Elden Ring: What to Do With Extra Runes

In Elden Ring, runes serve as both your experience points and currency. Whether you’re deep into late-game content or just farming heavily, you might eventually find yourself with a surplus of Elden Ring runes. Instead of letting them go to waste or risking them in a dangerous area, there are strategic ways to put those extra runes to good use. Here’s a guide on how to make the most of your extra runes, while also expanding your collection of valuable Elden Ring items.

1. Level Up Strategically

The most obvious use of runes is leveling up your character. But rather than dumping runes into stats without a plan, consider how each stat supports your build. Are you a strength-based melee fighter? Put more points into Strength and Endurance. Playing a sorcerer? Focus on Intelligence and Mind. This approach ensures your rune investments give you meaningful power increases for the challenges ahead.

2. Buy Useful Elden Ring Items

Merchants scattered throughout the Lands Between offer a wide variety of Elden Ring items that can enhance your journey. With extra runes, stock up on:

• Smithing Stones and Somber Smithing Stones to upgrade your weapons.
• Boluses and resins to deal with specific status effects like poison or scarlet rot.
• Crafting materials to prepare items in advance, especially for exploration or boss fights.
• Arrows and bolts if you’re using a bow or crossbow regularly.

Spending runes at shops is a safe way to convert them into permanent upgrades or supplies.

3. Upgrade and Experiment With New Weapons

Have a cool new sword or spell catalyst you haven’t tried yet? Use extra runes to upgrade and test it out. This is especially helpful if you’re experimenting with different builds. Some of the best Elden Ring items are hidden behind unconventional builds, so having runes available lets you explore new options without worrying about farming more later.

4. Respec Your Character

After defeating Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, you unlock the ability to respec your character using Larval Tears. This process still requires a healthy amount of runes to re-level your stats after resetting. If you’re sitting on extra runes and want to try a new style—maybe switching from Faith-based casting to a dual-wielding dexterity build—this is a great way to use them.

5. Buy Spirit Ash Upgrades

Runes are also used alongside Grave Gloveworts or Ghost Gloveworts to upgrade your Spirit Ashes. Some of the most powerful companions in the game, like the Mimic Tear or Black Knife Tiche, can become incredibly strong when fully upgraded. Investing your extra runes into these summons can make boss fights significantly easier.

6. Purchase Stonesword Keys and Map Unlocks

You’ll encounter many fog walls sealed by imp statues that require Stonesword Keys. These keys often unlock valuable areas with loot, shortcuts, or secrets. Some merchants sell Stonesword Keys for runes, and they are well worth the investment. You can also unlock map fragments at various Stele points, but having plenty of runes can help you gear up before heading into those regions.

7. Share the Wealth in Co-op Play

While you can’t directly trade Elden Ring runes, you can use them indirectly in co-op. Extra runes allow you to prepare more thoroughly for helping others. Buff your gear, load up on healing items, and upgrade Spirit Ashes before entering a friend’s game. In this way, your extra runes contribute to smoother and more successful co-op sessions.

8. Convert to Consumable Runes

To avoid losing thousands of runes on death, convert a portion of them into consumable rune items. These can be stored safely in your inventory and used later when needed. Rune consumables are especially helpful before major boss fights when you want to level up or restock without risking a long corpse run.

Extra Elden Ring runes are an opportunity—not a burden. Whether you use them to level up, stockpile essential Elden Ring items, or explore new builds, there’s always a meaningful way to reinvest your wealth. Don’t let runes sit idle in your inventory—put them to work and prepare for whatever challenge the Lands Between throws at you next.