Is Buying Elden Ring Runes Bannable?

Buying Elden Ring runes has become a common practice among players looking to fast-track their progress, but one key concern always surfaces: Can you get banned for buying Elden Ring runes? In this article, I’ll break down the risks, what FromSoftware says about it, and my own personal experience with rune purchases.

What Are Elden Ring Runes?

In Elden Ring, runes serve as the primary currency. You use them to level up, purchase gear, upgrade weapons, and more. Farming runes naturally can be slow, especially for new players or those with limited gaming time. That’s why some turn to online platforms to buy Elden Ring runes from other players or third-party marketplaces.

Does Buying Runes Violate Elden Ring's Terms of Service?

Yes, technically, it does.

FromSoftware and Bandai Namco’s Terms of Service prohibit any kind of real-money trading that affects the in-game economy. That includes purchasing runes, items, or accounts. If you’re caught, your account could face penalties ranging from temporary restrictions to permanent bans.

That said, enforcement is inconsistent. The developers typically target large-scale sellers or accounts using cheats, bots, or exploitative software rather than casual buyers.

My Personal Experience Buying Elden Ring Runes

I’ve bought Elden Ring runes several times through trusted sites like U4GM. The transaction was always quick and smooth—usually done via in-game drop by a co-op player. I made sure to follow best practices: using a burner character, receiving a reasonable amount of runes per trade, and avoiding suspiciously large bundles.

I’ve never been banned or restricted. But I do recognize the risk. One of my friends wasn’t as careful—he received an enormous amount of runes in one trade and got a softban a few days later. He could only play with other banned users until he wiped his save file.

How Bans Usually Happen

Based on community reports, bans most often occur when:

• Players receive a suspiciously large number of runes
or high-value Elden Ring items.
• The runes are obtained through modding, hacking, or duplicated items.
• The buyer is reported by another player.
• The trade is flagged by FromSoftware’s anti-cheat system as irregular.

Buying from reputable sellers who use legal drop methods is far safer than trading with unknowns or receiving hacked runes.

Tips to Minimize Risk

If you still decide to buy Elden Ring runes despite the risks, here are some precautions I personally follow:

1. Use a secondary or alternate character for receiving the runes.
2. Don’t take unrealistic amounts—keep it natural (e.g., 1-3 million per trade).
3. Avoid interacting with modders or hackers.
4. Buy from trusted sellers who have a track record and real customer reviews.
5. Immediately use or transfer the runes, and don’t just let them sit in your inventory.

These steps won’t eliminate the risk entirely but can significantly reduce it.

Is buying Elden Ring runes bannable? Technically, yes. The game’s terms forbid it, and there have been bans in the community. But in practice, small-scale buyers who take precautions rarely get punished. I’ve personally done it without issue, but I was always careful and responsible.

If you value your main save file or your online reputation, it’s best to farm runes the legitimate way. But if you're short on time and willing to accept the small risk, make sure to proceed smartly and cautiously.

FAQ: Buying Elden Ring Runes

Q1: Can you get banned for buying Elden Ring runes?
A: Yes, buying runes is technically against the Terms of Service of Elden Ring. FromSoftware can issue bans or restrictions if they detect real-money transactions or suspicious trades. However, casual buyers are rarely targeted compared to large-scale sellers or hackers.

Q2: Has anyone actually been banned for buying runes?
A: Yes. While it’s not common, there are community reports of players receiving softbans after large or suspicious rune trades. These players are often placed in a separate matchmaking pool or required to reset their save data.

Q3: Is there a safe way to buy Elden Ring runes?
A: There’s no 100% safe way, but you can reduce your risk. Buy small amounts, avoid modded or duplicated runes, use a secondary character for the trade, and only deal with trusted sellers with verified reviews.

Q4: How do sellers deliver runes in Elden Ring?
A: Most sellers drop high-value items (like Golden Runes) during a co-op session, which you pick up and consume for runes. This avoids direct rune transfers and makes the process safer from detection.

Q5: What is a softban in Elden Ring?
A: A softban limits your online play by isolating your account from the regular player base. You’ll only be matched with other flagged or banned users. It often happens when suspicious behavior or modded items are detected.

Q6: Will I lose my character or progress if I get banned?
A: Not necessarily. In most cases, a softban only affects online play. But for permanent bans (very rare), your access to online services or even your account could be revoked. Always back up your saves if you're taking risks.

Q7: Should I just farm runes instead of buying?
A: That’s the safest option. Farming takes longer, but it guarantees your account stays clean. There are many efficient rune farming spots in Elden Ring that don’t require real-money transactions.