The magic system in Legend of Grimrock is rune based. To cast a spell, you need to arrange runes in a certain pattern in a 3x3 grid. You will learn those patterns as you discover scrolls in the dungeons.

(NOTE: For a COMPLETE LIST OF SPELLS in Legend of Grimrock, see our other guide: Legend of Grimrock List of All Spells)





The rune descriptions below are taken from the game's manual:

FIRE. The first rune is fire, one of the elements. Elements are a major group in the runes. There are four elements and all of them reside in the corners of the pattern. Fire magic is very suitable for destructive powers and fire is the rune of strength.

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LIFE. This rune represents health, bravery, creation and light. It is a common rune in spells that aid and assist but it can also be used in creating or modifying matter. Life is the opposing force of death.



AIR. The element of air not only covers the air that we breathe but also the sky, storms and gases. It is also often used in conjunction with other less buoyant elements to help them float or fly and air is the rune of dexterity.



SPIRITUALITY. This rune represents the immaterial world: the things that have no matter but which still exist. It is used for invoking the forces of the mind, thought and spirituality. It is useful in spells that either enhance or disrupt the psyche of beings or to surpass the barriers of mundane senses.

BALANCE. This is the central rune that all the other runes are bound to and it has no opposite. It represents everything, wholeness and unity. The invisible force that binds everything together while keeping them apart. Mortal spellcasters can only exploit a tiny sliver of the vast potential of this force and they usually use it to amplify their spells to affect larger wholes.



PHYSICALITY. This represents the material world and strong physical forces. It helps otherwise immaterial things attain a more stable physical form or adds to the strength of otherwise weak phenomena. Physicality is the opposing force of spirituality.



EARTH. A strong and stable element, earth can be useful in bolstering defenses or for tapping power from the surrounding masses of rock, moss and plants. Earth is the rune of vitality and the opposing element of air.



DEATH. This rune is the force of vile deeds, cowardice, destruction and darkness and it is a very potent power for deception or causing harm to others.



ICE. Ice is the source element of powerful freezing spells that can harm or slow others. Ice is the rune of willpower and the opposing element of fire.