Everything You Need To Know About The RUNE SAGE Skill Tree In Outward | (Full Guide)

Outward has a skill tree called the rune sage and it is insanely powerful. The only problem is, it is not explained well in the game. It can be hard to know all the things this skill tree can do without someone telling you. This video is a complete guide on how to use the skills. So watch as I break down one of the best features ever implemented into Outward.
Outward is an RPG/survival game that allows you take to make an almost infinite number of builds. Melee, magic, archery, and even traps are scattered across this harsh world in the form of skills. You must have a large amount of money to purchase these skills, but luckily the monsters drop extremely valuable items. The game has been harshly criticized due to how realistic and difficult it is. Feel free to subscribe and watch me beat the crap out of some crazy monsters.
#Outwardguide #OutwardRPG #TipsandTricks
Everything You Need To Know About The RUNE SAGE Skill Tree In Outward | (Full Guide)
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[@mr_mufflebunss]

You can still cast with great runic blade, for it counts as a lexicon

[@SheenShots]

I just went and tested this and you are correct. Not sure how I missed that. Thanks!

[@krissatriya8662]

woaa thats the best then

[@mkv2718]

Huh. I never knew that. I guess most people never tried

[@steve323f]

Nice 👌

[@antoncouveld1734]

I noticed this too just now. So relieved I didn't go for the internal lexicon now. Holy shit balls rune mage is insane when tired.

[@savaronsw6596]

The one time I understood rune sage is cool, when I got inprisoned in first region, forced to mine iron ore. What a surprise for guards was when I cast an armor and 2handed magic sword out of nowhere.

[@FirstLast-cg2nk]

If you're on console, one method of keeping track of what runes are set to what buttons is to set them to the corresponding buttons on your controller: For example, on PS, X = Blue, O = Red, Pink = Square, and Green = Triangle.

[@Fredministrator]

I think you missed something I would consider essential to any rune sage. You can place a runic trap and prepare a runic detonation. When an enimy hits the trap (as it explodes) you activate the detonation for a second explosion. You'll need to time it right, but with the right build it almost rivals the hermit for damage.

[@Chumpy819]

I just started playing this game and absolutely love your guides. Pretty straight forward and easy to listen to in the background.

[@SheenShots]

Awesome! Glad you are enjoying them and thank you for the compliment!

[@craigarthur7599]

Feels like I’ve been looking for a video this clear and well delivered for weeks. Thanks so much! +1 sub

[@SheenShots]

Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it and welcome to the channel!

[@FirstLast-cg2nk]

Oh, bit of advice: If you're after making a Runic Lightning based build, I would recommend using Internalized Codex. Why? Scholar Staff grants a 20% lightning damage bonus and a 15% mana cost reduction. You won't get a boost nearly as good from even a one-handed enchanted weapon and Light Mender's Lexicon. The 20% bonus from the staff grants more damage than Runic Prefix, as the base of Runic Lightning is 55 Lightning damage, Runic Prefix adds 10, but the Scholar Staff grants 11. Simply put, the cost-benefit you get is genuinely better. Combine this with appropriate gear: White Wide Hat (10% damage increase, 20% mana reduction), Runic Armor (10% damage increase, 5% mana cost reduction), and White Priest Boosts (10% mana Reducation), and Light Mender's Backpack (10% damage bonus), and you get a total damage of 80+ Lightning damage with each rune costing 3-4 mana per cast, so you're able to fire Runic Lightning at 8 mana per shot, without buffs, boons, potions, etc. While not incredibly impressive damage-wise and having problems against enemies with high lightning resistance, with mana regen you have the ability to continuously use Runic Lightning without being overeliant on items to restore mana or to cast spells, period. Essentially, it's a build that sacrifices high damage output in exchange for extended sustained damage output.

[@SheenShots]

One of the few times where internalized lexicon is the better choice. Fantastic build as well. Sometimes high damage doesn't matter as much as sustainability since tougher enemies will take damage longer than you can without dying.

[@ThatGuy-zw4le]

hmm, thanks for the comment bud. Imma try that after i'm done with my lightning spear build

[@florianlb777]

Sadly, even with this build runic prefix is the better option. Scholar Staff grants 20% lightning damage, but the lightmenders lexicon grants 5% aswell (besides 5% manacost reduction). Combined with an jade mace or sword, u also get the 15% manacost reduction of the staff. In this case the staff grants u 11 dmg more. Runic prefix on the other hand grants +10 dmg, + 5% lightning (2,75 dmg), AND all the other runic boosts.

