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Whether you're new to Elden Ring or on your third NG+ cycle, managing your rune economy is one of the most important parts of progressing efficiently. Runes function as both experience points and currency, so learning how to farm, protect, and spend them wisely can save you countless hours and help you get to your desired build faster.

Here are 13 practical tips to help you gather runes more efficiently and build your character with less grind.

1. Start Farming Early

One of the first farming spots most players discover is the Gatefront Ruins in Limgrave. While it's not the most efficient long-term, it's a great place to start earning runes and test out early gear. Keep an eye out for rune drops from elite enemies here.

2. Use Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot

This consumable increases rune acquisition for a limited time. Stack it with high-yield enemies or mini-bosses to get a noticeable boost. It's especially useful in farming runs where you're cycling the same route repeatedly.

3. Hit the Best Farming Spots

There are several known locations that are great for rune farming:

• Mohgwyn Palace: After gaining access, this area becomes one of the best late-game rune farms, especially with AoE builds.

• Windmill Village: A lesser-known early-mid game option that can net you a decent amount of runes quickly with fast respawns and low-resistance enemies.

• Greyoll’s Dragon: Defeating this massive dragon in Caelid earns you a huge lump sum of runes — though it’s a one-time opportunity.

4. Respec When Necessary

Instead of starting a new character, consider using a Larval Tear to respec. This allows you to shift focus to a different build without losing your rune investment — great for testing out magic, faith, or melee builds without wasting time.

5. Sell Unused Gear

You'd be surprised how much extra rune value is sitting in your inventory. While it may not compare to enemy drops, selling duplicate weapons and armor pieces can give you just enough to hit the next level or buy a needed spell. This is especially helpful if you tend to hoard.

6. Avoid Dying With Unspent Runes

Always level up or purchase supplies before exploring new areas. If you're heading into a dungeon or boss arena, spend your runes first. It sounds obvious, but we’ve all regretted not doing it at least once.

7. Stack Rune Boosting Gear

Some talismans and armor pieces increase rune gain. For example, the Gold Scarab talisman provides a substantial boost when equipped. Pair it with the right consumables and you can seriously accelerate your rune collection.

8. Fight Night Bosses

Night versions of certain bosses and minibosses drop more runes than their daytime counterparts. Equip the right tools and hunt these threats after dark to gain more from each victory.

9. Co-op for Bonus Runes

If you're confident in your build, help other players with boss fights. Not only do you earn runes, but you’ll also gain insight into enemy patterns and refine your strategy — all without the risk of losing your own runes.

10. Invest Runes Strategically

Don’t dump runes into stats you don’t need. Think about your long-term build goal — whether you’re going for a dex-heavy bleed setup or a faith-based caster — and plan accordingly. Smart investing means less respecs later.

11. Revisit Earlier Areas

Once you’ve gained power, earlier zones can be cleared quickly. Sweep through these zones to farm weak enemies at high speed while farming crafting materials. The rune gain may not be massive per kill, but the volume adds up.

12. Buy Smart

Some players forget that merchants sell upgrade materials, arrows, and gear that can save time and effort. Before heading into new territory, make sure you're stocked up. It might be worth checking elden ring runes for sale or comparing prices of cheap Elden Ring items if you're low on time and high on ambition.

13. Know When to Stop Farming

At some point, your time is better spent progressing than grinding. If you’re over-leveled for an area, consider moving on. You’ll gain more runes in higher-level zones naturally through exploration and combat, so try not to overstay your welcome in early areas.

Mastering rune management is key to building efficiently in Elden Ring. Whether you're a casual explorer or a min-maxing veteran, these tips can help streamline your progress and keep your build evolving at a steady pace. The Lands Between are dangerous, but with the right approach to runes, they’ll become a lot more manageable — and a lot more fun.