When you step into the vast world of Elden Ring, one of the first things you’ll quickly realize is the importance of runes. These are not just a currency; they are your primary means of leveling up, enhancing your gear, and making significant strides in the game. Whether you’re a seasoned Souls player or new to the series, understanding how to efficiently collect and use Elden Ring runes early on can drastically improve your chances of survival in the treacherous lands of the Lands Between.
In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best strategies to maximize your rune farming early in the game, helping you boost your progress and give you a solid foundation for the more challenging areas that lie ahead.
1. Farm Efficiently at Early Locations
In Elden Ring, time is often as valuable as your skill with the sword. To make the most of your early game, focus on farming at locations that offer high rune yields with low effort.
One of the first spots you can visit is the Gatefront Ruins, located near the starting area. The enemies here are relatively easy to defeat and drop a decent amount of runes. Similarly, the Limgrave Tunnels offer a steady supply of enemies that can be defeated quickly. These initial farming locations will set the pace for how you gather runes early on.
2. Utilize Rune Boosting Elden Ring Items
While runes are your primary resource in Elden Ring, certain Elden Ring items can help increase your rune collection. For instance, the Golden Scarab talisman, which boosts rune acquisition by 20%, is an incredibly valuable item early in the game. Finding this item, which is located in the Abandoned Cave in Caelid, will help speed up your farming efforts significantly.
Additionally, the Golden Foulfoot consumable item can temporarily increase the number of runes dropped by enemies. This can be a lifesaver when you’re trying to farm large quantities quickly.
3. Defeat Early Game Bosses and Mini-Bosses
As you venture through the open world, you’ll encounter mini-bosses and regular bosses that, while challenging, provide substantial rune rewards. Early game bosses like Margit, the Fell Omen and Royal Revenant drop substantial amounts of runes when defeated. Bosses are tougher, but the reward is often worth the risk, especially if you’re looking to make meaningful progress in your leveling.
Additionally, these boss fights are a great opportunity to acquire rare Elden Ring items that can further help with rune farming or enhancing your combat abilities.
4. Explore Hidden Rune Sources
Elden Ring is a world filled with hidden secrets, and that includes various rune sources. Don’t just rush through the main path—take your time to explore hidden nooks, caves, and ruins, where you might find items or enemies that drop a higher number of runes than you expect.
Look out for small groups of enemies who drop rune fragments or golden runes, which can be consumed for quick rune boosts. It’s an efficient way to increase your rune count without engaging in lengthy farming sessions.
5. Join Multiplayer Sessions for Bonus Runes
While the core of Elden Ring is a solo experience, the game allows you to join other players’ worlds as a co-op partner or invade other players as an enemy. In both cases, you’ll be rewarded with runes based on your contribution or successful invasion.
If you’re feeling confident in your abilities, consider jumping into co-op sessions to help others take down bosses or tackle challenging areas. Not only will you be helping other players, but you’ll also be raking in runes that will help you progress much faster.
6. Invest Runes Wisely for Long-Term Gain
Once you’ve gathered a decent number of Elden Ring runes, it’s important to spend them wisely. You can use runes to level up your character’s stats, which will enhance your combat abilities. However, keep in mind that some items and upgrades, such as gear or healing items, might be just as important for surviving tougher battles.
In the early game, consider focusing on stats like Vigor and Endurance to increase your health and stamina. These will make surviving against stronger enemies much more manageable, allowing you to farm runes more effectively.
Maximizing your early game rune farming in Elden Ring is crucial for a smooth progression through the game. With the right strategies—farming efficient locations, using rune-boosting Elden Ring items, tackling mini-bosses, exploring hidden areas, and even joining multiplayer sessions—you’ll quickly see your rune count rise. Use these runes to level up your character and invest in powerful gear, and soon you’ll be ready to tackle even the toughest challenges Elden Ring has to offer.
