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In Elden Ring, not every Rune needs to be earned through bloodshed. While it’s easy to fall into the trap of grinding through enemies and bosses for that next level, the Lands Between is filled with clever shortcuts and hidden tricks that can earn you Elden Ring Runes without swinging your sword once.

Here are 12 tried-and-true farming methods that demand zero combat, making them perfect for low-level characters, pacifist challenge runs, or just anyone wanting a break from constant danger.

1. Bait the Ball at Lenne’s RiseIn northeast Caelid, a giant metal ball spawns and rolls off a cliff if you stand in the right spot. No enemies, just timing. Each successful lure rewards you with thousands of Runes, and the ball respawns every time you rest at a nearby Site of Grace.

2. Bird Baiting at Mohgwyn PalaceUsing a bow from across the blood marsh, shoot the giant bird to lure it off the cliff. It dies instantly, dropping over 11,000 Runes without you needing to lift a finger in melee.

3. Teleporting to Volcano ManorBy sneaking into the Abductor Virgin trap under Raya Lucaria Academy and letting it “kill” you, you’ll be transported to a hidden section of Volcano Manor filled with Rune-rich loot and NPC quests that bypass early-game challenges.

4. Sell Extra Gear and ConsumablesDon't overlook the value of inventory management. Clearing out unused weapons, armor, and cookbooks at any merchant nets you Runes instantly. It’s surprising how fast this adds up, especially if you’ve looted thoroughly.

5. Pick Up Golden Runes in Hidden TombsPlaces like the Tombsward Catacombs and Sage’s Cave are packed with Golden Runes just lying around. With stealth or spirit ashes distracting enemies, you can grab and run.

6. Spiritcaller’s Cave Sneak and GrabIn the Mountaintops of the Giants, there’s a small cave where enemies are focused on each other. If you're quick and quiet, you can scoop up multiple Golden Runes and even upgrade materials without alerting anything.

7. Capital Outskirts Horse Loot RunsAfter unlocking Leyndell, many areas are safe to ride through on horseback and collect high-value items — including Golden Seeds and Rune consumables — from corpses without engaging in combat.

8. Farming Walking MausoleumsTopple a Walking Mausoleum by clearing the white skulls on its legs. Some Mausoleums don’t have any enemies nearby, and the reward lets you duplicate boss remembrances — sell the duplicate for a serious Rune boost.

9. Portal Hopping for TreasureVarious hidden portals across the map warp you to Rune-dense zones. One early example: the portal in Limgrave that takes you straight to Greyoll’s Dragonbarrow. Use it to grab mid-game loot way earlier.

10. Tree Sentinel Bait & Environmental KillsPosition yourself near destructible cliffs and bait enemies like Tree Sentinels into falling off. This method takes patience but delivers a huge Rune payout with no damage taken.

11. Collecting Golden Leaves During Erdtree TimeDuring certain times of day, golden leaves fall near Minor Erdtrees. While they don’t directly give Runes, they symbolize fruitful areas. Explore them carefully for easy Rune pickups and unguarded items.

12. Exploit Night-Only Enemy AbsencesSome locations become oddly deserted at night. For example, patrols near Altus Highway vanish after sundown. Use the absence of enemies to explore safely and gather Runes from lootable corpses and Golden Rune items.

These tricks aren’t just useful — they’re efficient and a great way to explore Elden Ring’s world without grinding endlessly. Especially early in the game, these tactics can give you the momentum to upgrade gear, level up, and prepare for tougher battles ahead.

And for players looking to skip the slow grind entirely, it’s worth noting that some community members consider U4GM as the Best Place to buy Elden Ring Items. Pairing smart farming with helpful resources ensures you spend more time exploring and less time repeating the same Rune routes.