Leveling is a crucial part of Elden Ring, and runes can be lost to the shadow realm forever if you die more than twice back to back without retrieving them. This list will help all in the later stages of the game to farm a few lost runes or to become completely overpowered. Rune farming isn't necessarily needed if you "git gud". Also, an important note, if you level up to a very high level (around 200) you will have a harder time matchmaking with other online players as most players end their playthrough around level 150, and matchmaking is depended on your level.

No need for these anymore. 

Firstly, to get the most out of leveling, get the Golden Scarab Talisman as it increases the number of runes you get from enemies. 

Can’t go grinding without your trusty Scarab.

10. War Dead Catacombs.

Radhan isn’t that hard…

With Radhan out of the way, you open one of the best farming methods in the game, the War Dead Catacombs. You won’t have to fight for these runes as the enemies will fight each other.

How it works:

• After beating Radhan run to the top of his arena.
• Go into the Catacombs.
• Run with the path and you will see enemies fighting.
• Run to the left and go down the stairs and more enemies will spawn. 
• Sit at the edge of the stairs and let the enemies fight one another and reap the rewards.
• Giving you between 1200 and 4000 runes per enemy. 

9. Night’s Cavalry 

Sadly the poison method has been patched.

The Night’s Cavalry in Caelid is one tough boss, with hard-hitting attacks and far range he can kill you in a matter of seconds. With the earlier patches having an exploit where he can die from poison, by running him up the hill, being patched. The bridge drop method is still a great way to cheese this boss.

How it works:

• Run the boss to the ground area near the edge of the bridge.
• Jump over the wall of the bridge with Torrent as the boss runs after you.
• He will run off the side and fall off the cliff.
• Sadly he will not scream Roberttttttoooooo! As he is falling.

8. Co-Op

Good Ol’ Jolly cooperation.

If grinding out runes and cheesing bosses aren’t your style, you’re in luck. As Elden Ring has a lot of players needing help with bosses, and this can earn you a good amount of runes. If you have trouble finding someone to help, there is a dedicated Reddit sub called: https://www.reddit.com/r/CypherRing/

How it works:

• Place your summon sign at a boss gate or summoning pool.
• You will be summoned to another player's world.
• Help them defeat the boss of that area, and the runes will be yours.

If you have any trouble with co-op check out this article for helpful tips: https://www.gamersdecide.com/articles/is-elden-ring-multiplayer

7. Exploration

Exploring the game can give you more runes and some amazing loot.

Exploring the game, this might sound obvious, but so many players play Elden Ring as a boss rush. Exploring the open world, clearing that cave, and solving the catacombs puzzle will not only give you runes but also some great loot.

How it works:

• Before you go to the next boss, explore the area and find the caves and catacombs.
• Finish the cave or catacombs and get the runes and loot. 

6. Zamor Ruins

At least you can summon a friend. 

Clearing out Zamor Ruins can net you a good amount of runes, but sadly not enough to push this farming location higher on the list, the enemies will drop around 6k per enemy. 

How it works:

• Go to Zamor Ruins in the Mountaintops of the Giants.
• Follow the path and defeat the first enemy, turn right and defeat the rest.
• These enemies are quite hard so lure out one enemy, defeat it and move on to the next one.

5. East Capital Ramparts

Bubble blowers won’t stand a chance.

When you first enter The Capital City, you will be welcomed with a beautiful sight, a talk from Melina, maybe even Boc if you did his quest line, and bubble blowers.

How it works:

•  Run with the path and defeat the enemies on your way, they will blow bubbles at you that can deal quite a lot of damage if you’re not careful.
• Run towards the door and defeat the big enemy that spits fire at you.
• Rinse and repeat for easy runes.

4. Sleeping Dragon

The sleeping dragon is great for early and late game.

The sleeping dragon is an easy 50K runes and around 80K runes with the Golden Scarab, with this new respawn exploit, you can get runes from it every 5 minutes.

How it works:

• Go to Fort Farroth in Caelid.
• The sleeping dragon is right in front of the Grace.
• Run up to it and start smacking his backside with a bleed weapon.
• Just before it dies, jump on Torrent, run towards the Grace, and rest.
• If done right you will get the runes and it would have respawned. 

3. Bird Roberto!

Grinding has never been this easy.

The bird dropping from the cliff is one of the first and easiest farming methods in the game, with it giving you around 11K runes.

How it works:

• Go to Mohgwyn Palace.
• The Palace Approach Ledge Road Grace.
• Take out a bow or crossbow.
• Aim it towards the lake at the opposite side of the Grace.
• You will see a bird walking.
• Shoot the bird and it will run towards you and off of the cliff.

2. Elpheal 

If you’re lucky you will get the Cleanrot Knight set.

Elpheal, Brace of the Haligtree is one of the last areas you will get to in Elden Ring, running through this area will rack up a hefty sum of runes if you do it right. 

How it works:

• From the Grace run outside and kill the enemies.
• Run left and kill the two enemies in the corridor, run back and exit the door. 
• Follow the path and kill the enemies in front of you.
• Jump down and follow the stairs down killing all the enemies.
• At the end, there will be a Cleanrot Knight defeat her, and her sister to the side. 
• Keep following the path towards the bridge and kill all the enemies in your way, with or without a summoned friend near the bridge.
• After you get to the Grace, fast travel back to the previous Grace, rinse and repeat for a great sum on runes.

1. Mohgwyn’s Sleeping Frogs

The Sacred Relic Sword isn’t necessarily needed for this.

The sleeping frog enemies are the best rune farming spot in the game, for late early, and mid-game players, this farming method will give you a lot of runes very fast.

How it works:

• Go to Mohgwyn’s Palace.
• The Palace Approach Ledge Road Grace
• The sleeping enemies will be in front of you.
• Take out a weapon with a good area of effect attack, like the Blasphemous Blade or the Sacred Relic Sword.
• Alternatively, they can be killed one by one.
• They drop around 2K runes per enemy, and more on new game and new game +. 
•  

This concludes our list of the top 10 ways to level up late game in Elden Ring. If you enjoyed this article be sure to check out these as well. 

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