Elden Ring Runes: 14 Passive Ways to Farm While Exploring
Elden Ring’s vast open world is packed with opportunities to gather runes, but not every method requires grinding through intense combat or repetitive farming loops. For players who want to maximize rune gains while simply exploring, there are plenty of passive strategies that can keep your rune count steadily rising without demanding constant fighting. Drawing from my own experience wandering through the Lands Between, here are 14 passive ways to farm Elden Ring Runes that can seamlessly fit into your exploration routine.
1. Defeat Passive Enemies Along the Way
Certain areas are dense with weaker enemies that respawn regularly. Instead of rushing through, take time to clear these groups methodically. Over time, these kills add up, providing a steady flow of Elden Ring Runes as you explore new regions.
2. Utilize Spirit Ashes to Do the Fighting
When traveling through high-risk zones, summon Spirit Ashes to fight for you. This lets you rack up kills—and runes—while staying safe. It’s a smart way to farm without actively engaging in every skirmish.
3. Take Advantage of Runes Boosting Items
Keep an eye out for items that increase rune acquisition. Equipping these while exploring ensures you get the most out of every enemy you encounter, passive or otherwise.
4. Explore NPC Questlines
Some NPC questlines reward you with valuable Elden Ring Runes upon completion. Progressing through these stories naturally as you explore means you gain runes without additional farming effort.
5. Loot Treasure Chests and Containers
Treasure chests scattered across the world often contain rune rewards or valuable Elden Ring Items. Make it a habit to check every nook and cranny for these passive rune sources.
6. Pick Up Rune-Granting Items
Certain consumables grant runes when used. Finding these while exploring and using them strategically boosts your rune count without combat.
7. Complete Site of Grace Interactions
Resting at Sites of Grace can sometimes trigger hidden events or NPC appearances that reward runes. Exploring the world thoroughly and interacting with all Sites of Grace can net passive rune gains.
8. Participate in Covenants
Joining specific covenants can occasionally reward you with runes or rune-boosting effects passively. Engage with these factions as you come across them for bonus rewards.
9. Harvesting Rune Drops from Enemies on the Move
Some enemies carry valuable rune drops but aren’t necessarily aggressive. Instead of fighting every enemy, pick off the ones you encounter while exploring to gather runes passively.
10. Use Torrent to Access Hard-to-Reach Areas
Many rune-rich spots are hidden in areas only accessible by using your horse, Torrent. Explore these secret locations during your travels to gather runes without heavy combat.
11. Find and Use Rune-Granting Shrines
Scattered around the world, shrines occasionally grant runes or buff rune gain rates. Activating these while exploring makes your farming passive and efficient.
12. Trade with Merchants
Though it may sound counterintuitive, some players prefer to buy Elden Ring Items from merchants to optimize their farming setups. Acquiring specific items this way can indirectly increase your rune earnings during exploration.
13. Defend Territories
Some areas require you to defend against enemy waves or incursions. Successfully completing these defense events rewards runes and can be done naturally as part of exploration.
14. Map Unexplored Regions Thoroughly
Simply unveiling new parts of the map rewards runes. Exploring every corner passively accumulates runes while giving you more of the world to discover.
Farming Elden Ring Runes doesn’t have to feel like a grind. By incorporating these 14 passive methods into your exploration, you can steadily grow your rune reserves while immersing yourself in the game’s rich world and story. Whether it’s leveraging rune-boosting items, engaging with NPCs, or uncovering hidden areas with Torrent, these strategies make rune farming a natural extension of your adventure.
If you’re looking to speed up your build progression or upgrade your gear, remember that you can always buy Elden Ring Items to complement your rune farming efforts. This way, you stay focused on what makes the game enjoyable—exploration and discovery—while your rune stockpile quietly grows in the background.