Elden Ring’s early game is all about exploration, survival, and, of course, rune farming. Whether you’re a new player or someone looking to optimize their time in the Lands Between, understanding the most efficient ways to farm runes early on can make a huge difference in your progression. Runes are your main currency in Elden Ring, used to level up your character and acquire valuable items, making them essential to your journey.
In this article, we’ll cover five key strategies for mastering rune farming in the early game, ensuring you make the most of your time and resources.
1. Choose the Right Areas for Rune Farming
In Elden Ring, not all areas are created equal when it comes to rune farming. Early on, you’ll want to focus on zones that offer both high rune rewards and relatively easy enemies. Some of the best spots for early-game rune farming include:
- The Gatefront Ruins: A short distance from the starting area, this place is full of enemies that are relatively easy to take down. You can quickly farm runes here and then rest at a Site of Grace to reset enemies.
- The Weeping Peninsula: After you’ve gained a bit of strength, this area offers more challenging enemies that drop valuable runes.
Always remember to explore and be mindful of enemy camps, as many of them offer high rune rewards and drops that can be sold for even more runes.
2. Equip Items that Boost Rune Acquisition
As you advance through Elden Ring, you’ll gain access to items that increase the amount of runes you collect from enemies. These items are incredibly valuable for early game farming, as they can speed up your progression.
- Golden Scarab Talisman: This talisman is a game-changer, as it boosts the number of runes you earn from defeated enemies. Equipping this as early as possible will help you maximize the rune gain from each kill.
- Golden Pickled Fowl Foot: Another useful item that temporarily boosts your rune gain, allowing you to farm more efficiently in a short amount of time.
Remember to use these items strategically, especially when farming in high-density enemy zones.
3. Utilize the Power of the Spirit Ashes
In the early game, Spirit Ashes can be a great aid for rune farming, especially if you’re struggling with tougher enemies. By summoning a spirit to fight alongside you, you can quickly eliminate foes without taking too much damage. This allows you to farm runes while minimizing your risk.
- Summon Spirits for tougher bosses: Many early-game bosses can be challenging, but using the right spirit summons can make these fights more manageable, allowing you to secure even more runes in the process.
This approach is highly recommended for players who prefer not to risk losing their hard-earned runes in combat.
4. Focus on Enemy Weaknesses
One of the best ways to efficiently farm runes in Elden Ring is to focus on enemies’ weaknesses. Early-game enemies, such as those found near the starting areas, often have elemental weaknesses or are susceptible to status effects like Bleed or Poison. By exploiting these weaknesses, you can defeat enemies more quickly, leading to more rune rewards in less time.
For example:
- Fire attacks can be effective against enemies weak to fire, especially in areas with a lot of plant-based enemies.
- Bleed effects are great for quickly whittling down enemies’ health, leading to higher rune payouts after their defeat.
Targeting these weak points not only makes the farming process faster but also more rewarding.
5. Consider Alternative Methods to Buy Elden Ring Runes
If you’re looking to progress more quickly and save time on rune farming, you might want to consider purchasing runes. Platforms like Xbox and PS5 offer players the ability to buy Elden Ring runes for a more straightforward approach to progression.
For example, you can buy Elden Ring runes on Xbox to skip some of the grind, especially if you’re focused on specific builds or acquiring high-level gear early. Alternatively, if you’re on PS5, you can easily buy Elden Ring items for your character, including weapons, armor, and other gear that will give you an advantage in both farming and exploration.
While rune farming is part of the game’s core experience, these options can save you time and provide you with the resources you need to progress at your own pace.
Mastering rune farming in the early game of Elden Ring is essential for leveling up, acquiring powerful items, and advancing through the game’s tougher areas. By focusing on the right farming spots, using helpful items, and considering alternative ways to acquire runes, you can quickly enhance your gameplay and make your journey through the Lands Between much more manageable.
Happy farming, and may your runes grow ever larger!