In Elden Ring, runes are the cornerstone of character development and progression. Whether you earn them through combat, boss fights, or rune farming spots, spending your Elden Ring runes wisely can make or break your journey across the Lands Between. This guide will walk you through the most strategic ways to use your runes so you can unlock your potential, strengthen your build, and get the most value from your hard-earned currency.

1. Leveling Up Stats

The most straightforward use of runes is leveling up at any Site of Grace. As you advance, each level will cost more runes, so prioritize the stats that match your build:

  • Strength and Endurance for melee characters

  • Dexterity and Intelligence for spellcasters

  • Mind and Faith for Incantation users

Avoid spreading your stats too thin. Focus on two or three core attributes that enhance your build. This ensures your Elden Ring items and weapons will perform at their peak efficiency.

2. Purchasing Essential Items

Merchants and NPCs across the map offer critical Elden Ring items such as crafting materials, cookbooks, weapon upgrades, and spells. Some of the smartest rune investments early in the game include:

  • Smithing Stones for weapon upgrades

  • Crafting Kits to make consumables and ammo

  • Memory Stones to increase spell slots

  • Ashes of War to add special abilities to weapons

Always keep a reserve of runes before spending so you don’t leave yourself unprepared for the next boss fight.

3. Upgrading Weapons and Armor

Instead of constantly switching gear, invest in upgrading your best weapons. Visit the blacksmith to reinforce gear using Elden Ring items like Smithing Stones and Somber Smithing Stones. This not only boosts damage but helps make boss battles more manageable. Upgraded weapons are significantly more effective than high-level stats without proper gear.

4. Investing in Spirit Ashes

Spirit Ashes are valuable allies in difficult encounters. Using runes to upgrade your Spirit Ashes at Roderika in Roundtable Hold can drastically change the difficulty of a fight. Focus on upgrading the ashes that best complement your playstyle. For example:

  • Lone Wolf Ashes for agile support

  • Mimic Tear Ashes for a clone with your gear

  • Banished Knight Oleg for tanky damage absorption

These upgrades require Elden Ring items like Grave Gloveworts or Ghost Gloveworts, which are found in underground areas or bought from merchants later in the game.

5. Avoiding Rune Waste

It’s easy to lose thousands of runes by dying twice in a row. Here are a few ways to avoid that:

  • Spend runes frequently rather than hoarding them

  • Use the Small Golden Effigy or Furlcalling Finger Remedy to summon help if stuck

  • Deposit runes into level-ups or upgrades before exploring dangerous new areas

  • Use Rune Arcs or consumable rune items to protect against risk when necessary

You can also store rune items like Golden Runes in your inventory for emergency use instead of spending immediately.

6. Exploring for Hidden Value

Runes can be stretched further if you search the world thoroughly. Many Elden Ring items—like weapons, armor sets, and talismans—can be found hidden in the environment rather than purchased. This exploration-first approach lets you spend runes on things that can’t be looted, like upgrades and stats.

 

Managing your Elden Ring runes is all about balance. Use them to empower your character, upgrade key gear, and unlock supportive systems like Spirit Ashes. At the same time, protect them by minimizing unnecessary deaths and spending strategically. By treating your runes like an investment, you'll find your journey through the Lands Between far more rewarding—and far less frustrating.