[@Nicholas-qy5bu]

@@florianlb777 agree i think the only good reason for going internalized lexicon is if you are playing with chakram. I could see it usefull also if you play a more melee focus character with a 2h or shield and just want to use protection and heal easily, with a 2 hand mace it is actually a fun build since the easy knockback from the mace gives you a lot of room to cast spells, i tried the thematic "elatt champion" build using wind sigil + healing runes and a 2h hammer, it was pretty fun i could actually stay in my sigil unlike the other sigil build mage running around like chickens.

[@kolbywilliams7234]

@@Nicholas-qy5bu Even as a 2h user, switching for a lexicon with prefix before and after a fight is still better than going for internalized. The increased protection and healing combined with the ability to set a free trap with tons of damage outweighs the ability to cast in combat because it’s better to just focus on combat skills/boons at that point.

[@steve323f]

We need more videos like this sheen. I still can't decide what to spend my break through points on.

[@SheenShots]

I hope to make a video like this on all the skill trees. Thanks for the feedback!

[@alienlobsteroo4882]

After 10+ characters all amounting to 100 hours of playtime I think I finally found my favourite build. The Rune Mage tree with the Warrior Monk tree and the Runic Armor is just too fun.

[@SheenShots]

I totally agree. I have a similar build and it is just the best combo between melee and magic gameplay. My only complaint is that when you enchant the armor the runes don't glow as they do for the NPC who wears it.

[@VejmR]

What the other skill tree?

[@beachgirlbella4825]

Where do you get runic armor?

[@alienlobsteroo4882]

@@beachgirlbella4825 You get it in Berg. The city within the Enmerkar Forest. The blacksmith sells it. But if you wanna do the Rune Mage then only buy the leg and torso armor. For the headwear you should farm ice witches until one drops their headgear. (I think it was an ice witch's drop but I'm not sure. I haven't played in a year).

[@atismatalisesharte2946]

​@@alienlobsteroo4882what is your last skill tree ? I wanna try ur build

[@beachgirlbella4825]

My favorite build is what I call "the ultimate mage" and it's a combo of blood, rune, and wind magic. It is insanely powerful, runic traps kill anything that walks on the ground effortlessly. And wind sigil kills both ground and sky mobs. Blood sigil and vampiric weapons are great for health regen and to give you the upper hand in a fight. Finally, the conjure skill summons a minion to fight for you which is very helpful.

[@TheBennyester]

After playing the game for about 160 hours I tried a couple of builds from pure meele to pure mage and a couple hybrids. When it comes to making builds in any game that allows them I will almost never min-max as I value consistency and convenience over insane damage or invincibility tied to a bunch of combos and specific items and consumables. For this reason, my favorit build so far is a rune mage - hermit sage archer. It's not overpowered but it has everything you need. You can attack from a distance with both physical and elemental attacks, you always have a trap ready, the healing of course, a summoned spirit to draw attention away from you and depending on your bow you get some nice debuffs on enemies too. It's a jack of all trades build and I love never feeling like a fish out of water. Bonus: Internal lexicon is used in this build because a bow requires both hands and again, convenience and consistency.

[@SheenShots]

This is a very valid argument. The only time you should ever take internalized lexicon is if you understand what you want to use it for and want a convenient build rather than a powerful but clunky character. Switching to that offhand gets annoying quickly and if you plan on using a character for a long time its worth losing a bit of extra abilities for internalized lexicon.

[@TheBennyester]

@@SheenShots Hey man, thanks for beeing so active. Also thank you for beeing one of the very rare people to make good outward content.

[@SheenShots]

Let me know of any other skill tree you might want to know more about!

[@succenduccen2761]

Speedster!

[@SheenShots]

@@succenduccen2761 That's a good one thanks!

[@GUUURRAAHHH]

How much mana should I take at the mountian to utilize this skill tree properly?

[@SheenShots]

@@GUUURRAAHHH That is going to depend on how you want to play the game. I recommend starting with 3 and seeing if you want more by playing with that amount. I personally almost never get more than 3 points (60 mana) but more mana heavy builds use 4 or 5.

