1. Investing in Stats: The Traditional Use
The most obvious way to use Elden Ring runes is to level up your character. While this may seem standard, the way you allocate those stats can be viewed as an investment. For instance, during my first playthrough, I leaned heavily into Vigor and Endurance. This “tanky” build paid off big in the late game, allowing me to survive deadly boss combos that other players found punishing. Investing in the right stats early essentially prepared me for future returns in the form of resilience and confidence in battle.
2. Buying Equipment That Retains Value
Though the game doesn’t have a player-driven economy like MMOs, some gear holds more value than others in terms of utility and long-term effectiveness. When you buy Elden Ring runes PC from a marketplace and spend them on durable, high-scaling weapons or talismans, you're essentially making a strategic investment. Items like the Rivers of Blood katana or the Radagon’s Scarseal talisman stayed relevant across my multiple builds and playthroughs. Choosing to spend runes on these items gave me sustained value without needing constant replacements.
3. Upgrading Weapons as a Long-Term Strategy
Upgrading weapons at the blacksmith requires both runes and smithing stones, and this is one of the best rune investments in the game. Once, I invested heavily in upgrading a +25 Greatsword early on. It made subsequent boss fights drastically easier, and I didn’t have to rely on magic or summons as often. This long-term investment in a single weapon paid off more than spreading my runes thin across multiple upgrades.
4. Runes as Trading Capital
In the Elden Ring PC community, runes can function as a kind of trade currency. While FromSoftware doesn't support direct trading of runes, they’re often used in combination with item exchanges on online marketplaces. In my own experience, after deciding to buy Elden Ring runes PC through a reputable source, I was able to trade for specific armor sets and rare items that enhanced my build significantly. Runes, in this context, functioned much like gold or coins in a traditional RPG economy.
5. Stockpiling Runes—A Risky But Tempting Move
Some players hoard millions of runes hoping to use them at once—especially before NG+ or a major level-up spree. I tried this once, farming runes for hours in Moghwyn’s Palace. Unfortunately, a single misstep led to my death and a permanent loss of nearly 3 million runes. It felt like watching gold vanish into thin air. This method carries high risk, but for those with discipline (and a healthy fear of dying), stockpiling could be seen as a speculative investment—if you're careful.
Runes may not be gold in the traditional sense, but they absolutely function as a form of investment in Elden Ring. Whether you're improving your stats, acquiring rare gear, or planning ahead for NG+, how you spend your runes can drastically shape your journey. In my personal experience, treating runes thoughtfully—much like money in real life—leads to a more efficient, satisfying gameplay experience.
Walkthrough Available: Best Great Runes Elden Ring 2025