Runes are one of the most important progression systems in DPS: Desktop Pension Squad. They allow you to improve your entire squad by providing additional bonuses to attack, attack speed, defence, critical stats, and other useful attributes.
Unlike equipment, which only benefits the hero wearing it, rune bonuses apply to all three heroes. This makes runes particularly useful when you want to improve Minos, Diana, and Mori & Gula at the same time.
In this guide, we will explain how the rune system works, how to unlock additional rune branches, and what bonuses you can get from each upgrade. We will also cover the Soul costs and requirements for every rune so you can plan your upgrades before spending your resources.
One important thing to remember is that runes cannot be refunded or reset. You should check their bonuses and requirements carefully before investing your Soul.
DPS Desktop Pension Squad Runes Guide – Costs, Bonuses
When you first open the Rune screen, you will notice that only the starting section of the rune board is available.
As you unlock certain runes, additional sections of the board become visible. This means you cannot immediately access every upgrade. You need to progress through the available branches to reveal more runes.
There are two main rune branches:
- Attack: Focuses on improving your squad’s offensive stats, including Base ATK, ATK, attack speed, and critical stats.
- Guard: Focuses on improving defence, survivability, healing, and other defensive bonuses.
The rune planner displays the complete board, including runes that are not yet visible in your game. This is useful because you can plan your upgrades before unlocking each section.
Important Things to Know About Runes
Before spending Soul, keep these points in mind:
- Rune bonuses apply to all three heroes.
- Unlocking certain runes reveals additional sections of the board.
- Each rune has its own Soul cost and unlock requirement.
- There is no refund or reset option.
- Rune values are cumulative by level, not added together.
For example, if a rune provides Base ATK +2 at level 1, +4 at level 2, and +6 at level 3, reaching level 3 gives you +6, not +12.
Attack Rune Branch
The Attack branch is focused on improving your squad’s offensive performance. It includes bonuses to Base ATK, ATK, attack speed, and CRIT Rating.
If you want your heroes to defeat enemies faster and improve their damage output, this is an important branch to understand.
Below is the complete list of Attack runes, including their upgrade costs and requirements.
Attack Runes – Starting Section
| Rune | Level | Bonus | Soul Cost | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base ATK | 1 | Base ATK +2.5 | 40 | Starting rune |
| Base ATK | 1 | Base ATK +2 | 40 | Base ATK |
| Base ATK | 2 | Base ATK +4 | 52 | Base ATK |
| Base ATK | 3 | Base ATK +6 | 68 | Base ATK |
| ATK SPD | 1 | ATK SPD +1% | 40 | Base ATK |
| ATK SPD | 2 | ATK SPD +2% | 52 | Base ATK |
| Base ATK | 1 | Base ATK +2 | 40 | ATK SPD |
| Base ATK | 2 | Base ATK +4 | 52 | ATK SPD |
| Base ATK | 3 | Base ATK +6 | 68 | ATK SPD |
| Base ATK | 1 | Base ATK +3 | 200 | Base ATK |
Attack Runes – Early Upgrades
| Rune | Level | Bonus | Soul Cost | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base ATK | 1 | Base ATK +2 | 60 | Base ATK |
| Base ATK | 2 | Base ATK +4 | 78 | Base ATK |
| Base ATK | 3 | Base ATK +6 | 102 | Base ATK |
| Base ATK | 4 | Base ATK +8 | 132 | Base ATK |
| Base ATK | 5 | Base ATK +10 | 172 | Base ATK |
| ATK SPD | 1 | ATK SPD +1% | 60 | Base ATK |
| ATK SPD | 2 | ATK SPD +2% | 78 | Base ATK |
| ATK SPD | 3 | ATK SPD +3% | 102 | Base ATK |
| ATK | 1 | ATK +1 | 60 | ATK SPD |
| ATK | 2 | ATK +2 | 78 | ATK SPD |
| ATK | 3 | ATK +3 | 102 | ATK SPD |
| ATK | 4 | ATK +4 | 132 | ATK SPD |
| ATK | 5 | ATK +5 | 172 | ATK SPD |
| ATK | 1 | ATK +2 | 100 | ATK |
| ATK | 2 | ATK +4 | 130 | ATK |
| ATK | 3 | ATK +6 | 170 | ATK |
| Base ATK | 1 | Base ATK +2 | 60 | ATK |
| Base ATK | 2 | Base ATK +4 | 78 | ATK |
| Base ATK | 3 | Base ATK +6 | 102 | ATK |
| ATK SPD | 1 | ATK SPD +1% | 60 | Base ATK |
| ATK SPD | 2 | ATK SPD +2% | 78 | Base ATK |
| Base ATK | 1 | Base ATK +2 | 60 | ATK SPD |
| Base ATK | 2 | Base ATK +4 | 78 | ATK SPD |
| Base ATK | 3 | Base ATK +6 | 102 | ATK SPD |
| Base ATK | 4 | Base ATK +8 | 132 | ATK SPD |
| Base ATK | 5 | Base ATK +10 | 172 | ATK SPD |
| Base ATK | 1 | Base ATK +7.5 | 1,000 | Base ATK |
Attack Runes – Advanced Upgrades
As you progress further into the Attack branch, you will unlock percentage-based bonuses and critical-related upgrades.
