If you’ve spent any time in Elden Ring, you already know that runes are everything. They’re your experience points, your currency, and basically your lifeline. Whether you’re leveling up, upgrading weapons, or buying gear from merchants, you need runes—and you need a lot of them. But for many players, the risk of farming can outweigh the rewards. One wrong step and boom—thousands of hard-earned runes gone. So how do you earn runes fast without dying? Here’s a rundown of efficient, lower-risk strategies that can help.
1. Hit the Early-Game Sweet Spots
Right after stepping into Limgrave, many players miss one of the most lucrative early-game rune farms: the Gatefront Ruins area. It’s swarming with foot soldiers who are relatively easy to handle, especially if you have a good Spirit Ash summon. Take them out in cycles, rest at the Site of Grace, repeat. You’ll rack up a decent amount of runes without straying far from safety.
Another great early spot is the Third Church of Marika. From there, use the portal behind the church to teleport to Greyoll’s Dragonbarrow. It’s dangerous, sure, but there’s a particular location near the Bestial Sanctum where you can safely farm high-level enemies from a distance using ranged attacks or spells. The reward-to-risk ratio here is fantastic—as long as you keep your distance.
2. Use Stealth to Your Advantage
Elden Ring may not look like a stealth game, but crouching and sneaking around enemies can dramatically reduce the danger of rune farming. This works especially well in areas like Caelid, where enemies hit hard but often have predictable patrol patterns. Focus on backstabs and quick exits. You’ll find you can clear out several enemies before they even notice you’re there.
3. Equip Rune-Boosting Gear
Certain talismans and items in the game can increase the amount of runes you gain from defeated enemies. The Gold Scarab, in particular, is a must-have. It boosts rune acquisition and can be obtained relatively early if you’re up for a challenge in the Abandoned Cave. Pair this with Gold-Pickled Fowl Foots, which temporarily increase rune gain, and you’ll maximize your efficiency.
4. Focus on High-Yield Targets
Once you’re stronger, turn your attention to the Albinaurics near Mohgwyn Palace. If you’ve progressed far enough into the game or used the Pureblood Knight’s Medal, this area becomes one of the most lucrative farming spots. The enemies drop thousands of runes, and with the right strategy—like a strong AoE spell or weapon—you can clear them out fast. Just make sure you’re not under-leveled when you head there.
5. Know When to Cash In
One of the most painful moments in Elden Ring is losing a huge chunk of runes just before leveling up. Avoid that heartbreak by heading back to a Site of Grace to level up or spend runes on gear whenever you’ve earned a significant amount. It’s also worth browsing merchants frequently—some Elden Ring Items for sale can make your build significantly stronger, especially in mid- to late-game.
6. Co-op for Safety and Rewards
If you’re finding solo farming too risky, summon a friend or get summoned yourself. While you can’t collect runes as a phantom in another world, you do gain experience and insight into enemy behavior—plus, it’s safer. Alternatively, farming while summoned means you have backup, and enemies are easier to manage.
7. Consider the Economy
For those on PS5 who want a faster boost, some players choose to buy Elden Ring runes PS5 to speed up progression. While it’s not necessary—and certainly not for everyone—it’s something that exists in the broader Elden Ring economy. Just be cautious about how and where you do this, and always prioritize legitimate sources to avoid any risk to your account.
In Elden Ring, patience and smart planning go a long way. You don’t have to risk everything just to make a few thousand runes. With the right strategies and a little discipline, you’ll level up faster, gear up better, and enjoy the journey a lot more—without the constant dread of losing it all in one misstep. Happy farming, Tarnished.