If you’re anything like me, you’ve spent dozens—if not hundreds—of hours immersed in the punishing beauty of Elden Ring. From slaying Tree Sentinels to exploring hidden catacombs, the world is vast, mysterious, and incredibly rewarding. But let's be honest: without enough Elden Ring Runes, progress can slow to a crawl. These runes are the lifeblood of your upgrades and leveling, so farming them efficiently (and fairly) makes a world of difference. In this guide, I’ll share four proven rune farming strategies that don’t involve cheesing or exploits—just smart, skill-based gameplay.

1. Farming Albinaurics in Mohgwyn Palace

This spot is legendary for a reason. After unlocking Mohgwyn Palace through either Varre’s questline or the Pureblood Knight’s Medal, you’ll find a cliffside just above the blood lake packed with sleeping Albinaurics. Armed with an AoE weapon or spell (I used Sacred Relic Sword from NG+), you can clear them in seconds for tens of thousands of Elden Ring Runes per minute. With the Gold Scarab talisman and Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot, I was racking up nearly 70,000 runes every minute.

2. Lenne’s Rise Boulder Trick (Without Glitches)

In northeastern Caelid, near Lenne’s Rise, a magical boulder will spawn and roll toward you as you approach a certain path. Dodge it strategically so it falls off the cliff, and you'll earn around 2,000 runes each time. While it's not the most profitable method, it's safe, repeatable, and great for early- to mid-game players. I farmed here for an hour while watching YouTube and still gained over 100K runes without breaking a sweat.

3. Endgame Dungeon Runs (Leyndell and Haligtree)

By the time you reach areas like Leyndell, Royal Capital, and Miquella’s Haligtree, enemies drop massive rune totals. Running through these locations without skipping combat (and using the Gold Scarab) is a legitimate and rewarding way to build your rune stockpile. I remember one dungeon in the Haligtree where I gained over 300K runes on a single run, just from regular enemies and a few minibosses. This method also keeps your combat skills sharp.

Many players look for shortcuts or wonder whether they should buy millions of Elden Ring runes from online sellers. While I understand the temptation (especially after dying with 200K on the line), I’ve found that these in-game methods provide a satisfying balance of effort and reward. And honestly, earning my levels made me appreciate each upgrade a lot more.

4. Night Cavalry Encounters for Bonus Runes

Night-time world bosses like the Night Cavalry can be defeated for sizable rune rewards and unique gear. While challenging, they provide a good opportunity to test your skills and earn tens of thousands of runes in one go. I took out the one in Dragonbarrow at level 70 with a +10 weapon, and the sense of accomplishment—and the 50K rune reward—made it one of my favorite fights.

In summary, you don’t need to resort to cheesing, glitches, or grey-market rune purchases to make progress. With a little knowledge and the right tools, farming Elden Ring Runes can feel as rewarding as taking down a boss. These legit strategies helped me hit level 150 without losing the thrill of the challenge, and I hope they do the same for you.

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