In this guide, we will explain how Runes and Totems work in Soulframe.
Runes and Totems are a new weapon upgrade feature added in Soulframe’s Preludes 11 update. They replaced the previously used Motes, giving players more control over the upgrades applied to their weapons.
This system is separate from Joineries, another weapon upgrade feature in Soulframe. To fully maximise your character, you’ll need to utilise both systems.
This guide is up to date with Soulframe Preludes 11.
Table of Contents:
What Are Runes in Soulframe?
Runes are weapon upgrades that are activated for a set amount of time after you trigger Smite (see also: What is Smite in Soulframe?).
Each weapon can only have one Rune slotted. They grant you temporary buffs, for example:
- Everflame (Melee Rune): +40% Flame damage for 15 seconds
- Archstorm (Magick & Flyblade Rune): +40% Voltaic damage for 15 seconds
- Alca’s Breath (Bow Rune): +100% Arcanic for 15 seconds
Each Rune also grants your weapon an additional Totem slot of the matching colour (see below for more information about Totems).
How to Get Runes in Soulframe
Runes have a small chance to drop every time you defeat certain named sub-bosses in Soulframe.
Currently, the following drops are available:
- Everflame – Drops from the Discharged Nimrod boss
- Archstorm – Drops from the Wraith of Wastes boss
- Alca’s Breath – Drops from the Etheldread the Weaver boss
Players often group up to farm these bosses, since joining someone else’s game allows you to bypass the boss respawn cooldown in your own game. Look out for players hosting parties in Recruitment chat.
What Are Totems in Soulframe?
Totems are another type of slottable upgrade. Totems are based on animal species found throughout Midrath. You can earn a Totem by releasing an animal from a cage or by taming a wild animal. Animals are tamed by using Spectral Sight and light attacking when they are highlighted. You then play a tune to tame them. You also earn Harmony when you tame an animal, a special currency used to upgrade your Totems.
There are currently six Totems available in Soulframe, and they will grant different effects depending on whether they are slotted in an Attack, Defense or Utility slot.
Soulframe Totems List
The table below shows the Totems and their effect in each weapon slot. The strength of the effect depends on how many times you have upgraded the Totem.
| Totem (Animal) | Attack Slot | Defense Slot | Utility Slot |
|---|---|---|---|
The Maker |
Attacks reduce enemy armour | Blocking reflects Stagger back to the attacker | Smite reduces enemy armour |
The Crowned |
Primary attacks deal extra Stagger | Increases your Stability (stagger resistance) | Smites restore HP |
The Yielding |
Alt. Attacks slow enemies down | Increases your Magick Armour | Perfect attacks have a higher Smite Chance |
The Stalwart |
Kick Staggers increase the charge rate of your next Heavy Attack | Additional Stagger Damage on Kicks | Additional Smite Chance on Kicks |
The Scavenger |
Attacks deal extra damage to a nearby enemy | Increases your Physical Armour | Smites cause AoE Stagger around the target |
The Messenger |
Increased attack charge rate | Increased Parry window | Increased Smite Chance on attacks |
How to Equip Runes and Totems in Soulframe
When you’ve found some Runes or Totems, you’ll need to equip them before they have any effect. Follow these steps to do that:
- Go to the Nightfold (Hold TAB on PC)
- Interact with the bookcase at the back of your tent
- Right-click on the weapon you want to upgrade
- Use the large central slot to equip a Rune. The smaller slots are for Totems
- Click the empty slot, then click what you want to equip.
- When you are done, simply exit the menu, and your upgrades will be applied.
By default, each weapon has one Rune slot and three Totem slots. You will get an extra Totem slot when a Rune is equipped. The slot type will depend on the colour of the Rune.
How to Upgrade Totems in Soulframe
When a Totem is equipped to your weapon, you can select it and click the Upgrade button on the bottom-left of your screen. Each upgrade will increase the strength of the Totem’s active effects.
Upgrading a Totem consumes Harmony, a special currency used only for Totem upgrades. The amount consumed depends on how many times you have upgraded the Totem previously. The first upgrade costs 500 Harmony.
How to Earn Harmony
There are currently two ways to earn Harmony in Soulframe:
- Charm animals by using Spectral Sight to play music to them. You’ll earn more Harmony if you play every note with perfect timing.
- Right-click on any spare Totem in your Totem inventory to release it. This will convert the Totem to Harmony points.
Take the time to interact with animals you pass when exploring and questing in Soulframe and you will soon have plenty of Harmony points to upgrade everything you need.
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