[@meganobgutzkraka2398]

This is an amazing video to help with new rune sages coming into Outward and Old Sages coming back to Outward but there were two things I saw in this video that you hadn't commented on: 1. You DO NOT need Internalized Lexicon to cast runes while you have Great Runic Blade equipped. you USED TO, but they released a patch over a year ago to allow you to do magic with it in your hands. This Makes Internalized Lexicon really a pick if you wanted to run a lot of two handed weapons (say you want your wizard to run the mage staves). but I still think it could be better, have to try a build myself. 2. there's a clip in here I saw, that I've seen in other video that I myself do not know the trick behind where you used prepped Runic Detonation, the trap detonated and them you detonated it again casting Runic Detonation. if it's as simple to do as shown in the video without explanation alright, I just never knew about that. :P Regardless this is like I said, an amazing video and i thank you for producing it.

[@SheenShots]

Thanks for the feedback! The runic detenation allows you to set a trap and then place one red rune. After the enemy runs into the trap it will explode. You then immediately cast another red rune and it will do the high damage detention. This must be done quickly otherwise the second detention will not happen. This is also only possible with the improved combinations. Let me know if this was not quite what you meant but I think it makes sense.

[@meganobgutzkraka2398]

@@SheenShots nope that was exactly what i was asking about and tried it, thanks man! as if our damage with the bombs needed to be better heheheheheheh

[@SheenShots]

@@meganobgutzkraka2398 No kidding right lol. The mana trap is one of my favorites. Time to blow up some monsters!!

[@kilivanjg2813]

@@SheenShots its possible to trigger runic trap directly after an enemy steps on it to get double damage from one trap. just have the first orange already loaded before they step on the trap, then use the second orange once the trap has laready exploded

[@turbo9325]

great vid, thanks

[@SheenShots]

Thanks for watching!

[@Pottzy]

Not sure if I'll get an answer a year after this video released, but are runes worth using if you have only a little mana and don't have access to the passives? I spent my skill points on other skills and I think my current character only has about 100 mana

[@user-cm7ew6wm4f]

If you cant remember combinations, you can try to remember runes. Blue is protection (it's look like shield) yello is attack (gust remember it like opposite to blue) purple mean me and green mean secret. So what we hawe yello+green mean attack secretly so it make secret attacking trap, green+blue it secret protection and it make secret mage lantern which protect you from darkness e.t.c

[@nopurposeposting1548]

internalized lexicon seems good for tank build, add with warrior monk skill tree and wild hunter breakthrough passive and berg faction quest reward (ancestor memory + ash giant heart) its gonna be quite strong. not to mention the free heals and the protection.

[@SheenShots]

The free healing is really nice. Its so easy to use in battle because casting runes is pretty quick.

[@Peagaporto]

Tanks will want the advanced runic protection, easier to just swap the lezicon in. Where internalized lexicon could shine is on a shakran build.

[@Alirian2]

I love this build in co-op. My friend went tanky armor with a sword and shield and I blasted things from far away with lightning. I just wish I had a way to heal him too, but that would be really overpowered

[@greglyhoblit]

Pair this with primal ritualist and you could buff and heal your friend

[@Alirian2]

@@greglyhoblit I meant more in the Rune Sage skill tree, but thats definitely good advice

[@erinpitt580]

yooo...... this opened my eyes to some cool combinations of classes.... does runic lightning auto target, or do you require pressing target enemy to have it seek ?

[@SheenShots]

Runic lightning heads in a straight line towards the enemy if you are locked on. It can miss but most of the time that will only happen if the terrain is weird. It doesn't really track... but kinda does. Hard to explain lol.

[@erinpitt580]

@@SheenShots reminds me of shrimp shooting it at you. kinda tracking...but has limits

[@SheenShots]

@@erinpitt580 Ya that's a much better way to look at it!

[@gkkk2735]

Would it be worth it for internalized lexicon if I prefer 2h axes or is it better switching back and forth for that magic damage

[@SheenShots]

If you want to make a really nice two handed build yes it would not be a bad idea. The switching gets annoying for sure.

