Editing Runes

[[File:Talion collecting epic rune.png|thumb|250px|Talion collecting an epic rune.]]
'''Runes''' are items in ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]'' that add powerful buffs to the three main weapons, [[Azkâr]],  [[Acharn]], and [[Urfael]]. These runes can be obtained by vanquishing [[Nemeses]]. Exploiting the weaknesses of an enemy will influence the type of runes they drop, and combining different runes will increase the power of Talion's weapons in different ways.

==Obtaining Runes==
Whenever Talion slays an [[Uruks|Uruk]] Nemesis, they drop a rune which Talion can use to upgrade his weapons. Every Nemesis has certain weaknesses, such as a vulnerability to attacks from mounts or stealth takedowns, that can be exploited to obtain specific runes. For instance, if the player kills a Captain that has a weakness to stealth using a stealth takedown, the player will receive a stealth related rune.

Rune levels are based on the level of the Nemesis, though can be a higher level if certain actions occur:

+2 for War Chief

+1 for Knowing Weakness/Strengths (Intel)

+1 for Death Threat (Issue a Death Threat - Tier 3) *EPIC rune is NOT guaranteed for Warchief (though is a high percentage), or this could be when one kills a Warchief and having his living/ present bodyguard promoted, then killed before he escapes!

+1 for Exploiting Fear / Hatred (fire, flies, beasts, pain, etc.)

+1 for Revenge (having been killed by them before)

Example of MAX Level 26 rune: Level 20 (+20) + Warchief (+2) + Threatened (+1) + Knowing Traits (+1) + Exploiting Traits (+1) + Revenge (+1)

It should be noted however that a level 26 rune is only very slightly different from a level 25 rune.

===Epic Runes===
Epic runes are extremely powerful runes that can be obtained from Uruk Warchiefs or Captains. To obtain these epic runes from Captains, Talion must first dominate a Uruk, who must then be forced to deliver a death threat to a Captain. This Captain will learn that Talion is coming after him, and will prepare himself accordingly by surrounding himself with bodyguards. The Captain will drop an epic rune by chance upon death. This also applies for Warchiefs, the only difference is that to threaten them, you have to use a Captain. It is possible, but rare, to obtain epic runes without using death threats, the higher level an Captain or Warchief is, the better chance they have to drop an epic rune, however Warchiefs are more likely to drop an epic rune than a Captain. Vengeance on a Captain or Warchief that has previously killed Talion also increases the odds. The Story mode is also known to give Talion epic runes on certain occasions. There are also some exclusive epic runes are which are only obtained through pre ordering the game, completing DLC Orc Warband missions, having a WBID account or buying the Steam Game of the Year edition which includes  almost all exclusive runes listed (see below for exclusive runes).

==Applying Runes==
The player is able to add runes to Talion's weapons through the weapon upgrade menu. Every weapon can be upgraded with several runes, and these runes can be combined to make Talion's weapons even more legendary.

