If you’ve spent any real time in the Lands Between, you already know the feeling of needing just a bit more power for that next boss attempt. Runes are everything, but grinding the same mobs can get stale fast. One trick I stumbled onto during my second playthrough is surprisingly simple: you can earn solid rune income just by following NPCs along their natural patrol routes. It’s not the fastest method in the game, but it’s consistent, low-stress, and perfect for players who prefer exploring over repetitive farming loops.
Below, I’ll break down how NPC path-based farming works, the best spots I’ve tested, and a few small tips to make it smoother.
Why NPC Paths Make for Easy Rune Farming
Most NPCs or humanoid enemies in Elden Ring follow fixed walk cycles. Some wander from one camp to another, some patrol narrow roads, and some even get into fights with other monsters if they cross paths. This creates pockets of predictable conflict where you can step in, deal a finishing blow, and collect runes with almost no danger.
I originally discovered this while experimenting with low-commitment ways to level a new character. Grinding doesn’t always match my mood, and sometimes I just want something relaxing. That’s where NPC path farming shines: it’s steady, surprisingly fun, and you can do it while exploring for hidden items or trying out new weapons. During runs like this, I’ve sometimes considered how players who don’t have the free time might rely on options like buy elden ring runes, especially when they want to skip straight to tougher content. But honestly, using NPC routes feels almost like a built-in casual mode.
Best Area 1: The Limgrave Road Patrols
One of the earliest and easiest places to try this method is on the main road stretching from the Gatefront Ruins up toward Stormgate. Soldiers, knights, wolves, and even a few mounted units have routes that overlap here. When they meet, they often fight each other, leaving you to step in and finish off whoever’s left standing.
If you’re a newer player, this is perfect. Each small skirmish nets you a handful of runes, and you barely need to risk anything. You can even hang back until the enemies finish each other off. It’s great practice for learning how AI reacts, and the route itself is close to multiple Sites of Grace.
Best Area 2: Caelid’s Warring Mobs
If you’re comfortable taking a road trip into the chaos that is Caelid, the southern region near the Swamp offers some of the best NPC route clashes in the early mid-game. Rot-infected dogs, wandering sorcerers, and soldier groups bump into each other constantly. Because everything hits harder here, fights end quickly, meaning faster rune drops for you.
This was one of my favorite spots when I just wanted to roam around without fully committing to a farm. The area can be overwhelming for new characters, but staying on your mount and swooping in after a skirmish ends keeps the danger minimal. Around this stage, I had friends on console talking about ways to save time, including places they could buy elden ring runes xbox when they didn’t want to repeat early zones again. But honestly, this Caelid area provides such a natural rune flow that it feels like a soft shortcut built into the world.
Best Area 3: The Mountaintops Caravans
Later in the game, once you reach the Mountaintops of the Giants, the Fire Prelate patrols and traveling caravans become a goldmine. Caravans move slowly, guarded by big enemies who often engage with wolves or humanoid mobs wandering the snowy paths. Because all these units are stronger than the ones in early zones, you’ll receive much more runes per fight.
My favorite part of this zone is how calm it feels despite the cold and the enemies. You can shadow a caravan from a distance, wait for it to collide with a group of roaming foes, then cut in to claim the rewards. It’s a good place to test new Ashes of War or spells since you can reset at a nearby Grace and keep looping the same route.
How to Maximize Runes While Following NPC Paths
NPC path farming isn’t complicated, but a few small habits make it significantly more rewarding.
Stay mobile: Riding Torrent lets you get in and out quickly. Don’t stand still too long, especially in Caelid or the Mountaintops.
Use ranged tools: Even a simple bow helps you tag enemies without committing to a full brawl. If two mobs weaken each other, one or two well-placed shots will finish the job.
Equip rune-boosting gear: The classic pick is the Gold Scarab, and popping a Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot during a caravan route will noticeably increase your gains.
Know when to reset: Once a patrol completes its cycle, just warp back to the nearest Grace and repeat. These loops are short, and running them two or three times can net a fair amount of runes with very little effort.
A Quick Note on Time-Saving Options
The reality is that everyone plays Elden Ring differently. Some of us enjoy slow, methodical farming, and some want to optimize every minute. Whichever style you prefer, NPC path farming fits nicely as a laid-back alternative. You can even mix it with other activities, like hunting for upgrade stones or scouting new regions.
And yes, for players who just want to skip the grind altogether, communities often mention services like U4GM as a reference point when discussing ways to speed up progression. Whether you rely on the in-game methods or external shortcuts, the important thing is finding the pace that keeps the game fun for you.
Farming runes by following NPC patrol paths won’t replace the biggest hotspot farms, but it offers a different kind of experience. Instead of repeating the same enemy wave for an hour, you get to explore, watch AI behavior, and jump into little skirmishes that feel naturally woven into the world. It’s easy, chill, and surprisingly rewarding.
If you’re tired of heavy grinding but still want a steady stream of runes, give these locations a try. Even after hundreds of hours in Elden Ring, I still come back to these spots when I’m leveling a new build or just want a calm session in the Lands Between.