| Rune | Level | Bonus | Soul Cost | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base ATK | 1 | Base ATK +2% | 290 | Base ATK |
| Base ATK | 2 | Base ATK +4% | 430 | Base ATK |
| Base ATK | 3 | Base ATK +6% | 640 | Base ATK |
| CRIT Rating | 1 | CRIT Rating +0.5 | 430 | Base ATK |
| CRIT Rating | 2 | CRIT Rating +1 | 640 | Base ATK |
| CRIT Rating | 3 | CRIT Rating +1.5 | 960 | Base ATK |
| ATK | 1 | ATK +2% | 650 | CRIT Rating |
| ATK | 2 | ATK +4% | 960 | CRIT Rating |
| ATK | 3 | ATK +6% | 1,440 | CRIT Rating |
| CRIT Rating | 1 | CRIT Rating +1 | 1,660 | ATK |
| CRIT Rating | 2 | CRIT Rating +2 | 2,470 | ATK |
| ATK SPD | 1 | ATK SPD +2% | 1,280 | ATK |
| ATK SPD | 2 | ATK SPD +4% | 1,900 | ATK |
| ATK SPD | 3 | ATK SPD +6% | 2,840 | ATK |
| ATK | 1 | ATK ×3 | 15,000 | ATK SPD |
The advanced Attack branch is particularly interesting because it introduces percentage-based upgrades instead of only flat stat increases.
You can also unlock additional critical rating and attack speed bonuses, which can help improve your squad’s damage output.
The final major Attack upgrade provides an ATK ×3 bonus and costs 15,000 Soul.
Guard Rune Branch
The Guard branch focuses on keeping your squad alive during battles.
While the Attack branch improves damage, Guard provides defensive bonuses such as DEF, healing, and Life Steal.
These upgrades can be particularly useful when your heroes start struggling against stronger enemies and bosses.
Guard Runes – Starting Section
| Rune | Level | Bonus | Soul Cost | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEF | 1 | DEF +2 | 40 | Base ATK |
| DEF | 2 | DEF +4 | 52 | Base ATK |
| DEF | 3 | DEF +6 | 68 | Base ATK |
| ATK SPD | 1 | ATK SPD +1% | 40 | DEF |
| ATK SPD | 2 | ATK SPD +2% | 52 | DEF |
| DEF | 1 | DEF +15 | 200 | ATK SPD |
| DEF | 1 | DEF +1 | 60 | DEF |
| DEF | 2 | DEF +2 | 78 | DEF |
| DEF | 3 | DEF +3 | 102 | DEF |
| DEF | 4 | DEF +4 | 132 | DEF |
| DEF | 5 | DEF +5 | 172 | DEF |
| Base ATK | 1 | Base ATK +1 | 60 | DEF |
| Base ATK | 2 | Base ATK +2 | 78 | DEF |
| Base ATK | 3 | Base ATK +3 | 102 | DEF |
| DEF | 1 | DEF +1 | 60 | Base ATK |
| DEF | 2 | DEF +2 | 78 | Base ATK |
| DEF | 3 | DEF +3 | 102 | Base ATK |
| DEF | 4 | DEF +4 | 132 | Base ATK |
| DEF | 5 | DEF +5 | 172 | Base ATK |
| ATK SPD | 1 | ATK SPD +1% | 60 | DEF |
| ATK SPD | 2 | ATK SPD +2% | 78 | DEF |
| ATK SPD | 3 | ATK SPD +3% | 102 | DEF |
| Heal on Hit | 1 | Heal on Hit +1 | 100 | ATK SPD |
| Heal on Hit | 2 | Heal on Hit +2 | 130 | ATK SPD |
| DEF | 1 | DEF +2 | 100 | Heal on Hit |
| DEF | 2 | DEF +4 | 130 | Heal on Hit |
| DEF | 1 | DEF +1 | 60 | ATK SPD |
| DEF | 2 | DEF +2 | 78 | ATK SPD |
| DEF | 3 | DEF +3 | 102 | ATK SPD |
| DEF | 4 | DEF +4 | 132 | ATK SPD |
| DEF | 5 | DEF +5 | 172 | ATK SPD |
| DEF | 1 | DEF +17.5 | 1,000 | DEF |
Guard Runes – Advanced Upgrades
The advanced Guard branch introduces percentage-based defence bonuses, Life Steal, and additional attack speed improvements.
