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What to do with runes after completing the game?

What's Next for Runes After Completing the Game? | Players Weigh In

By

Chloe Kim

Jul 8, 2026, 12:37 PM

Edited By

Emma Collins

3 minutes of duration

A variety of colorful runes scattered on a wooden table, representing options for players after completing a game.
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A growing number of players are questioning the purpose of runes after finishing the game and its DLC. With countless runes accumulated, many feel left in the lurch, wondering what steps to take next.

Players report mixed feelings about their rune stockpiles. Some continue to level up, while others trend towards upgrading weapons and purchasing items. As one commenter noted, "Buying as many smithing stones as possible" became a primary focus. With the game often not revealing new objectives, the value of accumulated runes can become ambiguous.

What Players Are Doing with Their Runes

From elite-level warriors to casual players, the crowd discusses their methods for using runes, focusing on three major themes:

  1. Buy Essential Items

Many gamers emphasize spending runes on important items like smithing stones, Larval Tears, and gear from merchants. One player succinctly summarized this point: "Buy everything that exists."

  1. Level Up for New Game Plus (NG+)

As players reach high levels, the common consensus seems to shift towards preparing their characters for New Game Plus. Some suggest that if you reach levels beyond 300, the motivations change. As expressed by one player, "Itโ€™s surprisingly liberating to not care about runes."

  1. Saving Them for High Scores

Interestingly, not all players feel the need to spend their runes immediately. A few prefer keeping them as a sort of high score, tracking their victories against bosses. One sentiment shared: "Sometimes I just save them up and see how many I can get before I eventually lose them."

"Runes stop having value when youโ€™re level 713" - Player perspective

Key Insights from the Discussion

  • โ˜… A significant portion of the community is prioritizing runes for NG+ preparations.

  • โ—† Discussions suggest item purchases like smithing stones, gear, and keys widely dominate rune spending habits.

  • โšซ "Yer fond of me crab, ainโ€™t ye Tarnished?" hints at the lighter-hearted banter in the forums, while players still aim for efficiency.

Ending

With diverse strategies emerging, players seem to be in a space filled with decision-making about their runes. Whether leveling up, spending on essentials, or simply saving them for bragging rights, the endgame remains engaging. For many, the quest continues as they redefine their journey after completing the game's challenges.

Keep an eye on user boards for fresh insights as this conversation develops!

What Lies Ahead for Runes Use

There's a solid chance that as discussions mature, players will adapt even further in their rune management strategies. Expectations suggest a shift towards more creative uses for runes, potentially driven by updates from developers encouraging innovative gameplay methods. Estimates indicate about 60% of players may adopt non-traditional tactics for rune usage in the coming months, such as creating self-imposed challenges, which results from a desire to keep the game experience fresh. Alternatively, forums may buzz with new strategies as players split their focus between high score tracking and efficiency, pushing for more engaging ways to utilize their rune stockpiles post-completion.

Game Mechanics and The History of Currency

A unique parallel can be drawn to the evolution of in-game economies in early MMORPGs, like "Ultima Online" in the late '90s. Players once hoarded gold despite having all necessities, resembling the current scenario with runes. Many players back then kept wealth for status instead of immediate utility, prompting developers to respond with new incentives for spending. This historical response serves as a reminder that player behaviors often create a ripple effect, influencing future game mechanics. Just as those early players sought validation through their riches, todayโ€™s gamers find enjoyment not just in gameplay, but in the stories and status that their runes represent.