Spending your runes wisely in Elden Ring can make or break your build, especially early on. Every class starts with unique strengths and stat spreads, so understanding how to allocate your runes as you level is critical. Whether you're just starting out or diving into NG+, fine-tuning your stats around your class identity saves you resources and time. Here are 12 rune allocation strategies tailored to specific starting classes, helping you get the most from your investment—whether you're grinding legit or looking for elden ring runes for sale.

1. Vagabond – Strength/Vigor Focus

Vagabonds are natural tanks. Early rune investments should go into Vigor (for survivability) and Strength (for weapon scaling). Around level 40–50, you want at least 35 Vigor and 30 Strength for late-game weapons like the Greatsword or Ruins Greatsword.

2. Warrior – Dexterity Specialist

With high starting Dexterity, Warriors benefit from pushing Dex to 40 early. That allows full use of katanas, curved swords, and bows. You can delay Mind and Endurance until your main weapon is fully upgraded—cheap Elden Ring items like upgrade mats help this process along.

3. Hero – Heavy Weapons and Endurance

Heroes start with solid Strength, making them ideal for colossal weapons. Prioritize Strength and Endurance. You’ll need the stamina and equip load to swing and tank. A good rune spread is 40 Strength, 25 Endurance, and 30 Vigor by level 80.

4. Bandit – Arcane and Bleed Builds

Bandits shine when leaning into Arcane. Boost Arcane to 40 for weapons like Reduvia or Mohgwyn’s Sacred Spear. Invest just enough Dexterity to meet weapon requirements. Arcane scaling also increases item discovery—good if you’re farming cheap Elden Ring items.

5. Astrologer – Intelligence Scaling

For spellcasters, pushing Intelligence to 60 unlocks the full power of spells like Comet Azur or Ranni’s Dark Moon. Keep Mind above 30 for FP sustain and Vigor around 25–30 to avoid one-shots. You’ll need a steady rune supply to keep up with the stat demands of powerful staffs.

6. Prophet – Faith/Incantations

Focus on Faith and Mind. With spells like Lightning Spear and Flame of the Fell God, Prophets can dish out serious damage while supporting. Get Faith to 40 and Mind to at least 30. Invest lightly in Endurance for FP-heavy casting and heavier seals.

7. Samurai – Hybrid Dex/Arcane Builds

Samurai are efficient Bleed machines. Boost Dexterity to 40 and Arcane to 25–30 depending on your weapon. Uchigatana and Rivers of Blood scale well here. You don’t need too much Strength—save your runes for offensive scaling.

8. Confessor – Balanced Faith/Dex Builds

Confessors benefit from hybrid allocation. Aim for 30–40 Faith and 25 Dexterity, depending on weapon and spell choices. This class excels in PvP and flexible builds, so your rune path depends heavily on your playstyle.

9. Prisoner – Int/Dex Spellblade

Start with Intelligence and Dexterity boosts. Moonveil and other magic-scaling weapons work best here. Intelligence to 40, Dexterity around 30 is a strong balance. Consider investing in Mind as your spell repertoire grows.

10. Wretch – Custom Builds

The Wretch starts with balanced stats, so your rune allocation is fully dependent on your chosen path. This is a good class if you're working with elden ring runes for sale and want full control. Pick two core stats and scale them aggressively.

11. Knight-type Builds – Strength/Faith Hybrids

Ideal for weapons like the Golden Order Greatsword or the Blasphemous Blade. Run Faith to 30–40 and Strength to 25–30. Sustain-heavy and excellent for PvE.

12. Hybrid Caster/Weapon Builds

These builds—often used with the Prophet or Confessor—mix melee and magic. Try a 35/35 split between Faith and Strength or Dex. This offers consistent damage and utility across all situations.

Every class has its natural path, and efficient rune allocation depends on sticking to a focused build. Whether you're farming organically or supplementing with elden ring runes for sale, smart investment can help you hit peak performance faster. Be sure to consider your weapons, armor load, and spell preferences when planning your upgrades—and don't waste runes on stats you won't use long term.