The Witcher 3: BEST Runewords [220+ Hours Experience]

In this guide, we have listed Witcher 3 best Runewords for players so that they gain an advantage while combating monster & human encounters.

Runestones in The Witcher 3 are special items you can equip on your armor and weapons to give them specific buffs. Runestones are combined to make a particular Runeword. There are multiple ways in which you can get ahold of them. You have the option to loot monster nests, craft them, or go to weapons or armor smiths. There are a total of 10 Runestones with three different levels: Lesser, Regular, and Greater. We’ll quickly go over all of them, so let’s jump right into it.

You might find this helpful: How to Find Witcher 3 Powdered Monster Tissue 

Best Runewords In Witcher 3 Stats Comparison

Stats for all the Best Runewords you can get in The Witcher 3: 

Runeword NameBest ForTierValueCrafting MaterialsBuffs
RejuvenationBest Stamina Regeneration Runeword.Level 21,215- 1 Perun Runestone
- 1 Svarog Runestone
- 1 Stribog Runestone
Each fatal blow recovers 25% of your stamina.
ElationBest Runeword For Adrenaline Gain.Level 21,215- 1 Veles Runestone
- 1 Dazhbog Runestone
- 1 Devana Runestone
Each fatal blow provides 0.1 to 0.25 adrenaline points
DumplingBest Runeword For Healing.Level 11,215- 1 Pyerog Runestone
- 1 Tvarog Runestone
- Any food consumed increased your vitality by a 100%.
PreservationBest Runeword For Enhanced Defense.Level 1935 - 1,215- 1 Lesser Devana Runestone
- 1 Lesser Svarog Runestone
- 1 Lesser Morana Runestone
Armorer’s table and grindstone bonuses never expire
InvigorationBest Runeword For Enhanced Damage Dealing Capabilities.Level 31,215- 1 Greater Devana Runestone
- 1 Greater Perun Runestone
- 1 Greater Zoria Runestone
After max vitality any more vitality regeneration will lead to increase in damage upto 50%.
ProlongationBest Runeword For Potion Duration Extension.Level 31,215- 1 Greater Perun Runestone
- 1 Greater Morana Runestone
- 1 Greater Svarog Runestone
Any unblock blow increases your potion duration by 0.5 secs
ReplenishmentBest Runeword For Combat Versatility.Level 31,215- 1 Greater Morana Runestone
- 1 Greater Dazhbog Runestone
- 1 Greater Triglav Runestone
- Merges your weapon with the power of the sign you want to use.
- Costs 1 adrenaline point
SeveranceBest Runeword For Enhanced Melee-Combat Capabilities.Level 21,215- 1 Veles Runestone
- 1 Perun Runestone
- 1 Zoria Runestone
- Increases range of whirl by 1.1 yards and rend by 1.9 yards
PlacationBest Runeword For Prolonged Battle Scenarios.Level 11,215- 1 Lesser Devana Runestone
- 1 Lesser Stribog Runestone
- 1 Lesser Morana Runestone
At max level adrenaline depletes steadily to 0 while Vitality and Stamina regenerate at higher levels.

Rejuvenation

Best Stamina Regeneration Runeword.
Tier Value Crafting Materials Buffs
Level 2 1,215 1 Perun Runestone

– 1 Svarog Runestone

– 1 Stribog Runestone 

Each fatal blow recovers 25% of your stamina.
  • Why I Chose This: The way this runeword allows for 25% stamina regen on every fatal blow, allowing for prolonged battles against powerful enemies.

To make Rejuvenation Runeword, you’ll need one Perun Runestone, one Stribog Runestone, and one Svarog Runestone. This will all be worth it because the advantage you’ll gain will make you feel like you can go on and on and on, laying waste to your enemies.

Each fatal strike you deal on an enemy will recover 25% of your stamina. It’s as simple as that, more stamina means you can fight for longer and make moves that you couldn’t have with less stamina. So make sure to make your strikes count and make each one a fatal one.

  • Stamina regeneration ability allows for prolonged battles.
  • Provides increased endurance and versatility.
  • Stamina regeneration depends on fatal blows.
  • Requires particular materials for crafting.

Elation

Best Runeword For Adrenaline Gain.
Tier Value Crafting Materials Buffs
Level 2 1,215 – 1 Veles Runestone

– 1 Dazhbog Runestone

– 1 Devana Runestone

Each fatal blow provides 0.1 to 0.25 adrenaline points
  • Why I Chose This: Use of powerful abilities due to adrenaline gain allows for easier enemy confrontations.

The recipe for Elation Runestone is as follows, one Veles Runestone, one Dazhbog Runestone, and one Devana Runestone. Once again, you’ll benefit greatly from each fatal strike because each fatal strike will grant you anywhere from 0.1 to 0.25 Adrenaline points. This being a level 2 Runeword will take a good amount of time to get your hands on, but it will very much be worth it.

