In Elden Ring, runes are your lifeline — they’re used for leveling up, purchasing gear, upgrading weapons, and pretty much everything in between. But if you’re not careful, you can burn through thousands (or hundreds of thousands) of runes without meaningful progress. After sinking way too many hours — and runes — into the game, here are eight common spending mistakes I’ve learned to avoid. Hopefully, this helps you keep your build tight and your resources well spent.
1. Leveling Every Stat at Once
It’s tempting to spread points across all your stats, especially early on when you’re still figuring out your build. But this leads to an unfocused character that struggles in both PvE and PvP. Instead, pick a core build — like Strength/Faith or Dexterity/Intelligence — and spend your runes to strengthen that direction. Respecs are limited, so plan ahead.
2. Ignoring Weapon Upgrades
It’s easy to get caught up in leveling your character, but weapons (and how well you upgrade them) often have a bigger impact on combat effectiveness. Smithing Stones and Somber Smithing Stones are vital — don’t overlook them. If farming gets tedious, it’s also an option to buy Elden Ring items from a reliable source to speed up your progression.
3. Spending Runes Right Before Exploring a Dangerous Area
Don’t spend runes and immediately head into a tough area. Dying twice without recovering them means you lose it all. A smarter move is to level up or spend on gear before entering a high-risk zone. Or, stash away some cheap Elden Ring runes in inventory just in case.
4. Wasting Runes on Low-Impact Vendors
Not every merchant is worth your time or money. Some sell overpriced or redundant items. It’s important to compare what you’re buying versus what you could be farming or finding naturally through exploration. Spend strategically — especially in the early game when runes are harder to come by.
5. Over-Investing in Armor Sets Too Early
Looks are great, but armor in Elden Ring has diminishing returns unless you’re min-maxing specific resistances or poise. It’s better to invest in upgrading your weapon or boosting your stats before spending big on armor, unless you’re deep into a build that truly benefits from heavier sets.
6. Forgetting About Utility Items
Many players spend runes only on levels or weapons, ignoring consumables like Warming Stones, Fire Pots, or Grease. These items can give you the edge in boss fights and PvP encounters. Having a variety on hand increases your adaptability in battle.
7. Hoarding Runes Without a Plan
Some players save up a huge amount of runes, only to lose them in one unlucky encounter. If you’ve got enough for a level or upgrade, spend them before exploring risky areas. The rune system rewards smart, timely spending — not hoarding for the perfect moment.
8. Not Exploring Buying Options for Progression Items
Grinding can be part of the journey, but if your time is limited, there are ways to streamline. Many players use services like U4GM to acquire upgrade materials or weapons they’ve missed. While not essential for everyone, it’s a route some take to avoid excessive backtracking or farming.
Runes are the backbone of progression in Elden Ring, but they’re easy to misuse if you’re not careful. Whether you’re just starting out or working on your third New Game+, avoiding these common mistakes can save you time, frustration, and wasted potential. Smart rune management, combined with a clear build plan and occasional resource boosts — whether you farm them or buy Elden Ring items from trusted sources — can make a huge difference in how smoothly your journey through the Lands Between goes.
