Online Gaming with Crypto

U4GM - Elden Ring: 9 Best Melee Builds for Rune Farming

In Elden Ring, rune farming is a key aspect of character progression—especially if you’re focused on leveling up or acquiring expensive gear. While mages and ranged builds have their place, melee characters offer a fast, direct, and often more satisfying route to farming runes efficiently. Whether you’re exploring early zones like Limgrave or taking on tougher late-game enemies, the right build can dramatically boost your rune intake.

Here are 9 of the best melee builds tailored for rune farming across various stages of Elden Ring.

1. Bloodhound’s Fang Bleed Build

This curved greatsword is a staple for early-to-mid game rune farming. It scales well with Dexterity and applies bleed damage quickly, allowing you to melt through enemy mobs and bosses alike. Use Blood Grease or similar buffs to further increase hemorrhage buildup.

2. Dual Uchigatana Samurai

Starting as a Samurai gives you one Uchigatana; finding the second one lets you dual-wield with L1 attacks that hit hard and fast. Bleed procs shred mobs and bosses, making this one of the most rune-efficient builds in the early game. Great for clearing areas like Mohgwyn Palace, a top-tier rune farming zone.

3. Greatsword Strength Monster

If you want to cleave through enemies and rack up runes with minimal button mashing, the Colossal Greatsword build (often using the Greatsword weapon) is for you. Pump Strength, use Lion’s Claw Ash of War, and crush rune-dropping enemies in few hits. Perfect for late-game zones like Giant-Conquering Hero’s Grave.

4. Dexterity-Based Cleanrot Knight Spear Build

The Cleanrot Spear comes with solid reach and damage. Combine this with fast rolls and a high Dexterity stat, and you’ll clear enemies methodically without taking much damage. Efficient farming in areas with tight quarters like Nokron or Elphael becomes easier with this agile approach.

5. Faith/Strength Blunt Force Build (Beast Clergyman Style)

Pair a heavy blunt weapon like the Great Club with faith-based buffs such as Flame, Grant Me Strength or Golden Vow. This tanky build offers high survivability and burst damage—ideal for farming dense enemy zones while minimizing flask usage.

6. Dual Spiked Maces Bleed Build

Fast, brutal, and bleed-heavy. Dual spiked maces absolutely melt humanoid enemies. With buffs and proper talismans (Lord of Blood’s Exultation, for example), you can farm runes at high speed, especially in areas like the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds.

7. Quality Claymore Build

A balanced Strength/Dexterity build using the versatile Claymore or Bastard Sword allows you to two-hand or one-hand depending on the situation. It’s efficient for rune farming in midgame zones like Altus Plateau and Mountaintops of the Giants.

8. Nagakiba with Blood Blade Ash of War

This long katana gives incredible reach and scales well with Dex. Equipping it with Blood Blade and stacking Arcane and Bleed boosts allows for safe, ranged bleed attacks while maintaining a melee playstyle. This is excellent for rune farming with reduced risk of dying.

9. Raging Wolf Armor & Great Stars Hammer Build

Combine the stylish Raging Wolf armor with Great Stars, a hammer that passively regenerates HP on hit. This lets you stay in combat longer, cutting down the time spent healing or retreating. Farming in high-mob-density areas becomes much more sustainable.

No matter your playstyle, there’s a melee build out there that can help you farm runes faster and more efficiently. Whether you’re early in the game or deep into New Game Plus, the right combination of weapons, stats, and strategy makes a huge difference.

If you ever find yourself needing a boost, the best site to buy Elden Ring items can help you round out your build. There are also options for elden ring runes for sale on platforms like U4GM, where players can accelerate their progression safely and quickly. Just be sure to focus on mastering your melee craft—because even with top-tier gear, skill and strategy win the day in Elden Ring.