In Elden Ring, runes serve as the primary currency for leveling up, purchasing gear, and upgrading your arsenal. However, with the game’s punishing difficulty and frequent rune loss upon death, efficient rune management is essential. Whether you're a seasoned Tarnished or just beginning your journey, having a smart resource plan can make all the difference. Here are 20 practical strategies to optimize rune usage and minimize unnecessary waste.

1. Know When to Spend
Never hoard massive amounts of runes while exploring unfamiliar areas. Spend them when you're near a Site of Grace, especially before boss fights or new regions.

2. Invest in Vigor Early
One of the best long-term uses of runes early in the game is investing in Vigor. Survivability gives you room for mistakes and reduces the chance of rune loss.

3. Farm Smart, Not Hard
The Moghwyn Palace area offers some of the most efficient rune farming in the game. Once unlocked, it can significantly boost your rune income in short bursts.

4. Use Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot
This consumable temporarily increases rune gain. Use it right before finishing off mobs in a farming route for a solid return.

5. Sell Unused Equipment
Many weapons and gear pieces serve little purpose once you’ve committed to a build. Don’t be afraid to sell them for runes to reinvest in stats or upgrades.

6. Clear Dungeons Methodically
Rather than running through zones randomly, clear each dungeon or legacy dungeon systematically to ensure you maximize rune yield and loot efficiency.

7. Upgrade Weapons Wisely
Don’t spread your resources too thin. Focus on upgrading one or two weapons that complement your build to save both smithing stones and runes.

8. Choose the Right Time to Respec
Use Rennala’s respec service only when necessary. Repeated respecs can disrupt your rune economy due to suboptimal builds in experimentation phases.

9. Maximize Talisman Effects
Talismans like the Gold Scarab can significantly enhance rune farming sessions. Plan to equip them in areas known for high-yield enemy groups.

10. Save Rune Items for Emergencies
Don’t pop Golden Runes or Hero Runes unless you really need them. They’re best used when you’re just short of affording a level or item.

11. Prioritize Vendor Unlocks
Some NPCs offer vital items after being given specific Bell Bearings. Make unlocking these vendors a priority, as they save long-term rune expenditure.

12. Avoid Early Game Splurging
It’s tempting to buy every spell or item early, but wait until your build becomes clear. Many purchases won’t be used and waste valuable runes.

13. Reclaim Lost Runes Strategically
If you’ve lost runes in a dangerous area, weigh the risk of reclaiming them. Sometimes it’s more efficient to farm new ones than chase lost gains.

14. Rotate Farming Locations
As you progress, some farming spots become outdated. Continuously adjust your farming route to match your level and weapon power.

15. Focus on Boss Drops
Many bosses drop a high number of runes. Time boss fights around farming buffs for maximum reward.

16. Balance Leveling and Gear
Don't overlevel at the expense of weapon or armor upgrades. A balanced build will stretch your rune value further in all types of encounters.

17. Join Co-op Sessions
Helping other players through multiplayer earns you runes with minimal risk. It’s a good way to farm passively.

18. Use Rune Arcs Judiciously
Rune Arcs provide stat boosts but can be expensive if you die frequently. Save them for tough bosses or PVP encounters.

19. Store Extra Runes in Banked Form
Keeping rune items in your inventory protects them from loss if you die in unreachable areas.

20. Know the Best Sites for Help
Sometimes optimizing your rune planning includes external support. The best site to buy Elden Ring Runes and the best site to buy Elden Ring items can offer useful alternatives when farming becomes tedious or time-consuming.

Ultimately, efficient rune management isn’t about hoarding — it’s about making strategic choices. With these 20 strategies, you’ll ensure that every rune earned contributes meaningfully to your journey across the Lands Between.