If you’ve spent more than a few hours in Elden Ring, you already know that Elden Ring Runes are the lifeblood of your journey. They’re used for leveling up, buying gear, upgrading weapons, and basically unlocking your build’s full potential. But farming Runes efficiently can make the difference between a smooth ride through The Lands Between or endlessly getting bodied by some undead soldier outside a minor Erdtree.
After over 200 hours in-game, across NG+ runs and multiple builds, I’ve narrowed down 11 proven methods that can drastically speed up your Rune income—whether you’re early game or pushing into the late game.
1. Clear the War-Dead Catacombs (Caelid)
Once you’ve taken down Radahn, this dungeon opens up and is loaded with warring spirits. You don’t even have to fight—just watch the ghosts duke it out and swoop in for the Runes. Each run takes under 5 minutes and nets thousands.
2. Use the Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot
A staple for any serious Rune farmer. This consumable boosts Rune acquisition by about 30% for a limited time. Stack it with high-yield areas and the Gold Scarab talisman (see below) to maximize your profit.
3. Equip the Gold Scarab Talisman
Found in the Abandoned Cave near the Smoldering Wall in Caelid, this talisman is essential. It increases Rune gain by roughly 20%. Combine it with area-of-effect spells or weapon arts and you’ll see huge returns.
4. AFK Farming at Moghwyn Palace (Endgame)
If you’ve progressed to the point where you can access Mohgwyn Palace, there’s a golden farming spot near the Palace Approach Ledge-Road Site of Grace. Use ranged magic or a bow to kill the passive Albinaurics—or better yet, the sleeping bird down the cliff—for massive Runes with minimal effort.
5. Do the Varre Quest Early
Varre’s questline grants you access to Mohgwyn Palace much earlier than the main story, which is a huge advantage. Once there, you can start endgame farming zones as early as level 50.
6. Farm in the Bestial Sanctum
Located in northeastern Caelid and accessible early through a teleporter in Limgrave (near the Third Church of Marika), this spot is packed with high-Rune enemies. Be cautious—they hit hard—but once you master it, it’s a fast and rewarding grind.
7. Try Co-op Boss Hunting
Helping other players defeat bosses via the Furled Finger or Summoning Pools not only gets you Runes, but is also risk-free since death in co-op doesn’t cost you anything. Great if you’re tired of solo grinding.
8. Farm the Giant Troll Carriage (Altus Plateau)
This is a bit of an odd one, but the trolls pulling the carriages near the Altus Highway Junction Site of Grace are easy kills for high Runes. They respawn and are vulnerable to stagger-heavy builds.
9. Use AoE Builds in Rune-Dense Zones
Weapons like the Sacred Relic Sword (from Elden Beast Remembrance) or spells like Comet Azur or Swarm of Flies can decimate groups of enemies. Pair these with the Albinauric farming spot and you’ll see Runes skyrocket.
10. Take Advantage of Rune Arcs & Buffs
If you’re in co-op and have access to Rune Arcs, activating a Great Rune (like Godrick’s) not only buffs your stats, but also helps clear high-level areas faster—indirectly boosting your Rune efficiency.
11. Return to Earlier Zones on New Game+
In New Game+, enemies in starting areas drop significantly more Runes than before. Areas like Stormhill or Liurnia become one-shot Rune fountains for upgraded builds. It’s a chill and efficient grind route that doesn’t feel punishing.
Rune farming in Elden Ring isn’t just about numbers—it’s about efficiency and knowing where to invest your time. Whether you’re a caster or a melee brute, these methods will help you speed through levels, afford better gear, and prepare for whatever monstrosity FromSoftware throws at you next.
Experiment with different routes and always keep a few Gold-Pickled Fowl Feet on hand. With the right setup, even short 20-minute sessions can yield massive Rune gains.
