How to Get Runes in The Forge
Runes work wonders in The Forge. They take your plain-Jane gear and turn them into proper pieces of equipment with special abilities. You’ll find it hard to defeat enemies at higher levels without them.
This guide will introduce you to runes and tell you exactly where to find them and how to use them.
What Are Runes in The Forge?
Runes function in the way of enchantments to your weapons, armor, and pickaxes. They apply bonus stats and special effects to your gear.
Each rune offers different benefits. Some boost your mining speed. Others buff combat damage or impose elemental effects.
You won’t get very far if you can’t figure out how runes work.
Where to Find Runes
The Forge is the only place where runes can be obtained by defeating enemies. You won’t find them lying around or in chests.
First, you want to focus on monsters to get the runes you need. Random exploration wastes time.
Best Farming Locations
Forgotten Kingdom Destructed Cave is your very earliest stop to make. This zone becomes available at level 10. If you’re exploring different areas, check out our complete locations guide for more details.
In the cave, there are two types of enemies that drop different runes. Focus on these key enemies:
- Bomber skeletons – Try to get a bunch of minor shards from bomber skeletons. They have a 1 in 15 chance.
- Deathaxe Skeletons – Flame Sparks and Briar Notches from the Deathaxe Skeletons. The rate at which they drop is 1/35 and 1/50.
Volcanic Depths is a later game spawn. This is the best place to farm for runes.
Elite enemies spawn here regularly. They will drop runes, such as Rage Mark and Drain Edge.
Complete Rune Drop List
Below is every single rune, and where you can find them:
- Miner Shard – Delver Zombie (1/35), Bomber (1/15)
- Flame Spark – Deathaxe Skeleton (1/35), Elite Deathaxe Skeleton (1/25), Reaper (1/5), Blazing Slime (1/12)
- Blast Chip – Bomber (1/10)
- Drain Edge – Reaper (1/12)
- Briar Notch – Deathaxe Skeleton (1/50), Elite Deathaxe Skeleton (1/40)
- Rage Mark – Arcane Rogue Skeleton (1/25)
Note: Frost Speck, Venom Crumb, Chill Dust, Ward Patch, and Rot Stitch information cannot be found yet.
How to Equip Runes
You don’t just grab runes and use them on the spot. Your gear needs preparation first.
Equipment Requirements
Weapons or armor must have reached the +3 enhancement level to accept runes. Go to the Enhancer NPC and enhance your equipment.
Pickaxes are different. Many already have rune slots unlocked. For more information about pickaxes, visit our pickaxes guide.
Using the Runemaker NPC
Locate the Runemaker NPC in Stonewake Cross Village or Forgotten Kingdom.
Simply speak with the Runemaker, and follow these steps:
- Choose your upgraded gear from the menu.
- Select the rune you wish to slot.
- Click “Attach” and the coins demanded will be paid.
The price of what you make will depend on the base cost of your gear. Superior equipment has a higher enchanting cost.
Understanding Secondary Traits
How am I able to get secondary skills with runes in The Forge? This is a common question.
Secondary traits are additional effects that can pop up randomly when you socket runes. They are added on top of what effect the rune could already carry.
There’s no surefire way to get them. It’s pure luck.
Common Secondary Traits
- Attack Speed – Increases the speed at which you swing your weapon.
- Lethality – Increases your total damage.
- Critical Chance – Increases your chance of making a critical hit.
- Mining Power – Increases the rate at which you mine ore blocks.
Each of these secondary attributes can greatly enhance your character build. Farm until you get good rolls.
Efficient Rune Farming Strategies
Stop aimlessly roaming for rune drops. Use these proven methods:
Target Elite Enemies
Elite enemies all drop the highest quality runes in The Forge. They commonly spawn in Volcanic Depths.
Your main targets should be the Elite Deathaxe Skeletons and Elite Rogue Skeletons.
Check Your Index
Click the Index then Enemies to open it up. This displays accurate drop rates of each enemy.
Take this into consideration in order to plan your farming routes. Focus on enemies that have what you want to drop.
Farm in Clusters
Locate areas of high density skeletons. Take numerous enemies out at once to increase drops.
It’s perfect for this strategy, being the area around the volcanic core. Skeletons spawn close together.
Manage Your Inventory
Check your runes regularly. Try to figure out which of them are things that you truly need.
If you have runes you don’t want, sell them to Greedy Cey for some extra coins. He spawns in various caves on the map.
Best Runes for Different Builds
Miner Shard is a must-have for miners alike! It improves the amount of ores you can get per vein, mining efficiency, and your luck.
Drain Edge works best on weapons. It helps with combat sustainability.
Rage Mark suits aggressive playstyles. The damage boost is significant.
Flame Spark casts burning to attacks. Great for dealing with groups.
Select runes according to what kind of playstyle you like. Experiment to see which combination feels good.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not apply runes to low-level gear. You’ll waste coins and resources.
Always upgrade equipment to +3 before even contemplating runing them. This unlocks the first slot.
Don’t ignore enemy respawns. Visit your productive farming spots often.
Rare runes should not be sold so fast. A few will be strong as the game goes on.
FAQs
How do I earn runes in The Forge?
How do I receive secondary traits when slotting runes in The Forge?
Can I take out runes from gear?
How can you farm runes the fastest?
Do runes need to be enhanced for pickaxes?
Which enemies drop Miner Shards?
Final Thoughts
The Forge rune farm is a game of patience and tactics. Find out which enemies drop which runes. Concentrate on high-value targets.
The greatest rewards come from elite enemies in Volcanic Depths. Build your farm route with these spawns in mind.
Because rune drop percentages are highly variable, some of them take killing dozens of enemies before a single one will drop.
Use the Runemaker NPC wisely. Make sure to upgrade your gear properly before spending coins on attachments.
Kitted out with the right runes and secondary traits, your character just got a whole lot stronger. Continue grinding and experimenting with new concoctions.
The best runes in The Forge will depend on how you play. Play around until you get your ideal setup.
