Rune Weapons

Note: in versions 3.8.0 to 3.8.4 (both included), the mines are bugged, and the player is unable to upgrade his Rune Weapons to Ruby/Emerald/Sapphire version. Here is a guide on how to fix it (save-compatible). This is fixed in 3.9.

Rune weapons are unique in the land of Pendor. They can be obtained from the Hidden Mines of Al-Aziz.

The Al-Aziz merchant will trade one strange rune weapon for one Qualis Gem and a Gold Bar

• Strange Rune Glaive
• Strange Rune Axe
• Strange Rune Sword
• Strange Rune Two-Handed Sword
• Strange Rune Bow

After giving the hermit some wine, you can upgrade these weapons even further with two more Qualis Gems. As of 3.9.4, two gems are no longer required; instead you need one gem and a Large Pouch of Diamonds. You can choose one of three upgrades for each weapon based on a jewel. In general:

"Sapphire" will greatly increase attack speed and marginally decrease weight.

"Ruby" will generally increase damage while converting all cut damage to piercing damage. This makes bladed weapons much more powerful against armored foes.

"Emerald" is a balanced approach, increasing both speed and damage. Emerald weapons, with the exception of in bows, deal the most raw damage, though they are not as fast as Sapphire and lack the piercing ability of Ruby.

The upgraded weapons have the highest damage values in all of Pendor, even outdamaging unique weapons from monarchs and unique spawns.

For bows specifically, the three color gems distinguish themselves quite clearly. In all cases, damage and accuracy are at least slightly improved, but each color greatly enhances one specific feature of the weapon. Sapphire greatly enhances attack speed, while Ruby greatly increases damage, and Emerald exchanges a lowered attack speed and damage for heavily increased accuracy. Put simply: Emerald is a "sniper rifle," Sapphire is a "machine gun," and Ruby is a powerful one-shot cannon of a bow.

Without the gem upgrades, Rune Weapons are not generally worthwhile, as high-tier store-bought weapons with positive modifiers can have stats almost as good or better (albeit sometimes with drawbacks, such as not being usable on horseback). For instance, a Masterwork Zweihander would deal 58/36 cutting and thrusting damage - compared to the 55/30 for the base Strange Rune Two-Handed Sword. However, the Zweihander can't be used on horseback, while the Rune blade can.

Even with the gem upgrades, certain Masterwork regular weapons can provide a nearly better alternative. For instance, a Masterwork Morningstar can provide the player a weapon almost equal to the Ruby Rune Axe without having to spend four Qualis Gems to acquire it (one to find the hidden mines, another three plus a Gold Bar to get the Axe and upgrade it) (price changed, see above)

It is important to know that no melee Rune Weapons deal blunt damage - you won't be taking prisoners with these. If you are building your character around taking and selling prisoners, these weapons may not be for you. Rune Bows, however, still could prove useful to you.

List of Rune One-handed weapons

Name (Item ID)	Base Price	Weight	Swing	Thrust	Speed rating	Weapon length	STR (req)	Other
Emerald Rune Axe (itm_emerald_rune_axe)	19910	4.00	52c	-	100	107	15	Bonus against shields
Emerald Rune Sword (itm_emerald_rune_sword)	19390	1.50	52c	34p	105	115	15	-
Ruby Rune Axe (itm_ruby_rune_axe)	19913	4.50	45p	-	92	98	18	Bonus against shields
Ruby Rune Sword (itm_ruby_rune_sword)	19393	1.75	45p	32p	95	105	18	-
Sapphire Rune Axe (itm_saphire_rune_axe)	19910	3.50	45c	-	130	102	15	Bonus against shields
Sapphire Rune Sword (itm_saphire_rune_sword)	19390	1.25	45c	30p	138	110	15	-
Strange Rune Axe (itm_strange_rune_axe)	10010	4.00	45c	-	95	98	15	Bonus against shields
Strange Rune Sword (itm_strange_rune_sword)	10010	1.50	45c	28p	98	105	15	-

List of Rune Two-handed weapons

Name (Item ID)	Base Price	Weight	Swing	Thrust	Speed rating	Weapon length	STR (req)
Emerald Rune Two-handed Sword (itm_emerald_rune_two_h_sword)	19303	2.25	70c	42p	110	158	18
Ruby Rune Two-handed Sword (itm_ruby_rune_two_h_sword)	19306	3.00	60p	40p	90	158	21
Sapphire Rune Two-handed Sword (itm_saphire_rune_two_h_sword)	19303	2.00	60c	38p	135	158	18
Strange Rune Two-handed Sword (itm_strange_rune_two_h_sword)	9313	3.25	55c	30p	90	158	18

List of Rune Polearms

Name (Item ID)	Base Price	Weight	Swing	Thrust	Speed rating	Weapon length	STR (req)
Emerald Rune Glaive (itm_emerald_rune_glaive)	29033	4.00	64c	36p	103	244	18
Ruby Rune Glaive (itm_ruby_rune_glaive)	29036	5.00	54p	34p	83	244	21
Sapphire Rune Glaive (itm_saphire_rune_glaive)	29033	4.00	54c	32p	123	244	18
Strange Rune Glaive (itm_strange_rune_glaive)	19363	4.50	52c	23p	83	244	18

List of Rune Bows

Name (Item ID)	Base Price	Weight	Damage	Accuracy	Speed rating	Missile speed	Draw (req)
Emerald Rune Bow (itm_emerald_rune_bow)	17962	2.00	39p	98	85	92	7
Ruby Rune Bow (itm_ruby_rune_bow)	17962	1.50	50p	92	94	99	7
Sapphire Rune Bow (itm_saphire_rune_bow)	17962	1.25	42p	93	124	89	7
Strange Rune Bow (itm_strange_rune_bow)	10001	1.25	38p	88	94	85	6
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