Elden Ring is a vast, unforgiving world where every upgrade counts. Runes are your lifeline, fueling your character’s growth and unlocking new possibilities. Whether you’re a Tarnished fresh out of the tutorial or a seasoned adventurer exploring the Lands Between’s darkest corners, learning how to collect and use Runes efficiently can make the difference between triumph and frustration. After spending countless hours experimenting, here are 23 practical tips to help you level up faster without unnecessary grinding.

1. Farm Early-Game Hotspots

Areas like Gatefront Ruins and the Warmaster’s Shack are beginner-friendly Rune farms. Their enemies are manageable, and respawn points are nearby, so you can rinse and repeat quickly.

2. Focus on Weak but Rewarding Enemies

Not every tough foe gives great Runes. Sometimes, smaller mobs with lower health can be more efficient to farm, especially when you factor in respawn time.

3. Use Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot

This consumable temporarily boosts Rune acquisition. Pop it before clearing a high-density enemy zone to maximize gains.

4. Night-Time Hunts

Some enemies are replaced by stronger, rune-rich variants after dark. Equip a torch and head into familiar farming areas at night for bonus payouts.

5. Learn the Limgrave Loop

There’s a route in Limgrave where you can take out several easy mobs, rest at a Site of Grace, and repeat. It’s great for early to mid-game players.

6. Focus on Boss Rematches

Evergaols and certain dungeons allow repeated boss fights. These fights often give better Rune returns than farming basic enemies.

7. Don’t Hoard Runes Unnecessarily

If you’re carrying a large sum, find the nearest Site of Grace and level up. Dying with a full Rune purse can be devastating.

8. Use Rune Arcs Strategically

They boost your stats while your Great Rune is active, making farming runs faster and safer.

9. Combine AoE Spells with Farming Spots

Spells like Rock Sling or Glintstone Arc can wipe out groups in seconds, making Rune farming far more efficient.

10. Maximize Your Flask Ratio

If you’re farming, you may not need many Crimson Flasks. Swap some for Cerulean Flasks to keep casting longer without resting.

11. Target Albinauric Clusters

Albinaurics, found in certain caves and swamps, drop a surprising number of Runes for their difficulty.

12. Sell Unused Gear

Every piece of loot has value. Even if you’re not farming, selling spare items can supplement your Rune count.

13. Use Spirit Summons to Speed Up Kills

Spirit Ashes help take down tougher enemies faster, increasing your run efficiency.

14. Rest at the Right Sites of Grace

Position yourself near farming loops to minimize downtime.

15. Take Advantage of Rune Multipliers in NG+

If you’ve beaten the game, New Game Plus offers more Runes per kill. Farm in early zones for maximum ease.

16. Stack Equipment Bonuses

Talisman effects and armor pieces that increase Rune acquisition can stack, giving you a bigger return for every kill.

17. Explore Instead of Grinding Sometimes

The Lands Between hides Rune-rich treasures and enemies that are more rewarding than any repetitive route.

18. Use Horseback Combat for Safer Farming

Torrent’s mobility lets you hit and run against tough enemies without taking unnecessary risks.

19. Learn Enemy Weaknesses

If an enemy is weak to bleed, frost, or fire, exploit that to take them down faster and safer.

20. Consider Trading with Other Players

If you want to skip grinding altogether, some players look for the Best site to buy Elden Ring Runes or the Best site to buy Elden Ring items. While that’s outside the game’s intended progression, it’s an option some Tarnished choose.

21. Take Down Field Bosses Between Sites of Grace

These mini-bosses often give generous Rune drops and can be repeated in NG+.

22. Chain Kill Runs Without Resting

Some farming areas allow you to clear multiple enemy clusters before returning to a Site of Grace, saving time.

23. Don’t Neglect Rune Items

Golden Runes and their higher-tier variants can be a lifesaver when you’re just short of a level-up. Keep them in reserve and crack them open only when needed.

Mastering Rune farming isn’t about mindlessly killing the same enemies—it’s about efficiency, planning, and knowing where your time is best spent. With these strategies, you’ll find yourself leveling up faster, staying ahead of the difficulty curve, and enjoying Elden Ring’s incredible journey with fewer frustrating setbacks.