Should I Be Using My Golden Runes in Elden Ring? A Tarnished’s Guide
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The Lands Between are rife with dangers, and Runes are your lifeblood. You’re constantly acquiring them, constantly losing them (often repeatedly to that one Crucible Knight, we’ve all been there), and constantly trying to figure out the best way to manage them. So, you pick up a Golden Rune – should you crack it open like a cold one after a long day battling demigods, or should you hoard it for a rainy day?
The short answer? Yes, absolutely use your Golden Runes, but with strategic intent. Don’t just mindlessly pop them the moment you get them. The key is to understand when and why you should use them. Golden Runes are consumables that award you Runes when used. They essentially act as a little nest egg of XP, ready to be cracked open. Golden Runes stay with you even when you die; acting as a backup wallet.
When to Use Golden Runes
- Before a Level Up: If you’re close to leveling up, using a Golden Rune to push you over the edge is a great idea. It’s best to use them strategically, when you’re just short of the Runes needed for a level up.
- Before Purchasing Key Items: Need a specific weapon, spell, or upgrade material from a merchant? Use Golden Runes to accumulate the necessary Runes. It’s better than farming, especially in early-game areas.
- Before a Boss Fight: Feeling underpowered? A quick level up can give you that extra edge you need. Pop some Golden Runes to boost your stats, giving you a slight boost to your survivability.
- When They’re Weighing You Down: Early in the game, inventory space is limited. If you’re overflowing with Golden Runes, using them is better than selling them (since they give the same amount of Runes either way) and freeing up precious inventory space.
When to Consider Holding Onto Golden Runes
- Before Exploring a New Area: If you’re venturing into uncharted territory with potentially high-risk, high-reward rune drops, holding onto your Golden Runes can provide a safety net. But this is a risky strategy.
- When Learning a Boss’s Moveset: It may be prudent to hold on to your golden runes until you are able to properly defeat a boss. This will ensure that you will not lose more runes.
- If You Need to Buy Upgrade Materials Quickly: As you progress throughout the game, you may need more upgrade materials. Golden Runes can be helpful to use when you need to buy these materials.
Why Golden Runes Are So Valuable
- Safety Net: They are stored in your inventory and stay with you even upon death.
- Flexibility: You can use them whenever you choose.
- Early-Game Advantage: They provide a significant boost in the early game when rune acquisition is slower.
- Convenience: They’re a readily available source of Runes without the need for farming.
A Word of Caution About Exploits and Selling Runes
The article mentions potential bans for buying Runes from unofficial sources. This is a serious risk. Never buy Runes from unofficial websites or participate in rune selling. It violates the game’s terms of service and puts your account at risk. Farming runes is the only way to earn them without potentially facing bans from the game developers. It is also important to be cautious about using mods. Modded saves may cause bans several weeks after use. It is a function of souls games to punish the player by losing the runes after you die.
Now, let’s delve into some frequently asked questions:
Elden Ring: Golden Rune FAQs
1. Is it better to use or sell Golden Runes?
Generally, it’s better to use Golden Runes. Selling them to a merchant yields the same number of Runes, but using them allows you to level up or buy items directly. The only reason to sell them is if you’re in a merchant’s inventory and prefer to sell it to buy an item.
2. Do Golden Runes disappear if I die?
No! This is a critical advantage. Golden Runes remain in your inventory even after death, making them a safe store of Runes. Great Runes also stay with you even when you die.
3. What’s the difference between Golden Runes and Great Runes?
Golden Runes are consumable items that award you Runes directly. Great Runes are key items obtained by defeating main bosses. Great Runes, by themselves, do nothing, and are activated by equipping them at a Site of Grace and using a Rune Arc.
4. Are Great Runes worth using?
Absolutely! When activated with a Rune Arc, Great Runes provide powerful temporary buffs. However, the effect lasts only until you die.
5. Which Great Rune is the best?
This is subjective and depends on your build. However, Godrick’s Great Rune is generally considered excellent early on due to its +5 to all stats. However, Malenia’s Great Rune is one of the strongest Great Runes, along with Morgott’s and Radahn’s Great Runes.
6. How do I activate a Great Rune?
First, you must restore the Great Rune’s power at its respective Divine Tower. Then, equip the restored Great Rune at a Site of Grace. Finally, use a Rune Arc to activate its effect.
7. What happens if I die while a Great Rune is active?
The Great Rune’s effect deactivates upon death. You must use another Rune Arc to reactivate it.
8. Is it safe to buy Elden Ring Runes from online sellers?
No! Buying Runes from unofficial sources is risky and can lead to a ban. Stick to farming Runes within the game. This is a risky move that can get you banned from the game.
9. What is the best way to farm Runes in Elden Ring?
There are many farming methods, but some popular early-game spots include the Gatefront Ruins and the Limgrave Colosseum. Later in the game, the Mohgwyn Palace approach is a very lucrative location to earn runes.
10. What should I spend my Runes on first?
Prioritize leveling up your character to meet weapon and armor requirements. Then, invest in Vigor, your primary health stat.
11. Should I sell duplicate weapons or armor?
Yes, selling duplicate or unusable gear to merchants is a good way to earn extra Runes. If the weapon has an Ash of War that can be used to buff other weapons, it may be wise to visit a Blacksmith to duplicate the Ash of War first.
12. What stats should I focus on leveling up?
This depends on your build. Strength and Dexterity are crucial for melee builds, while Intelligence and Faith are primary magic attributes.
13. What does Faith do in Elden Ring?
Faith governs the power of Incantations, which are spells that often involve healing, buffs, or elemental damage. Faith is one of the primary magic attributes that you can invest in during Elden Ring.
14. Where is the best merchant to sell items to?
Sorceress Sellen is known as one of the best merchants. However, any merchant will do in a pinch!
15. Can I respec my stats in Elden Ring?
Yes, you can respec your stats by talking to Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, after defeating her and using a Larval Tear.
Final Thoughts
Golden Runes are your friends in Elden Ring. Use them wisely, and they’ll help you navigate the treacherous path to becoming Elden Lord. Level up when you’re close, buy crucial items, and don’t be afraid to crack one open before a challenging boss fight. And always remember to play fair – avoid buying Runes from shady sources. You can also check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for more content. Good luck, Tarnished!