In Elden Ring, runes are the lifeblood of your journey. They power your level-ups, unlock new weapon upgrades, and act as currency for buying gear. Whether you’re just setting foot in the Lands Between or you’ve been slaying demi-gods for weeks, efficient rune farming can save you hours of grinding. Below, I’ve gathered 14 proven farming routes that cater to both beginners and veterans, based on real in-game testing and community consensus.
1. Gatefront Ruins – Early Game Starter
Right after leaving the tutorial cave, head to Gatefront Ruins. The soldiers here are slow, predictable, and drop a fair amount of runes for low-level farming. Great for players who don’t yet have upgraded weapons.
2. Agheel Lake North
Small groups of soldiers patrol the area, and if you lure them into fights with the trolls, you can collect runes with minimal risk. Just be careful not to get flattened in the crossfire.
3. Warmaster’s Shack Wolves
Northwest of Stormgate, packs of wolves roam near the Warmaster’s Shack. They’re quick to take down and respawn after every rest, making them ideal for rune farming in short bursts.
4. Castle Morne Ramparts
Accessible early in the game, this location is packed with Misbegotten enemies. Use a sweeping weapon to take down groups at once for steady rune gain.
5. Liurnia Highway Soldiers
Once you reach Liurnia, the road leading up to the Academy is lined with soldiers who are easy to dispatch. This route is great for those who want a safe, consistent rune stream while exploring the lake.
6. Rose Church Albinaurics
These humanoid enemies drop a solid chunk of runes and are vulnerable to bleed damage. Bring a weapon like Uchigatana or Rivers of Blood to speed things up.
7. Caria Manor Hands
Creepy as they are, the giant spectral hands near Caria Manor are surprisingly farmable. Their rune drops are generous, though you’ll want to bring high-poise gear to withstand grabs.
8. Ruin-Strewn Precipice Bats
Perfect for players confident in aerial combat. The bats here are weak to ranged weapons, making them easy prey if you have a bow or spells.
9. Altus Plateau Soldiers
By the time you reach Altus Plateau, enemies drop significantly more runes. The camps scattered across the plateau are perfect for quick runs.
10. Windmill Village Celebrants
These seemingly harmless NPCs drop a surprising amount of runes. Just watch out for their erratic attack patterns.
11. Mountaintops of the Giants Wolves and Soldiers
Mid-to-late game farming can be done by cycling between wolf packs and soldier patrols here. Bring AoE attacks for maximum efficiency.
12. Moghwyn Palace Albinaurics
The undisputed champion of rune farming for veterans. This area can yield hundreds of thousands of runes in minutes, especially if you use the bow lure method to aggro groups safely.
13. Palace Approach Ledge-Road Bird
From the same Moghwyn Palace region, there’s a giant bird across the chasm. Shooting it with a bow will cause it to charge and fall, granting a massive rune payout. This is the go-to method for speed farming.
14. Consecrated Snowfield Night Cavalry
Defeating these mounted bosses in the snowfield yields not only a good rune haul but also rare weapons. They’re tougher than average, so gear up accordingly.
A Few Extra Tips

• Gear and Talismans: The Gold Scarab Talisman and Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot are essential for maximizing rune gains.
• Scaling Your Farming: Early-game spots like Gatefront Ruins become less effective as you level, so move to higher-tier areas over time.
• When to Spend Runes: Don’t sit on a large stash for too long—dying twice in a row can erase hours of work.
• Player Economy: While some prefer to earn every rune themselves, others explore options like elden ring runes for sale through community trades or trusted elden shop services, though the in-game experience is often more satisfying when earned firsthand.

Whether you’re a Tarnished fresh from the tutorial or a seasoned rune tycoon, having a few reliable farming routes in your back pocket will keep your journey smooth and your build progressing. The Lands Between are unforgiving, but with these routes, your rune reserves never have to run dry.