Skill Runes: How to get to inaccessible locations in Dead Cells? Dead Cells Guide

Last update: 17 August 2018

On this page we have provided detailed information on how to explore inaccessible locations in Dead Cells. While playing the game, you may come across closed areas that cannot be reached in the traditional way. The solution to this problem are rune skills that can be found by defeating certain monsters. Below you will find information on where to look for runes in Dead Cells and what are they used for (new moves description). Try to get the first three runes of our list early in the game, otherwise you will miss a lot of additional attractions (including completely new locations).

• Vine Rune - climbing with vines
• Teleportation Rune - using teleportation sarcofagus
• Ram Rune - breaking through weakened floor sections
• Spider Rune - climbing and bouncing off walls
• Challenger's Rune - unlock access to daily challenges

Vine Rune - climbing with vines

This rune is owned by Elite enemy, which resides in the Promenade of the Condemned, the first available zone after leaving the Prisoners' Quarters starting area.

While exploring the location of the Promenade of the Condemned, look for the lair of elite monster, as shown in the picture above. In our case it was located in a small separate area, behind opened door.

You have to defeat a random elite monster that leaves some loot. The dropped items will include the Unknown Artifact shown in the picture above, which is the Vine Rune you are looking for. Obtaining it is rewarded with the Quit Tickling! Trophy.

From now on, you can look for places to use the rune (an example is shown in picture 1). When you press the interaction button, vines will appear and you can reach higher shelves, which were previously unavailable (an example is shown in picture 2).

The vines not only lead to areas with new treasures, but also unblock the possibility of exploring the new location of Toxic Sewers - the passage is in the starting location of Prisoners' Quarters.

Teleportation Rune - using teleportation sarcofagus

Find this artifact only after you acquire the Vine Rune described above. The Teleportation Rune can be looted from elite enemy, who resides in Toxic Sewers location. In order to reach the canals, you need to find a place where vines can appear in the Prisoners' Quarters starting area. After using the Vine Rune, you can use a passage that was not previously available and reach the entrance to Toxic Sewers (example is shown in the attached picture).

During the exploration of the Toxic Sewers, just like in the case of the previous rune, look for the lair of elite monster. In our case it was located in one of the corners of the canals.

You have to defeat a random elite monster that leaves some loot. The items left behind will include the Unknown Artifact shown in the picture above, which is the Teleportation Rune are looking for. After you get it, a What Are You Rubbing... trophy will unlock.

From now on you can look for places to use the rune and these are some kind of sarcophaguses similar to the one from the above picture. Interacting with the sarcophagus teleports the hero to another location with a second object of this type. The journey can take place in both directions, so you can always return to the place of the first sarcophagus after exploring a new area.

Sarcophaguses not only lead to areas with new treasures, but also unlock the possibility of exploring new locations:

1. Ossuary - the passage is located in the Promenade of the Condemned.
2. Forgotten Sepulcher - the passage is located in the Stilt Village.

Ram Rune - breaking through weakened floor sections

Find this artifact only after you have acquired the Teleportation Rune described above. The Ram Rune can be looted from elite enemy, who resides in Ossuary. In order to get to this place you need to find a sarcophagus in the Promenade of the Condemned location, which allows you to teleport and avoid closed doors. After using the Teleportation Rune you will be transported to the other side of the door. Now you can use a passage that was not available before and reach the Ossuary entrance (check the attached the picture).

While exploring the Ossuary, just like the two previous runes, look for the lair of elite monster. In our case, it was in a separate area behind the door.

You have to defeat a random elite monster (note - the exit from the room may get closed for the duration of the fight!), so it will drop some items. Loot the enemy and find the Unknown Artifact (shown in the picture above), which is the Ram Rune you're looking for. After you get it, a La Brute trophy will unlock.

From now on, you can look for places to use the Ram Rune. They can be recognized by small symbols on the floor (an example of this type of place is shown in picture 1). Also, the symbols appear when you display the large map of the area. If you move the knob down in flight and press the jump button at the same time, the hero will break through the weakened part of the floor (example in picture 2).

The holes in the floor lead to areas with new treasures, but they also unlock the possibility of exploring the new location of the Ancient Sewers. The way to the Ancient Sewers is located in the Toxic Sewers.

Spider Rune - climbing and bouncing off walls

Note - This rune is extremely difficult to get. The main character has to deal with one of the strongest bosses on his way to obtaining it and go through locations occupied by strong and difficult monsters. Before undertaking a task of getting this rune, try to unlock at least Health Flask III, as well as find and purchase as many plans as possible related to gaining access to new equipment.

Start to search for this artifact only after you acquire the Ram Rune described above. You must start by getting to the Ancient Sewers location. To get there use the entrance from Toxic Sewers area. You can locate them after you break through a part of the floor using the Ram Rune.

Once you arrive in the Ancient Sewers location, you will need to explore it carefully and find a way to the next location, called the Insufferable Crypt, which should be accessed by a lift.

In the Insufferable Crypt, you will face the most difficult moment of the journey, because you have to win a duel with a boss called Conjunctivius. Detailed tips on how to murder this creature can be found in the Bosses section in our guide. Below is a brief description of the fight with the boss.

The duel with Conjunctivius has two phases that switch alternately. In the first phase you can jump freely on the platforms and attack the boss. In the second phase, the platforms are switched off. Then you have to defend yourself against tentacles on the lowest level of the arena. Weapons and distance powers, e.g. bow, crossbow, electric whip or lightning, will work well on the boss.

In addition to the standard moves and dodges, you must also be aware of boss' special attacks. In order to avoid a mass shot of green missiles, you can skillfully run around the level, rely on a shield (preferably one that absorbs a lot of damage points) or try to equip the hero with an amulet that reduces the damage dealt by the projectiles. The traps should do the work in case of tentacles sent in your direction. You can immobilize the tentacles with the help of turrets and focus solely on avoiding boss' attack. The turrets will deplete health of the tentacles.

After defeating Conjunctivius you can take advantage of the passage to Slumbering Sanctuary. While exploring this location, look again for the lair of an elite monster. There may be several elite enemies on this map, so you need to locate the "right" one.

You have to defeat a randomly spawned elite monster that drops some items. The loot will include the Unknown Artifact (shown in the picture above), which is the sought-after Spider Rune. After you get it, an Incy Wincy... trophy will unlock.

A newly acquired Spider Rune can be used in a much larger number of places than the previous runes. You can use it to climb on vertical walls and to bounce back off walls (an example is shown in the picture).

Vertical walls not only lead to areas with new treasures, but also unlock the possibility of exploring new locations:

1. Prison Depths - the passage is in the Promenade of the Condemned area.
2. Slumbering Sanctuary - the passage is in the Black Bridge area.
3. Graveyard - the passage is in the Insufferable Crypt area.

Challenger's Rune - unlock access to daily challenges

This is a unique rune, as it doesn't make it easier to travel on maps, but it unlocks the access to daily challenges, thanks to which you can gain unique treasures. Fortunately, it is not difficult to obtain it. The only requirement to get the Challenger's Rune is to defeat the first "main" boss of the game - The Concierge. As a reminder, the monster is on the Black Bridge, which can be reached from the side of Ramparts or Ossuary.

After you have defeated the boss (if necessary, see the Boss section in our guide), find the Unknown Artifact on the bridge, which is the Challenger's Rune you are looking for. After obtaining this rune a Here Comes a New Challenger! trophy will unlock.

From now on, you can join the daily challenges. You can activate them from the main menu or by reaching the door with the clock in the safe zone in Prisoners' Quarters, as shown in the picture.