| Rune | Level | Bonus | Soul Cost | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEF | 1 | DEF +3% | 240 | DEF |
| DEF | 2 | DEF +6% | 312 | DEF |
| DEF | 3 | DEF +9% | 406 | DEF |
| Life Steal | 1 | Life Steal +1 | 240 | DEF |
| Life Steal | 2 | Life Steal +2 | 312 | DEF |
| Life Steal | 3 | Life Steal +3 | 460 | DEF |
| Base ATK | 1 | Base ATK +1.5% | 310 | Life Steal |
| Base ATK | 2 | Base ATK +3% | 460 | Life Steal |
| Base ATK | 3 | Base ATK +4.5% | 680 | Life Steal |
| ATK SPD | 1 | ATK SPD +2% | 460 | Base ATK |
| ATK SPD | 2 | ATK SPD +2.5% | 670 | Base ATK |
| ATK SPD | 3 | ATK SPD +3% | 1,000 | Base ATK |
| ATK SPD | 1 | ATK SPD +1.5% | 670 | ATK SPD |
| ATK SPD | 2 | ATK SPD +3% | 1,000 | ATK SPD |
| ATK SPD | 3 | ATK SPD +4.5% | 1,480 | ATK SPD |
| DEF | 1 | DEF +3% | 1,000 | ATK SPD |
| DEF | 2 | DEF +6% | 1,480 | ATK SPD |
| DEF | 3 | DEF +9% | 2,190 | ATK SPD |
| Life Steal | 1 | Life Steal +0.5 | 2,530 | DEF |
| Life Steal | 2 | Life Steal +1 | 3,730 | DEF |
| DEF | 1 | DEF ×1.25 | 15,000 | DEF |
The final Guard upgrade provides a DEF ×1.25 bonus and costs 15,000 Soul.
Best Things to Understand Before Upgrading Runes
Since rune upgrades cannot be refunded, you should understand what you are purchasing before spending your Soul.
Here are a few important things to keep in mind.
1. Attack Runes Improve Your Damage
The Attack branch contains several useful offensive bonuses, including Base ATK, ATK, and attack speed.
These upgrades can benefit all three heroes, making them useful for improving your overall squad damage.
2. Guard Runes Improve Survivability
Guard is useful when your squad struggles to survive against stronger enemies.
Its DEF bonuses help improve your heroes’ defence, while Heal on Hit and Life Steal provide additional recovery-related bonuses.
3. Check Rune Requirements
You cannot unlock every rune immediately.
Some upgrades require you to purchase another specific rune first. Make sure you check the requirement column before planning your next purchase.
4. Remember That Rune Values Are Cumulative
Rune levels show the total bonus at that level.
For example, a rune with +2, +4, and +6 Base ATK provides +6 at level 3. You do not receive an additional +2 and +4 on top of the level-3 value.
5. Plan Your Soul Spending
The rune board contains several upgrades with increasing Soul costs.
Some of the later upgrades cost thousands of Soul, and the final major upgrades in both branches cost 15,000 Soul each.
Since you cannot reset the board, avoid spending Soul without checking which bonuses you actually want.
Final Thoughts
Runes are an important part of progression in DPS: Desktop Pension Squad because they provide bonuses to your entire squad instead of just one hero.
The Attack branch focuses on improving offensive stats, including Base ATK, ATK, attack speed, and critical rating. Meanwhile, the Guard branch provides defensive bonuses such as DEF, Heal on Hit, and Life Steal.
My recommendation is to understand both branches before spending your Soul. Check the unlock requirements, compare the available bonuses, and plan your upgrades carefully.
Most importantly, remember that rune upgrades cannot be refunded. A little planning now can help you avoid wasting Soul and build a stronger squad as you progress through the game.