Farming Elden Ring Runes efficiently has never been more important, especially with the recent Nightreign DLC shaking up the game’s meta. As a seasoned Tarnished who has spent hundreds of hours exploring the Lands Between—and more recently, Nightreign—I’ve tested dozens of builds to find the most effective rune-farming strategies available in 2025.

Whether you’re new to the game or diving back in after the DLC, these builds will help you maximize your rune gains with speed, safety, and style. I’ve also included tips from my experience using Elden Ring Nightreign Boosting services to get an edge when farming became a grind.

1. Gold Scarab + Sacred Relic Sword (NG+ and Endgame)

This is by far the most iconic and efficient rune-farming build in the game, especially when running Mohgwyn Palace.

Key Components:

  • Sacred Relic Sword (Ash of War: Wave of Gold)

  • Gold Scarab Talisman

  • Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot

  • Area: Palace Approach Ledge-Road

Why It Works: The Sacred Relic Sword's massive AoE one-shots mobs, and with buffs like Gold Scarab and Fowl Foot, you can net hundreds of thousands of Elden Ring Runes in minutes. I personally use this build after each NG+ cycle to prepare for the next.

2. Nightreign Bleed Build (Post-DLC Meta)

The new weapons introduced in Nightreign are incredibly powerful, especially the ones that scale with Arcane and apply bleed. I crafted a bleed-focused rune-farming build that obliterates enemies quickly without consuming much FP.

Key Components:

  • Blood-tuned Nightfang Scythe (Nightreign exclusive)

  • White Mask

  • Lord of Blood’s Exultation

  • Area: Mohgwyn Palace or Shadowmere Ruins

Why It Works: With proper bleed stacking, enemies go down before they can respond. I used Elden Ring Nightreign Boosting to fast-track my access to this setup after the DLC dropped, and it drastically reduced the time I needed to farm.

3. INT AoE Mage (Lazy Farming Setup)

For those who prefer a ranged, relaxed farming style, a Glintstone Icecrag spam build works wonders—especially in wider farming zones.

Key Components:

  • Staff of Loss (x2 for stacking)

  • Lusat’s Glintstone Staff (maxed)

  • Terra Magica

  • Area: Inner Consecrated Snowfield

Why It Works: This build lets you melt enemy groups with minimal risk. During my marathon farming sessions prepping for PvP, this build gave me the most comfort and consistency—ideal if you're multitasking or farming on autopilot.

4. Faith-Based AoE Smiter

Faith builds are highly underrated when it comes to rune farming. With Incantations like Ancient Dragons’ Lightning Strike and Pest Threads, you can clear large mobs quickly.

Key Components:

  • Gravel Stone Seal

  • Erdtree Favor +2

  • Gold Scarab

  • Area: Haligtree Promenade or Crumbling Farum Azula

Why It Works: The AoE damage potential, combined with buffs, can rival the Sacred Relic Sword build. I switched to this when I wanted something different from the usual relic sword spam, and it didn’t disappoint.

5. Strength + AoE Fire Giant Crusher Build

This is a high-risk, high-reward build that dominates tight enemy clusters with pure power.

Key Components:

  • Giant-Crusher

  • Flame of the Redmanes Ash of War

  • Radagon’s Scarseal

  • Area: Zamor Ruins or Altus Plateau Camps

Why It Works: It’s not just about finesse—sometimes, you just need to smash. This was my go-to in early game runs before acquiring top-tier magic or relic gear. It's simple, raw, and satisfying.

Rune farming is an art as much as it is a science. Between testing out Elden Ring Nightreign Boosting services and refining builds through hundreds of hours of play, I’ve learned that the best builds are those that suit your personal playstyle while optimizing for time and risk.

If you’re looking to gain an edge, don’t underestimate the impact of DLC weapons, NG+ cycles, or community-recommended setups. Elden Ring Runes are the lifeblood of progression—and with these five builds, you’ll be swimming in them in no time.

Let me know what worked best for you, or if you’ve discovered a post-Nightreign farming secret worth sharing.

Vendor Guide: Elden Ring Runes Farm Guides 2025: Best Ways to Get Runes Fast