Elden Ring: 13 Smart Ways to Spend Runes Without Regret
In Elden Ring, Runes are everything. They function as both experience points and currency, meaning every decision you make with them can directly shape your journey. But with so many options and temptations—from leveling up to purchasing gear—it’s easy to mismanage them and end up regretting your choices.
To help you get the most value from your hard-earned Runes, here are 13 smart, time-tested ways to spend them without looking back in frustration.
1. Prioritize Vigor Early
It may not seem flashy, but investing in Vigor is one of the most reliable uses of your Runes. The difference between surviving a hit and dying instantly often comes down to just a few points in this stat. Aim for at least 40 by mid-game if you're going for survivability.
2. Upgrade Weapons Regularly
Runes are needed to pay the blacksmith for weapon upgrades—an often overlooked cost. Keeping your main weapon leveled is more impactful than gaining a few extra points in Strength or Dexterity. It’s one of the most efficient damage gains you can get for your Runes.
3. Buy Stones, Not Just Weapons
Sometimes the best gear comes from the field or bosses rather than merchants. Instead of hoarding Runes for new weapons, spend them on Smithing Stones and Somber Stones to upgrade what you already use. Many of the strongest builds depend more on scaling than raw weapon base damage.
4. Stock Up on Crafting Recipes
Investing in Cookbooks early gives you access to essential items like sleep pots, firebombs, and status tools. These are particularly helpful in boss fights and PvP, where strategy can outweigh brute force.
5. Support Your Spirit Ashes
You’ll also want to upgrade your Spirit Ashes, especially those that suit your playstyle. Roderika handles this in Roundtable Hold, and the runes you spend on her service go a long way in tough encounters.
6. Level Mind If You’re Using Any Magic
A mistake many players make is investing in Intelligence, Faith, or Arcane without supporting it with enough Mind. If you’re planning to cast more than one or two spells per fight, this is a very smart way to spend your Runes.
7. Unlock Key Map and Area Tools
Spending runes to buy lanterns, torch variants, and even certain gestures can be worth it. These utility items help you navigate and interact with the game world more efficiently, and they’re easy to overlook in favor of pure stats.
8. Balance Your Loadout with Endurance
Endurance affects both stamina and equip load. If you’re struggling to wear heavier armor while dodging effectively, spending Runes on this stat helps unlock more flexibility in how you build your character.
9. Invest in Utility Spells or Incantations
Even if you're not a full caster, having a spell like Flame, Cleanse Me or a healing incantation can be a game changer. They often cost very little in terms of stats or Runes but provide long-term benefits.
10. Buy Unique Ashes of War
Some merchants sell Ashes of War that aren't found elsewhere. These give your weapons special abilities and can be switched around depending on the challenge you're facing. They're a solid investment that doesn’t lock you into a single combat style.
11. Save for Emergency Purchases
Keeping a buffer of Runes is smart. Whether you stumble upon a merchant with rare gear or need to repair or upgrade your weapons before a boss, it’s always useful to have Runes ready.
12. Explore Farming Routes Before You Over-Level
If you want to avoid locking yourself out of PvP or co-op ranges, be strategic with when and how you farm. For newer players, it’s worth checking out the Best site to buy Elden Ring Runes to get an idea of the Rune economy and how you can accelerate progression without wasting time or levels.
13. Don’t Sleep on Armor
While fashion is a big part of Elden Ring, some armor sets offer significant bonuses like poise or resistances. It’s perfectly reasonable to use some Runes on outfits that boost your survivability or status resistance—especially when you find reliable Elden Ring Items for sale to complement your loadout.
Ultimately, smart Rune spending comes down to knowing your playstyle and supporting it with efficient, meaningful upgrades. Whether you're going full melee or dabbling in every system the game offers, these 13 strategies will ensure your Runes go toward long-term power rather than short-term impulse buys.