[@gkkk2735]

@@SheenShots what other skills trees would recommend going down if I wanted to do that, cause I've been thinking full mage might just be better for first playthrough and I'm not sure on a magic/physical one

[@gebemoreira]

Obrigado e parabéns pelo conteúdo com tanta informação de qualidade, forte abraço do amigo de interlagos, São Paulo, Brasil..

[@SheenShots]

I appreciate the love and support! Thank you!

[@gebemoreira]

@@SheenShots It would be really nice to have a guide playlist with all the skill trees you created just rune sage, it would be beautiful with all 13 trees.

[@zark5555]

How u get onslaught and the parry skill on the monk if you can only choose one?

[@SheenShots]

The long sword actually has it's own skill that is a parry skill. Talk to Burac at the beginning of the game with a longsword equipped and it is yours for free.

[@janovmi2]

does the runic prefix imbue on runic weapons overwrite with weapon imbue spells ? or can you have 2 imbues at once (one passive and one from casted spell) ?

[@SheenShots]

You can only have one active imbue at a time. I believe you can take off the instant imbue and replace it, but both will not be active at the same time.

[@janovmi2]

@@SheenShots i was hoping it would behave as a part of the runic blade spell and not as imbue ...but hey we cant win them all :)

[@SheenShots]

@@janovmi2 Ya that would make it quite a bit stronger and I would probably always use it lol.

[@colinchichester1809]

Being able to change the imbue is still handy though. The runic greatsword already chunks the rust lich, slap a lightning or ether imbue on there and it just obliterates him

[@KyleT69]

Quick question do you have any skill trees you would recommend with the ruin sage?

[@SheenShots]

This will depend on your playstyle but here is waht I enjoy: Rune Sage, Cabal Hermit, Warrior Monk = great damage and stamina but need to manage mana well Rune Sage, Philosopher, Warrior Monk = Great mana regen and stamina just a little less damage. Rune Sage, Hex Mage, Philosopher = Infinite mana, amazing elemental damage, low stamina Hopefully that gives you a few suggestions but cabal hermit and warrior monk are going to be sold in almost every build if you are ever unsure.

[@KyleT69]

@@SheenShots thank you this helps a lot!!! Happy holidays 🎄

[@xSLOBODAx]

👍

[@Shmidershmax]

For controller users just match the runes to the color of the button. The combinations are honestly not hard to memorize. My first play through used this class and it's absolutely busted.

[@SheenShots]

For sure. Thi skill tree is pretty insane if used correctly. Healing, defense, and good attack skills. One of the best beginner skill trees for sure.

[@gscmani]

Hey sheen im thinking of mixing runes with primal ritualist but I do what 3rd tree to use. Any recommendations?

[@SheenShots]

I would recommend either Hex or warrior monk. The totems do use a bit of stamina and with runes breakthrough you will have plenty of mana. So both hex and warrior monk with help give you more stamina in the long term and are great support trees in general.

[@randomn4me205]

How I wish I knew not to take internalized lexicon from the start. Seriously regretted that choice for the rest of the playthrough.

[@SheenShots]

It is a pretty cool idea, but the other skill doubles your power. It is for sure the wrong one if you go full rune mage lol.

[@randomn4me205]

@@SheenShots Definitely. I started off using 2-handed weapons so thought internalized lexicon would be best. With traps, runic trap and runic lightning I almost never needed to go melee anymore and would have benefitted from the spell boost much more.

[@SheenShots]

@@randomn4me205 The biggest boost is to the trap. That does ridiculous damage after you get the skill buff. One of my favorite things in the game to use actually.

[@corinthiansdaniels3728]

@@SheenShots I only use internalized for shield paladin builds

[@SheenShots]

@@corinthiansdaniels3728 I would agree with you're decision there. Switching off of heavy weapons and shields all the time is just not playable.

[@kabra9908]

Which si better : rune+shaman+monk or rune+shaman+hunter? Thanks

[@SheenShots]

Rune, Shaman, Monk is going to be a bit better. I generally take Monk on most of my builds simply because stamina is so important and the skills from that tree are extremely versatile and useful.

[@lukepatton4701]

My rune trap instantly explodes and does heaps of damage to me in town or wherever. Do you know why this is happening?

[@SheenShots]

This was a bug that was introduced briefly. It is now fixed.

[@ghosthavoc8741]

After I make the first runic combination and try the next to upgrade nothing happens I just use mana. Any ideas?

