User blog comment:Lykrast/Runes: why I hate them/@comment-15244341-20140328163837

I agree with other posters in that the real problem with runes (and rune pages, in my opinion) lies with their cost. However, once you have a good selection, different runes allow for different configurations based on match ups or which lane you are going. As an example, or at least it was an example, Swain could go for mana regen blues and WotA (the mana regen one) instead of picking up a chalice, allowing Spellvamp in his kit without giving up important items.

That being said, left clicking the dude that is in the same lane as you and seeing what is green and has a big number (as opposed to small from Masteries) is not hard AT ALL. So I'll have to disagree with you regarding it being abslutely invisible. Plus most champions have a preferred rune configuration so you should be able to have a fairly good guess most times to what is someone packing even if you dont automatically click them.