User blog comment:Lykrast/Runes: why I hate them/@comment-5557556-20140326130713

It is simple, if other players have runes so can you.

Yes they are very expensive but every player has to get them and no one is spared. From pro players to simple bronze players each and every single one of them had to play for his/her runes.

There are numerous sites which can tell you what kind of runes your opponent is using so you don't have to calculate them on the run.

Also, runes don't provide that much of a boost. At best you can get 22 attack damage from the start if you go full attack damage rune set.

Runes are designed to provide you that little something which can make your build very powerful. For example old Olaf had some passive armor penetration from his ultimate. If you would invest armor penetration in runes you would get a pretty decent power at level 6, or if you are playing Morgana you can invest in Spell Vamp runes to add to her own passive and also get some nice stat boost.