In Stud Tower Defense, preparing for battle goes beyond just selecting towers — Runes are another key part of your strategy. These passive boosts can improve your economy, enhance tower damage, and even speed up tower growth. But not all runes are created equal. Also check out the Stud Tower Defense Codes & Tier List of the best units in the game.
To help you get the most out of your loadout, we’ve put together a complete tier list of all the runes currently available in the game. Whether you’re a newcomer or a veteran grinding for higher waves, this guide will help you decide which runes are worth using and how to get them.
How to Get Runes in Stud Tower Defense
To unlock new runes in the game, you’ll need to interact with the Rune Artist, an NPC available in the lobby. Here’s how it works:
- Find the Rune Artist in the game’s hub area.
- Interact with the NPC to access the rune reroll menu.
- Use in-game resources to reroll and receive random runes.
- Repeat the process to collect different types of runes and build your ideal loadout.
Stud Tower Defense Runes Tier List
S Tier – Must-Have Runes
These runes offer top-tier advantages that can make a big difference from the start of the match.
- +25 Starting Cash – Arguably the best rune in the game, giving you an early-game boost that can help place powerful towers sooner.
- 1.5× Holographic Rate – Perfect for collectors and crate openers who want to increase their odds of pulling rare holographic units.
A Tier – Great Utility
These runes offer solid value in both offensive and economic strategies.
- +10% Cash Rewards – Helps you earn more per kill, leading to faster upgrades and more tower placements.
- +5% Tower Damage – A direct damage boost that stacks well with high-DPS units.
- +5% Attack Speed – Increases the fire rate of your towers, improving overall damage output in the long run.
B Tier – Situational but Useful
These runes aren’t essential, but they can fit into specific strategies or loadouts effectively.
- -10% Crate Cost – Saves money when opening crates, especially useful for players farming for new units.
- +10% Tower Grow Speed – Helps towers evolve faster, giving you stronger units sooner during longer waves.
- +1 Tower Equip – Lets you bring one additional unit into your match, offering more strategic flexibility.
C Tier – Niche Bonuses
These provide minor boosts and usually aren’t worth prioritizing unless you have no better options.
- $10 Card Sell Price – Grants a bit more money when selling unit cards, but the gain is minimal.
F Tier – Low Impact
Runes in this tier have little to no real value during matches and should be avoided.
- +30% Run Speed – Only affects your character’s movement speed, which doesn’t help in core tower defense gameplay.
Equipping the right runes in Stud Tower Defense can set the tone for your entire match. Aim for S and A-tier runes to boost your economy and damage, and don’t hesitate to visit the Rune Artist often to refine your build. With the right setup, you’ll have a stronger start, faster progression, and a better shot at surviving late-game waves. Keep this tier list bookmarked and check back regularly as new runes are added or rebalanced in future updates.