U4GM - How to Use Torch Combos for Night Runes Farming in Elden Ring

Farming runes efficiently in Elden Ring is essential for leveling up and enhancing your build, especially during the mid-to-late game. While many players stick to the tried-and-true farming methods involving area-clearing weapons or spirit summons, there’s a lesser-known yet highly effective technique using torch combos—particularly useful during nighttime exploration. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to leverage torch combos to farm Elden Ring runes, especially if you're playing on PC.

Why Torch Combos?

Torches in Elden Ring are often overlooked as simple light sources. However, certain torches—like the St. Trina’s Torch and Beast-Repellent Torch—come with unique passive effects and attack combos that can be surprisingly powerful against specific enemy types. At night, some enemies are weaker or behave differently, allowing you to farm them more efficiently with the right setup.

Step 1: Choose the Right Torch

Not all torches are created equal. For rune farming, the best torches are:

• Beast-Repellent Torch: Causes nearby beasts to hesitate or flee, making it perfect for controlling enemy movement.

• St. Trina’s Torch: Applies sleep status, which is extremely effective at disabling groups of enemies, especially at night.

You can dual-wield torches or combine one with a light weapon for a hybrid combat style.

Step 2: Identify Optimal Night Farming Spots

There are specific areas in Elden Ring where nighttime enemy spawns are more lucrative for rune farming. On PC, thanks to higher frame rates and fewer loading times, moving between grace points and spawn zones is quicker, making it easier to optimize your farming loops.

Here are a few ideal spots for torch combo farming:

• Limgrave East (Night Cavalry): These bosses appear only at night and drop a significant amount of Elden Ring runes. Stun them with sleep or flame torches before landing critical strikes.

• Caelid Wilds: Many beast-type enemies here are susceptible to the Beast-Repellent Torch. Use it to avoid overwhelming numbers and pick them off for efficient rune gains.

• Altus Plateau (Nighttime Soldier Camps): Human enemies are vulnerable to sleep status. Use the St. Trina’s Torch to disable them, then finish with quick weapon attacks.

Step 3: Utilize Torch Combos Effectively

Torch attacks are slower than conventional weapons, but their status effects and wide arcs make them perfect for crowd control. Use these tactics:

• L1 + R1 Alternation (dual-wield): If you're dual-wielding torches, alternate attacks to maintain pressure and maximize area damage.

• Status Focus: Time your strikes to reapply sleep or fear effects just as they wear off.

• Backstabs and Criticals: Once an enemy is asleep or stunned, reposition for a backstab to get maximum runes per encounter.

Step 4: Rune Optimization on PC

If you’re playing Elden Ring runes PC, you have the benefit of custom key bindings, smoother performance, and potential mods that can assist in optimizing your farming routes. Be sure to:

• Adjust your brightness and HUD to easily spot nighttime spawns.

• Use quickload builds to switch between torch setups.

• Consider light UI mods that help track rune gain rates more effectively.

Step 5: Rinse and Repeat

Night-based farming requires resting at Sites of Grace to reset enemy spawns. Use nearby graces to maximize efficiency. Keep an eye on the in-game clock; some enemies despawn at dawn, so optimize your runs within the nighttime window.

Torch combos aren’t just for lighting your path—they’re powerful tools for niche farming strategies, especially during night cycles. By leveraging specific torch effects, choosing the right farming zones, and playing on PC for performance benefits, you can boost your Elden Ring runes collection significantly. Whether you're grinding for levels or saving up for that next upgrade, don't underestimate the humble torch—it just might light the way to your next power spike.