How to Get and Use Miquella's Great Rune in Elden Ring DLC

Elden Ring's long-anticipated downloadable content (DLC) has introduced new challenges and rewards, and one of the most significant items players can acquire is Miquella's Great Rune. This powerful rune, tied to the enigmatic figure of Miquella, offers both lore significance and gameplay-enhancing benefits. In this detailed guide, we'll explore how to obtain Miquella's Great Rune and the strategic ways you can use it to dominate the game's toughest foes.

Who is Miquella in Elden Ring?

Before diving into the mechanics of Miquella's Great Rune, it's important to understand who Miquella is and why this character is integral to the Elden Ring Runes universe. Miquella is one of the Empyreans, much like Malenia, his sibling. He is revered for his prodigious talent in creating runes and enchantments, particularly those designed to aid others. Miquella, despite being perpetually young due to a curse, is a figure of compassion and strength, though much of his narrative is shrouded in mystery throughout the base game.

The DLC shines a spotlight on Miquella, his involvement in the lore, and the power of the Great Rune bearing his name.

How to Obtain Miquella's Great Rune

Getting your hands on Miquella's Great Rune is no easy task. Unlike the base game's Great Runes, which are acquired after defeating key Demigods like Godrick and Morgott, Miquella's Great Rune is tied to a new boss introduced in the DLC. Here's how to unlock this coveted item:

Step 1: Access the DLC Content

To begin your quest for Miquella's Great Rune, you'll first need to gain access to the Elden Ring DLC. Ensure your game is up to date with the latest patch, and that you have purchased and installed the expansion. Typically, the DLC will be accessible after defeating certain story bosses, such as Morgott, but it may vary based on your progression.

Once installed, the DLC introduces new areas to explore, filled with challenging enemies, treasures, and, of course, the new bosses. Miquella's storyline intertwines heavily with the events of the DLC, which means you'll be piecing together lore fragments related to this powerful Empyrean along the way.

Step 2: Locate the Sanctuary of Miquella

Miquella's Great Rune can only be found in a specific zone within the DLC called the Sanctuary of Miquella. This area is a dense and ominous location filled with enemies that embody Miquella's past, as well as other followers. You'll need to defeat several mini-bosses before you gain access to the Sanctuary itself.

To find the Sanctuary, players should head to a new region called Miquella's Dreamscape, accessible from the overworld map after completing certain objectives in the DLC. Once inside this realm, the Sanctuary is a massive temple-like structure hidden deep within.

Step 3: Defeat the Guardian of Miquella's Great Rune

As with most Great Runes in Elden Ring, Miquella's Great Rune is guarded by a powerful boss. In this case, you will face the Guardian of Miquella, an ancient knight sworn to protect the Empyrean's essence. The Guardian is a fast and aggressive opponent, wielding both magic and physical attacks. They're highly resistant to status effects like bleed and frostbite, so players will need to adjust their strategy accordingly.

Here are a few tips for this encounter:

Use ranged magic: While the Guardian is swift, magic attacks can still create openings for you to heal or buff yourself.

Watch out for holy attacks: The Guardian wields a holy greatsword with wide area-of-effect strikes, making it crucial to time your dodges.

Summon a Spirit Ash: A tanky Spirit Ash, such as Lhutel the Headless or Black Knife Tiche, can help draw aggro and buy you time to land critical hits.

After an intense battle, defeating the Guardian will reward you with Miquella's Great Rune.

Activating Miquella's Great Rune

Once you've acquired Miquella's Great Rune, your next task is to activate it. As with other Great Runes in Elden Ring, Miquella's Great Rune must be restored to its full power at a specific Divine Tower. In this case, head to the Divine Tower of Miquella, a newly introduced location in the DLC. Here's what you need to know:

Locate the Tower: The Divine Tower of Miquella is hidden in the Forgotten Isles, a region that becomes accessible after obtaining the Great Rune. The Tower itself is guarded by powerful foes and environmental hazards, so prepare accordingly.

Activate the Rune: Once inside the Divine Tower, make your way to the top where you can restore Miquella's Great Rune to its full power. You'll see an animation indicating that the rune is now usable.

How to Use Miquella's Great Rune

With Miquella's Great Rune restored, you can now equip it at a Site of Grace, similar to other Great Runes like Radahn's or Malenia's. However, what sets Miquella's Great Rune apart is its unique and powerful effect. Unlike most Great Runes that focus on stat boosts, Miquella's Great Rune has a dynamic healing andbuffing mechanic tied to ally support and sustained healing.

Effect of Miquella's Great Rune

Continuous HP regeneration: When Miquella's Great Rune is activated, your character gains a passive HP regeneration effect. This can be a lifesaver in tough encounters, especially in prolonged battles where healing opportunities are scarce.

Enhanced healing for allies: If you're playing in multiplayer mode or using Spirit Ashes, the rune amplifies the healing effect of your flasks on allies. This makes it particularly useful in co-op gameplay or against bosses where summoning is critical.

Increased resistance to debuffs: The rune also provides a buff to status resistances, such as bleed, poison, and scarlet rot. This is especially useful when venturing into areas filled with status effects, giving you and your allies extra survivability.

Using Miquella's Great Rune Strategically

While the regeneration effect is potent, using Miquella's Great Rune effectively requires a keen understanding of when to prioritize healing and resistance buffs. Here are some strategies:

Endurance fights: If you anticipate a long boss fight where constant healing is crucial (e.g., fights similar to Malenia's), Miquella's Great Rune can help keep your health topped up without wasting flasks.

Multiplayer support: In multiplayer sessions, especially against difficult DLC bosses, the enhanced healing effect on allies can turn the tide of battle. It ensures your team stays alive longer, reducing the burden of healing solely through flasks.

Hazardous environments: The buff to status resistance is invaluable in areas like swamps or enemy encounters that rely on status effects. With Miquella's Great Rune active, you can reduce the amount of time you're vulnerable to debilitating effects, allowing for more aggressive play.

Conclusion

Miquella's Great Rune is a versatile and game-changing addition to Elden Ring Items DLC, offering a blend of passive regeneration, buffed healing for allies, and increased resistance to debuffs. Whether you're playing solo or in co-op mode, understanding how to acquire and strategically use this rune can give you a crucial edge in the DLC's toughest battles. Explore the new regions, defeat powerful bosses, and let Miquella's legacy guide you to victory in the Lands Between.