==List of Runes==
===Acharn (Dagger runes)===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Icon
!Name
!Effect
|-
|[[File:Balefire.png|Balefire|link=Balefire]]
|[[Balefire]]
|Recover +2 Elf-shot for a head explosion kill
|-
|[[File:Bane of Mordor-0.png|Bane of Mordor|link=Bane of Mordor]]
|[[Bane of Mordor]]
|Increases the duration of the Shadow of Acharn by +10 seconds.
|-
|[[File:Bare as Bones.png|Bare as Bones|link=Bare as Bones]]
|[[Bare as Bones]]
|(25+level)% Chance to get an automatic Critical Strike on the first hit in a Hit Streak chain.
|-
|[[File:Breath of Light.png|Breath of Light|link=Breath of Light]]
|[[Breath of Light]]
|Recover (10+level)% Health on a stealth kill.
|-
|[[File:Bright Fury-0.png|Bright Fury|link=Bright Fury]]
|[[Bright Fury]]
|10% Chance to stun enemies near a Throwning Daggers or Brace of Daggers hit.
|-
|[[File:Chill Soul.png|Chill Soul|link=Chill Soul]]
|[[Chill Soul]]
|(25+level*3)% Chance to recover +50 Focus on a head explosion kill.
|-
|[[File:Choking Horror.png|Choking Horror|link=Choking Horror]]
|[[Choking Horror]]
|(25+level*3)% Chance to terrify more than two Uruks on a Brutalize kill.
|-
|[[File:Favor of the Lady-0.png|Favor of the Lady|link=Favor of the Lady]]
|[[Favor of the Lady]]
|Recover (10+level)% Health when completing a Drain or Brand.
|-
|[[File:Fell Voices.png|Fell Voices|link=Fell Voices]]
|[[Fell Voices]]
|Recover all Focus and all Health for killing a Captain or Warchief.
|-
|[[File:Forge of War.png|Forge of War|link=Forge of War]]
|[[Forge of War]]
|Recover +4 Elf-shot for each Drain or Brand.
|-
|[[File:Harbinger of Doom-0.png|Harbinger of Doom|link=Harbinger of Doom]]
|[[Harbinger of Doom]]
|(25+level*3)% Chance to recover +50 Health for each Drain from above or Brand from above.
|-
|[[File:Heart of Mearas-0.png|Heart of Mearas|link=Heart of Mearas]]
|[[Heart of Mearas|Heart of the Mearas]]
|Doubles Elven Swiftness speed burst duration.
|-
|[[File:Hunters Instinct.png|Hunters Instinct|link=Hunters Instinct]]
|[[Hunter&#39;s Instinct]]
|Increases the range of Attract.
|-
|[[File:Light of the Valar.png|Light of the Valar|link=Light of the Valar]]
|[[Light of the Valar]]
|15% Chance Uruks, Ghûls or Caragors can ignite when hit by Throwing Daggers or Brace of Daggers.
|-
|[[File:Lure of Power-0.png|Lure of Power|link=Lure of Power]]
|[[Lure of Power]]
|33% Chance that any enemy near a Stealth Brand target will also be branded.
|-
|[[File:One With Nature-0.png|One With Nature|link=One With Nature]]
|[[One with Nature]]
|Immune to Poison.
|-
|[[File:Reckless Hate-1.png|Reckless Hate|link=Reckless Hate]]
|[[Reckless Hate]]
|Recover +4 Elf-shot for Combat Brand.
|-
|[[File:Rule Through Fear.png|Rule Through Fear|link=Rule Through Fear]]
|[[Rule Through Fear]]
|Recover (25+level*3)% Focus on stealth kill.
|-
|[[File:Spell of Ruin.png|Spell of Ruin|link=Spell of Ruin]]
|[[Spell of Ruin]]
|Recover +1 Elf-shot on Wraith Burn or Dispatch kills.
|-
|[[File:Sylvan Doom.png|Sylvan Doom|link=Sylvan Doom]]
|[[Sylvan Doom]]
|(10+level)% Chance to recover +5 Elf-shot from a Brutalize kill.
|-
|[[File:The Wolf's Head.png|The Wolf&#39;s Head|link=The Wolf&#39;s's Head]]
|[[The Wolf's Head]]
|Increased knockdown chance on Throwing Daggers or Brace of Daggers.
|-
|[[File:To the Death.png|To the Death|link=To the Death]]
|[[To the Death]]
|Recover (25+level*3)% Focus for grab shank kills.
|-
|[[File:Voice of Power-0.png|Voice of Power|link=Voice of Power]]
|[[Voice of Power]]
|Recover +10 Health when you Stealth Drain or Stealth Brand.
|-
|[[File:Worms Tooth.png|Worm&#39;s Tooth|link=Worm&#39;s Tooth]]
|[[Worm&#39;s Tooth]]
|(25+level*3)% Chance to recover +25 Health on a head explosion kill.
|-
|[[File:Oathbreaker.png|Oathbreaker|link=Oathbreaker]]
|[[Oathbreaker]]
|A Stealth Kill recharges the Shadow of Acharn at double the normal rate.
|}

