Elden Ring Runes Guide: Leveling Tips and Tricks

Leveling up in Elden Ring is a key part of character progression and power development. At the center of this system lies one of the most valuable resources in the game: Elden Ring runes. These serve as both your experience points and currency, used to level up your stats and purchase various Elden Ring items. In this guide, we’ll explore essential tips and tricks to help you efficiently collect runes, understand the best leveling strategies, and avoid common pitfalls along the way.

Understanding Elden Ring Runes

Runes are dropped by enemies, found throughout the world, and can also be collected through consumable items like Golden Runes. Players use these runes to level up at Sites of Grace, increase stat points, and buy gear and upgrades. The amount of runes you need increases with each level, making it crucial to spend them wisely.

Tip #1: Choose Stats Based on Your Build

Before investing your runes, determine the type of build you want to play. Whether it’s a strength-heavy warrior, a nimble dexterity user, or a faith-based caster, focusing on specific stats will allow you to unlock powerful synergies with your preferred Elden Ring items such as weapons, incantations, or talismans.

Here’s a general guide:

• Vigor: Increases HP, essential for all builds.

• Endurance: Boosts stamina and equip load, useful for melee and tanky characters.

• Strength/Dexterity: Boosts physical damage scaling for most weapons.

• Intelligence/Faith/Arcane: Required for magic-based builds.

Tip #2: Farm Efficient Rune Locations

There are several high-yield rune farming spots early and late in the game. Knowing where to farm can dramatically speed up your leveling progress.

Popular Farming Locations:

• Gatefront Ruins (Limgrave): Ideal for beginners to farm basic enemies with low risk.

• Third Church of Marika to Lenne’s Rise: Offers access to a warp gate leading to high-level enemies that drop thousands of runes each.

• Mohgwyn Palace (late game): Considered the best rune farming location. Use the Sacred Relic Sword for wide-range attacks to maximize efficiency.

Tip #3: Use Rune-Boosting Items

Several Elden Ring items can enhance your rune acquisition rate or help you safeguard your earnings.

Helpful rune-related items include:

• Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot: Temporarily boosts rune gain.

• Mottled Necklace and similar talismans: Indirectly help by boosting survival, allowing you to farm longer.

• Sacred Relic Sword (New Game+): Powerful AoE weapon perfect for rune farming.

Tip #4: Don't Hoard Runes Unnecessarily

A common mistake is hoarding a large number of runes and dying unexpectedly. In Elden Ring, you drop your runes on death, and if you die again before recovering them, they’re gone forever. Always level up or spend runes at merchants when possible to avoid massive losses.

Tip #5: Balance Leveling and Item Investment

While leveling up improves your stats, do not neglect the importance of upgrading your weapons and armor. Some Elden Ring items—like Smithing Stones and Somber Smithing Stones—are used to reinforce your weapons, which can often have a bigger impact on combat than stat increases alone.

Tip #6: Co-op and Rune Sharing Strategies

Playing in co-op mode allows you to farm runes more safely and efficiently. In addition, joining groups using multiplayer passwords or Rune Arcs (to activate Great Runes) can give your build a powerful boost during rune farming runs.

Whether you're just starting or already deep into the Lands Between, mastering the use of Elden Ring runes is essential for growth. Prioritize your build, pick efficient farming spots, use rune-boosting Elden Ring items, and avoid losing runes unnecessarily. With these strategies, you’ll progress more smoothly and enjoy a much stronger and more rewarding adventure.

If you’re ever short on time or looking to speed things up, some players opt to trade or purchase runes and Elden Ring items from trusted platforms—but always exercise caution to avoid unsafe or illegitimate sources.