Farming runes in Elden Ring is practically a rite of passage. Whether you're prepping for a brutal boss fight or upgrading that shiny new weapon, runes are essential to progression. But not all rune farming is created equal. Many players waste time, miss opportunities, or fall into common traps without realizing it.

Here are 11 mistakes players often make when farming runes in Elden Ring—and how to avoid them.

1. Ignoring Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot Buffs

The Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot is a must-have item for any serious rune farmer, but many players forget to use it consistently. This consumable boosts rune acquisition by 30% for three minutes, which adds up fast during high-yield grinds. Always keep a few on hand and activate them before big farming sessions.

2. Farming in Low-Yield Areas for Too Long

Players often stick to early-game zones like Gatefront Ruins or Limgrave for too long. While these spots are great early on, they quickly become inefficient. Once you’ve leveled a bit, it’s time to move on to more lucrative locations like Mohgwyn Palace or the Haligtree outskirts.

3. Not Upgrading Weapons Before Farming

Going into a rune farming area with underpowered weapons is a time-waster. Enemies take longer to kill, you risk dying more often, and the whole process becomes tedious. Even if you're trying to save runes, remember that upgrading weapons—or even getting cheap Elden Ring items—can drastically improve efficiency.

4. Skipping Night-Time Farming

Some enemies only appear at night and offer better rune rewards. A good example is the Night’s Cavalry minibosses, who often drop a decent rune payout along with valuable gear. Rest at a Site of Grace to pass time and make the most of these nocturnal opportunities.

5. Underestimating the Power of Spirit Ashes

Many players try to solo farm in late-game zones where mobs are brutal. But by using powerful Spirit Ashes, you can drastically reduce the risk of dying and increase farming efficiency. Mimic Tear or Black Knife Tiche are particularly good choices for rune-heavy areas.

6. Not Resetting Properly at Sites of Grace

A common mistake is to manually backtrack after a farming run. Instead, always warp or rest at the nearest Site of Grace to reset enemy spawns quickly. Every second counts in efficient rune farming, especially if you’re grinding in zones like the Albinauric farm near Palace Approach.

7. Dying With a Large Rune Pile

It's a heartbreaking but avoidable mistake. Farming without spending your runes at intervals is risky. If you fall victim to an ambush or mistimed dodge, you could lose hours of progress. Spend runes periodically or at least use them to buy cheap Elden Ring runes backups when needed.

8. Missing Key Farming Gear

Certain talismans and gear increase rune acquisition, like the Gold Scarab. Players often overlook farming these first, which is a mistake. Getting the Gold Scarab from the Cleanrot Knights in the Abandoned Cave can significantly boost rune gain long-term.

9. Neglecting Online Co-op Opportunities

Helping others defeat bosses through online co-op is a sneaky but effective way to earn runes. Not only do you get runes upon victory, but there's also no risk of losing your own. It's a great alternative when you’re bored of the usual farming loops.

10. Overreliance on Exploits or Glitches

Yes, some players seek shortcuts with rune glitches or map exploit jumps. But these can get patched or bugged out—leaving you with nothing. Relying too much on such methods can be unstable compared to reliable farms or investing in cheap Elden Ring items that boost farming performance.

11. Not Switching Builds for Efficiency

Some farming zones are better tackled with AoE sorcery builds, while others favor fast melee strikes. Using the same build for every situation can slow things down. Don’t hesitate to respec your character or even buy cheap Elden Ring runes to create an optimized farming setup.

Farming runes is a necessary grind, but it doesn’t have to be inefficient or frustrating. By avoiding these common mistakes and refining your strategy, you’ll find yourself swimming in runes faster than you think. Whether you're trying to max out your build or grab a few cheap Elden Ring items to get over a tough spot, smart farming is always worth the effort.