For seasoned Tarnished who’ve battled their way through the Lands Between, starting a New Game Plus (NG+) in Elden Ring is both a rewarding and complex decision. From personal experience, diving into NG+ not only raises the stakes in combat but fundamentally shifts the way players approach rune collection and expenditure. These changes can affect everything from gear upgrades to leveling strategies—and for many, even how they consider external services like instant buy Elden Ring runes delivery.

Here are five key ways NG+ changes rune economics in Elden Ring, based on gameplay insight and community practices.

1. Enemies Drop More Runes, But at a Cost
When entering NG+, one of the first things you’ll notice is the increased rune drop rate. Enemies, even the smaller ones, yield significantly more runes. On my first NG+ run, I found myself swimming in runes just clearing Limgrave. However, this boost comes with a steep difficulty curve—bosses hit harder, mobs are more aggressive, and death means losing far more. The risk-reward balance shifts, requiring smarter farming techniques or alternate solutions like opting to buy Elden Ring runes when needing a quick boost to catch up with the NG+ curve.

2. Upgrade Costs and Scaling Push Rune Demand Higher
Weapon and spirit ash upgrades scale steeply in NG+. You’re expected to fine-tune your builds and gear more meticulously, which can drain your rune reserves quickly. In my case, I had to upgrade multiple weapons to test different strategies against stronger bosses. This constant demand made rune farming a grind—something many players circumvent through instant buy Elden Ring rune delivery options, which provide a hassle-free way to stay competitive without endless farming.

3. NG+ Encourages Experimentation—At a Price
One of the most exciting aspects of NG+ is the freedom to experiment with new builds. I switched from a dexterity-focused katanas build to a full-strength Colossal weapon setup. But respeccing and re-equipping costs a hefty amount of runes, especially if you want to fully test different combinations. NG+ incentivizes variety, but the economic cost is steep unless you’re prepared to grind—or buy Elden Ring runes to support your exploration.

4. Farming Routes Shift Due to Increased Difficulty
Farming routes that were viable in the base game can become inefficient or risky in NG+. For example, early-game farming in Caelid or Mohgwyn Palace is still possible, but enemies take longer to kill and can overwhelm unprepared players. From my experience, adjusting to new farming locations—or relying occasionally on instant buy Elden Ring rune delivery—becomes essential to maintain a smooth progression without spending hours in repetitive loops.

5. Multiplayer and PvP Have Higher Rune Expectations
In NG+, entering PvP or summoning help for co-op play often means facing players with maxed-out builds. To stay competitive, you’ll need more runes for consumables, talismans, and backup gear. In my journey, I noticed that rune economics in NG+ felt more demanding, especially when balancing between PvE and PvP. The convenience of services that buy Elden Ring runes or offer instant buy Elden Ring rune delivery can be a game-changer for those who want to focus on skill and strategy instead of endless grinding.
NG+ transforms Elden Ring into a deeper, more challenging experience, and with it comes a new economy centered around runes. Whether you’re testing builds, upgrading gear, or trying to keep up with PvP metas, rune management becomes more crucial than ever. While some players enjoy the thrill of farming, others may appreciate the option to buy Elden Ring runes as a time-saving solution. As someone who has spent hundreds of hours in the Lands Between, I’ve learned that managing your rune economy smartly is key to thriving in NG+—whether you earn them the hard way or use trusted, instant buy Elden Ring rune delivery services to supplement your journey.

Before You Play: U4GM Elden Ring Runes Review: Is It the Best Place to Buy?