Entering New Game Plus (NG+) in Elden Ring is both thrilling and daunting. After spending over 200 hours in the Lands Between across multiple playthroughs, I decided to dive headfirst into NG+ to see how the experience—and more specifically, how Elden Ring runes—would change. What I found was a fascinating balance of increased challenge and rewarding progression. If you’re preparing for NG+ or looking to optimize your Elden Ring runes for NG+ builds, here are six key changes you need to know.

1. Increased Rune Drops from EnemiesThe most immediately noticeable change in NG+ is the significant boost in rune rewards. Enemies drop more runes across the board, making farming more efficient and rewarding. This is a huge advantage when you're building new NG+ builds that require high investment in stats or gear upgrades. In my experience, certain late-game farming spots like Mohgwyn Palace became even more efficient in NG+, giving me more flexibility with experimental builds.
2. Bosses Reward More RunesNot only do regular enemies drop more runes, but major bosses also offer a substantial increase in rune rewards. For example, defeating Morgott in NG+ gave me nearly twice the number of runes compared to my first playthrough. This is a game-changer for players who want to try out more rune-intensive strategies in their NG+ runs. Whether you're focusing on Faith builds or high-end Strength setups, the extra runes help you respec or scale faster than before.
3. Respeccing Becomes EasierThanks to the surplus of Elden Ring runes in NG+, respeccing through Rennala becomes more accessible. I personally found myself experimenting with hybrid builds that I would have avoided in NG due to resource limitations. NG+ makes it easier to test unconventional combinations—like combining Arcane bleed setups with Sorceries—without worrying too much about rune scarcity.
4. Leveling Slows Down Despite More RunesWhile you earn more runes, the cost of leveling increases significantly. Around level 150, I noticed each new level required hundreds of thousands of runes. This means that while rune farming is easier, you’ll still need efficient strategies to reach higher levels. It's a good time to refine your farming routes and consider rune-boosting talismans to maximize efficiency.
5. Runes Become a Tool for Build ExperimentationIn NG+, the abundance of runes transforms them from a survival tool into a creative resource. I used this opportunity to create several Elden Ring runes for NG+ builds focused on PvP, hybrid casting, and heavy weapon scaling. With the extra runes, I didn’t have to stick to one playstyle—I could build for versatility, adapting to various combat situations more freely.
6. NPC Shops and Rune Management Matter MoreSince enemies and bosses drop more runes, it's easy to overaccumulate and lose a large sum on death. I learned quickly to use rune management tactics more actively—buying out stock from merchants or turning excess runes into consumables. This also made me more strategic about when and where to spend runes, especially before entering dangerous areas.
Final Thoughts from ExperienceNG+ in Elden Ring isn't just a harder version of the base game—it’s a deeper, more flexible experience, especially when it comes to rune management. From my time exploring different NG+ builds and optimizing Elden Ring runes, I can confidently say the game rewards curiosity and experimentation. If you're planning a new run, embrace the changes, test out new builds, and use those runes to unlock even more of the game's depth.
Stay Informed: U4GM - Top 10 Places to Farm Runes Fast in Elden Ring