How to Use and Master Runes in Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Nov 6

*Image Credit: BioWare, Dragon Age: The Veilguard*

In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Runes represent something raw and powerful—a flickering boost, just enough to transform a tough battle into a winnable one. If you’re familiar with the structure of the game, you know that Gear and Abilities define your core strength. But Runes? Runes add that extra jolt, a short-lived but potent edge that, when used right, makes all the difference in fights you thought might be unwinnable.

Below is a breakdown of each Rune, with straight-to-the-point advice on how to activate and use them.

Why Runes Matter in The Veilguard

To start, recognize that Runes aren’t passive bonuses—they’re time-limited boosts that demand your attention. If you try to “set and forget,” they’ll fail you. Instead, activate them when it makes sense to do so and with a specific plan. Each Rune has its own personality, suited for a different part of your build, so knowing when to use them can make even the hardest encounters manageable.

Breaking Down Each Rune for Maximum Impact

1. Daze Rune: A Must for Stagger-Based Builds

The Daze Rune is tailor-made for players who lean on Stagger effects. Activate it, and you get a 10% Stagger boost. But that’s not all—Daze triggers a stagger in every enemy within six meters. This means crowd control. If you combine it with Gear or Abilities that further increase Stagger damage, you’ll be able to move through packs of enemies like you own the field. Use Daze when you’re up against a lot of enemies and want to keep them off-balance.

2. Besiege Rune: For Enemies with Armor and Barriers

Besiege is a favorite for fights against enemies with frustrating barriers or armor. With this Rune active, the usual debuff on your attacks against barriers vanishes, and your damage output increases by 10%, no matter the attack type. Think of it as a tactical nudge—especially in prolonged fights where barriers keep regenerating or against armored bosses. Activate it right at the start of the encounter and watch as barriers break faster than you’d expect.

3. Vivify Rune: For Players Who Rely on Abilities

Vivify is a Rune for those with a favorite Ability or two that they rely on. When you activate it, the cooldown for that Ability resets, and you get a 10% boost to your Rage, moving you closer to your Ultimate. So, use Vivify as a way to double down on a key Ability at the most crucial time. Whether you favor high-damage or crowd-control Abilities, Vivify lets you get back-to-back use and can be the deciding factor in a close battle.

4. Escalate Rune: The Straightforward Damage Booster

Escalate doesn’t have bells and whistles—it just intensifies your damage. You’ll want to use it when you’re up against a tough foe, and you need every hit to count. When activated, this Rune boosts your overall damage, making it a great addition for high-damage builds. Use it as your “go big” moment, especially in boss fights or when you need to end a battle quickly.

5. Diminish Rune: For Situations with Multiple Enemies

Diminish is a useful Rune when facing a crowd. When triggered, it Weakens all enemies within six meters, making them easier to damage. It also adds 10% to Primer duration, which benefits both your attacks and those of your companions. This Rune is effective in dungeon crawls or encounters with large groups, giving you a way to manage a mob of foes more effectively.

6. Refresh Rune: For Advantage Stacking

If you’ve built your Gear around stacking Advantages, Refresh keeps those Advantages in play longer. Activate it to reset all active Advantages, letting you maintain any bonuses you’ve stacked from your Gear. Refresh works best when paired with high-level Gear that gives multiple boosts, and it’s especially useful in extended fights where you’d otherwise lose these benefits too soon. Use it when Takedown-triggered Advantages are piling up and you need them to last.

7. Regroup Rune: For Companion Coordination

Regroup resets your companions’ Ability cooldowns and adds a 10% damage boost to their next attack. Use it in boss fights or multi-stage encounters, where you need your companions to act quickly and with power. Regroup is an excellent tool for players who rely on coordinated attacks; by resetting cooldowns and boosting power, it helps you and your companions stay on the offensive.

8. Hemorrage Rune: To Apply Bleeding Damage

Hemorrage adds Bleeding effects to every attack for a limited time, making it ideal for situations where you’re up against multiple enemies or bosses. Use this Rune when you’re surrounded or in crowded areas like the Necropolis Halls, where applying a Bleeding status to multiple enemies can shift the balance. Pair Hemorrage with weapons or Abilities that also cause Bleeding to double down on the effect.

Choosing the Right Runes for Your Build

Think of Runes as quick-acting, targeted tools. For crowd control, go with Daze or Diminish to weaken groups and keep them at bay. For raw power, Escalate and Hemorrage are your best bets. If you rely on Advantage stacking, keep Refresh on hand. And if you play as part of a tight-knit team, Regroup is a powerful way to keep your companions’ Abilities ready to fire.

How to Time Rune Activations

Don’t waste Runes on the ordinary moments. Wait until you’re in the thick of a tough fight, surrounded, or face-to-face with a boss. Timing is key, so plan each activation for when it’ll make the biggest difference. With a little practice, you’ll know instinctively when to trigger a Rune and when to hold back.

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