Elden Ring may be generous in the number of runes you can acquire through combat and exploration, but those same runes are easy to mismanage—especially for new players. Whether you’re just starting your journey through the Lands Between or already several hours deep into your build, how you earn and spend your runes can make or break your early and mid-game experience.
Here are ten common rune-related mistakes that newer players tend to make, and how to avoid them to get the most out of every drop.
1. Not Banking Runes Before Exploring
One of the easiest ways to lose tens of thousands of runes is to dive into a new area without spending them. Especially in regions like Caelid or Altus Plateau, many new players take on fights while sitting on a big pile of unspent currency. Always visit a Site of Grace and level up before heading into unknown territory.
2. Over-Leveling One Stat Too Early
It’s tempting to pour all your runes into a single stat like Strength or Intelligence. But doing so can leave you vulnerable in areas where balance is key. Early on, make sure to maintain a healthy spread between Vigor, Endurance, and your main damage stat to survive longer.
3. Ignoring Rune-Boosting Consumables
Items like the Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot and Talismans that increase rune gain often go ignored. Don’t make that mistake. These are especially useful during rune farming runs or after defeating bosses. Keeping them active can add up over time.
4. Skipping Easy Farming Spots
There are many early-game rune farming areas—like the trolls near Stormgate or the ball farm in Mohgwyn Palace—that are beginner-friendly and repeatable. Many new players simply move on without returning to these places for a quick rune top-up, which can make later bosses much harder.
5. Not Upgrading Equipment Consistently
Dumping all your runes into leveling while neglecting your weapons is a recipe for frustration. Weapons scale with upgrade levels far more dramatically than most character stats. Before you hit a level-up screen, check if you have the materials to improve your weapon or shield.
6. Not Using Spirit Ashes Efficiently
Many new players forget that Spirit Ashes can carry them through tough encounters, saving you both time and rune losses. Upgrading your ashes with Roderika can turn them into a reliable rune-saving tool by keeping enemies off you during boss fights.
7. Losing Runes Repeatedly in High-Risk Areas
One of the most painful things is dying, then dying again on the way back to your rune pool. If you’re in an area with strong enemies or unfamiliar terrain, it might be worth spending runes first or farming in a safer spot instead.
8. Spending Runes on Low-Value Items
It’s easy to blow early-game runes on items or gear you’ll soon replace. Consider saving up for things like Stonesword Keys, upgrade materials, or merchant items that are harder to find later. There are also useful Elden Ring Items for sale throughout the game that provide long-term value.
9. Not Using Rune Fragments from Inventory
Those glowing items in your inventory like “Golden Rune [3]” or “Hero’s Rune” are free currency—and they don’t drop when you die. Many players hoard these unnecessarily. They’re perfect for topping off your rune count when you’re just short of a level or need to buy something important.
10. Grinding the Wrong Enemies
Fighting the same weak mobs over and over yields tiny rune amounts that don’t scale with your progression. Instead, find efficient farming routes that fit your level. Areas like the Palace Approach Ledge-Road are often brought up when discussing the best site to buy Elden Ring Runes or when comparing legit in-game farming efficiency.
Rune management is just as important as boss mechanics or weapon selection in Elden Ring. Avoiding these mistakes will help you progress more smoothly and save you hours of backtracking. As your build evolves and gear demands grow, knowing where to find Elden Ring Items for sale and how to efficiently use every rune becomes a key part of mastering the game.
