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U4GM - 5 Ways to Farm Runes While Exploring Naturally in Elden Ring

Farming runes in Elden Ring can sometimes feel like a chore, especially if you’re repeatedly clearing the same enemies in high-yield areas. But during my third playthrough, I challenged myself to collect Elden Ring runes naturally, without relying on repetitive grinding. To my surprise, it not only kept the experience fresh, but also helped me appreciate the world design and hidden paths even more.

Here are five effective ways to farm runes organically while simply exploring the Lands Between — no loops, no teleporting back and forth, just honest adventuring.

1. Explore Every Nook and Cranny — Even Dead Ends Can Reward You

One of the best ways I accumulated runes was by refusing to fast travel unless absolutely necessary. Instead, I took my time to explore side paths, caves, ruins, and even what looked like empty valleys. Often, these seemingly insignificant areas held clusters of enemies that were relatively easy to defeat, especially once I was slightly over-leveled for a zone. The rune rewards started stacking up without me even realizing it.

For example, I once stumbled upon a hidden Erdtree Avatar fight while riding aimlessly through a foggy forest. Beating it rewarded me with a solid chunk of runes and a useful talisman. If I had been focused solely on teleporting between known rune farms, I would've missed it entirely.

2. Take on Minor Dungeons and Catacombs Along the Way

Every time I saw a dungeon door or elevator leading underground, I made it a point to explore it — even if my main goal was something else. These minor dungeons usually have enemies packed into tight spaces, and the rune yield can be surprisingly generous, especially considering their short length.

In one run through the Impaler’s Catacombs, I ended up earning around 10,000 runes from a mix of enemy drops and the boss fight at the end. It’s not the fastest way, but the combination of challenge, exploration, and rune gain made it one of my favorite ways to farm without breaking immersion.

3. Focus on Rune-Boosting Talismans and Equipment

While exploring, I picked up the Gold Scarab — a talisman that increases rune acquisition — fairly early in Caelid. Wearing it while adventuring naturally bumped up the rune yield across the board. Pairing it with a few consumable Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot items turned standard enemy clear-outs into meaningful rune farming moments, all without grinding.

If you’re planning to explore organically, having these boosts makes a big difference. You don’t need to farm endlessly — just optimize your gains as you go.

4. Participate in World Events and NPC Questlines

A huge part of my rune gains came from following NPC questlines and participating in world events, like Radahn’s Festival or various Evergaol battles. These encounters often reward thousands of Elden Ring runes along with gear and items. More importantly, they deepen your engagement with the game’s lore and characters.

For instance, completing Ranni’s questline not only helped unlock new areas, but also led me through several rune-rich zones that I wouldn’t have discovered otherwise. Quests guide you through meaningful encounters and ensure you’re gaining resources at a steady pace.

5. Ride Through Enemy Camps and Clean Them Up

Scattered across the map are small enemy camps and caravan routes. These are great for organic rune farming. I made it a habit to clear them out whenever I came across one, even if they weren’t on the way to a main objective. Many of these camps are designed to be mini-arenas — groups of enemies with varied weapons and loot.

During one trip through the Altus Plateau, I came across a camp with nothing but soldiers and a couple of magic users. Wiping them out gave me nearly 15,000 runes — all from a five-minute detour off the main road.

What If You Don’t Want to Farm at All?

I understand that not everyone enjoys even the natural ways of farming. If you’d rather skip the effort and just get what you need, some players choose to buy Elden Ring runes without farming. While this isn’t necessary for everyone, it’s an option that exists for those who value time over the grind. Just make sure to go through trusted providers and avoid anything that could compromise your account.

My experience playing Elden Ring without traditional rune farming taught me that the game is filled with opportunities for organic rune gains. By simply exploring, following quests, and clearing enemy encounters as they come, you can build a strong character without falling into repetitive patterns. Whether you choose to farm naturally or buy Elden Ring runes without farming, the key is enjoying the journey through one of the most immersive open worlds in gaming.

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