===Azkâr (Bow runes)===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Icon
!Name
!Effect
|-
|[[File:Ascendant-0.png|Ascendant|link=Ascendant]]
|[[Ascendant ]]
|Reduces the Focus depletion rate by 50%.
|-
|[[File:Aura of Dismay.png|Aura of Dismay|link=Aura of Dismay]]
|[[Aura of Dismay]]
|(25+level)% Chance unaware Uruks near a headshot kill will flee.
|-
|[[File:Bow Master-0.png|Bow Master|link=Bow Master]]
|[[Bow Master]]
|Increases bow damage by 50%.
|-
|[[File:Broken Mind-0.png|Broken Mind|link=Broken Mind]]
|[[Broken Mind]]
|(25+level)% Chance to recover +4 Elf-shot on a Drain or Brand.
|-
|[[File:Explosive Demise-0.png|Explosive Demise|link=Explosive Demise]]
|[[Explosive Demise]]
|20% Chance an area blast will happen around a charged bow headshot on Uruks or Ghûls.
|-
|[[File:Fell Handed-0.png|Fell Handed|link=Fell Handed]]
|[[Fell Handed]]
|A headshot kill recharges the flame of Azkâr at double the normal rate.
|-
|[[File:Fire Storm-0.png|Fire Storm|link=Fire Storm]]
|[[Fire Storm]]
|Adds a powerful blast to Fire Arrows.
|-
|[[File:Foresight-0.png|Foresight|link=Foresight]]
|[[Foresight]]
|Increases the bow distract range by 50%.
|-
|[[File:Howling Storm.png|Howling Storm|link=Howling Storm]]
|[[Howling Storm]]
|All weapon damage increased by (25+level)% while riding a monster.
|-
|[[File:Keen Eyed-1.png|Keen Eyed|link=Keen Eyed]]
|[[Keen Eyed]]
|Recover (25+level)% Focus for killing with the bow from stealth.
|-
|[[File:Knight of Eregion.png|Knight of Eregion|link=Knight of Eregion]]
|[[Knight of Eregion]]
|Recover +1 Elf-shot on Shadow Strike kills.
|-
|[[File:Natures Wrath.png|Nature&#39;s Wrath|link=Nature&#39;s Wrath]]
|[[Nature&#39;s Wrath]]
|(10+level)% Chance to recover +2 Elf-shot on any kill while riding a monster.
|-
|[[File:Renewed.png|Renewed|link=Renewed]]
|[[Renewed]]
|(25+level)% Chance to recover +5 Health on bow kills.
|-
|[[File:River of Arrows.png|River of Arrows|link=River of Arrows]]
|[[River of Arrows]]
|(level)% Chance to recover one Elf-shot after firing the bow.
|-
|[[File:Sylvan Arrow-0.png|Sylvan Arrow|link=Sylvan Arrow]]
|[[Sylvan Arrow]]
|(25+level)% Chance to recover +30 Focus for a headshot kill.
|-
|[[File:Unbreakable Bond.png|Unbreakable Bond|link=Unbreakable Bond]]
|[[Unbreakable Bond]]
|Recover (25+level*3)% Focus after immobilizing an enemy with Pin in Place ability.
|-
|[[File:Wrath of the Eldar-0.png|Wrath of the Eldar|link=Wrath of the Eldar]]
|[[Wrath of Eldar]]
|Increases the duration of the Flame of Azkâr by +10 seconds.
|-
|[[File:Will of the West-0.png|Will of the West|link=Will of the West]]
|[[Will of the West]]
|(25+level)% Chance to recover +10 Health on a headshot kill.
|-
|[[File:Wind Rider.png|Wind Rider|link=Wind Rider]]
|[[Wind Rider]]
|Recover (25+level)% Focus on any Shadow Strike move.
|-
|[[File:Stand Fast.png|Stand Fast|link=Stand Fast]]
|[[Stand Fast]]
|Increases all bow damage by 100% when Talion's Health is below 25%.
|}

