If you’ve spent more than a few hours wandering through Elden Ring’s hauntingly beautiful world, you know just how vital runes are. Whether you’re looking to level up your character, upgrade your gear, or simply get stronger to face the punishing bosses FromSoftware throws at you, collecting runes efficiently can make a huge difference. After dozens of hours across multiple playthroughs, I’ve gathered 22 prime rune farming locations that every Tarnished should check out. Whether you’re early in the game or deep into the Lands Between, there’s something here to help maximize your power.
1. Gatefront Ruins (Limgrave)
Ideal for early-game farming. Basic enemies give decent runes and are easy to clear with minimal risk.
2. Stormhill – Warmaster’s Shack
Wolves and soldiers provide quick kills and fast rune accumulation. Great for new players getting used to the combat.
3. Third Church of Marika (East Limgrave)
Near this site is a portal that leads to Greyoll’s Dragonbarrow, where you can farm higher-level enemies without aggroing them.
4. Greyoll the Dragon (Caelid)
This massive sleeping dragon gives a staggering 50,000 runes upon death. Use a bleed weapon and flask enhancements to make it go quickly. No boss fight required—just watch out for its dragonlings.
5. Mohgwyn Palace – Palace Approach Ledge-Road
Possibly the best mid-to-late game rune farming spot. The Albinaurics here can drop thousands of runes each. If you’re at this point in the game, this is the place to farm.
6. Windmill Village (Altus Plateau)
High rune return with relatively low resistance enemies. Just be ready for the creepy celebrants.
7. Caria Manor (Liurnia of the Lakes)
Clear out spirit soldiers and hand monsters. It’s a bit tougher, but the rune yield is worth it.
8. Siofra River – Worshippers’ Woods
Many passive enemies with decent rune drops. Good place for a quick cleanup before heading into deeper challenges.
9. Academy Gate Town
Ghost enemies and soldiers are scattered throughout. Use AoE spells or weapons to maximize efficiency.
10. Farum Greatbridge
Found in Caelid, there are many enemies and a sleeping dragon nearby. Use stealth or summons to avoid being overwhelmed.
11. Castle Sol (Mountaintops of the Giants)
Challenging, but the ghost knights here offer high rune rewards. You’ll want to bring your best gear.
12. Mountaintops Troll Patrols
Take out the wandering trolls for thousands of runes each. You’ll need good stamina management and solid timing.
13. Subterranean Shunning Grounds (Leyndell)
This area is tough but filled with enemies that give excellent rune returns. Watch for ambushes.
14. Leyndell Soldiers on Altus Plateau
These patrol groups respawn and can be cleared quickly with AoE or magic.
15. Consecrated Snowfield – Hidden Path
Snowfield enemies hit hard but drop solid runes. Not for the faint of heart.
16. Nokstella, Eternal City
Beautiful and dangerous. Clear the mechanical enemies here for great rune drops.
17. Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel
Great source of smithing stones and runes. Good to hit while you’re building out your gear.
18. Haligtree Town Plaza
Late-game but very efficient. Excellent for those pushing toward the endgame grind.
19. Yelough Anix Ruins (Consecrated Snowfield)
Packed with enemies and solid rune drops. Bring strong ranged options.
20. Ainsel River – Uhl Palace Ruins
Challenging, but worth it for the runes and materials. You’ll find a mix of physical and magical threats.
21. Dragonkin Soldiers
Scattered across several underground areas, these mini-bosses offer great runes and some unique drops.
22. Night’s Cavalry (Various Locations)
Hunting these bosses at night gives excellent runes and weapon drops. Use Torrent and magic to gain the upper hand.
Farming runes in Elden Ring isn’t just about raw numbers—it’s about efficiency and knowing when to tackle each zone. Some players prefer to grind manually, while others look for ways to optimize with in-game mechanics. For those looking to fast-track their progress or skip the more tedious parts, some even choose to buy Elden Ring Items or search for cheap elden ring runes through trusted community marketplaces like U4GM. It’s all about finding what fits your playstyle and keeping the experience fun.
