- Read a rune in two parts: its own attributes and, if it belongs to a Rune Set, the bonuses listed for matching set pieces. Check the class requirement before planning around it.
- Grand is used for Legendary ability runes. Rune Set components list separate set effects; a single component is not the complete set.
Start with the individual rune
A rune can improve an ability and add a separate character stat. For example, the listed Cleave Rune Grand grants Cleave ability levels and Bonus Health, while Spirit Stream Rune Grand grants Spirit Stream ability levels and Dexterity. The first requires Warrior; the second requires Monk. The ability name matters as much as the rarity.
| Rune | Individual attributes | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Cleave Rune Grand | Cleave ability level +4; +15% Bonus Health | Warrior |
| Spirit Stream Rune Grand | Spirit Stream ability level +4; +15 Dexterity | Monk |
Use that information to answer a simple question: does this item improve something your present build uses? A bonus to another ability may become useful later, but it is not a reason to replace a functioning setup immediately.
A Rune Set adds a second layer
Harvest Moon Rune II has its own Magic Resist and Half Moon Slash bonuses, then a separate Harvest Moon section with effects at two, four and six pieces. Do not read the whole set description as the effect of that one item.
| Part of the tooltip | What it lists |
|---|---|
| Individual component | +10% Bonus Magic Resist and Half Moon Slash ability level +2 |
| Two-piece effect | +50% Strong Attack Damage |
| Four-piece effect | Half Moon Slash hits build Crescent Momentum, granting Mana Regeneration and Critical Hit Chance |
| Six-piece effect | Half Moon Slash blades hunt nearby enemies around the aimed location for three seconds |
Atheron’s Shield illustrates why the set name matters. Its listed two-piece effect adds Critical Hit Chance, its four-piece effect heals on a critical hit, and its six-piece effect strengthens Rage Shield. Those are different goals from Harvest Moon’s Half Moon Slash interaction, even though both examples require Warrior.
Compare the bonus you can actually use
Read Requirements first
If the class requirement does not match your character, keep that rune out of the current loadout plan before comparing numbers.
Separate item stats from set thresholds
Compare the attributes on the component itself, then count the matching components you intend to equip against the set’s listed thresholds.
Check the named skill or trigger
A Rage Shield interaction and a Half Moon Slash interaction solve different problems. Match the effect to your equipped abilities.
Evaluate the replacement as a whole
Consider the individual bonus you would lose as well as the set threshold you would reach. Do not judge the change by rarity alone.
Set behavior also changes with patches. Version 1.0.2 fixed Harvest Moon’s six-piece Half Moon Slash collision behavior. That makes old damage demonstrations a poor substitute for checking the current effect; the same tooltip name does not guarantee identical performance across versions.
What the numbers on the label do not tell you
The captured item examples show Lv. 1/6, while set components also use names such as II and V. These are not evidence of a character-level unlock, a total of six equipment slots or a particular upgrade material cost. Check the actual equip and upgrade prompts before committing resources.
For acquisition, use the ordinary-rune and Rune Set guides. Rune Transmute is usable from hotfix 1.0.2a, but understanding an item’s bonuses and obtaining the right result are separate questions.
Sources and scope
Steam PC material retained on 10 October 2026, including official hotfix 1.0.2a where relevant. Community observations are attributed; no current-client gameplay test.
- Review status
- Source-reviewed
- Game version
- Steam PC; 1.0.2a baseline, older observations identified in the text.
- Checked
- Method
- Individual retained-text review, first draft and editorial revision; no gameplay verification. Retained source bundle checked for this release; no current-client gameplay test.
- Cleave Rune Grand item tooltip first-party
Legendary ability rune, individual attributes and Warrior requirement.
Checked
- Spirit Stream Rune Grand item tooltip first-party
Monk ability rune example.
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- Harvest Moon Rune II item tooltip first-party
Individual bonus versus two-, four- and six-piece set effects.
Checked
- Atheron’s Shield Rune V item tooltip first-party
A contrasting Warrior rune set.
Checked
- Deskrawl official rune updates first-party
Grand naming and patches affecting set behavior.
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