===Urfael (Sword runes)===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Icon
!Name
!Effect
|-
|[[File:Betrayer-0.png|Betrayer|link=Betrayer]]
|[[Betrayer]]
|Increases all weapon damage by (10+level)% when hitting an enemy from behind. 
|-
|[[File:Blade Master.png|Blade Master (Rune)|link=Blade Master (Rune)]]
|[[Blade Master (Rune)]]
|(25+level*3)% Chance to recover full Health when Hit Streak reaches 30. 
|-
|[[File:Blade of Gondolin-0.png|Blade of Gondolin|link=Blade of Gondolin]]
|[[Blade of Gondolin]]
|Combat finishers recharge the Storm of Urfael at double the normal rate.
|-
|[[File:Bones of the Earth.png|Bones of the Earth|link=Bones of the Earth]]
|[[Bones of the Earth]]
|Recover +3 Elf-shot on a Flurry Kill.
|-
|[[File:Burning Pitch.png|Burning Pitch|link=Burning Pitch]]
|[[Burning Pitch]]
|15% Chance to ignite enemies on a Counter.
|-
|[[File:Cold_as_Stone.png|Cold as Stone|link=Cold as Stone]]
|[[Cold as Stone]]
|Increases stun and knockdown durations on Countered enemies by 50%
|-
|[[File:Dread Visage.png|Dread Visage|link=Dread Visage]]
|[[Dread Visage]]
|33% Chance to cause an Uruk's Head to explode when they are killed by Wraith Flash or Wraith Burn.
|-
|[[File:Drive them Back.png|Drive them Back|link=Drive them Back]]
|[[Drive them Back]]
|Countering enemies restores +3 Health.
|-
|[[File:Elven_Grace.png|Elven Grace|link=Elven_Grace]]
|[[Elven Grace]]
|50% Chance to reduce melee damage by 50%.
|-
|[[File:Evenstar.png|Evenstar|link=Evenstar]]
|[[Evenstar]]
|Recover full focus when Hit Streak becomes charged.
|-
|[[File:Foe Hammer.png|Foe Hammer|link=Foe Hammer]]
|[[Foe Hammer]]
|Recover +2 Elf-shot on combat Execution kills.
|-
|[[File:For Vengeance.png|For Vengeance|link=For Vengeance]]
|[[For Vengeance]]
|Increases melee damage by (10+level)% at high Hit Streak range (30+).
|-
|[[File:Gnawing Fear.png|Gnawing Fear|link=Gnawing Fear]]
|[[Gnawing Fear]]
|Increases the terror caused by execution kills
|-
|[[File:Glorious Charge.png|Glorious Charge|link=Glorious Charge]]
|[[Glorious Charge]]
|20% Chance to deal 10x damage on a Shoulder Charge.
|-
|[[File:Grim Reslove.png|Grim Resolve|link=Grim Reslove]]
|[[Grim Resolve]]
|(level)% defense versus ranged attacks.
|-
|[[File:Know No Plain.png|Know No Pain|link=Know No Pain]]
|[[Know No Pain]]
|(10+level)% Chance to recover + 5 Health on any kill.
|-
|[[File:Hidden Power.png|Hidden Power|link=Hidden Power]]
|[[Hidden Power]]
|Increases duration of Last Chance.
|-
|[[File:Life for Death.png|Life for Death|link=Life for Death]]
|[[Life for Death]]
|Recover +10 Health on combat Execution kills.
|-
|[[File:Mighty Rage.png|Mighty Rage|link=Mighty Rage]]
|[[Mighty Rage]]
|Increases the stun and knockdown durations on melee attacks.
|-
|[[File:Power of the Earth-0.png|Power of the Earth|link=Power of the Earth]]
|[[Power of the Earth]]
|Recovers (25+level*3)% Focus on a ground execution.
|-
|[[File:Quick to Anger.png|Quick to Anger|link=Quick to Anger]]
|[[Quick to Anger]]
|(10+level)% chance to recover +5 Health on each Critical Strike.
|-
|[[File:Ruination.png|Ruination|link=Ruination]]
|[[Ruination]]
|Increases the Storm of Urfael duration by +10 seconds.
|-
|[[File:Savage Onslaught.png|Savage Onslaught|link=Savage Onslaught]]
|[[Savage Onslaught]]
|Increases melee damage by (10+level)% at mid Hit Streak ranges (15 to 29).
|-
|[[File:Smite-0.png|Smite|link=Smite]]
|[[Smite]]
|Recovers (25+level*3)% Focus on Combat Flurry kills.
|-
|[[File:Stand and Fight.png|Stand and Fight|link=Stand and Fight]]
|[[Stand and Fight]]
|Increases all sword damage by 100% when Talion's Health is below 25%.
|-
|[[File:Storm of Battle-0.png|Storm of Battle|link=Storm of Battle]]
|[[Storm of Battle]]
|Boosts all sword damage by 50%.
|-
|[[File:Strength from Courage-0.png|Strength from Courage|link=Strength from Courage]]
|[[Strength from Courage]]
|Recovers (level)% Health on a Flurry kill.
|-
|[[File:The Bright Host.png|The Bright Host|link=The Bright Host]]
|[[The Bright Host]]
|Recover +1 Elf-shot for each Wraith Flash kill.
|-
|[[File:The End Comes.png|The End Comes|link=The End Comes]]
|[[The End Comes]]
|Uruks' Heads will explode on Wraith Blast kills.
|-
|[[File:The Undying.png|The Undying|link=The Undying]]
|[[The Undying]]
|Recover all Focus and Elf-shot on any Last Chance success.
|-
|[[File:Tower of Defense-0.png|Tower of Defense|link=Tower of Defense]]
|[[Tower of Defense]]
|Increases Hit Streak Reset Time +10 Seconds.
|-
|[[File:Wrath and Ruin.png|Wrath and Ruin|link=Wrath and Ruin]]
|[[Wrath and Ruin]]
|Increases the stun and knockdown durations on Wraith Flash.
|}

