The world of Outward offers a variety of playstyles, but one of the most intricate and rewarding paths is that of the Rune Mage. This guide dives deep into mastering the Rune Mage’s spellcasting, providing detailed insights into rune combinations, skill tree progression, and advanced strategies to maximize your magical potential.

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Introduction to Rune Magic

Magic in Outward is a ritualistic and step-by-step process, especially for Rune Mages. Unlike other spellcasters, Rune Mages rely on combining runes in specific sequences to cast powerful spells. To embark on this path, you must first learn the basics from the Rune Sage trainer in Berg, the main city of the Enmerkar Forest.

Rune Mages must wield a Lexicon in their offhand to cast spells unless they invest in specific skills that eliminate this requirement. Initially, this might seem daunting, but with practice, the system becomes intuitive and opens up a world of tactical possibilities.

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The Basics: Understanding the Four Core Runes

Before diving into complex combinations, you need to master the four core runes:

• Des (Blue Rune)
• Egat (Purple Rune)
• Fel (Green Rune)
• Shim (Red Rune)

Each rune on its own does nothing; it’s the combinations that unleash their power. Without spending breakthrough points, you can access these basic but effective combinations:

1. Des + Egat: Grants Runic Protection with +15% physical resistance and +3 protection. Ideal for reducing incoming damage early on.
2. Fel + Des: Activates the Runic Lantern, replacing the need for torches with a 300-second duration.
3. Shim + Egat: Summons a one-handed Runic Blade dealing 28 Ethereal damage—exceptionally effective against ghosts in the Enmerkar Forest.
4. Shim + Fel: Sets a Magic Trap that detonates when enemies are near, dealing area-of-effect damage.

These combinations alone provide a versatile toolkit for adventurers who manage their mana wisely.

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Unlocking Advanced Rune Spells: The Arcane Syntax

To progress further, you’ll need to invest a breakthrough point and 600 silver into the Rune Sage tree. This unlocks the Arcane Syntax skill, which dramatically expands your spell options:

• Runic Heal: Cast Egat + Des after Des + Egat to consume your Runic Protection and restore health instantly.
• Two-Handed Runic Blade: Cast Shim + Egat twice to transform your one-handed Runic Blade into a powerful two-handed version dealing 39 damage.
• Runic Lightning: With Runic Lantern active, cast Fel + Shim to launch lightning projectiles without consuming the lantern.
• Manual Trap Detonation: Cast Shim + Shim to trigger Magic Traps manually, offering more control during combat.

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Enhancing Your Power: Runic Prefix Skill

Investing in the Runic Prefix skill further enhances all rune spells:

• Improved Runic Protection: Adds +5% physical resistance and +10% resistance to other elements.
• Enhanced Runic Lantern: Increases duration to 450 seconds.
• Buffed Runic Blade: Adds lightning damage to one-handed blades and decay damage to two-handed variants.
• Healing Buff: Consuming Runic Protection for healing grants +2 health regeneration per second for 10 seconds.

These upgrades not only improve survivability but also increase offensive capabilities significantly.

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Internalized Lexicon: Casting Freedom

The final skill, Internalized Lexicon, allows you to cast runes without holding a Lexicon, freeing your offhand for shields or two-handed weapons. This versatility is invaluable for adapting to different combat situations.

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Building a Successful Rune Mage

To optimize your Rune Mage, consider investing in mana reduction gear early on. A balance of mana and health investment (5 points into mana is a strong start) ensures sustainability in longer fights. Pairing Rune Sage skills with other trainers allows for hybrid builds, amplifying your strengths.

Gear costing around 350 silver can reduce mana costs and enhance your longevity in battles, making it a worthy investment.

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Conclusion: The Strategic Rune Mage

Mastering the Rune Sage tree requires strategic planning, efficient mana management, and a willingness to experiment. By unlocking the full potential of rune combinations, you can adapt to any combat scenario, turning the tide of battle in your favor.

Stay tuned for more builds and strategies to take your Rune Mage to the next level!