Gameplay-wise,Elden Ring’s Runes already have an extensive amount of uses, including upgrading and buying equipment, leveling up skills, tailoring armor, and buying items from merchants. Even within the lore, Runes and Great Runes have a very central presence inElden Ring. With that in mind, there are a few ways thatElden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree expansion can make Runes more important.
One of the main things that Shadow of the Erdtree should address is giving Runes more meaning and uses on additional journeys throughElden Ring. Weapons and equipment can only be upgraded so many times, but the player’s level can reach much higher. The main hurdle that players will run into when earning Runes on additional playthroughs inElden Ringis how expensive it becomes to continue leveling up. Even though Runes drop in increased quantities on each additional run, it still becomes extremely pricey. The other factor that some players consider when leveling their character is to stay within particular level ranges to influence the matchmaking groups inElden Ring’s PvP Colosseum.
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How Elden Ring Can Introduce More Uses for Runes
Elden Ring’s PvP Colosseum still leaves much to be desired in terms of rewards. The otherforms of PvP multiplayer inElden Ringthat predate the Colosseum incorporate Runes and Rune Arc rewards for defeating other players. Given unique rewards for victories and reaching new ranks in the Colosseum might gatekeep a part of the community from earning certain gear, Runes could be a perfect reward. Currently, the only rewards from the Colosseum are bragging rights, but being able to wager Runes or otherwise earn them for winning in specific ranks would be greatly beneficial for the lifecycle of the Colosseum.
All ofElden Ring’s summoning spirits, weapons, and shields can be upgraded using Runes and additional upgrade materials, but one piece of equipment that deserves a chance to be upgraded is armor.Altering armor inElden Ringvia tailoring allows players to make the gear weigh slightly less, but it comes with a downgrade to the armor’s defenses and resistances. Given most armor can be downgraded for only a small amount of Runes, not being able to upgrade it by contrast is a missed opportunity.
One way thatElden Ringis expected to build upon the importance of Runes in its first expansion is potentially adding new obtainable Great Runes from characters like Miquella and Godwyn. These characters may or may not be enemies with the Tarnished player character in Shadow of the Erdtree, but either way players might still be able to possess their Great Runes.Fia’s questline inElden Ringis one example of how players can end up earning a Great Rune by completing a questline instead of battling the Runebearer.
Potentially the biggest feature that the community would love to see inElden Ringis covenant factions.Elden Ringalready has factions, but players can’t pledge themselves to their service beyond completing a few character quests. The covenant factions inDark Souls 3allowed players to either loot NPC drops or slay other players for donation materials to increase their reputation and earn unique rank rewards. The old covenants are a lot likeElden Ring’s Volcano Manor questline, except with reputation rewards and PvP duels instead of PvE. Given how central Runes are tothe lore,Elden Ringcould pave its own path with covenants, and Runes could make for the perfect donation material forElden Ring’s factions.
Elden Ringis available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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