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Finding yourself underpowered and overwhelmed early in Elden Ring? I’ve been there. During my first playthrough, I struggled through Limgrave, dying repeatedly to wolves and low-level soldiers. It wasn’t until I focused on rune farming that I truly started to enjoy the freedom the game offers. In this guide, I’ll share the top 5 best early runes to collect in Elden Ring, based on real experience. Whether you’re new to the game or starting a fresh character, these rune sources will give you the momentum you need.

This list is designed to help players progress naturally, without exploiting the game in a way that ruins the challenge. And for those looking for a shortcut, we’ll also touch on Elden Ring Nightreign Boosting and where to find Elden Ring runes for sale safely.

1. Gatefront Ruins (Limgrave)

The Gatefront Ruins are likely one of the first enemy camps you’ll encounter. Clearing out the soldiers and knights here can net you a few hundred runes quickly. More importantly, you’ll also find the Whetstone Knife and some early gear. I spent nearly 30 minutes here learning the basics of stealth kills and dodging, and walked away with enough runes to upgrade my weapon and level up once or twice.

Tip: Return here occasionally to farm more runes once you’ve leveled up and improved your weapon.

2. Stormhill Wolves Pack

To the north of Stormgate, there’s a roaming pack of wolves that drop decent rune amounts for such an early area. I made it a routine to run through this area after each Site of Grace rest. With my upgraded sword and Spirit Ashes, it became an efficient and risk-free way to gather runes while exploring.

3. Third Church of Marika – Teleport to Bestial Sanctum

This one changed the game for me. Behind the Third Church of Marika, there's a portal that takes you to the Bestial Sanctum. The enemies here are extremely powerful, but there's a clever way to farm the nearby smaller enemies using ranged magic or poison. Each kill gives you over 900 runes.

Warning: Do not engage the Black Blade Kindred unless you're significantly over-leveled. Stick to farming the cloaked enemies near the cliffs.

4. Seaside Ruins – Albinauric Farming

This spot is ideal for ranged builds. Using spells or arrows, you can take out the Albinaurics near the edge of the cliff quickly. I used my Spirit Jellyfish to distract them while I landed critical hits from a distance. Each run nets several hundred runes, and the low risk makes it perfect for beginners.

5. Lenne’s Rise – Boulder Farming Trick

One of the most popular early rune farms. After teleporting to Lenne’s Rise (reachable via a portal in northeast Caelid), you can bait a giant boulder to fall off a cliff and die, granting around 2,000 runes. I used this method extensively during my second playthrough. It’s fast, safe, and doesn’t require combat.

Pro tip: Use a mount and speed through the area. Don’t try to fight anything here at first.

Elden Ring Nightreign Boosting and Rune Purchasing

While these methods are excellent for organic progression, not everyone has time to grind. Some players may consider Elden Ring Nightreign Boosting, which provides help with boss fights or rune farming from experienced players. I’ve tried this once when I was stuck at Morgott, and it saved me hours.

There are also services offering Elden Ring runes for sale. While I prefer the satisfaction of earning runes in-game, I understand the appeal for busy players. If you choose to go this route, make sure you’re using a trusted provider to avoid scams or account bans. U4GM is one of the few sites that’s been around long enough to build trust within the community.

These early rune farming spots helped me overcome the hardest part of Elden Ring—the beginning. Whether you’re exploring Limgrave or venturing into Caelid a little early, building up your rune reserve will let you level up faster, upgrade gear, and enjoy the game more. There’s no shame in using resources like boosting or rune purchases, as long as they support your enjoyment rather than replace the journey.

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