FromSoftware’s Bloodborne is one of the most highly praised PS4 exclusives of all time. The horror game, which is part of Sony’s PS5 PS Plus Collection, is known for its grim atmosphere, its difficulty, and its complex gameplay, particularly when it comes to the Bloodborne Caryll Runes. But what are Caryll Runes in Bloodborne? What are the best runes to use? And how do they work? If you to find out, keep on reading!
What Are Bloodborne Caryll Runes?
Bloodborne Caryll Runes are similar to rings in the Dark Souls and Demon’s Souls games, small equippable upgrades that provide players with boosts. In-game, the runes feature the ancient language of the Great Ones and were inscribed by Byrgenwerth student Runesmith Caryll. Hunters can engrave the runes into their minds for strength against the beasts of Yharnam.
How To Use Caryll Runes
Players have four rune slots each; three ordinary runes and a specialised covenant rune. Runes can only be equipped and unequipped at the Memory Altar within the Hunter’s Dream, located inside the house. Before you can use the Memory Altar, you’ll need to obtain the Rune Workshop Tool which can be found in Hemwick Charnel Lane after defeating the Witch of Hemwick boss.
There are some runes which have multiple levels and can be stacked to attain larger bonuses. However, you cannot stack the same rune more than once.
Full List Of All Bloodborne Caryll Runes
If you’re looking for a complete list of all ordinary Bloodborne Caryll Runes including information on what they do and where they can be found. Our list below also provides details on where you can find all of the Bloodborne HP runes, just take a look below:
| Rune | Bonus | Location / How To Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-Clockwise Metamorphosis 1 | +10% stamina boost | In the Forbidden Woods on a corpse |
| Anti-Clockwise Metamorphosis 2 | +15% stamina boost | Talking with Patches the Spider in the Lecture Hall |
| Anti-Clockwise Metamorphosis 3 | +20% stamina boost | In the Lower Ailing Loran Root Chalice |
| Arcane Lake 1 | +5% arcane defence | In Yahar’gul the Unseen Village on a corpse |
| Arcane Lake 2 | +7% arcane defence | In Byrgenwerth close to a Brainsucker |
| Arcane Lake 3 | +10% arcane defence | In the Isz Root Chalice |
| Beast 1 | +20 beasthood transformation | In the Healing Church Workshop after defeating the Werewolf enemy |
| Beast 2 | +50 beasthood transformation | Obtained after killing the Lying Begger at any location |
| Beast 3 | +100 beasthood transformation | In the Lower Ailing Loran Root Chalice |
| Blood Rapture 1 | Visceral attacks restore +200 HP | Obtained after killing the Shadow of Yharnam |
| Blood Rapture 2 | Visceral attacks restore +250 HP | In the Cursed and Defiled Root Chalice |
| Blood Rapture 3 | Visceral attacks restore +300 HP | Obtained after killing the Bloody Crow of Cainhurst and completing Eileen the Crow’s main quest |
| Clawmark 1 | +10% visceral attack damage | Obtained after killing a Hunter at the Hypogean Gaol Lamp in Yahar’gul the Unseen Village after killing Rom the Vacuous Spider |
| Clawmark 2 | +20% visceral attack damage | Obtained after killing Gilbert in Central Yharnam after killing Rom the Vacuous Spider |
| Clawmark 3 | +30% visceral attack damage | In the Lower Ailing Root Chalice |
| Clear Deep Sea 1 | +100 slow poison resistance | In the Forbidden Woods |
| Clear Deep Sea 2 | +200 slow poison resistance | In the Nightmare Frontier |
| Clear Deep Sea 3 | +300 slow poison resistance | In the Lower Ailing Loran Root Chalice |
| Clockwise Metamorphosis 1 | +5% HP boost | In the Forbidden Woods |
| Clockwise Metamorphosis 2 | +10% HP boost | In the Nightmare Frontier |
| Clockwise Metamorphosis 3 | +15% HP boost | In the Pthumeru Ihyll Root Chalice |
| Communion 1 | +1 blood vials | Above Cathedral Ward after defeating the Blood-Starved Beast |
| Communion 2 | +2 blood vials | In the Lecture Building |
| Communion 3 | +3 blood vials | In Iosefka’s Clinic |
| Communion 4 | +4 blood vials | Obtained after killing the Celestial Emissary |
| Communion 5 | +5 blood vials | In the Pthumeru Ihyll Root Chalice |
