If you’re playing Elden Ring for the first or fifth time, you’ve probably realized how crucial runes are in shaping your build. The good news? You don’t need to wait until late-game areas to stack up a solid cache of them. In fact, with a bit of smart exploration and efficient farming, you can collect rare Elden Ring runes early on—well before you even set foot on the Altus Plateau.

Here’s a guide to 22 spots, tricks, and strategies to help you gather rare runes and related Elden Ring items in the early game.

1. Gatefront Ruins Chest
Start simple. Behind the soldiers at Gatefront Ruins lies a chest with an early-game rune item. Clear the enemies or sneak past them to grab it.

2. Stormhill Shack
Right outside the shack is a glowing corpse on a cliff with a golden rune. It's a quick grab while heading to Stormveil.

3. Summonwater Village
After defeating the Tibia Mariner, you’ll be rewarded with Deathroot—but also pick up golden runes near the sunken houses.

4. Limgrave Tunnels
Mining enemies drop smithing stones and occasionally rune items. These caves also have glowing corpses that offer consumable runes.

5. Third Church of Marika
Check the graveyard just north of the church. A few golden runes are scattered among the tombstones.

6. Agheel Lake South
There’s a spirit spring nearby leading to a cliffside where a small camp hides multiple rune consumables.

7. Fort Haight
This fort has multiple rune drops from soldiers and a chest containing a significant golden rune.

8. Coastal Cave
Not only is this an easy early dungeon, but it also rewards you with a decent rune payout and crafting materials.

9. Weeping Peninsula Graveyards
Explore the graveyards—especially around Castle Morne—for several golden rune pickups.

10. Demi-Human Forest Ruins
Defeat the Demi-Human Queen, and she drops a solid amount of Elden Ring runes. Don’t ignore the minor ruins around her, either.

11. Stormveil Castle Secret Paths
There are rune consumables tucked away behind illusory walls and on risky ledges. Take your time exploring every nook.

12. Artist’s Shack (Liurnia)
Up north in Liurnia, this location features a minor graveyard and small treasure area with golden runes.

13. Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel
Crystal miners drop decent runes, and the boss gives a satisfying amount upon defeat.

14. East Liurnia Cliffside
A spirit spring lifts you to a ledge with multiple glowing corpses, many of which contain rare rune items.

15. South Raya Lucaria Gate
The soldiers here are easier than their counterparts inside the academy and drop decent runes, especially in groups.

16. Converted Tower Vicinity
The ruined buildings around the Converted Tower offer golden runes and the occasional rare Elden Ring item.

17. Caria Manor Grounds
Before entering the manor, scour the grounds for wandering knights and glowing loot—they drop solid rune amounts.

18. Revenger’s Shack
Invader Edgar drops a hefty rune reward when defeated and can be handled early with ranged builds.

19. Road to the Dectus Lift
Along this route, you’ll find multiple abandoned camps with runes tucked inside tents and wagons.

20. Ruin-Strewn Precipice
Defeating Magma Wyrm Makar nets you a large rune reward and grants access to Altus Plateau the alternative way.

21. Bellum Church
This location often goes unnoticed but features golden runes near the altar and in nearby ruins.

22. Sellia Crystal Tunnel Escape
If you get trapped and survive the Sellia Tunnel early, farming a few soldiers and mining enemies here can get you rare rune items—just be cautious and ready to sprint back to safety.

Before heading into Altus Plateau, farming these rune-rich areas can give you a major power spike. Whether you’re investing in strength for heavy weapons or mind for spellcasting, every rune counts. If you’re looking to shortcut the grind or want to stock up on Elden Ring items to experiment with new builds, many players turn to platforms like U4GM as a way to buy Elden Ring runes efficiently and save time.

Runes are the backbone of progression in Elden Ring, and starting strong means a smoother ride into the midgame challenges. These 22 methods not only prepare you mechanically but open up the map’s secrets in a satisfying and rewarding way.