[@SheenShots]

The secondary combos are locked behind the breakthrough. You need the skills second to the top for the additional combinations to work. Without the full tree you can only place the trap, make a light, summon a sword, and activate runic protection.

[@ghosthavoc8741]

@@SheenShots yea I figured it out later, appreciate it tho🤞🏾

[@Mrblackfox966]

I play on Xbox one and the way I have the runes is the same colour scheme as the buttons

[@SheenShots]

A really good way to do it if you are playing on remote. Thanks for the tip!

[@shadow-clank9]

how do i unlock the mana well if i don't have breakthrough point ?

[@SheenShots]

You are only given 3 breakthrough points in total. This requires you to choose carefully for the 3 full skill trees you want. After grabbing three you will be unable to change and no more breakthrough points can be earned. This would probably require you to start a new character.

[@shadow-clank9]

@@SheenShots it's just that for me it already shows zero breakthrough points and I didn't even get the runes. game on xbox

[@user-qk3sd5hn8f]

u made me drop my egg custard

[@CrimsonXMyst]

quas wex exort

[@farhan667rizal6]

your work is great and very clear, but you should try another game. maybe kingdom of amalur, or latest game? just my opinion.

[@SheenShots]

Thanks for the feedback! I plan on switching to a more relevant game once I get a good base of content in Outward.

[@icantthink2853]

@@SheenShots I think that you should continue making content on Outward and would like it despite it not being the most relevant and flashy game. For being made by a small studio it’s decent, and has potential as shown by the devs and other YT creators. I think personally that you’re correct on it not being relevant and really out there in terms of triple A or noteworthy games and that’s one of its main issues really. Besides some things like features and such but I enjoy it despite sucking ass at it. Perhaps I’ll try one of your builds even ;)

[@SheenShots]

@@icantthink2853 I love the game and appreciate the support. I have a lot of video ideas for Outward and it honestly needs it. Hopefully, I can help people know more about the game and maybe get it out there more. Once I have accomplished that I may move to bigger things but not until then. Outward deserves more love lol.

[@Taricus]

They literally made those runes as colorblind unfriendly as possible... I confuse greens and reds, and I also confuse blues and purples.... They could've gone with so many other combinations LOL! At least they have different shapes LOL!

[@SheenShots]

They are technically called different things as well which might help. Although I never remember the names so colors are the only way I remember 😅

[@igoodie6084]

Yeah, same thing for me, i just remembered their position in spell book and cast only green and red from cast bar

[@blackmib]

i like internalised lexicon to simply have a shield

[@SheenShots]

Very helpful if you are constantly using a shield.

[@blackmib]

@@SheenShots i like to be tanky and plant mines and block

[@MrAzmatron]

I dont get a good payoff for runic build. Its like you all the time standing and casting, with a absolutely little impact on enemy. Everytime my bro fighting, im like "uhmm wait a second, im gonna cast another rainbow, so enemy got his little boo-boo" and then i dying. Bruh!

[@SheenShots]

Runes are really good early on due to the runic traps power. Later they sort of fall of a bit, but the runic protection buff is the best buff in the game. Maybe try thinking of runes as support rather than damage. That playstyle might help you enjoy the a bit more.

[@devinfox1236]

Yeah fuck this sustem, im not trying to hit 4 buttons for one spell ill use the protection spell bu thats it

[@pwnomega4562]

19 impact for a great sword is pretty meh

[@SheenShots]

Ya the main problem with the mana swords is their impact. It might as well be nonexistent lol. But the pure elemental damage is nice against golem like enemies.

[@Dog-Girl-Defect]

It's almost stupid not to get runes.

[@Dog-Girl-Defect]

Unfortunately.

[@SheenShots]

They are very strong. They are very versatile which is extremely important in Outward.

[@djebble1]

Man, this is confusing...

[@SheenShots]

Lol that is understandable. I like to think of blue and purple as my buffing skills and red and green as my attack. That isn't always the case, but helps at the start I think.

[@imtheonehero9305]

For beginners this skill tree is weak af. The Sword does no damage even with runic armor. The trap and detonation isnt that op either. Takes multiple traps just to kill one enemy. The faster enemey will just hit you if youre tryna cast the trap/det spell. Weak weak weak. Lol.