Find a recorded Runeword in The Stygian Archive
In 0.21.3, the developer added a Runewords collection under The Stygian Archive. It records discovered Runewords and lets you filter them by stats and other parameters. Open that collection to look for a bonus that serves your build, then copy the Runeword and paste it into the character Build Planner. Newly discovered Runewords also appear at the end of the run summary.
This is the documented way to reuse a discovery without transcribing a screenshot one rune at a time. The collection tracks discoveries; the patch does not say that it reveals every possible recipe. If The Stygian Archive is still locked on your save, its unlock requirement must be met first. The announcements do not provide its exact unlock requirement or a universal Discovery threshold for each recipe.
Set the target while imbuing an ability
With 0.21.5, you can set a specific Runeword while imbuing an ability with a rune. The game can then continue with the correct runes toward that target on later selections. Select the intended Runeword on the ability you are building, follow its rune sequence, and check the finished global bonus rather than treating a single rune's effect as confirmation.
For an imported build, first inspect the Runeword in the planner and compare it with your collection. An accepted import does not prove that the required unlocks are available. See the build compatibility checks if Auto-Build substitutes something else. The collection and planner show the sequence on your save; compare their result after completing the target.
Check recipe length and the source patch
The 0.21.0 introduction describes ordered sequences of three or five runes, giving a passive global bonus when activated. Later 0.21.2 and 0.21.3 notes also refer to six-rune Runewords. Treat “three or five only” as the launch-era description, not a complete list for 0.21.5. Copy the full sequence shown by the collection or planner, including its order and length.
The original system gives the same sequence the same effect across players and rituals. In 0.21.2 the developer discussed making results random as a possible future change; that discussion is not an announced implementation. The later collection and target-selection features still provide ways to save and reproduce a discovered Runeword. None of this means every arbitrary arrangement of runes will activate.
Compare Discovery and bonus values by version
Runeword Discovery changes the pool of combinations that can activate. It does not supply a published fixed threshold for every recipe. A combination found by another player can therefore need a comparison of both the exact sequence and Discovery state before you replace its runes.
| Patch | Documented change | What to check in an older build |
|---|---|---|
| 0.21.2 | Discovery base value rises from 2.5% to 12.5%; maximum stat rolls fall by 50% for three-rune and 75% for five- and six-rune Runewords | Early screenshots can show stronger bonuses than the revised range |
| 0.21.3 | Discovery base value falls from 12.5% to 5%; five- and six-rune maximum stat roll range rises from 5 to 10 | Do not use the 0.21.2 base value or its five- and six-rune maximum as the later value |
These are changes to the named base value and maximum roll range. They are not a recipe activation threshold, a guaranteed roll, or a direct percentage change to your total damage.
Match an individual rune to the ability
Runeword bonuses and individual rune effects need separate checks. In 0.21.0, Adr is Added Attack Force, Kyn is Increased Proc Chance, Ydr is Inverted Attack Force, and Lith is Ally Summon Amount. Negative Attack Force pulls enemies toward the damage origin; the Attack Force guide explains that direction change.
For a Necrolord summon setup, Lith's documented role is summon amount; it does not by itself prove a higher active-ally cap. The 0.21.2 fixes identify the intended Max Greater Allies cap as 5 and Max Companion cap as 2. They also fix Damage per Active Ally failing to count temporary allies. Compare those distinct stats when an old summon screenshot differs from your character.
Separate reusable runes from planner bugs
In 0.19.7, Xal, Xol and Xul become reusable on the same or different abilities. That property does not make every combination containing them a valid Runeword. In 0.21.0, an Auto-Build selection issue involving three identical runes and Yiln is fixed; in 0.21.1, Ydr's upgrade preview is corrected after it incorrectly showed a decrease.
If your report matches one of those cases, compare the installed patch before repeatedly replacing a working rune. A preview error, an individual rune effect, a planner selection and a global Runeword activation are different observations. The October updates do not publish a complete compatibility or acquisition table for all runes.
Troubleshoot an inactive imported combination
- Record your game version; these instructions include the official changes through 0.21.5, checked October 22, 2026.
- Confirm the Runeword system and the relevant collection or build requirements are unlocked on your save.
- Compare the complete sequence, order and length with the recorded Runeword, rather than only comparing rune names.
- Compare Discovery and the source patch. Read the finished global bonus; occupied slots alone do not prove activation.
- On 0.21.5, set the intended Runeword while imbuing the ability and follow the target's rune choices. Keep the sequence, Discovery value and observed result together if it still fails.
For Necrolord, continue with the current companion and Borrowed Life checks. The announcements do not give a sequence-specific Discovery threshold.