| Deep Sea 1 | +100 frenzy resistance | In the Lower Hintertomb Root Chalice |
| Deep Sea 2 | +200 frenzy resistance | In the Forbidden Woods |
| Deep Sea 3 | +300 frenzy resistance | In the Isz Root Chalice |
| Dissipating Lake 1 | +5% bolt defence | In Forbidden Woods |
| Dissipating Lake 2 | +7% bolt defence | In the Ailing Loran Root Chalice |
| Dissipating Lake 3 | +10% bolt defence | In the Lower Ailing Loran Root Chalice |
| Eye 1 | +50 item discovery from fallen enemies | In the Nightmare of Mensis on a corpse |
| Eye 2 | +70 item discovery from fallen enemies | Obtained after killing Master Willem |
| Eye 3 | +100 item discovery from fallen enemies | In the Isz Root Chalice |
| Fading Lake 1 | +5% fire defence | In the Nightmare Frontier |
| Fading Lake 2 | +7% fire defence | In the Ailing Loran Root Chalice |
| Fading Lake 3 | +10% fire defence | In the Lower Ailing Loran Root Chalice |
| Formless Oedon 1 | +1 quicksilver bullets | Obtained by sending Gascoigne’s daughter to Iosefka’s Clinic |
| Formless Oedon 2 | +2 quicksilver bullets | In the Lower Pthumeru Root Chalice |
| Formless Oedon 3 | +3 quicksilver bullets | Obtained after the Oedon Chapel Dweller has died |
| Formless Oedon 4 | +4 quicksilver bullets | In a secret passage above Cathedral Ward, found by rolling off the elevator to the Healing Church Workshop |
| Formless Oedon 5 | +5 Quicksilver Bullets | In the Pthumeru Ihyll Root Chalice |
| Great Deep Sea 1 | +50 all resistance | In the Lower Hintertomb Root Chalice |
| Great Deep Sea 2 | +100 all resistance | In the Nightmare Frontier |
| Great Deep Sea 3 | +150 all resistance | In the Isz Root Chalice |
| Great Lake 1 | +3% all damage defence | In the Lower Hintertomb Root Chalice |
| Great Lake 2 | +3% all damage defence | In the Upper Cathedral Ward |
| Great Lake 3 | +3% all damage defence | In the Isz Root Chalice |
| Guidance 1 | +10% rally potential | Obtained after killing the Carrion Crow at the Research Hall |
| Guidance 2 | +20% rally potential | Obtained after killing Ludwig, The Holy Blade |
| Heir 1 | +20% more blood echoes from visceral attacks | Obtained after killing Henryk at the Tomb Of Oedon as part of Eileen the Crow’s main quest |
| Heir 2 | +40% more blood echoes from visceral attacks | In Yahar’gul the Unseen Village |
| Heir 3 | +60% more blood echoes from visceral attacks | In the Pthumeru Ihyll Root Chalice |
| Lake 1 | +3% physical damage defence | In Hemwick Charnel Lane on a corpse |
| Lake 2 | +3% physical damage defence | In the Cursed and Defiled Root Chalice |
| Lake 3 | +3% physical damage defence | In the Pthumeru Ihyll Root Chalice |
| Moon 1 | +10% more blood echoes from defeated enemies | In Yahar’gul the Unseen Village downstairs from the Hypogean Gaol Lamp |
| Moon 2 | +20% more blood echoes from defeated enemies | In the Nightmare of Mensis, obtained during the Micolash boss fight and found at the bottom of the spiral staircase |
| Moon 3 | +30% more blood echoes from defeated enemies | In the Nightmare of Mensis, obtained by standing in front of the Brain of Mensis and performing the Make Contact gesture |
| Oedeon Writhe 1 | +1 quicksilver bullets from visceral attacks | Obtained after killing Adella the Nun at any location |
| Oedeon Writhe 2 | +2 quicksilver bullets from visceral attacks | Obtained after killing Iosefka in Iosefka’s Clinic before killing Rom the Vacuous Spider |
| Oedeon Writhe 3 | +3 quicksilver bullets from visceral attacks | In the Pthumeru Ihyll Root Chalice |
| Stunning Deep Sea 1 | +100 rapid poison resistance | In the Lower Hintertomb Root Chalice |
| Stunning Deep Sea 2 | +200 rapid poison resistance | In the Nightmare Frontier |
| Stunning Deep Sea 3 | +300 rapid poison resistance | In the Lower Ailing Loran Root Chalice |
Covenant Runes
As already mentioned, there are several special Covenant Runes which take up one of your Hunter’s rune slots. These runes are obtained after completing special quests and siding with any of the game’s Covenants. However, it’s important to note that equipping any of the following Covenant Runes may force you to fight players of an opposing Covenant when playing online.
