Whatever your preference, the right Bloodborne Runes will make you a better, more prepared Hunter.
