Lords of the Fallen can take a little getting used to, and all the ways to get powerful won’t always be obvious. If you really want to get to the next level, you’ll need to unlock rune sockets and weapon runes.
The rune socket system allows for quite a bit of variety in your weapon builds and allows you to invest important resources into weapons that you like and then experiment a bit with how they play instead of needing to just change weapons altogether.
How to unlock rune sockets
To unlock the rune sockets for your weapons, you will first need to find Gerlinde in Pilgrims Perch. If you have yet to visit the area, grab the Pilgrim’s Perch Key, as it is very useful. When you free her, she will return to Skyrest and join the rest of the NPCs there. She will offer different services, including upgrading your weapons.
Gerlinde is eager for hidden knowledge and will ask you to find some hidden tablets, and if you can track them down, you’ll get access to the rune sockets. That means exploring the grim world of Mournstead and being very alert because these things can be hard to find. There are three different tablets in total that you will be able to find.
Where to find the Cracked Rune Tablet
The first table you are likely to get near is located near Fitzroy’s Gorge. This is an unusual area that almost exists between two other locations. You will get here after making your way through Calrath, so don’t worry if you have arrived there yet. You won’t be able to miss it when you do.
Where you need to pay close attention when you get to a cave system. It’s a good idea to switch to Umbral here because you’ll need to spot a very narrow gap in the wall. Enter the cave system and keep to the right. There will be a ramp that leads upward, with plenty of enemies. At the top, you will come to a bone bridge, and this is when you know you are getting close to your point of interest.
Keep a close eye on the wall on the right, and you will see a gap, and potentially even the top of a ladder that you can see but not reach in normal form. In Umbral form, or by using the Umbral Lantern, there will be a small gap you can get through.
Make your way down a sequence of tunnels and ladders, and you will find the cracked rune tablet. After that, make your way back to the Skyrest, and you can give it to Gerlinde and get access to the rune sockets. If you go all the way through the cave system and find yourself at a bridge and a boss fight, turn around and head back inside the cave. You can climb all the ladders near the dogs and then find the hole you need on the left near the top of the final ladder.
How to get runes
You can purchase runes from Gerlinde, but you can also find them by killing enemies and exploring the various areas in the game. Gerlinde’s stock of Runes will increase as you find more of the tablets for her. You can also farm enemies to get runes and can increase your drop chances by using items like the Lucky Paw.
How to use and equip runes
To use runes, visit Gerlinde at Skyrest and select “Socket Runes.” You will see a selection of your weapons and shields, and you can then choose what you wish to place runes on. Runes will have a different effect depending on whether you place them on weapons or shields, so pay close attention to the descriptions of what they will all do. They can also do things like increase scaling with one attribute while lowering it with another, so pay close attention to what you are applying to your weapons.
The rune you want to use will also need to match the slot shape on the weapon or shield you wish to use it on.
