How to Spend Runes Efficiently in Elden Ring – 21 Practical

[MysticWitch]

Managing resources wisely is a big part of mastering Elden Ring, and no resource is more important than Runes. Whether you're fresh out of the Gatefront Ruins or deep into New Game+, knowing how to spend your Elden Ring Runes efficiently can make a huge difference in both progression and survivability.

After several playthroughs and countless builds tested, here are 21 practical tips to help you maximize every Rune you earn.

1. Always Level With Purpose
Don’t dump points into random stats. Every level-up should move you toward a specific goal, whether it’s weapon requirements or soft caps like 60 Vigor for PvP.

2. Capitalize on Soft Caps
Understand when diminishing returns kick in. For example, Strength sees strong gains up to 55, while Mind and Intelligence peak around different thresholds depending on your build.

3. Invest in Vigor Early
It’s tempting to skip Vigor, but a small health pool can get you one-shot even by basic mobs later on. Aim for at least 40 Vigor for mid-to-late game comfort.

4. Balance Offense and Endurance
Don’t overcommit to damage stats and forget Endurance. Stamina and equip load are crucial for rolling, blocking, and wearing decent armor.

5. Avoid Hoarding Runes
Runes aren’t worth anything if you’re carrying 200k and die to a misstep. Spend when you can. Bank them into levels or upgrades whenever possible.

6. Use Runes for Upgrading Gear
Upgrading your weapon can give you more damage per hit than leveling your Strength or Dex. Prioritize maxing your main weapon before diversifying.

7. Buy Important Crafting Materials
Use excess Runes to stock up on crafting items like Cracked Pots or Preserving Boluses. These minor purchases save time in the long run.

8. Invest in Spirit Ash Upgrades
Spirit Ashes like Black Knife Tiche or Mimic Tear are game-changers. Spending Runes on Gloveworts or Ghost Gloveworts is never a waste.

9. Don’t Skip NPC Shops
From Patches to Twin Maiden Husks, vendors often carry valuable Ashes of War, gear, or consumables. Spend Runes on anything that complements your build.

10. Upgrade Your Flask Usage
Spending Runes at Roundtable Hold for flask charges and improved healing with Sacred Tears is more valuable than another level in many cases.

11. Diversify Your Arsenal
Having a backup weapon with a different element or damage type (like holy or bleed) helps with tricky bosses or PvP scenarios.

12. Use Runes to Test New Builds
Trying new weapons or playstyles helps you grow as a player. Don’t be afraid to respect your stats or try different gear layouts—even if it costs some Runes.

13. Use Consumables for Rune Efficiency
Golden Runes and Hero’s Runes are portable banks. Save them for when you need to hit a specific threshold rather than risking them on a boss run.

14. Understand What NOT to Buy
Avoid wasting Runes on vendor items you’ll never use. That flashy spell or heavy armor set might not fit your current build.

15. Use Bell Bearings to Expand Vendor Stock
Turn in Bell Bearings to the Twin Maiden Husks to access previous merchant inventories and buy missed or rare items.

16. Upgrade Shields Wisely
If you’re using a shield regularly, upgrading it can significantly boost its guard boost and reduce stamina loss.

17. Look for Rune Multipliers
Some equipment, like the Gold Scarab talisman, increases Rune gain. Use it while farming to stretch your efficiency further.

18. Farm When It Makes Sense
Farming Elden Ring Runes isn't always necessary, but some late-game areas like Mohgwyn Palace offer great Rune yields per minute if you're trying to fund a new build.

19. Use Remembrances Wisely
Certain boss Remembrances can be turned in for powerful weapons or spells. Decide if you’d rather use it for gear or Rune conversion before trading it.

20. Upgrade Spirit Ashes With Confidence
Don’t hesitate to pour Runes into upgrading your favorite summon. Their performance scales significantly, especially in tougher NG+ fights.

21. Don’t Overthink Spending
At the end of the day, Elden Ring is meant to be enjoyed. Spending Runes on gear that suits your playstyle—even if it’s not “meta”—is perfectly valid. Sometimes experimentation leads to the most fun.

Bonus Tip: Preparing Ahead
If you’re looking to test multiple builds or try out new items without farming endlessly, many players turn to the best place to buy Elden Ring items as a shortcut. That said, nothing beats the satisfaction of crafting your setup through patience and persistence.