Farming runes in Elden Ring is essential for leveling up, upgrading gear, and surviving tougher enemies, but it's surprisingly easy to make costly mistakes—especially for new players. I’ve been farming runes across various regions in the Lands Between, and my experience with Elden Ring Nightreign Boosting taught me that strategy matters more than just grinding. Whether you're a casual Tarnished or seeking optimal efficiency, here are six common rune farming mistakes you should avoid.

1. Ignoring Efficient Locations Early On
One of the biggest mistakes I made when I first started playing was sticking to the starting areas for too long. Limgrave is safe, but the rune yield is low. Instead, places like the Mohgwyn Palace or the Rune Bear zone in the Mistwood offer much higher rune rewards. If you’ve already benefited from services like Elden Ring Nightreign Boosting, you’ll realize that proper farming locations can give a massive edge even in early to mid-game.

2. Farming Without a Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot
Another rookie mistake I made was not crafting or using the Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot. This item boosts the number of runes you gain temporarily. You can find the crafting recipe early on, and it's worth using during heavy farming sessions. It stacks nicely with other bonuses and significantly boosts efficiency.

3. Not Optimizing Gear for Farming
Your gear can impact farming success more than you think. Equip items that increase rune acquisition or improve survivability. For example, the Gold Scarab talisman increases rune gain and is a must-have for serious farmers. Before I learned this, I was wasting time and missing out on thousands of runes per hour.

4. Overlooking Co-op and PvP Farming Opportunities
Some players focus solely on PvE rune farming and forget that online gameplay can be just as rewarding. If you’re into PvP or jolly cooperation, each successful engagement grants runes. I often use multiplayer farming techniques while combining them with cheap elden ring runes for moments when I want to focus solely on progression. A hybrid strategy can maximize your farming without turning the game into a grind.

5. Dying Too Often in High-Risk Areas
It’s tempting to farm high-yield enemies in dangerous zones, but if you’re dying repeatedly, you’re not really progressing. I learned this the hard way when trying to farm in Caelid before I was ready. You’ll end up wasting time retrieving lost runes or losing them entirely. Play smart—target areas appropriate to your level and gear.

6. Farming Without a Plan
Mindlessly running in circles for hours is inefficient. Set a goal: how many runes you need, what you'll use them for, and how much time you're willing to spend. With proper planning, I found myself spending far less time farming and more time enjoying the game. When I occasionally top off my rune count with cheap elden ring runes, it’s part of a broader, structured approach rather than desperation.

Avoiding these common rune farming mistakes has made my Elden Ring journey far more enjoyable and productive. Leveraging smart tactics, using helpful tools like Elden Ring Nightreign Boosting, and knowing when to invest in resources like cheap elden ring runes can turn farming from a chore into a strategic part of your adventure. Keep refining your methods, and you’ll reach your goals faster and more efficiently.

Read Before You Play: Top 10 Rarest Items in Elden Ring and How to Get Them