---
title: "How Runs Work in Crimson Moon"
description: "Every run starts at Sanctus Clypeus, ventures into a Ward, and ends either in death or in victory with purified gear."
publishedAt: 2026-09-01
updatedAt: 2026-09-01
difficulty: "beginner"
tags: ["runs", "mechanics", "official"]
source: "/s/how-runs-work-in-crimson-moon-gameplay-explainer"
---

How Runs Work

Per the official How Runs Work post:

"One of the questions we've seen come up most often since revealing Crimson Moon is... How do runs actually work?"

This page answers that with the structure as the developer has explained it.

The run structure

A single run in Crimson Moon follows this flow:

1. Every hunt begins at Sanctus Clypeus

"Every run begins at Sanctus Clypeus, the Nephilim sanctuary and your central hub. Here, you'll prepare for the hunt ahead by managing your gear, upgrading equipment, unlocking new items, and shaping your build before venturing into Gildenarch."

This is your preparation phase. You do this between hunts, not during.

2. Venture into the Wards

"From there, you'll enter one of Gildenarch's Wards. Each Ward is made up of multiple replayable missions featuring enemies, elite encounters, mini-bosses, secrets, valuable loot, and a powerful boss waiting at the end."

A Ward is a region of Gildenarch. Each Ward contains:

Multiple replayable missions

Enemies (standard combat)

Elite encounters (tougher enemies)

Mini-bosses

Secrets

Valuable loot

A powerful boss at the end

Specific Ward names are not yet in any official source.

3. Build evolves mid-run

"As you push deeper into the city, your build evolves through the weapons, armour, boons, and rewards you discover along the way."

See [How Builds Work](/guides/how-builds-work/) for the full build system. The short version: your build is not fixed at the start of a hunt.

4. Progression carries forward (sometimes)

"Not everything is lost when a run ends. As you progress, you'll be able to purify powerful items and permanently add them to your growing arsenal. Future runs can begin with equipment you've already unlocked, allowing you to experiment with different builds, weapons, armour sets, and playstyles."

Purified gear is the key to persistent progression.

5. Life pool and death

"Each run is supported by a life pool, giving you opportunities to recover from death and continue pushing deeper into the Ward. Eventually, that life pool will be exhausted. When it is, the run comes to an end. You won't return to recover lost loot or continue where you left off."

You have a finite number of "lives" per run. If they run out:

The run ends

You do not return to recover lost loot

You do not continue from where you died

6. Some progression is permanent

"Some progression remains permanent — including purified gear, upgrades, and unlocked equipment — while other power exists only for that run."

What carries forward:

Purified gear (weapons, armour, trinkets)

Upgrades

Unlocked equipment

What does not carry forward:

Run-only loot

Nexus Gate Boons (per the [How Builds Work](/guides/how-builds-work/) post)

7. The cycle repeats

"Then the cycle begins again. A new run. A new build. Another chance to reclaim Gildenarch."

Each run is a fresh attempt at a Ward, with stronger starting gear than the last thanks to Purified items.

Ward structure (summary)

```
Sanctus Clypeus (preparation)
|
v
[Selected Ward]
|
v
Mission 1 ─ Mission 2 ─ Mission 3 ─ ... ─ Boss
| | | |
Enemies Elites Mini-bosses Defeat?
Loot Secrets Loot |
|
Life Pool Depletes ──> Run Ends |
(Lost: run-only loot) |
v
Sanctu...[truncated]