If you're not already playing Minecraft Dungeons, chances are your kids are. In our review, we compared the game to a fun, family-friendly Diablo, which seems to be exactly what Mojang was looking for. To add to all the content Dungeons has to offer, there are a number of hidden levels and runes spread throughout the game, and finding them can be a difficult task if you don't know where to look.
Once you've beaten the final boss in co-op or solo mode, the fun doesn't end. With nine hidden runes to locate and a final secret level to unlock once you find them, there are still stones to knock down.
In this guide, we'll show you how to find each of the nine hidden runes, as well as all five hidden levels.
Minecraft Dungeons Hidden Levels and Runes Guide
Before you start...
Before we reveal every hidden Rune location, there are a few things to know about how Minecraft Dungeons works. Although each level contains elements of randomization, these bits are actually somewhat predictable.
Only certain sections of any level can be changed, and when they are, it's more like the developers rotating a modular part of the level, keeping its shape but changing direction.
Luckily, the sections that contain the hidden runes don't seem to change with multiple playthroughs, so when you see where we found each rune, rest assured you'll find it there too, although the paths we took may differ.
What are runes in Minecraft Dungeons?
Runes are hard to come by to collect with more incentive than a popping achievement. You can insert runes into the cathedral at your home. This cathedral is not available until you beat the game at least once. Before that, the drawbridge leading to it is inaccessible.
Once you've beaten the Minecraft Dungeons, head to the northeast corner of the base, to the right of your house, and you'll find some new jump pads. Follow these stepping stones and the path eventually leads you to the cathedral next to the drawbridge.
You can now lower the deck for easier access in the future and head inside. Once inside, you'll find what we're guessing are developer portraits along the walls, and a portrait of a dog, which we believe didn't directly contribute to the creation of Minecraft Dungeons, but we can be wrong.
After that, at the end of the hall, there is a large monument waiting for your runes. You can insert them here in any quantity and order, so don't worry. Once you've found all nine runes, the most elusive fifth secret level is revealed, but that brings us back to where you can find all of those runes and other secret levels in the first place. Let's jump in.
Minecraft Dungeons rune locations
In total, there are five levels hidden in Minecraft Dungeons, although the last of these can only be accessed once you have found the nine runes detailed above. Rather annoyingly, the other four are still on the same levels, but in different areas given the semi-procedurally generated levels. These four levels and where to find them are:
- Creepy Crypt (in Creeper Woods)
- Soggy Cave (dans Soggy Swamp)
- Arch Haven (in Pumpkin Pasture)
- Underhalls (in the Highblock Halls)
We go into more detail below.
Creepy Woods Rune Location
When prompted to free five villagers, look for the paved platform in the middle of a grassy area. There is a hidden interactive button there. Tap on it, follow the path through the level and get the first Rune.
Soggy Swamp Runes Location
Destroy the last cauldron - it's your final objective of the level - but before exiting through the Victory Gates, look for the vine-covered pillar to the right of the gates. Another hidden button awaits you, with another Rune behind it.
Pumpkin Pasture Rune Location
When you get to a castle area, back up a bit and look for a gray bridge wall going off to the right. Follow it to the end and touch the boxes near the weirdly colored stone wall at the end. Surprise! It is another Rune.
Cacti Canyon rune location
In the middle of the level you will find a blue key. In this same area, some cacti are doing very well at hiding another hidden object. Interact with it as you see in the screenshot above, and it will take you to the fourth Rune.
Redstone Mines Rune Location
In the large area where you have to free six villagers (note: not in the previous section where you free three villagers), go to the end of the area, either before you free them or not, it doesn't really matter. matters so long as you don't die. Again look along the walls for a hidden button to hide another rune. After that, I never play hide and seek again.
Desert Rune Temple Location
When you're tasked with finding the Golden Key, head to the next room from where you find the item and search along the wall for another hidden button revealing a new Rune location.
Fiery Forge rune location
Head to the left of the Collapsed Redstone Golem and once again search along the wall for a hidden access point. Guess what's inside. Yup, another Rune.
Highblock Halls rune locations
Once you've been told to "crash the party" and before heading down a narrow hallway, search along the wall in the screenshot here to find your penultimate Rune slot.
Obsidian Pinnacle Rune Location
We're almost done now. In the last level of the game, search the library at the very end of the level - don't exit without doing this! Once again there will be an access point in a shelf. Behind this you will find your last Rune.
Secret Cow Level, alias "???" Niveau
The last secret level, called "???" is actually a nod to Diablo's Secret Cow Level. Once you've unlocked all nine runes and placed them in the cathedral monument, the cow level in Minecraft Dungeons will reveal itself on your map table.
Good luck against the boss, the Mooshroom Monstrosity. Our suggestion? Use this chunk of landmass to your advantage. The boss is often stuck behind him.
Each of the secret levels offers more chances to acquire rare or unique loot and amass more emeralds. Once found, you can replay these secret levels from the map screen as you would any other level.
Related Guides
And that's it for our Minecraft Dungeons levels and hidden runes guide. Be sure to check out our other tips and tricks on our Minecraft Dungeons guides hub.
