Do you lose runes when upgrading Witcher 3?

Do You Lose Runes When Upgrading Witcher 3?

Upgrading equipment in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt can be a crucial part of character development, but it’s essential to know what happens to your runes during the process. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of Witcher 3 upgrades and explore whether you lose runes when upgrading your gear.

Do You Keep Runes When Upgrading?

The short answer is no, you do not keep runes when upgrading your equipment in The Witcher 3. Upgrading gear destroys any existing runes, glyphs, or runewords. This means that if you have a piece of gear with a rune, enchantment, or runeword applied, those will be lost when you upgrade the item.

What Happens to the Runes?

When you upgrade your gear, the runes are destroyed and do not transfer to the new, upgraded item. This can be frustrating if you’ve spent a significant amount of time and resources acquiring or crafting those runes. However, it’s worth noting that runes can be recovered by dismantling the upgraded gear, which allows you to reclaim the runes and use them elsewhere.

Runewords and Upgrades

Runewords are a specific type of enchantment that can be applied to gear in The Witcher 3. When you upgrade gear with a runeword, the runeword is destroyed, and the upgraded item will not retain the runeword’s effects. If you want to keep the runeword, you’ll need to apply it to a different piece of gear before upgrading.

Glyphs and Upgrades

Glyphs are another type of enchantment that can be applied to gear in The Witcher 3. Glyphs do not carry over when upgrading gear, and the upgraded item will not retain the glyph’s effects. If you want to keep the glyph, you’ll need to apply it to a different piece of gear before upgrading.

Tips for Upgrading and Rune Management

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when upgrading your gear and managing your runes:

• Save your runes: If you’re planning to upgrade a piece of gear, make sure to save the runes or apply them to a different piece of gear before upgrading.
• Dismantle and reclaim: If you upgrade a piece of gear and want to recover the runes, dismantle the upgraded item to reclaim the runes.
• Plan ahead: Think carefully about which runes to apply to your gear and when to upgrade. Consider the benefits of each rune and the potential drawbacks of losing them during the upgrade process.
• Experiment with different gear: Don’t be afraid to try out different gear and upgrades to see what works best for your character. Experimenting with different gear can help you develop a better understanding of how runes and upgrades interact.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when upgrading your gear in The Witcher 3, you do not keep runes. Runes are destroyed during the upgrade process, and you’ll need to recover them by dismantling the upgraded gear or apply them to a different piece of gear before upgrading. By understanding how runes and upgrades interact, you can make informed decisions about your character’s development and create a powerful and effective build.