| Rune | Bonus | How To Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Corruption | Health regeneration when close to death | Obtained by swearing allegiance to Annalise, the Vileblood Queen and joining the Cainhurst Vilebloods |
| Hunter | Increases stamina recovery speed | Obtained by completing Eileen the Crow’s main quest |
| Impurity | Increases maximum HP by 2% when in co-op | Obtained by joining The League with Valtr |
| Radiance | Increases HP recovery from all blood vials | Obtained from Alfred’s corpse after completing his main quest |
| Beast’s Embrace | Transforms Hunters into a beast creature | Obtained by defeating Laurence, The First Vicar |
| Milkweed | Increases item discovery and transforms into a celestial creature | Obtained by completing Saint Adeline’s main quest |
What Does The Beast Rune Do? Bloodborne Beast Rune Explained
There’s a lot of confusion surrounding the Beast Rune, otherwise known as the Beast’s Embrace. The special rune, which was made available with Bloodborne’s The Old Hunters DLC, transforms your Hunter into a beast!
What’s more, equipping the Beast Claws weapon while transformed into a beast unlocks a completely new moveset for the weapon wit increased damage. You also get the ability to build up the Beasthood stat when using a Beast Blood Pellet or the Beast Claw, providing you with the ability to expand its gauge for more physical damage but decreased defence.
What Are The Best Bloodborne Caryll Runes To Use?
The best Bloodborne Caryll Runes will depend on how you play, which area you’re currently exploring, and what enemies you’re taking on. For example, if you’re farming Blood Echoes to level up or purchase consumables, it’s a good idea to equip the Moon and Heir runes as they’ll provide you with more Blood Echoes when defeating enemies.
When it comes to generally playing the game, you may find that it’s better to equip runes that boost your defence or resistance, equip runes that provide you with more Quicksilver Bullets and Blood Vials, or equip runes which increase stamina.
It’s hard to recommend what the best Bloodborne Caryll Runes are since it will depend entirely on your playstyle. We suggest you read through all of the runes we’ve listed above, see which work with your playstyle, armour, and weapons, and mix and match them depending on the situation you’re in. Remember, you can always change them, but only in the Hunter’s Dream.
FAQ
Where can I find the best HP runes in Bloodborne?
In Bloodborne, the best HP runes can be found throughout the city of Yharnam and its grounds. Some, however, can only be found by killing specific bosses like the Blood-Starved Beast or Celestial Emissary. So, if you’re looking for the locations of the best HP runes in Bloodborne, take a look at our guide here.
What does the Beast Rune do in Bloodborne?
The Beast Rune in Bloodborne transforms you into a terrifying beast and provides you with a special boost to the Beasthood stat and it unlocks a completely new moveset when using the Beast Claw weapon.
How do I use the Beast Rune in Bloodborne?
To use the Beast Rune in Bloodborne, all you have to do is equip it after defeating Laurence, the First Vicar. Once you’ve done this, you’ll be transformed into a frightening beast and will earn special stat boosts. Check our guide for more information on the benefits of using the Beast Rune.
What is the best Bloodborne rune to use?
As we’ve explained in our Best Runes in Bloodborne guide, the best runes will vary depending on your playstyle, levels, the area you’re exploring, and which enemies or bosses you’re fighting against. We suggest you check our guide, take a look at all of the runes available and find which runes work best for your current situation.
How many runes are there in Bloodborne?
There are numerous runes available in Bloodborne, with some runes having three or more higher levels, offering better bonuses. You can take a look at all of the runes available with our Best Runes in Bloodborne guide right here.
