Elden Ring is, without a doubt, a challenging game. Even Dark Souls veterans are having a tough but good time with some of the more challenging aspects of the game. Just like the Dark Souls series, players are expected to spend the game's main form of currency to level up and purchase items.
The player has to trade Runes in place of Souls as currency in Elden Ring, but the concept is almost the same. However, before one can level up their character to boost the stats of their choosing, they will need to meet the Maiden called Melina.
Thankfully, players won't need to wait long before they encounter Melina and obtain the ability to level up and gain Elden Ring's Spectral Steed named Torrent. The player will encounter Melina at the Gatefront Site of Grace once it has been activated. It's located outside the archway past the enemy camp.
How To Easily Obtain 1000 Runes in Elden Ring
Once the player has met Melina and rested at the Site of Grace, it's time for their character to make their way through the large archway to face the giant Troll waiting to pounce at a high point. It will probably be the biggest enemy one will encounter this early in the game, but there's an easy way to prepare and defeat it:
- Before heading through the arch, ensure that the player character has allocated enough Flasks to replenish the character's HP at the Site of Grace.
- The player will then need to make their way through the arch with a shield at full guard to defend the character from the archers firing from the left and right-hand sides. Unfortunately, stealth doesn't work in this area of Elden Ring.
- Slowly walk up the path with the shield in position until the Troll jumps from the high platform.
- Now is the time to lure the Troll outside the gate while avoiding the arrows.
- With the Troll outside the Gate, it's time to lock on to the target.
- The player can target both legs and the face.
- A hit to the face will temporarily blind and stagger the Troll.
- Use either Fire arrows to achieve this or wait for the Troll to finish attacking when it's briefly in the crouched position and slash its face.
- Reaching its face with a sword can be a matter of luck, so the best method is to start attacking the legs.
- To achieve this, take a run at the Troll and roll between its legs as it begins its attack.
- The player's character should find themselves behind the Troll with the back of its legs exposed.
- Starting swinging at the legs, but make sure not to get caught when the Troll leaps up into the air for an area of attack slam.
- When the Troll's health reaches half, it will draw its sword.
- The same routine will work, but the giant will fight back with a charge attack coming from all angles.
- To counter this attack, simply run towards the cliff walls keeping the Troll locked in the character's sights.
- When it charges, the Troll will run into the cliff wall, temporarily staggering itself.
- This will leave it vulnerable to more slashes at the legs.
- When the Troll is defeated, it will yield 1000 Runes at a time.
- Rest again at the Site of Grace, then repeat until the necessary Runes have been obtained to level up. This method can be used as often as required as the Troll will respawn after every rest.
Fighting the Troll will take some practice to get the timing of the rolls down. It's worth it, however, because this is one of the quickest and easiest ways to obtain 1000 Runes over and over again to level up early in Elden Ring. Moreover, if the player's character is defeated, they won't have to go far to reclaim the Runes.
Fighting The Troll On Horseback
Another method of fighting the Troll is mounted combat in Elden Ring. This method can be more difficult, but again, timing is everything. However, instead of rolling between the Troll's legs, charge at them by pressing the Circle button on PlayStation or B on Xbox. The player's character should find themselves behind the Troll, leaving it vulnerable to some powerful attacks on horseback.
Elden Ring is available for the PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
