What does it mean if a game is online?

U4GM - 7 Ways to Track Rune Farming Efficiency in Elden Ring

Tracking rune farming efficiency in Elden Ring can make the difference between a slow grind and a well-paced journey through the Lands Between. As someone who has spent hundreds of hours exploring the world of Elden Ring, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of smart farming — especially when you need an early boost or want to maximize your time. Whether you’re farming to level up, buy new gear, or simply strengthen your build, these methods will help you stay efficient and focused.

Here are seven reliable ways to track your rune farming efficiency:

1. Time-Based Farming Sessions

One of the easiest and most effective methods I’ve used is time-based farming. Set a timer for 10, 15, or 30 minutes and record how many Elden RIng runes you earn in that window. This helps you compare different farming spots directly. For instance, farming Albinaurics in Mohgwyn Palace versus Caelid’s bird exploit can yield very different results over the same time frame. Choose the spot with the best runes-per-minute rate.

2. Runes Per Kill Metrics

Tracking runes per enemy is useful for judging smaller areas. Keep a tally of how many enemies you defeat and how many runes you earn per kill. This helped me realize that sometimes, smaller, faster enemies near checkpoints could be more efficient than larger, riskier foes.

3. Use a Rune Farming Spreadsheet

I personally use a simple spreadsheet to track my farming sessions. It includes columns for location, duration, total runes earned, and gear used. Over time, this builds a clear picture of where I get the best returns. It also helps track whether switching weapons, using buffs, or adjusting gear changes my rune yield.

4. Track Runes Spent vs. Runes Gained

Efficiency isn't just about what you gain — it's also about what you spend. Keep an eye on the cost of healing items, weapon durability, or magic usage during farming. If you’re burning through resources just to farm, the profit margin decreases. Keeping these in check ensures long-term farming efficiency.

5. Gear Optimization Logging

Certain gear improves farming efficiency. For example, the Gold Scarab talisman significantly boosts rune gain. I tracked sessions with and without it and saw a 30% difference in some cases. Documenting which items improve results can help you optimize your build for farming. If you're looking for a strong start, there are ways to buy Elden Ring runes to test builds early without grinding for hours.

6. Efficiency Snapshots After Leveling

After farming for a while, I take a snapshot of how effective my farming was based on how many levels I gained. If I needed 20,000 runes for a level and earned 200,000 in a session, that's 10 levels gained — a good return. This method helps especially when planning longer grinding sessions.

7. Early Game Efficiency Assessment

If you're just starting out, it's worth evaluating whether rune farming is truly efficient compared to questing or progressing naturally. Some early game areas give disappointing rune returns, which is where getting Elden Ring runes for early game boost can help. In my first playthrough, I struggled until I discovered smarter farming spots or considered buying a few starter runes to smooth the journey.

Tracking rune farming efficiency is about consistency, awareness, and making small improvements over time. Through personal experimentation and logging, I’ve turned rune farming from a chore into a calculated strategy. Whether you choose to farm traditionally or decide to buy Elden Ring runes to save time, efficiency should always guide your decisions.

Community Highlight:Elden Ring Rune Relics: Lore, Locations, and What They Mean for Your Journey