| Location | Runes per run | Time (sec) | RPM | Requirements | |---------------------------|---------------|------------|-------|----------------------------| | Palace Approach Ledge (base game) | ~40,000 | 20 | 120k | Sacred Relic Sword | | Ghostflame Dragon (DLC) | 180,000 | 90 | 120k | Post-Messmer area | | Abyssal Woods (Gravebirds) | 25,000 | 30 | 50k | No boss, stealth heavy | | Specimen Storehouse (cleanup) | 90,000 | 120 | 45k | Mid-DLC, multiple floors |
Note: The highest RPM remains the base-game Albinauric farm (Mohgwyn Palace) with Wave of Gold. In DLC areas, killing the Ghostflame Dragon repeatedly (via grace resting) yields comparable rates but requires more effort.
Since the update nerfed Scarlet Rot and certain Ashes of War, here is the current Top Tier content for the DLC:
Top Weapon: The Backhand Blades
The following is an overview of the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Update v1.16 and the top rune farming strategies relevant to this version. Elden Ring Update v1.16 Overview
Released by Bandai Namco on October 17, 2024, Version 1.16 primarily focused on technical stability and bug fixes rather than major content additions.
Stat Boost Correction: Fixed a critical issue where temporary player stat boosts would incorrectly remain active even after restarting the game.
Performance Fixes: Addressed unstable framerates on PS5 by suggesting the "Rebuild Database" option in safe mode. elden ring shadow of the erdtree update v1 16rune top
PC Stability: Resolved a bug where Ray Tracing was unintentionally enabled for some PC players, leading to performance drops. It also addressed false "Inappropriate activity detected" messages that appeared for non-cheaters.
Follow-up Patch (v1.16.1): A minor subsequent update, Version 1.16.1, was later released to fix a glitch allowing players to apply unauthorized status ailments (like Deathblight) to certain weapons. Top Rune Farming Methods in v1.16
While the v1.16 patch notes did not explicitly change rune values, players have optimized several "top" locations for high-efficiency farming within the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC and the base game. 1. The Furnace Golem Bridge (DLC - Best New Farm)
This method can yield over 100,000 runes per minute with minimal effort by using the environment to your advantage. Location: Rauh Ancient Ruins (East) Site of Grace.
Strategy: Stand near the ancient stone pillar on the ledge overlooking the bridge. Bait the Furnace Golem into using its massive fire attack; this attack wipes out all the smaller shadow enemies on the bridge for roughly 15,000 to 50,000 runes per run.
Efficiency Tip: If you rest at the Site of Grace exactly as the Golem's attack begins, the enemies will respawn and die immediately to the existing fire, potentially doubling your intake. 2. Finger Stone Hill (DLC - Endgame Strategy)
For players who have progressed further into the DLC, this route offers millions of runes per hour. | Location | Runes per run | Time
After 200+ hours of testing and community data aggregation, the undisputed Rune Top location in patch v1.16 is:
By: The Lands Between Chronicle
Since the release of Shadow of the Erdtree, FromSoftware has been meticulously tuning the experience. Just when players thought they had mastered the art of rune farming, the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Update v1.16 dropped—and with it, a seismic shift in what the community now calls the "Rune Top."
If you are a Tarnished seeking to reach max level (713) or simply want to purchase every Smithing Stone in the game, you need to understand v1.16. This article breaks down every change, the new best rune acquisition strategies, and why this patch has redefined the endgame economy.
By: Veteran Tarnished Tactics
Published: Post v1.16 Patch Analysis
Since the launch of Shadow of the Erdtree, the Elden Ring community has been on a relentless hunt for efficiency. With every patch, FromSoftware subtly tweaks enemy behavior, item drops, and—most importantly—Rune acquisition. The arrival of Update v1.16 has officially shaken up the meta. The old “Bird Farm” at Mohgwyn’s Palace? Obsolete. The “Sacred Relic Sword Albinauric genocide?” Still decent, but no longer the king.
There is a new champion. After extensive testing (and dying… a lot), we have identified the definitive Shadow of the Erdtree v1.16 Rune Top—the single highest Rune-per-hour location in the entire game. Note: The highest RPM remains the base-game Albinauric
If you are level 150+ and struggling with Commander Gaius or Promised Consort Radahn, or simply want to max out your stats for New Game Plus 7, this guide is for you.
Before we reveal the location, understand why this patch changed everything. Patch 1.16 did not directly buff Rune values. Instead, it did two things:
This second change is critical. It means the toughest humanoid enemies in the game are now safer to backstab and chain-kill than ever before.
| Farming Location | Runes per Cycle | Time/Cycle | Runes/Min (w/ buffs) | Requirement | |------------------------------|----------------|------------|----------------------|----------------------------------| | Palace Approach Ledge | ~40,000 | 12 sec | ~200,000 | Mohgwyn Palace (base game) | | Gaol Cave (Spirit Jump) | ~120,000 | 35 sec | ~205,000 | Early DLC (Gravesite Plain) | | Temple Town Ruins (Hornsent) | ~250,000 | 75 sec | ~200,000 | Mid-DLC (after Messmer) | | Abandoned Ailing Village | ~80,000 | 25 sec | ~192,000 | Early DLC (Cerulean Coast) |
Top Performer: Gaol Cave Spirit Spring jump – yields ~205,000 Runes/min, surpassing the Palace Ledge (~200k/min) due to lower setup and no reloading (grace → jump → grace loop).
The “top” rune farm in update 1.16 remains the Palace Approach Ledge (base game), but for players exclusively in Shadow of the Erdtree, repeatedly killing the Ghostflame Dragon near the Charo’s Hidden Grave grace yields the best DLC-exclusive RPM.