As someone who has spent over 200 hours exploring the Lands Between, I know just how valuable Elden Ring Runes are when it comes to progression. Whether you're leveling up your character, upgrading your gear, or unlocking essential items from merchants, runes serve as the core currency that fuels your adventure. The challenge, of course, lies in knowing what’s worth spending your hard-earned runes on, especially early in the game when every rune counts.
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In this guide, I’ll break down the 7 best rune-based merchant item unlocks you should prioritize in Elden Ring, based on personal experience and extensive testing. These are the purchases that can make a meaningful impact on your journey from a Tarnished newbie to an Elden Lord.
1. Crafting Kit – Kalé at the Church of Elleh
The very first rune investment you should make is the Crafting Kit from Merchant Kalé, located right after the tutorial at the Church of Elleh. It only costs 300 runes, and it unlocks the ability to craft essential items like firebombs, healing consumables for your mount, and more. This tiny investment gives you long-term flexibility, especially for resource management on longer journeys.
2. Lantern – Isolated Merchant in Weeping Peninsula
Dark caves and tombs are common in Elden Ring, and the Lantern is your key to surviving them without needing to hold a torch. For just 1800 runes, this wearable light source frees up your shield or weapon hand. I picked it up early in my first playthrough and avoided countless ambushes in the gloom.
3. Memory Stone – Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold
Spellcasters in particular should grab this item quickly. For 3000 runes, the Memory Stone adds an extra spell slot, significantly expanding your combat versatility. You’ll find the Twin Maiden Husks in Roundtable Hold after progressing the main story a bit.
4. Cracked Pot – Nomadic Merchant in East Limgrave
Cracked Pots are key crafting ingredients used to make throwing items like Fire Pots and Poison Pots. This merchant sells three of them, each for a modest rune cost. Since they’re reusable, this is a long-term investment for anyone who likes to use consumables in combat.
5. Ash of War: No Skill – Knight Bernahl at Warmaster’s Shack
For weapon customization, this Ash of War is invaluable, especially for off-hand shields. It costs just 600 runes and allows you to equip powerful skills on your main weapon while keeping your shield passive. I use this one constantly in builds that require two-handed damage without sacrificing defense.
6. Stonesword Keys – Multiple Merchants
If you’ve ever walked past a foggy door with an imp statue and wondered what lies behind, you’ll need Stonesword Keys to find out. These cost about 2000 runes each, and several merchants (like the one at the Smoldering Church) offer them. These doors often hide valuable gear or shortcuts, and I always keep one or two keys in my inventory.
If you're wondering where to buy Elden Ring runes, you can farm them in-game through high-yield areas like Mohgwyn Palace or explore third-party trading communities. However, if you’re short on time, some players opt to purchase runes from trusted sellers like U4GM. Just ensure you're choosing a reputable source to avoid account issues.
7. Mission-Critical Bell Bearings – Twin Maiden Husks
As you progress, collecting Bell Bearings from defeated NPCs or dungeons allows the Twin Maiden Husks to sell new stock. These include upgrade materials, arrows, and more. Investing your runes into these items saves you from the trouble of scouring the map for materials, which I found incredibly useful during late-game boss fights.
Ultimately, how you spend your Elden Ring Runes can significantly affect your pacing and survivability. By prioritizing utility, spellcasting options, and upgrade materials, you’ll set yourself up for success in the Lands Between. Make smart decisions early, and you’ll be better equipped to face whatever horrors the game throws at you next.
Fresh Insights:Fastest Way to Buy Elden Ring Runes in 2025
In this guide, I’ll break down the 7 best rune-based merchant item unlocks you should prioritize in Elden Ring, based on personal experience and extensive testing. These are the purchases that can make a meaningful impact on your journey from a Tarnished newbie to an Elden Lord.
1. Crafting Kit – Kalé at the Church of Elleh
The very first rune investment you should make is the Crafting Kit from Merchant Kalé, located right after the tutorial at the Church of Elleh. It only costs 300 runes, and it unlocks the ability to craft essential items like firebombs, healing consumables for your mount, and more. This tiny investment gives you long-term flexibility, especially for resource management on longer journeys.
2. Lantern – Isolated Merchant in Weeping Peninsula
Dark caves and tombs are common in Elden Ring, and the Lantern is your key to surviving them without needing to hold a torch. For just 1800 runes, this wearable light source frees up your shield or weapon hand. I picked it up early in my first playthrough and avoided countless ambushes in the gloom.
3. Memory Stone – Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold
Spellcasters in particular should grab this item quickly. For 3000 runes, the Memory Stone adds an extra spell slot, significantly expanding your combat versatility. You’ll find the Twin Maiden Husks in Roundtable Hold after progressing the main story a bit.
4. Cracked Pot – Nomadic Merchant in East Limgrave
Cracked Pots are key crafting ingredients used to make throwing items like Fire Pots and Poison Pots. This merchant sells three of them, each for a modest rune cost. Since they’re reusable, this is a long-term investment for anyone who likes to use consumables in combat.
5. Ash of War: No Skill – Knight Bernahl at Warmaster’s Shack
For weapon customization, this Ash of War is invaluable, especially for off-hand shields. It costs just 600 runes and allows you to equip powerful skills on your main weapon while keeping your shield passive. I use this one constantly in builds that require two-handed damage without sacrificing defense.
6. Stonesword Keys – Multiple Merchants
If you’ve ever walked past a foggy door with an imp statue and wondered what lies behind, you’ll need Stonesword Keys to find out. These cost about 2000 runes each, and several merchants (like the one at the Smoldering Church) offer them. These doors often hide valuable gear or shortcuts, and I always keep one or two keys in my inventory.
If you're wondering where to buy Elden Ring runes, you can farm them in-game through high-yield areas like Mohgwyn Palace or explore third-party trading communities. However, if you’re short on time, some players opt to purchase runes from trusted sellers like U4GM. Just ensure you're choosing a reputable source to avoid account issues.
7. Mission-Critical Bell Bearings – Twin Maiden Husks
As you progress, collecting Bell Bearings from defeated NPCs or dungeons allows the Twin Maiden Husks to sell new stock. These include upgrade materials, arrows, and more. Investing your runes into these items saves you from the trouble of scouring the map for materials, which I found incredibly useful during late-game boss fights.
Ultimately, how you spend your Elden Ring Runes can significantly affect your pacing and survivability. By prioritizing utility, spellcasting options, and upgrade materials, you’ll set yourself up for success in the Lands Between. Make smart decisions early, and you’ll be better equipped to face whatever horrors the game throws at you next.
Fresh Insights:Fastest Way to Buy Elden Ring Runes in 2025