In Elden Ring, Runes are your all-purpose currency. Whether you’re leveling up, buying gear, or upgrading weapons, smart Rune management can make or break your build. Many players unknowingly burn through Runes too fast or on the wrong things, especially early on. If you want to make the most out of every hard-earned (or hard-farmed) point, here are 17 smart ways to spend your Runes efficiently throughout your journey in the Lands Between.
1. Focus on Core Stats First
Don’t spread your points too thin. Pick a build direction (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, etc.) and invest heavily in the key attributes first. This ensures meaningful power gains early on.
2. Balance Offense and Survivability
It’s tempting to max out your damage, but don’t neglect Vigor and Endurance. A few extra points in HP or stamina can mean surviving a one-shot attack or running out of stamina mid-battle.
3. Invest in Weapon Upgrades
Instead of leveling up non-stop, spend Runes and smithing materials on upgrading your primary weapon. Even basic weapons become powerful with proper enhancement.
4. Buy Essential Crafting Cookbooks
Cookbooks unlock crucial crafting recipes. Buying them from vendors ensures you can craft arrows, buffs, and utility items without depending on drops.
5. Don’t Ignore Armor Sets
While you don’t need to buy every piece of gear you see, occasionally purchasing or upgrading armor can give you better poise and survivability.
6. Upgrade Your Flask Charges
Spending Runes to upgrade flasks (with Golden Seeds and Sacred Tears) is always worth it. Stronger and more frequent healing makes every battle more manageable.
7. Save for Key Merchant Items
Certain merchants sell unique items you’ll only see once. Plan ahead and keep a Rune stash for when you find something valuable.
8. Use Runes to Experiment
Try different weapons or Ashes of War. Using Runes to test out gear and builds helps you find what works best for your style.
9. Buy Arrows and Consumables in Bulk
If you use ranged attacks or consumables often, buying them in bulk saves time and ensures you’re always stocked during boss runs or dungeon clears.
10. Keep Runes Safe Before Risky Areas
Before entering a boss fight or tough area, spend your Runes. You’ll avoid the heartbreak of losing tens of thousands on a death you didn’t see coming.
11. Consider Cheap Elden Ring Runes
For players who want to speed things up or skip farming, some choose to look for cheap Elden Ring Runes. Just be sure to weigh this against the satisfaction of earning them in-game.
12. Purchase Spirit Ash Upgrades
Some Spirit Ashes can carry you through difficult battles. Investing in Roderika’s upgrades and using Runes to improve them is a solid choice.
13. Level With Purpose
Avoid leveling just for the sake of it. Always consider how your stat allocation improves your current build and long-term plans.
14. Watch for Scaling Improvements
Certain weapons scale better at higher levels. Spending Runes to level up Strength or Intelligence past key thresholds can dramatically boost damage.
15. Upgrade Torrent's Abilities Indirectly
You can’t level up Torrent, but buying items that enhance mounted combat or improve healing indirectly makes your steed more effective.
16. Buy Elden Ring Items for Boss Prep
Some bosses are much easier with the right tools. Stocking up on grease, resistance-boosting gear, or throwables can make a big difference.
17. Don’t Be Afraid to Respec Later
If you misallocate stats early on, respecs are available later in the game. This lets you correct mistakes or shift to a new build without wasting everything.
Rune management in Elden Ring isn’t just about numbers—it’s about maximizing potential and making every decision count. Whether you farm them, find cheap Elden Ring Runes, or earn them through pure skill, learning when and how to spend your currency wisely will keep your Tarnished ahead of the curve. Combine that with carefully chosen Elden Ring Items, and your character will be ready for any challenge the Lands Between throws at you.
