Elden Ring is a game that rewards exploration, patience, and smart decision-making. One of the most critical resources in the Lands Between is Runes — the lifeblood of character progression. Whether you’re just starting your journey as a Tarnished or you’re deep into NG+, knowing how to spend Runes wisely can mean the difference between a smooth power curve and frustrating setbacks. In this article, I’ll break down the smartest ways to use your Runes and offer some veteran tips to help you avoid waste.
1. Leveling Up: Don’t Overcommit Too Soon
When you first start accumulating Runes, the temptation is to pump them all into leveling. While this is essential early on, it’s crucial to have a plan. Focus on your build’s core stats — for example, a melee character should prioritize Strength or Dexterity along with Vigor and Endurance. Don’t spread points thinly across unrelated attributes.
It’s also important to recognize soft caps. For example, Vigor gives diminishing returns after 40, and Strength’s scaling plateaus around 66 two-handed. Understanding these limits will help you avoid inefficient stat investment.
2. Investing in Gear and Upgrades
Your weapons and armor are just as important as your level. Rather than sinking all your Runes into stats, set some aside for upgrading your weapons at the Blacksmith. A +8 weapon often outperforms a higher-level character with an unupgraded blade.
This is especially true when you acquire rare Elden Ring Items like special Ashes of War or unique boss weapons that scale well with your stats. Enhancing these early can drastically increase your survivability and damage output.
3. Buying Useful Items and Materials
Vendors in Elden Ring offer more than just basic consumables. Some merchants carry crafting materials, upgrade stones, or essential gear that may not be easy to find elsewhere. When you discover a new area or reach a new merchant, browse carefully and see if they offer items that fit your build.
Buying cookbooks, stone keys, and arrows in bulk is often more valuable than pushing for one extra level. Keep an eye out for merchants who sell Smithing Stones, which are vital for improving your weapons.
4. Avoid Rune Hoarding — Use Them or Lose Them
It’s easy to die unexpectedly in Elden Ring, especially in unfamiliar areas or against ambush-prone enemies. Hoarding a massive stash of Runes without spending them is risky. If you’re carrying a lot of Runes and heading into unknown territory, consider fast-traveling to a Site of Grace and spending them before continuing.
This doesn’t mean you should panic-spend, but having a mental threshold — say, half the amount needed for your next level — can help reduce the sting of unexpected deaths.
5. Farming and Backup Runes
If you ever find yourself short on Runes, certain areas in the game are perfect for farming. Whether it’s taking out Albinaurics in Mohgwyn Palace or finding smaller enemies that drop a few hundred Runes each, there’s always a way to grind if you need to.
Additionally, some players prefer to buy Elden Ring Runes to save time and focus more on exploration or PvP. While this isn’t for everyone, it’s become a common strategy among those who value convenience over grind.
Managing your Runes well is a skill in itself. Spend them thoughtfully, prioritize upgrades alongside levels, and always have a plan. Whether you’re tackling the Fire Giant or exploring Nokron, a wise Rune strategy can carry you further than brute force ever will.
And remember — while powerful stats and gear make a difference, skill, patience, and smart decisions are what truly define a great Elden Ring player.
