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If you've spent any amount of time exploring the Lands Between, you already know that Elden Ring doesn't go easy on its Tarnished. Whether you're preparing to take down a Shardbearer or just trying to upgrade your gear, Runes are your lifeblood. The good news? There are plenty of reliable, free Elden Ring Runes farming methods scattered across the world—no exploits, no mods, just smart gameplay.
Below, I’ve compiled 35 battle-tested ways to farm Runes in Elden Ring without spending a single cent. Whether you're starting out in Limgrave or venturing deep into the Mountaintops of the Giants, this guide has something for every stage of your journey.
Early Game Farming Spots
1. Gatefront Soldiers (Limgrave)
A classic starting point. The soldiers outside the Gatefront Ruins are easy to dispatch and drop a decent number of Runes. It’s also a good place to practice parrying and backstabs.
2. Third Church of Marika Teleport Trap
Near the church is a hidden portal that whisks you away to Caelid. From there, sneak past enemies to reach a Site of Grace near the Bestial Sanctum. The enemies around here drop tons of Runes even at low levels.
3. Stormhill Wolves
Right above the Stormgate cliffs, the wolves respawn quickly and are easy targets. With a decent AoE spell or weapon, you can clear them in seconds.
4. Warmaster’s Shack Night Farming
Nighttime brings in extra enemy types like Deathbirds. Use this to your advantage by defeating the more challenging foes for bigger Rune payouts.
Mid-Game Rune Routes
5. Bestial Sanctum (Caelid)
This is hands down one of the best free Elden Ring Runes farming methods. The Black Blade Kindred might guard the door, but the surrounding enemies offer 1,000+ Runes per kill and can be stealth-killed easily.
6. Windmill Village Dancers
These eerie enemies in Altus Plateau are passive and drop surprisingly high Rune amounts. Just don't let your guard down when the music stops.
7. Caria Manor Hand Spiders
While creepy, these enemies give you a solid Rune return. Use fire attacks to deal with them quickly.
8. Volcano Manor Assassinations
Each assassination you do for Tanith not only progresses a questline but also provides high Rune rewards and rare gear.
Late Game Rune Powerhouses
9. Albinaurics in Mohgwyn Palace
Accessed via a portal near the Consecrated Snowfield, this is arguably the most infamous Rune farm in the game. The Albinaurics are fragile and give over 2,000 Runes each.
10. Boulder Trap (Mohgwyn Palace)
There’s a slope where a rolling boulder drops when you approach. Bait it and let it roll off the cliff—each time it falls, you get about 2,000 Runes.
11. Haligtree Soldiers
High-risk but high-reward. These enemies hit hard but drop large quantities of Runes. Good for confident players with upgraded gear.
12. Consecrated Snowfield Knights
These mounted foes are spread out, but each one is worth several thousand Runes. Ideal for horseback combat practice.
Passive and AFK Methods
13. Co-op Farming
Joining other players as a phantom lets you earn Runes without risking your own. Perfect for helping with bosses you've already beaten.
14. PvP Duel Zones
While not “farming” in the traditional sense, engaging in PvP at common duel locations (like the First Step) can net consistent Rune gains.
15. Spirit Ash Auto-Farm
In certain areas, summoning strong Spirit Ashes will allow them to wipe enemies while you stay back—especially effective with Mimic Tear.
16. Rune-Boosting Talismans
Equip items like the Gold Scarab to boost Rune gain. Pair with farming spots to multiply your results.
Tips to Maximize Your Rune Gain
17. Use Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot
This item increases Rune drop rate by 30% for three minutes. Stack it with Gold Scarab for even more profit.
18. Clear Dungeons Fully
Many players skip optional rooms. Don’t. They often contain high-Rune enemies or hidden loot.
19. Revisit Old Areas After Leveling
Enemies that were once tough become trivial after leveling up. Clear them out fast for quick Rune boosts.
20. Night-Only Enemies
Enemies that only appear at night often yield better rewards. Use Sites of Grace to skip to nighttime intentionally.
Advanced Methods and Hidden Gems
21. Sell Duplicate Weapons/Armor
Loot from enemies can be sold at merchants. If you’re overloaded, clear out duplicates for extra Runes.
22. Chain-Kill Buffs
Some weapons and talismans increase Rune gain with kill streaks. Build your loadout around this mechanic.
23. Field Boss Respawns in NG+
In New Game Plus, repeat bosses like the Tree Sentinel drop even more Runes. Great for efficient high-level farming.
24. Evergaol Repeats
Though not infinite, some Evergaol bosses can be refought in NG+ for solid Rune rewards.
25. Red Summon Signs in Volcano Manor
Invasions here are risk-free and always net Runes, win or lose.
Experimental and Risky Tactics
26. Trigger Explosive Traps for Enemies
Lure enemies into environmental hazards—like explosive barrels—for a quick mass kill.
27. Use Deathblight Pools Strategically
Deathblight affects enemies too. Bait them into pools and watch the instant death happen.
28. Fling Enemies off Cliffs
Gravity kills count. Lead enemies to edges, dodge-roll past them, and let physics handle the rest.
29. Trap Reset Loops
Find trap zones where enemies respawn endlessly due to event triggers. Use them for Rune grinding.
Post-Endgame Bonus Methods
30. Repeating Boss Invasions (Leyndell Ashen)
Even after finishing the game, bosses and enemies repopulate. Return to key sites for renewed farming.
31. Kill NPCs in Alternate Timelines (NG+)
NPCs give substantial Runes, especially in New Game Plus. Not recommended for first playthroughs.
32. Use Torrent for Hit-and-Run
Hit enemies, run away before they can retaliate. Great for areas like the Forbidden Lands.
33. Dragon Communion Fights
Killing dragons yields tens of thousands of Runes. Come prepared, though—they hit hard.
34. Farming Minor Erdtree Guardians
Each Minor Erdtree has guardians that respawn. Clear them out every visit for consistent returns.
35. Rune Arc Duplication via Co-op
Though slower, this method lets you trade Rune Arcs for high-level co-op assistance, making boss farming easier and safer.
There’s no shortage of free Elden Ring Runes farming methods—you just need to know where to look. The best strategy depends on your build, gear, and where you are in the story. But with these 35 methods, you'll never be short on Runes again. Whether you're min-maxing for PvP or just want to cruise through bosses with upgraded gear, these routes will keep your pockets heavy and your sword sharp.
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