Sisterhood

In Elden Ring, runes are everything. They serve as currency, leveling material, and the gateway to power. Whether you’re trying to hit that next Vigor breakpoint or just want to stock up on Smithing Stones and Spirit Ash upgrades, you’ll need a lot of runes—fast. While it’s tempting to simply farm the same enemy over and over, the Lands Between hides several high-value rune hotspots that many players miss entirely. Here are 12 essential Elden Ring Runes locations you should not skip if you want to level smart and efficiently.

1. Stormhill Rune Bear

Just east of the Warmaster’s Shack in Stormhill, you’ll find a towering Rune Bear patrolling the cliffs. Defeating it rewards a generous chunk of early-game runes, especially if you buff with a Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot beforehand. It's risky, but doable with some hit-and-run tactics.

2. Third Church of Marika Portal (Bestial Sanctum)

One of the most overlooked rune farming spots is accessed via a hidden portal behind the Third Church of Marika. It teleports you straight to Greyoll’s Dragonbarrow, where enemies drop a ton of runes early on. Avoid combat if you're underleveled—just grab the nearby Sites of Grace for later farming.

3. Lenegrave’s Giant Caravan Ambush

Near the road to Castle Morne, a traveling caravan guarded by giants and soldiers can be farmed for early to mid-game rune income. The soldiers are relatively manageable, and the giants drop several thousand runes apiece.

4. Caelid’s Decaying Ekzykes

This corrupted dragon breathes Scarlet Rot and will test your patience. However, beating Ekzykes grants you a large rune reward and opens the door to stronger dragon-based Incantations. Perfect for players looking to scale both power and currency.

5. Liurnia of the Lakes – Caria Manor Hands

The disembodied hands at Caria Manor are creepy and brutal—but each is worth a hefty rune drop. Clear them slowly and safely using magic or ranged weapons. Farming here becomes a good strategy as your build develops.

6. Altus Plateau – Windmill Village

Defeating the dancing nobles in Windmill Village is surprisingly rewarding. While they may appear harmless, these enemies drop solid rune amounts and can be cleared quickly in groups.

7. Mohgwyn Palace – Albinauric Blood Grounds

Unlocked via Varre’s questline or a secret portal in the Consecrated Snowfield, this late-game area is infamous for its dense population of Albinaurics. This is where many players go to power-level or stock up before New Game+. If you’re looking to buy Elden Ring items from in-game merchants, farming here speeds that up immensely.

8. Greyoll, the Sleeping Dragon

Perhaps the most well-known rune burst comes from Greyoll, the massive sleeping dragon in Dragonbarrow. Killing it (especially using Bleed weapons) grants nearly 80,000 runes, split among you and your co-op partners. It's a one-time reward, but worth every strike.

9. Mountaintops of the Giants – Fire Giant Fight

The Fire Giant isn’t just a mandatory boss; he’s a significant rune dump. If you’re struggling, consider co-oping the fight. Either way, the payout helps push through the Rune cost spike that comes in the late game.

10. Haligtree Town Plaza

The enemies in Haligtree’s central plaza are tough but drop thousands of runes each. Equip a Gold Scarab to increase your rune gain here. This is another location where players grind before maxing out stats or purchasing late-game Elden Ring items.

11. Farum Azula – Dragon Temple Rooftop

Once you're in Crumbling Farum Azula, make your way to the Dragon Temple Rooftop. The beastmen here drop great rune totals and can be defeated repeatedly. Mix in some AoE Ashes of War to clear them quickly.

12. Consecrated Snowfield – Rune Bears in the Forest

The rune bears make another appearance here, only stronger and more rewarding. This area is risky and frigid, but if you’ve made it to this point, you’ll appreciate the rune returns. Pair this spot with a Gold Scarab and you’ll be set.

Whether you're trying to respec your build, level up gear, or simply buy Elden Ring items to prepare for PvP or NG+, having a reliable source of runes is crucial. Sites like U4GM often get mentioned in the community for those looking to supplement their progress outside the grind, but for players who prefer the thrill of the hunt, these 12 spots offer rich rewards. Never underestimate how much a few extra thousand runes can shift the balance in your favor.