If you’re a new or returning player who wants to farm millions of runes in Elden Ring right at the start of the game to become extremely overpowered without even killing any bosses, these are going to be the best free rune farming methods that you can reach in just 15 minutes after starting the game. While you can do this at any point in the game, starting, we’re going to be picking the Deprived class. Compared to the other classes, this one starts at level one with the best base stats in the entire game. This means that if later on you want to swap your character build from a two-handed strength warrior to a mage, your stats will already be ready to do that.
Even if you’re a new player, you won’t need to fight anything for this whole guide. However, by the time you’re done following this Elden Ring runes farming guide, you might find the starting bosses and early areas of the game too easy. But it’s up to you how you play the game. Assuming that you’ve just started the game and finished the tutorial boss and prologue, let’s dive in.
Step-by-Step Guide
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First Steps and Sights of Grace
Very early on, you’ll arrive in the open world of Limgrave. The first step resting point is right in front of you. Activate that, then head northwest to the Church of Elleh. Directly off the cliff in front of you, you’ll unlock the next site of grace. Activate it, then head through the broken wall out towards the forest in the distance to the north. Continue along the path until you reach the other side and see some ruins down the hill below in front of you. Head to the left side, avoiding the ruins, and you’ll find another site of grace at the foot of a massive gatehouse. Rest there to unlock your mount and a new weapon you’ll need later. Melina will appear, and you’ll accept her reward.
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Getting the Map Fragment and Weapon
Mount up and follow the road into the gatehouse ruins to find a map fragment on the ground. Continue down the path, go left, and find a black carriage. Hop off your mount, break the guard’s back, and loot the chest for the flail weapon, which you can’t equip yet but will need later. Travel east along the path, across the bridge, and take the path to the north, following it into the fog to the next location.
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Third Church of Marika and Teleporter
Follow the path until you reach the Third Church of Marika. Rest there, then go behind the broken wall to the right, through the bushes, and over the rocks to find a hidden teleporter behind the church. This teleporter leads to an endgame area of Dragonbarrow. Use it and arrive at your destination. Run through the enemy’s legs, mount up, and head down the hill to the stone bridge.
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First Rune Farming Method: Boulder Trap
After crossing the bridge, bear left to your next landmark and jump off the cliff to the updraft to avoid fall damage. Rest at the site of grace and prepare for the first farming method. Head down the hill towards the underside of the bridge. A stone boulder will appear and roll towards you. Dodge to the side so it falls off the cliff, giving you 1,952 runes. Repeat this process for a quick rune boost. After a few runs, level up your dexterity to 13 and put the remaining points into endurance.
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Second Rune Farming Method: Sleeping Dragon
Return to the updraft, jump up to the cliff edge, and head towards the massive tree in the distance. Climb to Fort Faroth and pick up the Radagon’s Scarseal talisman, boosting your stats. Equip it to raise your dexterity to 18 and use the flail for its bleed effect. Outside Fort Faroth, you’ll find a massive dragon. Attack it to trigger the bleed effect for massive damage. Be sure not to kill the dragon completely. When its health is very low, mount up and sprint back to the site of grace, rest, and you’ll receive 50,000 runes while the dragon remains alive. Repeat this process for efficient rune farming.
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Boosting Rune Gain
To maximize rune farming efficiency, obtain the Golden Pickled Fowl Foot from the starting area and the Golden Scarab talisman. The Golden Pickled Fowl Foot increases rune gain by 30% for three minutes, while the Golden Scarab talisman provides a permanent 20% boost. Using both together grants a 50% increase in runes.
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Final Tips
Repeat the dragon farming method with your boosted dexterity and rune gain Elden Ring items equipped. This method can yield up to 1.125 million runes per hour. Optionally, upgrade the flail weapon for even faster farming, but this may be unnecessary for early game levels.
By following these steps, you can quickly level up to 50 or 60, making the early game a breeze. For mid-game and late-game farming locations, check out additional guides to continue your journey in Elden Ring with ease. Enjoy becoming overpowered and exploring the vast world of Elden Ring!
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