Are Runes the Same as Souls? A Deep Dive into Elden Ring’s Currency
The short answer is: yes, in essence, runes in Elden Ring are functionally the same as Souls in previous FromSoftware titles like Dark Souls. They serve as both the experience points (EXP) for leveling up your character and the primary currency for purchasing items from merchants. However, this seemingly straightforward answer opens the door to a wealth of nuances and details that long-time fans and newcomers alike will find valuable to explore.
While the terminology has shifted from Souls to Runes, the core mechanics remain consistent with FromSoftware’s established design. This means players who have experience in the Souls series will find the system immediately familiar, despite the new naming convention. They are the core component of progression in the vast and challenging world of the Lands Between. This article will explore the various facets of runes, their function, and how they relate to player progression, alongside a comprehensive FAQ to address all your burning questions.
The Dual Function of Runes
Runes operate in a dual capacity within Elden Ring. Here’s a breakdown of their two main functions:
Experience Points (EXP)
Primarily, runes are the EXP needed to level up your character. Each level increases your character’s base stats, making you stronger and more resilient. You gain runes by defeating enemies, discovering new areas, and using certain consumable items. The more powerful the foe, the greater the rune yield. This creates a direct link between exploration, combat, and character advancement, encouraging players to engage with all the game has to offer.
Currency
Beyond leveling, runes function as the currency used to purchase goods from merchants. Whether it’s armor, weapons, spells, or consumables, the vast majority of purchases in Elden Ring are made using runes. This intertwining of experience and currency creates a dynamic resource management system. Players must carefully consider how they spend their runes, deciding between leveling up and acquiring essential items.
Risk and Reward: The Consequence of Death
A key aspect of both Souls and Runes is their vulnerability to loss upon death. When your character falls in battle, you drop all the runes in your possession at the location where you died. This introduces a significant risk element to gameplay. You must return to the spot of your demise to reclaim your dropped runes. If you die before reaching this point, your lost runes are gone forever. This risk/reward loop is a central tension of Elden Ring and a defining feature of the Soulsborne genre. It forces players to be cautious, strategic, and adaptable.
Beyond Basic Runes
While basic runes are the backbone of the system, Elden Ring also introduces variations that enhance and diversify the player experience:
Consumable Runes
Consumable runes are items that award a fixed amount of runes when used. These come in different tiers and offer a convenient way to gain extra experience or currency. They can be found in the environment, dropped by certain enemies, or purchased from specific merchants. Strategic use of consumable runes can greatly assist in leveling up or acquiring necessary gear. There are types of consumable runes like Hero’s Runes, Golden Runes, Numen’s Runes, and Lord’s Runes, each providing a different yield. For example, a single Lord’s Rune gives 50,000 runes when consumed.
Great Runes
Great Runes are unique items acquired by defeating main bosses. These runes offer powerful passive buffs that can be equipped by using a Rune Arc. However, these buffs only remain active until the player dies. This adds another layer to strategic gameplay, encouraging players to preserve their boosts and challenging themselves to push further. Great Runes are not currency but do significantly impact character progression and player power.
Understanding the Function, Not Just the Name
It is essential to understand that while the name Souls has been replaced by Runes, the underlying purpose and mechanic remain largely identical. They still represent experience and currency within the game and are still subject to the risk of loss upon death. This consistency enables a smooth transition for players familiar with previous FromSoftware games, while still feeling fresh and relevant within the context of the expansive world of the Lands Between.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do runes persist through death?
No, runes do not persist through death. When you die, you drop all the runes you are carrying at the location of your death. You must then return to that spot to retrieve them. If you die again before reclaiming them, they are lost permanently.
2. Are runes permanent?
Runes used for leveling up are permanent. Once you allocate runes to increase a character stat, the effect is permanent. Runes acquired and used as currency are of course, spent when you make a purchase.
3. What are Souls called in Elden Ring?
Souls are called Runes in Elden Ring. They serve the same purpose as Souls in previous FromSoftware titles, functioning as both experience and currency.
4. How many runes does it take to get to level 713?
Reaching the maximum level of 713 requires farming well over 1 billion runes. This is not a task for the faint-hearted and involves a significant commitment of time and effort.
5. How many runes does 99 lord runes give you?
99 Lord’s Runes give you 4,950,000 runes (99 x 50,000). Lord’s Runes are a high-tier consumable rune, and therefore award a substantial amount of experience/currency.
6. When should you stop leveling in Elden Ring?
The current meta level for PvP duels in Elden Ring is considered to be 125. It is often recommended players stop leveling there for now, however this point is subject to change as the community continues to grow. Many players argue a higher level, such as 150, is more preferable.
7. Can noobs play Elden Ring?
Despite the notoriously high difficulty, Elden Ring is considered comparatively more beginner-friendly than some previous Souls games. The vast open world and availability of summons can make the experience as easy or challenging as the player desires.
8. Should I play Dark Souls before Elden Ring?
It is not essential to play Dark Souls before Elden Ring, as they are not directly connected. Elden Ring is an excellent starting point even for those without prior experience in the Soulsborne genre.
9. Is Elden Ring as hard as Dark Souls?
Elden Ring’s difficulty is often compared to Dark Souls, but with its open world and summoning systems, it can be adjusted to suit different skill levels. Some consider certain Dark Souls games to be harder than Elden Ring, while others have the opposite experience.
10. What’s the best Great Rune in Elden Ring?
The Godrick’s Great Rune is widely considered one of the best Great Runes due to its general stat boost. The optimal Great Rune will often depend on your preferred playstyle and character build.
11. Why did they stop using runes in real life?
Historically, runes were replaced by the Latin alphabet as cultures who used runes underwent Christianization.
12. How long does a rune last?
A Rune Arc-activated Great Rune effect remains active until the player dies. Upon death, the effect is lost, and another Rune Arc must be used to reactivate the Great Rune.
13. Can you lose your runes?
Yes, you can lose your runes permanently. If you die and then die again before reaching your dropped runes, they are lost.
14. What is a good first Souls game?
Demon’s Souls is considered a good starting point in the Soulsborne genre due to its slower pace and comparatively lower difficulty than some of the later Dark Souls titles.
15. Does Elden Ring get easier as you level up?
Yes, leveling up your character in Elden Ring makes the game progressively easier by increasing your base stats and allowing you to equip more powerful gear. However, the game scales in difficulty, so leveling is essential to keep pace with the challenges ahead.