Novice Karate Group (ages 8 & up)

Farming Elden Ring runes efficiently in the early game can transform your Elden Ring experience, giving you a serious edge in combat and exploration. As someone who has spent countless hours exploring the Lands Between across multiple characters, I've tested many farming routes and tricks. Whether you're leveling up fast or just need a boost to get through a tough area, these strategies will help. And for those looking for a quicker solution, there are also safe options to buy Elden Ring runes PS5 players can consider. But first, let's get into the real farming methods that work.

1. The Bestial Sanctum Run

One of the most well-known early-game rune farming spots is just outside the Bestial Sanctum. You can access this area by taking a portal behind the Third Church of Marika. The enemies here are strong, but if you lure them one at a time, you can get 1,000+ runes per kill with relatively low risk once you learn their patterns.

Personal tip: Equip a bow to pull them safely and level up Vigor for extra survivability.

2. Stormhill Troll Patrol

Near the Stormhill Shack, you'll find trolls patrolling the area. These guys give a decent chunk of runes and can be taken out one by one. They're slow and easy to kite, especially on horseback.

I used this method when building a strength-based character early on, and it helped me hit level 30 before even stepping into Stormveil Castle.

3. War-Dead Catacombs (After Radahn)

If you’re slightly further in and have beaten General Radahn, the War-Dead Catacombs offer a passive farming method where enemies kill each other. All you have to do is hang back and collect the runes.

While this isn’t accessible right at the start, it's a great follow-up once you gain some momentum.

4. Gatefront Ruins Sneak Farm

This method is perfect for beginners. Sneak through the Gatefront Ruins at night and backstab soldiers. You'll gain solid early runes without too much danger.

When I first started Elden Ring, this was my go-to. It gave me enough runes to buy gear and upgrade flasks without taking many risks.

5. Limgrave Troll Carriage Ambush

West of the Gatefront Ruins is a large troll dragging a treasure carriage. Ambushing the troll and nearby enemies can net you thousands of runes. It's easier once you've leveled a bit, but doable even early if you have fire bombs or magic.

6. Killing the Ball at Lenne’s Rise

This one's a little-known trick: a magical ball spawns when you approach Lenne’s Rise via Torrent. If you bait it off the cliff, it disappears and drops over 1,900 runes. No combat involved.

I farmed this several times while testing rune gain per minute, and it’s still one of the easiest early-game farms in Elden Ring.

7. Farm the Albinaurics in Mohgwyn Palace (Late Early Game)

If you’ve unlocked Mohgwyn Palace using the Pureblood Knight’s Medal, the Albinauric enemies give massive rune rewards and respawn quickly. Just make sure to keep your AoE skills ready.

While this is more mid-game, you can reach it early via Varre's questline.

8. Church of Elleh Night Farm

At night, wandering knights near the Church of Elleh are easier to isolate. Use stealth to sneak up on them and farm decent early runes. They drop armor and gear too.

I used this when testing dagger builds; critical hits helped drop enemies fast without taking much damage.

9. Giant Crows with Bow Trick

In Mohgwyn Palace, shoot the giant crow near the cliff with a bow and watch it fall to its death for over 11,000 runes. This method is efficient if you’re looking for fast gains without much fighting.

Combine this with a Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot for even more.

10. Sell Unused Gear

Often overlooked, selling duplicate or unused gear can give a nice rune boost. After every dungeon run or major battle, check your inventory and sell off what you don’t need.

This helped me buy key items and spells in the early game without grinding too hard.

Final Thoughts: Maximize Your Time

Rune farming is essential in Elden Ring, but efficiency matters. Focus on safe, repeatable routes until you’re comfortable experimenting. If you're pressed for time or just want a head start, many players choose to buy Elden Ring runes PS5 accounts can use to save hours of grind—just be sure to use a trusted source like U4GM for safety and fast delivery.

In my own journey, combining smart farming with occasional purchases helped me enjoy the story and exploration without feeling stuck. The Lands Between are vast—don’t let slow progression hold you back from experiencing everything it has to offer. Must Read:Elden Ring Nightfarer Cards