All Runes in Dragon Age The Veilguard Explored

Discover what runes are, how they work, and all of the available runes you can collect in Dragon Age: The Veilguard runes explored.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is the newest entry into the Dragon Age franchise by developer BioWare and publisher Electronic Arts. This fourth major game takes place ten years after Inquisition, and players create their own hero ‘Rook’ to face the coming dangers. You can choose from the standard three available classes of Warrior, Rogue, and Mage. Furthermore, each class has three specializations that you can choose from at level 20.

In addition to the abilities, passives, weapons, and armor you can equip for your build, Dragon Age: The Veilguard also introduces Runes. In the following article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about runes. Including their purpose, where you can find them, how to equip them, and all types in our All Runes in Dragon Age The Veilguard Explored guide.

What are the Runes in Dragon Age The Veilguard?

Runes are another minor, but impactful element to your build in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. When equipped to the Lyrium Dagger they grant your character both an Active and a Passive bonus.

Moreover, runes are small gemstones that are marked with a rune symbol that designates the kind of rune it is. Additionally, runes come in a variety of colors, usually related to the rune type. For example, the Glaciate rune affects Cold damage and is blue in color.

How Runes Work in Dragon Age The Veilguard

You can socket up to three different runes at a time into the Lyrium Dagger in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Consequently, you cannot use runes until you’ve retrieved Solas’ ritual dagger later on in Act 1 of the game.

However, you may still come across runes as you play the early game. They will be placed in your inventory as you collect them and will be immediately available to use as soon as you have the Lyrium Dagger.

Once you have the Lyrium Dagger, open up your character inventory. The Lyrim Dagge will be shown on the right-hand side of the screen. All you need to do is click on one of the three sockets and your rune inventory will appear. Select one of the runes, and it will be placed inside the socket.

Types of Runes in Dragon Age The Veilguard Explored

There are several different types of runes in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, some that boost elemental damage, some that increase afflictions, increase ability damage or resistances, and even a few specific class runes.

Furthermore, each rune will have an Active and a Passive bonus. An Active rune must be activated before or while you are in combat. It will only last for a limited amount of time, and you can usually tell that it’s active because you will see a glow effect on your character.

Passive effects are applied to your character as soon as the rune is equipped to the Lyrium Dagger. You do not have to do anything more to activate them, the bonus will automatically apply.

All Runes in Dragon Age The Veilguard Listed

There are currently 25 known runes in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and if more are found we will update this list as the information becomes available. Since there are no specific drop points for any of these runes, you are better off equipping the best runes you have in your current inventory. Rather than wait to find a ‘best-in-slot’ rune you really want.

Doing so will give you practice at activating them. Moreover, even if you don’t get in the habit, the passive bonuses are still helpful.

Besiege

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Besiege Rune in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Passive: Light and Heavy attacks are no longer penalized vs. Barrier for 20 seconds.
• Active: Passive: +10% damage vs. Barrier.

Crush

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Crush Rune in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Active: Light and Ranged attacks are no longer penalized vs. Armor for 20 seconds.
• Passive: +10% damage vs. Armor

Crystallize

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Crystalize Rune in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Active: All enemies within 10 meters are Frozen.
• Passive: +10% Frozen duration

Defy

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Defy in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Passive: Take no damage from current target for 10 seconds.
• Active: Take 10% less damage while at Low health.

Diminish

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Diminish Rune in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Passive: All enemies within 6 meters are Weakened.
• Active: +10% Primer duration

Divert

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Divert Rune in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Passive: Enemies disengage and attack your enemies for 10 seconds instead, doesn’t work against bosses.
• Active: Health +10%

Dominate

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Dominate Rune in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Passive: All generated Rage is converted to Ultimate for 10 seconds.
• Active: +10% Ultimate generation

Electrify

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Electrify Rune in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Passive: All of your weapon attacks deal Electric damage for 20 seconds.
• Active: +10% Electricity damage

Escalate

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Escalate Rune in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Passive: Your next Ability is greatly enhanced, dealing much higher damage or increasing efficacy.
• Active: +10% Ability damage

Fortify

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Fortify Rune in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Passive: You gain Invulnerable.
• Active: +25% Invulnerable duration

Glaciate

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Glaciate Rune in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Passive: All of your weapon attacks deal Cold damage for 20 seconds.
• Active: +10% Cold damage

Hemorrhage

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Hemorrhage Rune in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Passive: All weapon attacks apply Bleeding for 10 seconds.
• Active: +10% Bleeding Duration

Hunger

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Hunger Rune in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Passive: Your weapon attacks leech 25% of their damage for 10 seconds.
• Active: +10% Leech Effectiveness

Mend

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Mend Rune in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Passive: Lose all Rage and heal for an equivalent amount.
• Active: +10% incoming healing

Overflow

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Overflow Rune in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Passive: Your current Potion’s additional effects are applied.
• Active: +1 maximum Potions

Pierce

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Pierce Rune in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Passive: Your damage gains +100% Penetration for 10 seconds.
• Active: +10% Penetration

Ravage

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Ravage Rune in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Passive: Deal 50% more damage vs health for 20 seconds.
• Active: +10% damage vs health

Refresh

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Refresh Rune in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Passive: Refreshes all your companion’s active abilities.
• Active: +10% Advantage duration

Regroup

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Regroup Rune in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Passive: All of your weapon attacks deal Fire damage for 20 seconds.
• Active: +10% Fire damage

Scorch

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Scorch Rune in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Passive: All of your weapon attacks deal Fire damage for 20 seconds.
• Active: +10% Fire damage

Scourge

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Scourge Rune in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Passive: All of your weapon attacks deal Necrotic damage for 20 seconds.
• Active: +10% Necrotic damage

Shatter

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Shatter Rune in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Passive: Ranged attacks break through enemies’ guard for 10 seconds.
• Active: +10% Ranged attack damage

Upend

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Upend Rune in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Passive: All of your defensive Resistances become offensive damage bonuses of the same type for 10 seconds.
• Active: +5% all Resistances

Vivify

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Vivify Rune in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Passive: Your Ability cooldowns are refreshed, and your next ability is free.
• Active: +10% Momentum Generation

Withstand

Here are the Active and Passive bonuses for the Crystalize Rune in Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

• Passive: Gain Immovable
• Active: +25% Immovable duration

How to get Runes in Dragon Age The Veilguard?

The best way to find runes in Dragon Age: The Veilguard is to simply play the game and explore the world as much as possible. The pathways on the mini maps in the game may look linear, but there are many hidden alcoves or secret paths that can take you to hidden treasure. Additionally, be sure to prioritize unlocking all of your companion’s special abilities. Using these, you can return to previously unlocked areas and discover new loot you couldn’t access previously.

Furthermore, you can also find runes in stock with various merchants throughout the game. Be sure to check the stock of any merchant you come across as you travel Thedas. This includes not only merchants found in cities and towns but also faction merchants, as well.

FAQs About Runes in Dragon Age The Veilguard

Q1: How to upgrade runes in Dragon Age The Veilguard?

Answer: You cannot upgrade runes in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The Caretaker NPC at the Lighthouse has a workshop where you can upgrade your (and your companion’s) armor and weapons. However, there is not a system available for upgrading runes.

Q2: Tips for Rune Farming

Answer: As you explore the world in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, always keep an eye out for glowing gold chests, jars, and other boxes. Not all of them will contain a rune, but some will. Additionally, always make sure to pick up any loot dropped by enemies. Finally, always check in with any new merchants to see if they have runes in stock.

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