===Exclusive Runes===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Icon
!Name
!Effect
!For Weapon
!How to Obtain
|-
|[[File:Black Arrow.png|Black Arrow|link=Black Arrow]]
|[[Black Arrow]]
|Recover +5 health on headshot kills 
|[[Azkâr]]
|Pre-order the game for PS4. Reward for defeating the "The Flesh Burners" in a PS4 exclusive "PlayStation Legion Edition" mission. Buy steam GOTY edition.
|-
|[[File:Deadly Archer.png|68x68px|Deadly Archer|link=Deadly Archer]]
|[[Deadly Archer]]
|Increases headshot damage by 25 %.
|[[Azkâr]]
|Pre-order the game from Amazon.
|-
|[[File:Defiant_to_the_End.png|68x68px|Defiant to the End|link=Defiant to the End]]
|[[Defiant to the End]]
|Never surrender as you gain an additional Last Chance to Return to the fray in combat against Uruks.
|[[Urfael]]
|Download the "Power of Defiance" Content.
|-
|[[File:Flame of Anor.png|68x68px|Flame of Anor|link=Flame of Anor]]
|[[Flame of Anor]]
|20 % Chance Critical Hits with the sword will ignite enemies and the blade's flames grow orange.
|[[Urfael]]
|Pre-order the game from Best Buy.
|-
|[[File:Gravewalker.png|68x68px|Gravewalker|link=Gravewalker]]
|[[Gravewalker]]
|Increases the morale effect on enemies when they witness a Captain die.
|[[Acharn]]
|Sign into your WBID account through Palantir.
|-
|[[File:Hidden Blade.png|68x68px|Orc Slayer|link=Hidden Blade]]
|[[Hidden Blade]]
|Stealth kill and Ground Executions deal extra damage to Captains and Warchiefs.
|[[Acharn]]
|Pre-order the game from GameStop.
|-
|[[File:Orc Hunter.png|68x68px|Orc Hunter|link=Orc Hunter]]
|[[Orc Hunter]]
|Brutalize kills cause additional terror.
|[[Acharn]]
|Sign up for a WBID for ''Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor''.
|-
|[[File:Orc Slayer.png|68x68px|Orc Slayer|link=Orc Slayer]]
|[[Orc Slayer]]
|Combat finishers do extra damage against Captains.
|[[Urfael]]
|Pre-order the game from Steam.
|-
|[[File:Rising_Storm.png|68x68px|Rising Storm|link=Rising_Storm]]
|[[Rising Storm]]
|Grant access to the Storm of Urfael legendary weapon power.
|[[Urfael]]
|Pre-order the game from Walmart.
|-
|[[File:Stinging Blade.png|Stinging Blade|link=Stinging Blade]]
|[[Stinging Blade]]
|Recover +50 Health on stealth kill 
|[[Acharn]]
|Pre-order the game for PS4. Reward for defeating the "The Blood Hunters" in a PS4 exclusive "PlayStation Legion Edition" mission.
|}

===Lord of the Hunt Runes===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Icon
!Name
!Effect
!For Weapon
|-
|[[File:Burning_Blood.png|Burning Blood|link=Burning_Blood]]
|[[Burning Blood]]
|Significantly increases melee damage while you are poisoned.
|[[Urfael]]
|-
|[[File:Consuming.png|68x68px|Consuming|link=Consuming]]
|[[Consuming]]
|Using Drain on your mount restores all Focus.
|[[Azkâr]]
|-
|[[File:Faint_Steps.png|68x68px|Faint Steps|link=Faint_Steps]]
|[[Faint Steps]]
|Arrows deal significantly more damage to beasts.
|[[Acharn]]
|-
|[[File:Gorging.png|68x68px|Gorging|link=Gorging]]
|[[Gorging]]
|
Mounted Caragors gain extra Health when killing with Bite attacks.
|[[Urfael]]
|-
|[[File:Renewed_Dominion.png|68x68px|Renewed Dominion|link=Renewed_Dominion]]
|[[Renewed Dominion]]
|Using Drain on your mount for Elf-shot no longer damages the beast.
|[[Acharn]]
|}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Talion collecting rune from body.png|Talion collecting a rune
Talion picking up a sword rune.gif|An animation of Talion picking up a sword rune (click to view)
Talion picking up a bow rune.gif|An animation of Talion picking up a bow rune (click to view)
</gallery>

<!-- Interlanguage links -->
[[de:Runen]]
[[fr:Rune]]
[[pt-br:Runas]]
[[ru:Руны]]
[[Category:Runes|*]]
[[Category:Items]]
[[Category:Urfael runes]]
[[Category:Acharn runes]]
[[Category:Azkâr runes]]