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Runes are the lifeblood of your journey through the Lands Between. They level your stats, purchase key gear, and fuel your build’s growth. While many players stick to obvious farming spots, Elden Ring is full of hidden rune reserves that reward exploration and clever strategy. If you're looking to go beyond the basics and stockpile runes with less risk and more fun, these 21 secrets will help you unlock rune-rich opportunities most Tarnished overlook.

1. Explore Behind Boss Arenas

After major bosses, players often rush to the next Site of Grace. But many arenas have side passages or hidden platforms behind them—often guarded by rune-rich enemies or concealing Golden Runes.

2. Use the Gold Scarab Early

If you're heading into Caelid or any high-yield zone, getting the Gold Scarab from the Abandoned Cave early will amplify every rune you collect. It’s essential for maximizing output during dungeon runs.

3. Nighttime Patrols Drop More

Certain enemies only appear at night and drop significantly more runes than their daytime counterparts. Patrol routes near Altus Plateau and Leyndell are particularly rewarding under the moon.

4. Spirit Summons Can Farm For You

In some areas, like the War-Dead Catacombs, you can summon spirits and let them clear waves while you stay out of danger. It’s a semi-passive method that can farm thousands of runes per run.

5. Hidden Enemies in Liurnia’s Tombs

Several tombs and ruins in Liurnia contain invisible or camouflaged enemies that drop more runes than nearby foes. Use reveal spells or splash damage to locate them.

6. Sell Unused Gear

Inventory clutter is often overlooked. Sell off duplicate weapons, shields, and armor sets for a surprising rune boost. This is especially helpful if you're browsing Elden Ring items for sale and need quick rune capital.

7. Use the Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot Before Boss Fights

Don’t waste your rune-boosting consumables on mobs. Use them before bosses or mini-bosses for a massive rune payout after victory.

8. Hidden Portals Lead to Rich Zones

Secret portals—like the one in the Bestial Sanctum—can drop you into endgame-level areas where enemies drop thousands of runes each. Proceed with caution, but the rewards are real.

9. Ghost Ship Ruins

Off the coast in West Limgrave, a sunken ruin emerges during certain weather conditions. The enemies here drop more runes than typical early-game foes and respawn like normal mobs.

10. Use Stealth in High-Yield Zones

Some late-game areas are too dangerous for direct combat. Use stealth tactics to sneak-kill enemies near Sites of Grace, farm them quickly, and reset.

11. Beware of Fake Chests

Some mimic-style chests teleport you to deadly areas. While risky, these can fast-track you to rune-rich zones early. Bring cheap Elden Ring runes as a backup so you can recover from potential losses.

12. Check Trees for Golden Rune Pickups

Many minor Erdtrees have golden items hanging from their branches—often Golden Runes or consumables. Use Torrent’s double jump to grab them.

13. Don’t Ignore Erdtree Avatars

Though tough, Erdtree Avatars are worth revisiting later when overleveled. Their rune drops and item rewards can easily fill your pockets after a quick fight.

14. Hidden Caves Behind Waterfalls

Classic game design never fails. Waterfalls in Elden Ring often hide caves, and those caves tend to be packed with enemies, loot, and high-value runes.

15. Check Map Fragments for Rune Symbols

Some map fragments subtly show gold symbols or marks. These usually indicate rune pickups or Golden Seed trees—worth investigating if you need an infusion.

16. Assist in Co-op

Summoning for boss fights or helping other players is not only fun—it’s rewarding. Co-op rune gains can build up quickly, especially during festival boss events.

17. Kill the Ball Enemies

Rolling boulder-shaped enemies, especially in Nokron and Nokstella, drop massive amounts of runes when defeated. They often respawn and are easily cheesed.

18. Jump Puzzle Caches

Several platforming sections reward you with hidden rune caches. Castle Sol and the rooftops of Leyndell are home to risky jumps but incredible payouts.

19. Night’s Cavalry for Big Gains

These optional bosses patrol at night and drop thousands of runes upon defeat. They’re great targets for mid- to high-level players looking to stock up quickly.

20. Craft for Profit

Crafting gear from rare materials—like drawstring Grease or status bolts—and selling them can give you a steady rune trickle if you’re running low.

21. New Game Plus Rune Multipliers

Once you’re deep enough into the game, don’t overlook NG+. Enemy rune drops scale up considerably, and with your prior knowledge, you’ll farm faster than ever before.

Runes in Elden Ring aren’t just about grinding—they’re hidden in nearly every corner of the world, just waiting to be claimed. From secret caves and forgotten bosses to overlooked crafting options, there are countless ways to boost your stash without dull repetition. Whether you're looking for cheap Elden Ring runes to save time or browsing through Elden Ring items for sale to fine-tune your build, mastering these secrets ensures you're always ready for what lies ahead.