Leveling up in Elden Ring is a core part of progression—whether you're building a tanky Strength character or a nimble Intelligence caster. But it can also be a slow grind, especially in the early game or after respecs. Thankfully, there are specific items that can accelerate your rune gains and efficiency, giving you an edge when it matters most. This guide covers 11 essential items you should consider using if you’re looking to level up faster in Elden Ring.

1. Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot

This is the go-to item for boosting rune acquisition. When consumed, it temporarily increases rune gain from defeated enemies. Use it before tackling a farming route, boss fight, or rune-rich dungeon. It's especially effective when paired with other rune-boosting methods. If you're short on time or materials, many players choose to buy Elden Ring items like this from reliable sources.

2. Gold Scarab Talisman

This talisman provides a passive increase to rune acquisition, stacking with the Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot. It’s located in the Abandoned Cave in Caelid, and while getting it can be tricky, the boost it provides is significant throughout the game. Equip it whenever you're grinding.

3. Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot

While not directly boosting rune gains, this item increases item discovery. That means more loot drops, which can be sold for runes or provide crafting materials. Farming enemies while this item is active can be surprisingly profitable.

4. Consumable Rune Items (e.g., Golden Rune, Hero’s Rune)

Don’t overlook the rune items in your inventory. These consumables instantly grant runes and are best saved for when you’re just shy of the next level. Use them wisely to avoid carrying too many runes during risky sections. Many players stock up by choosing to buy elden ring runes in bulk when preparing for major upgrades.

5. Twiggy Cracked Tear (Wondrous Physick)

This Physick component prevents rune loss on death for a limited time. It won’t help you gain more runes, but it keeps you from losing large amounts during challenging boss attempts or PvP encounters—especially when you're carrying enough to level up.

6. Baldachin’s Blessing

Although it slightly reduces rune gain due to HP debuff, using it for temporary poise and defense in a tricky farming area can reduce deaths, letting you hold onto more of your hard-earned runes.

7. Festering Bloody Finger

This PvP invasion item is situational, but if you're confident in your skills, you can use PvP as a unique way to farm. Winning invasions rewards you with runes, and the tension makes it exciting. Combining this with a rune-boosting talisman can make PvP surprisingly lucrative.

8. Bewitching Branch

While not directly related to leveling, this consumable turns enemies into temporary allies. This can reduce the difficulty of rune farming spots where enemies are densely packed. Efficiently clearing enemies while minimizing risk translates to faster leveling.

9. Spirit-Calling Bell

Using summoned spirits effectively helps you farm more safely and quickly, particularly in high-level areas. Less dying equals fewer lost runes and faster progression.

10. Glintstone Scrap

This crafting item can be turned into useful magical tools. Sell or use them based on your build. Crafting and selling spares is one of the lesser-known but viable ways to generate extra income—especially when paired with Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot.

11. Rune Arc

Using a Rune Arc while under the effects of a Great Rune significantly boosts your stats, letting you take on tougher areas with higher rune yields. Just make sure you’re in a situation where the investment is worth it.

There’s no single shortcut to leveling in Elden Ring, but the smart use of specific items can drastically improve your efficiency. Whether you’re exploring underground dungeons or clearing out late-game overworld zones, managing your resources makes all the difference. If you’re short on time, many players look to buy Elden Ring items or buy elden ring runes to streamline their builds and keep pace with the game’s increasing difficulty.

Leveling up faster isn’t just about grinding—it’s about preparation, strategy, and smart item use. Equip yourself wisely, and you’ll feel the difference every time you level.