Farming runes in Elden Ring can be incredibly rewarding, but the danger spikes significantly when you venture into high-risk zones. These areas are often crawling with tough enemies, environmental hazards, and ambushes that can make a single mistake costly. However, with the right strategies, you can maximize your rune gain and reduce your chances of losing it all. Here are 11 tips to help you farm efficiently in some of the game’s most dangerous regions.

1. Equip the Gold Scarab Early
This talisman significantly increases rune acquisition. If you’re farming anywhere from the Mountaintops of the Giants to Consecrated Snowfield, wearing the Gold Scarab will make each kill more lucrative.

2. Use Rune-Boosting Consumables
Consumables like the Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot stack with the Gold Scarab and give a temporary boost to rune gain. Time these with dense enemy zones for best effect.

3. Avoid Boss Aggro Zones
High-risk areas often feature roaming mini-bosses or patrols that aren’t worth the trouble. Stay clear unless you’re confident you can defeat them quickly and without using too many resources.

4. Use Stealth to Thin the Herd
Approach enemies with stealth when possible. This allows you to pick them off one by one and avoid drawing large groups that could quickly overwhelm you.

5. Optimize Your Build for Burst Damage
In high-risk areas, efficiency matters. Weapons and spells that deal massive damage in a single hit can prevent enemies from retaliating. Stagger potential is especially useful here.

6. Know the Respawn Points
Pick Sites of Grace near dense enemy clusters with short run-back times. Areas like Mohgwyn Palace or Ordina, Liturgical Town can provide excellent farming routes with manageable danger if approached correctly.

7. Keep Your Load Light
Maintain a fast roll and high stamina regen. Dodging is your lifeline in these zones, and mobility will often save you when you're cornered or outnumbered.

8. Use Summons Strategically
Ashes of War and Spirit Summons can distract enemies or clear groups while you pick off the stragglers. Mimic Tear and Black Knife Tiche are both reliable choices.

9. Don’t Be Greedy
It’s tempting to push for one more kill, but rune farming is about sustained gain. If your flask count is low or you’ve pulled too many enemies, fall back and bank your progress.

10. Track Time of Day and Weather
Some enemies are more active or aggressive during certain times. For instance, Night Cavalry appear after dark and can complicate farming runs. Plan your routes accordingly.

11. Prepare Backup Runes
Use Rune Arcs and stored consumable runes to hedge your losses. When farming in high-risk zones, it's also helpful to know the best site to buy Elden Ring Runes in case you need to recover or boost your stock quickly. Likewise, if you're building for efficiency, consider checking the best place to buy Elden Ring items for farming tools or gear you haven’t found yet.

High-risk rune farming isn’t just about brute force—it’s about planning, gear synergy, and knowing when to play it safe. With these tips, you’ll be able to push into the most dangerous corners of the Lands Between and come out richer, stronger, and better prepared for whatever lies ahead.