How Leveling Works
You level at any Site of Grace by spending runes, and each level raises one stat by a point. Every stat has a hard cap of 99, but the useful limits are the soft caps, the points where each extra level gives noticeably less. Planning around those caps is how a build gets strong without wasting runes.
Soft Caps by Stat
| Stat | Soft caps | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Vigor | 40, 60 | Health. The 39→40 point adds 48 HP; 40→41 adds only 26 (VideoGamer). |
| Mind | 50, 60 | FP for spells and skills; Fextralife notes it also affects Focus. |
| Endurance | Stamina 15/30/50; Equip Load 25/60 (Fextralife) | Stamina and how much you can wear before rolling slows. |
| Strength / Dexterity | 60, 80 | Weapon damage scaling and requirements. |
| Intelligence / Faith | 50, 60, 80 | Sorcery and incantation scaling. |
| Arcane | 60, 80 | Bleed and other status scaling, item discovery. |
VideoGamer and Fextralife disagree slightly on Endurance (VideoGamer lists 30, 50 and 60), so treat 50 as the point where stamina gains slow down and 60 as the equip-load cap.
A Sensible Order
- Vigor to 40 first. Almost every build benefits, and the HP jump before the first soft cap is the steepest in the game.
- Your main damage stat next, to whatever your weapon or spells need, then toward 60 as runes allow.
- Endurance only as far as your armour needs, so you stay under the medium-roll equip load.
- Mind only for casters or builds that lean on Ashes of War.
The second Vigor cap at 60 is where most players stop raising health for the late game.
Respeccing With Larval Tears
Fextralife notes that after you finish Raya Lucaria Academy you can reallocate all your points through Rebirth, at the cost of one Larval Tear each time. Tears are rare, so the early levels still matter: you cannot change them until then, and every respec spends a limited item.
Where the Runes Come From
Rune costs climb with every level, so you will need farms. Our rune farming guide lists them by stage; GamesRadar+ puts the Mohgwyn Palace entrance at about 40,000 runes every two to three minutes once it is unlocked, and Windmill Village at about 7,000 in a few minutes for the mid game.
Common Mistakes
- Spreading points across every stat. Hybrid builds work, but only once your main stats reach their first caps.
- Skipping Vigor for damage. One-shot deaths cost more runes than the extra damage earns.
- Using a Larval Tear on a small change. Plan the whole build first; the next Tear may be hours away.
- Carrying a big rune stack into a boss. Spend first, then fight, because dying twice loses it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I level first in Elden Ring?
Vigor to 40 for most builds, then your main damage stat. VideoGamer notes Vigor’s gains drop sharply after 40 (48 HP for the 40th point, 26 for the 41st).
Can you respec in Elden Ring?
Yes, after finishing Raya Lucaria Academy, through Rebirth. Each respec costs a Larval Tear, which is rare.
What is the max stat level?
Each stat caps at 99, but the soft caps (40/60 for Vigor, 60/80 for Strength and Dexterity) are where returns drop off.
Sources
Checked October 13, 2026. Game systems change with patches, so confirm numbers in game.