  • Gain adrenaline on each fatal blow.
  • Enhanced combat capabilities and versatility.
  • Each hit provides different adrenaline points.
  • Dependent on fatal blows.

Dumpling

Best Runeword For Healing.
Tier Value Crafting Materials Buffs
Level 1 1,215 – 1 Pyerog Runestone

– 1 Tvarog Runestone

– Any food consumed increases your vitality by 100%.

– Everything tastes like Pierogies.

  • Why I Chose This: The extraordinary healing ability this runeword provides greatly helps in your in-game endeavors.

This is a very straightforward Runeword, and you’ll see how in just a second. You’ll need one Pyerog Runestone and one Tvarog Runestone to make this Runeword yours. It has a very simple functionality but one that may prove to be very useful. With the Dumpling Runeword equipped, any food consumed will regenerate your Vitality by 100%.

There is a catch, though. Everything will taste like Pierogies, which are a type of, you guessed it, Dumplings. This seems like a cruel punishment given to sinners in the deepest levels of Purgatory.

  • 100% increase in vitality on every food consumed.
  • Versatile and provides easy functionality.
  • Healing effects depend on constant food consumption.

Preservation

Best Runeword For Enhanced Defense.
Tier Value Crafting Materials Buffs
Level 1 935 – 1,215 – 1 Lesser Devana Runestone

– 1 Lesser Svarog Runestone 

– 1 Lesser Morana Runestone

Armorer’s table and grindstone bonuses never expire
  • Why I Chose This: The higher defensive capability it provides makes it an ideal choice for defensive builds. Able to tank heavy damage.

Preservation Runeword is one of the absolute favorites in my Witcher 3 Runewords list and is considered to be a must-have among the majority of the players. Being a level, 1 Runeword doesn’t really suit this one because of the sheer advantage you gain by it. We’re sure you’ve confidently walked into a fight after getting your buffs from the Armorer’s Tables and Grindstones, only to face the harsh reality that the buffs have already expired.

Well, with the use of this Preservation Runeword, you can say Au Revoir to that problem. Boosts will never expire; I mean, what more could you possibly ask for? To unlock this Runeword, you’ll need one Lesser Devana Runestone, one Lesser Svarog Runestone, and one Lesser Morana Runestone.

  • Allows permanent bonuses.
  • Provides enhanced defensive capabilities.
  • Not an ideal choice compared to other options.
  • Limited to usage only in defensive builds.

Invigoration

Best Runeword For Enhanced Damage Dealing Capabilities.
Tier Value Crafting Materials Buffs
Level 3 1,215 – 1 Greater Devana Runestone

– 1 Greater Perun Runestone

– 1 Greater Zoria Runestone

After max vitality, any more vitality regeneration will lead to an increase in damage up to 50%.
  • Why I Chose This: The enhanced damage this runeword provides with the 50% damage boost.

Being a level 3 Runeword means you’ll have to work overtime to acquire this. The Invigoration Runeword is another one in my best Runewords list that’ll go really well with the combination of another Runeword equipped on the other weapon. With your Vitality at its maximum level, any additional regeneration of it will go towards added damage. That damage can be up to 50% on your next attack.

Witcher 3 best runewords
Witcher 3 Combat Runewords

So it seems like pairing Invigoration and Dumpling Runewords together might be worth a shot. Dumpling keeps regenerating your Vitality, and the additional points keep going in your attacks. To unlock this Runeword, you’ll require one Greater Devana Runestone, one Greater Perun Runestone, and one Greater Zoria Runestone.

  • Damage boost up to 50%.
  • Versatile as it can be used with other runewords as well.
  • Challenging to unlock because of the higher-level requirement.
  • Limited time for a damage boost.

Prolongation

Best Runeword For Potion Duration Extension.
Tier Value Crafting Materials Buffs
Level 3 1,215 – 1 Greater Perun Runestone 

– 1 Greater Morana Runestone 

– 1 Greater Svarog Runestone

Any unblock blow increases your potion duration by 0.5 secs
  • Why I Chose This: The versatility it provides with all potion types plus the extension of potion effects.

Prolongation Runeword is one of the hardest to acquire in my list because the requirements for this are much greater than normal. You’ll need one Greater Perun Runestone, one Greater Morana Runestone, and, one Greater Svarog Runestone to unlock this. This is a level 3 Runeword, so the harder the task, the greater the reward. 

An Interesting Read: The Witcher 3: Surviving Death March

To feel the true effect of this Runeword, you’ll have to time your attacks carefully. Each unblocked attack that you manage to land on the opponent will give you an increase in the duration of your active potion by 0.5 seconds. Half a second might not feel a lot on paper, but when you’re fighting a monster, and it isn’t going down, each second feels like an eternity. This is particularly very effective if you’re fighting against a monster with a certain potion of weakness.

  • Provides increased potion duration.
  • Applicable with all potion types.
  • Requires precision which can prove challenging.
  • A small increase in potion duration.

