Exploring dungeons in Elden Ring can be both thrilling and rewarding, especially when you're aiming to optimize your rune gain. As someone who has sunk hundreds of hours into the Lands Between, I’ve learned that efficient dungeon crawling can dramatically increase your rune intake—if you approach it with strategy and awareness. Here are six practical tips to help you make the most out of every run, with both experience and economy in mind.

1. Use the Right Gear to Boost Rune Acquisition

The first and most straightforward tip is equipping gear that enhances rune gain. The Gold Scarab Talisman, for instance, is a must-have for anyone serious about farming. You can obtain it in the Abandoned Cave near Caelid—just be prepared for a tough fight. I personally noticed at least a 20% boost in rune intake once I started using it consistently. Pair it with consumables like the Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot to multiply your rewards.

2. Optimize Your Route Before Entering

Every dungeon has a layout you can learn. Rather than aimlessly exploring, study each area. If you’ve already been through a dungeon once, take mental notes (or even draw a rough map) of enemy clusters and item locations. This allows you to focus your efforts on high-value targets and minimize time wasted on backtracking. This has saved me hours during repeated farming sessions.

3. Avoid Risky Fights That Drain Resources

It’s tempting to take on every enemy, but not all fights are worth the cost in healing items or time. If an enemy offers minimal rune rewards but risks major health loss, skip it—especially if you’re running low on flasks. The key to maximizing Elden Ring Runes is sustaining long runs with fewer resets and deaths.

4. Time Your Dungeon Runs During Peak Buffs

Timing matters. Use buffs like Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot and the Gold Scarab at the start of a rune-heavy section—not the beginning of the dungeon. I learned the hard way that activating buffs too early often wastes their duration on minor mobs. Timing your buffs right before boss encounters or mob clusters can drastically improve your returns.

5. Sell Unwanted Loot Strategically

Dungeons are full of items you may not need. While it’s easy to ignore these or hoard them, selling excess loot at the right time can help you afford upgrades, consumables, or even cheap elden ring runes from trusted marketplaces. I occasionally use this strategy when prepping for NG+ runs, and it keeps my inventory clean while adding up the value over time.

6. Plan Your Rune Banking

Always consider when and where to bank your runes. Losing a large amount after a dungeon death can be devastating. Before facing tough bosses or venturing into unknown parts of the map, consider leveling up or purchasing gear with the runes you’ve accumulated. I’ve lost over 80,000 runes before simply because I got cocky after a successful dungeon clear—don’t repeat my mistake.

Maximizing rune gains in Elden Ring isn’t just about grinding—it’s about smart, deliberate play. With these six tips, you'll find that dungeon exploring becomes not only more profitable but also more enjoyable. And if you're ever in a tight spot, consider planning ahead with cheap elden ring runes as a backup resource to maintain momentum. Play smart, and may your rune reserves never run dry.