17 Ways to Level Efficiently Without Wasting Elden Ring Runes

[Moonel]

Leveling up in Elden Ring can feel rewarding, but it’s also easy to fall into traps that waste precious runes. Whether you're chasing a specific build or just trying to gain power for a tough boss encounter, efficient leveling makes all the difference. Below are 17 smart ways to level up without wasting resources or squandering your hard-earned progress.

1. Plan Your Build Early

Decide early on whether you want to focus on Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, or a hybrid setup. This prevents you from scattering your levels across stats you won’t actually use in the long term.

2. Soft Cap Awareness

Each stat has diminishing returns at specific thresholds (e.g., Vigor starts to give smaller HP gains after level 40). Knowing when these soft caps occur helps prevent over-investment.

3. Avoid Leveling Endurance Too Early

While stamina and equip load are vital, early-game builds often benefit more from offensive stats or Vigor. You can supplement endurance through gear and talismans before spending runes on it.

4. Use the Right Gear Instead of Stats

If you’re short on Strength or Dexterity for a weapon, try using items like the Radagon’s Scarseal or talismans that provide temporary stat boosts rather than leveling stats purely to wield a specific weapon.

5. Bank Your Runes

Always spend your runes before logging off or entering tough areas. It’s easy to lose tens of thousands to a surprise ambush. Use them to level or buy Elden Ring items that help your progression.

6. Focus on Survivability First

Leveling Vigor up to at least 30 early on is one of the best ways to avoid rune loss from frequent deaths. More HP means fewer deaths and fewer wasted trips to retrieve lost runes.

7. Pick One Damage Stat

Avoid splitting between Strength and Dexterity or Faith and Intelligence unless you’re going for a hybrid build. Specialized scaling is more efficient for both rune usage and combat effectiveness.

8. Save Major Purchases Until Necessary

Hold off on buying large quantities of Elden Ring items until you know they’re relevant to your build. You’ll keep more runes available for leveling rather than collecting unneeded gear.

9. Don’t Hoard Runes You Can’t Use

If you’re sitting on high-value consumable runes, use them at appropriate times rather than waiting indefinitely. They don’t gain interest, and you’ll get better returns by investing early.

10. Use Rune-Boosting Talismans

Talismans like the Gold Scarab increase rune drops significantly when farming. Equipping one can multiply your efficiency, letting you reach your next level faster without grinding twice as long.

11. Farm Smart, Not Hard

Some areas offer better rune return per minute than others. Avoid early-game zones once you’ve outgrown them. Late-game farming areas like Moghwyn’s Palace are ideal, but dangerous for new players.

12. Avoid Overleveling Early

Leveling too fast without upgrading your weapon or acquiring useful gear can make you inefficient in scaling. Balanced progression keeps both your level and your equipment viable.

13. Use Rune Arcs Sparingly

Rune Arcs are powerful but finite. Don’t rely on their buffs to get through content unless you’re confident in the run. Dying with them active can feel like a double loss.

14. Respec When Necessary

After reaching Rennala at Raya Lucaria, you can respec your stats using Larval Tears. If you’ve wasted levels on unwanted attributes, don’t hesitate to shift your focus and reclaim efficiency.

15. Stick to a Few Weapon Types

Leveling multiple weapons of varying types drains Smithing Stones and splits your upgrade resources. Focus on two or three that suit your build to avoid wasting runes and time.

16. Learn Boss Movesets Instead of Overleveling

It’s tempting to outlevel every challenge, but learning patterns often yields better long-term results. Some boss fights reward patience and knowledge more than brute power.

17. Explore Before Committing Runes

Many powerful weapons and items are hidden in the world. Before spending runes to boost a build around a placeholder weapon, explore to find the gear that truly complements your stats and playstyle.



Leveling in Elden Ring isn’t just about pouring runes into your character sheet. It’s about knowing where each point matters most, and how to stretch the value of every rune earned. Whether you’re grinding smartly with the help of rune-boosting gear or seeking cheap Elden Ring runes to catch up after a few unlucky deaths, playing with a plan will always pay off. And as you build up your arsenal, don’t forget to buy Elden Ring items that synergize with your core stats—you’ll get more out of your levels and waste a lot less time along the way.