Replenishment

Best Runeword For Combat Versatility.
Tier Value Crafting Materials Buffs
Level 3 1,215 – 1 Greater Morana Runestone

– 1 Greater Dazhbog Runestone

– 1 Greater Triglav Runestone

– Merges your weapon with the power of the sign you want to use.

– Costs 1 adrenaline point

  • Why I Chose This: The way this runeword infuses any skill sign of your choice on your weapon which provides great combat potential.

The last level 3 Runeword in is the best Runewords. As you might already get the idea, level 3 Runewords are hard to acquire, but that means they are just as beneficial. Signs are simple magic spells that Witchers use. They prove to be useful in combat as well as out-of-combat scenarios. The Replenishment Runeword embeds your weapon with the power of the sign you want to use. An Adrenaline Point is consumed for that to happen. This makes for a lot of fun possibilities. 

One Greater Morana Runestone, Greater Dazhbog Runestone, and Greater Triglav Runestone are required to unlock the Replenishment Runeword.

  • Higher combat capabilities.
  • The low adrenaline cost allows for frequent use.
  • Depends on mastery of skill signs.

Severance

Best Runeword For Enhanced Melee-Combat Capabilities.
Tier Value Crafting Materials Buffs
Level 2 1,215 – 1 Veles Runestone 

– 1 Perun Runestone

– 1 Zoria Runestone

– Increases the range of whirl by 1.1 yards

Increases the range of rend by 1.9 yards

  • Why I Chose This: The enhanced melee-combat effectiveness it provides plus the crowd control and higher damage.

This is one of the most sought-after and recommended Runewords in The Witcher 3. The Severance Runeword basically increases the range of Whirl and Rend by 1.1 and 1.9 yards, respectively. This is a huge boost in range. Using Whirl at the base level, you can attack multiple enemies simultaneously because it’s a spinning attack.

The added range means more carnage, and you must keep spamming fast attacks for easy mode. Rend, on the other hand, increases your damage output with respect to the stamina consumed. The chance for a critical hit is increased by 10%, and you do 33% more damage with the help of Adrenaline Points. 

To get your hands on this, you’ll need one Veles Runestone, one Perun Runestone, and one Zoria Runestone.

  • Provides enhanced range on whirl and rend.
  • Great crowd control capabilities.
  • High damage.
  • Limited to melee-dependent combat.
  • Optimal for close-combat scenarios.

Placation

Best Runeword For Prolonged Battle Scenarios.
Tier Value Crafting Materials Buffs
Level 1 1,215 – 1 Lesser Devana Runestone 

– 1 Lesser Stribog Runestone  

– 1 Lesser Morana Runestone

At the max level, adrenaline depletes steadily to 0 while Vitality and Stamina regenerate at higher levels.
  • Why I Chose This: The enhanced Stamina and Vitality it provides coupled with higher survivability.

The phrase can describe Placation Runeword, “you gotta lose some, to win some.” This is how it works, your Adrenaline points, upon reaching their full level, will continue to decrease till they’re all spent. Doesn’t seem that good, does it? This was the losing something part; what you’ll gain is pretty sweet. As long as your Adrenaline points are decreasing, your Vitality and Stamina are regenerated at an increased rate.

Witcher 3 best runewords
Witcher 3 Combat Runewords

Along with that, any toxic effects from potions will also decrease at a faster rate. A recommended combination with this is the Elation Runeword on another weapon. Think about it. It’ll keep regenerating your Adrenaline points further fuel your Vitality and Stamina while decreasing toxicity, a match made in heaven. You’ll be a real force to be reckoned with that borderline unlimited stamina and vitality in The Witcher 3.

You’ll need one Lesser Devana Runestone, one Lesser Stribog Runestone, and one Lesser Morana Runestone to whip this bad boy up.

  • Provides an increase in Stamina and Vitality.
  • Enhanced survivability and reduced toxic potion effects.
  • Reliant on adrenaline and limited versatility.

My Pick For The Best Rune Sword

Out of all the rune swords, the most practical one – which can be applied in all difficulties- is the Dumpling Rune sword. You can never run out of the amount of food you can carry in this game, but you surely will run out of potions. Apart from that, Preservation and Invigoration are the most practical ones for combat. Boosts never expiring and added health from the potions converting into damage is also quite helpful for Death March difficulty.

The Witcher 3
The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt Sphinx Profile

This will be all for my Witcher 3 Runewords guide. Hopefully, you’ve better understood how Runewords work, what they do, and which ones suit your build and playstyle. If you want to change your hairdo to look more fly, be sure to check out our Witcher 3 Hairstyles Guide for complete information, including all barbershop locations. 

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Hamid Ali is a Guides Writer & Editor on eXputer who occasionally covers Game Codes. He is a huge Doom fanatic and loves to melt his stress away in titles such as God of War games and Elden Ring. With a Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Hamid’s been writing and updating about the majority of games for several years. Hamid's gaming experience can be verified on his Steam and PSN profiles.

Experience: 3+ Years || Education: Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering.

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