If you’re anything like me, you’ve been eagerly anticipating the Halloween Spotlight Event in Guts & Blackpowder. As a dedicated player who’s been tracking this game since its early access days, I can tell you that this year’s event brings something truly special – the elusive Rune & Key Badge. I’ve spent countless hours exploring every nook and cranny of the Halloween-themed maps to uncover the secrets behind obtaining this coveted item. In this guide, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about getting your hands on the Rune & Key Badge before the event disappears.
The Halloween Spotlight Event is Guts & Blackpowder’s annual seasonal celebration that transforms the game world with spooky decorations, limited-time challenges, and exclusive rewards. This year’s event, running from October 25 to November 5, introduces a mysterious new storyline involving ancient runes and enchanted keys scattered throughout the game’s maps. The centerpiece of this event is undoubtedly the Rune & Key Badge – a special cosmetic item that not only looks incredible but also unlocks hidden areas in the Halloween-themed zones.
What makes this event particularly exciting is how it integrates with the game’s core mechanics. Unlike previous seasonal events that felt somewhat disconnected from the main gameplay, the Halloween Spotlight actually enhances the exploration and puzzle-solving elements that make Guts & Blackpowder so compelling.
I’ve been playing Guts & Blackpowder since its beta phase, and I have to say that the Halloween Spotlight Event is my favorite seasonal content they’ve released so far. What draws me in is the perfect balance of challenge and reward that the Rune & Key Badge questline offers. It’s not just a simple fetch quest – you need to observe environmental clues, solve cryptic riddles, and even coordinate with other players to unlock certain areas.
The atmosphere is absolutely top-notch too. The developers have outdone themselves with the Halloween decorations, creating an immersive experience that genuinely feels spooky without being overwhelming. I particularly love how the lighting changes during the event, with eerie glows emanating from the rune locations that you can spot from across the map.
But what really keeps me coming back is the sense of discovery. Every time I think I’ve found everything, I stumble upon another hidden clue or secret passage that leads me closer to the Rune & Key Badge. It’s this element of mystery that makes the event so engaging for exploration enthusiasts like myself.
Now, let’s get to the main reason you’re here – obtaining that coveted Rune & Key Badge. After extensive exploration and experimentation, I’ve identified the most efficient path to securing this reward. Follow these steps carefully, and you’ll have the badge in your collection before you know it.
First, you need to access the special Halloween questline. Head to the town square in Blackpowder Harbor, where you’ll find a new NPC – the mysterious Keeper of Shadows. Speak with them to receive the “Rune Hunter” quest, which is your entry point to the entire event storyline.
The Rune & Key Badge requires you to find five ancient runes hidden throughout the game world. Based on my exploration, here are their locations:
Each rune is protected by a unique puzzle. Without giving away all the solutions (where’s the fun in that?), I’ll offer this advice: pay attention to the environmental clues around each rune location. The developers have cleverly integrated hints into the surrounding architecture and lighting patterns.
Once you’ve collected all five runes, return to the Keeper of Shadows, who will give you the recipe for the Enchanted Key. You’ll need:
Combine these at the new Halloween crafting station to create the Enchanted Key.
With the Enchanted Key in hand, head to the previously locked chamber beneath the town square. The key will grant you access to the Badge Chamber, where the Rune & Key Badge awaits on a central pedestal. Simply interact with it to add it to your collection!
While exploring the event, I’ve also discovered some codes that unlock special rewards. Here are the currently active ones:
SPOOKY2025 – Grants 500 Halloween Spirit currencyRUNEHUNTER – Unlocks a special rune-tracking compassSHADOWKEEPER – Provides a unique cosmetic itemBLACKPOWDERBOO – Gives you a Halloween-themed weapon skinRemember, these codes are time-limited and will expire when the event ends on November 5, so use them soon!
The developers have been actively updating the event based on player feedback. Here are the most recent changes as of October 28:
After spending dozens of hours with this event, I’ve picked up some strategies that might help you:
A: No. The badge is exclusive to this year’s Halloween Spotlight Event and cannot be obtained once the event ends on November 5.
A: No, the Rune & Key Badge can be earned on any difficulty, though some runes may be easier to spot at higher graphics settings.
A: No, the Rune & Key Badge is soulbound, so it cannot be traded or sold.
A: Yes! Your Event tab in the inventory menu shows a checklist of all five runes, letting you track your progress.
A: No problem! The event lasts 12 days, giving you plenty of time to complete all runes even if you miss a day or two.
The Halloween Spotlight Event in Guts & Blackpowder offers one of the most engaging seasonal experiences I’ve had in a game this year. The Rune & Key Badge questline perfectly balances challenge with reward, creating a satisfying journey of discovery that’s well worth your time. Whether you’re a completionist looking to add every badge to your collection or simply enjoy a good treasure hunt, this event delivers on all fronts.
I hope this guide helps you on your quest to obtain the Rune & Key Badge. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of solving that final puzzle and claiming your reward. If you found this guide helpful, be sure to check out our other Guts & Blackpowder content here on Bound by Flame, where we cover everything from beginner tips to advanced combat strategies.
Happy hunting, and may your rune-finding adventures be both spooky and successful!
