When it comes to powering up in Elden Ring, Runes are everything. Whether you’re leveling up your character, upgrading gear, or stocking up on essential Elden Ring Items, Runes are your key to progress. But instead of grinding aimlessly, it pays to know where the real farming hotspots are. Here’s a practical checklist of the best zones where you can farm efficiently and rack up thousands—if not millions—of Runes in relatively short sessions.
1. Mohgwyn Palace (Palace Approach Ledge-Road)
This is the top-tier spot for late-game players. Unlocking Mohgwyn Palace through Varre’s questline or a portal in Consecrated Snowfield gives you access to one of the most rewarding farming spots in the game. By using an AoE skill or spell near the blood-soaked hill, you can wipe out large groups of Albinaurics that drop high Rune counts.
Pro Tip: Equip the Gold Scarab talisman and Rune-boosting consumables for maximum return.
2. Bestial Sanctum (Greyoll’s Dragonbarrow)
For early to mid-game farming, the enemies near the Bestial Sanctum hit hard but drop a generous amount of Runes. With careful movement and backstabs, you can chain-kill the Black Blade Kindred’s minions outside the Sanctum for great profit.
This zone is ideal for players who want to buy Elden Ring Runes without leaving the natural progression path of the game.
3. Windmill Village (Altus Plateau)
The frenzied celebrants here are not very strong and tend to swarm in tightly packed groups, making them easy to deal with using sweeping melee or magic attacks. It’s a great mid-game farming zone and provides a good Rune-to-effort ratio.
4. Caelid Highway South
This desolate and eerie area in Caelid is home to numerous wandering soldiers and dog packs. It’s especially effective once you’ve gotten strong AoE capabilities, as the groups here are fairly large and vulnerable to surprise attacks.
Farming here also complements players looking to gather rare Elden Ring Items, since some foes have unique drop tables.
5. Lenne’s Rise (Dragonbarrow Boulder Farming)
This one’s more of a gimmick, but it’s worth noting. A giant boulder spawns and rolls down the hill toward you near Lenne’s Rise. Dodge it, and it will fall off the cliff, rewarding you with a solid Rune payout every time. Repeat after each rest.
6. Stormveil Castle (Post-Margit)
While not the fastest method, this zone is accessible early and includes a variety of enemies with decent Rune drops. Explore every hallway and rooftop—you’ll find that many enemies are isolated and easy to farm safely.
7. Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree
This is a late-game area packed with high-level enemies, and while it’s dangerous, the rewards are massive. If you’re confident in your build and movement, this is a Rune farming goldmine.
Many of the enemies here also drop valuable Elden Ring Items, making it a good dual-purpose farming ground.
8. Lake of Rot Shoreside
This toxic swamp is risky to navigate, but the enemies here drop decent Runes, and there are plenty of them. Use a Scarlet Rot-resistant build and AoE skills to clear out swarms efficiently.
9. Siofra River (Hallowhorn Grounds)
Ideal for those seeking a calmer farming experience. The enemies here are slow and can be handled in small groups. It’s not the fastest zone, but it’s great for steady progress and safe Rune collection.
10. Deeproot Depths
A late-game option with a mix of manageable enemies and large Rune drops. If you’re progressing toward one of the deeper endings, this is a good place to rest and refuel with Runes.
Farming Runes is a core part of surviving and thriving in Elden Ring. Whether you’re saving up to buy Elden Ring Runes through in-game efforts or just hoarding to prep for late-game challenges, choosing the right farming zone can save hours of aimless grinding. Pair these zones with Rune-boosting gear, and your leveling journey will become significantly smoother.
Each area on this checklist offers a balance of reward and effort, so choose based on your current power level and playstyle.
