In Elden Ring, runes serve as the essential currency for leveling up and acquiring powerful gear, making rune farming a fundamental part of the gameplay experience. This becomes especially crucial with the arrival of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, which recommends players reach levels between 120 and 150 to handle its formidable challenges. While the journey to these higher levels can be time-consuming, the Lands Between hold several lucrative spots where players can gather runes efficiently. Knowing where and how to farm runes can save countless hours and help players better prepare for the trials ahead.
Boosting Rune Gains: Essential Items and Strategies
Before diving into the most rewarding rune farming locations, it’s wise to equip yourself with items that enhance rune acquisition. One such item is the Golden Scarab talisman, which significantly increases the number of runes earned from enemies. To obtain this talisman, players must explore the Abandoned Cave in Caelid, a perilous dungeon guarded by two bosses. Overcoming these bosses is easier with assistance, whether by summoning spirit ashes or calling on other players for co-op help.
Alongside the Golden Scarab, the Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot is a consumable item that temporarily boosts rune acquisition. This valuable item can be purchased from Patches or the Twin Maiden Husks after handing over Patches’ bell bearing. It is also scattered throughout the game world or can be crafted once the Missionary’s Cookbook is acquired. Using these items together can dramatically increase rune gains during farming sessions.
Mohgwyn Palace: The Premier Rune Farming Location
Among all the rune farming locations in Elden Ring, Mohgwyn Palace stands out as the most efficient and rewarding. This area is located beneath Caelid and can be accessed by completing Varre’s questline, which begins at the Rose Church in Liurnia. Upon completing the quest, players receive the Pureblood Knight’s Medal, which allows teleportation to the Grand Mausoleum Entrance site of grace in the underground area.
From the Grand Mausoleum Entrance, players can mount Torrent and travel past numerous enemies until reaching the Palace Approach Ledge-Road site of grace. This spot is ideal for farming because a large bird enemy can be shot from a cliff, causing it to fall and yield 13,245 runes per kill. For players who have reached higher levels and obtained the Sacred Relic Sword, the weapon’s Wave of Gold skill can be used to swiftly defeat groups of albinaurics on the slope below, resulting in massive rune gains per run.
After clearing the enemies, resting at the site of grace resets them, allowing this farming loop to be repeated indefinitely. This method offers one of the fastest ways to accumulate runes and level up, making Mohgwyn Palace a must-visit location for any Tarnished looking to power up quickly.
Early Game Rune Farming Spots for Newer Players
Not all players will have access to Mohgwyn Palace early on, so several effective rune farming locations are available during the initial stages of the game. These spots provide steady rune income and help players build their strength before venturing into more dangerous territories.
Northern Dragonbarrow in Caelid: A Hidden Gem
Once players unlock Torrent, the spectral steed, they can travel from the Third Church of Marika in Limgrave to a concealed portal located northeast of the church. This portal transports players to Greyoll’s Dragonbarrow, a high-level area in Caelid known for its challenging enemies.
While the region is generally dangerous, the small creatures near the portal’s arrival point are relatively weak and drop between 637 and 1,094 runes each. By defeating these enemies repeatedly and resting at the nearby site of grace, players can efficiently farm runes without facing overwhelming threats.
Caelid Boulder Trap: Creative Rune Farming
Another lucrative early-game farming spot is near the Lenne’s Rise Site of Grace in Dragonbarrow. Instead of crossing the main bridge, players can activate the site of grace and then lure enemies onto the path below, where a magical boulder trap is triggered.
Dodging the boulder causes it to roll down and crush enemies, awarding 1,952 runes per successful attempt. Players can then teleport back to the site of grace to reset the enemies and repeat the process. This inventive method allows for consistent rune farming with minimal combat risk.
Additionally, there is a one-time opportunity to gain a large rune reward by luring the boss from the small bridge into poison traps. This tactic grants 42,000 runes, providing a significant boost to early progression.
Passive Rune Farming: AFK Methods for Casual Gains
For those who prefer a more relaxed approach or want to accumulate runes while multitasking, Elden Ring offers several AFK rune farming spots where enemies fight each other automatically.
Liurnia Highway North: Low-Effort Rune Farming
After defeating the Stormveil Castle boss, players can find a passive farming location near the Liurnia Highway North site of grace. In this area, soldiers engage in combat with spiritual enemies and a giant. When the giant is triggered, it defeats the soldiers, and each fallen soldier grants approximately 43 runes.
Though the rune yield per kill is modest, this method requires very little player input and can be done while focusing on other tasks, making it a convenient option for casual farming.
Caelid Greatbridge: Higher Yield AFK Farming
For a more productive AFK farming experience, the Impassable Greatbridge in southern Caelid is an excellent choice. Here, soldiers and giant demon dogs fight automatically without player interference.
Soldiers drop fewer than 200 runes each, while the demon dogs yield 313 runes apiece. By luring additional dogs from the northern area into the fight, players can extend the battle and earn between 2,000 and 3,000 runes per run.
The nearby site of grace allows for quick resets, enabling players to farm runes efficiently even without direct involvement.
Preparing for the Shadow of the Erdtree Expansion
With the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC recommending character levels between 120 and 150, efficient rune farming becomes essential to meet these requirements. Whether utilizing the high-yield Mohgwyn Palace farming loop, early-game spots like Northern Dragonbarrow and Caelid’s boulder trap, or AFK methods in Liurnia and Caelid, players have multiple options to level up effectively.
Equipping the Golden Scarab talisman and using Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot consumables further enhance rune gains, accelerating the leveling process. By mastering these farming locations and strategies, Tarnished can ensure they are well-prepared to face the formidable challenges that await in the new expansion and beyond.