U4GM - Elden Ring: 8 Speedrun Builds That Focus on Rune Efficiency
In the fast-paced world of Elden Ring speedrunning, efficiency isn’t just about cutting time—it’s also about making every rune count. Whether you're shaving minutes off your best time or just trying to reach NG+ faster, your build can make or break a run. Here are 8 speedrun builds that prioritize both quick clears and intelligent rune use.
1. Dexterity Bleed Build
A classic among speedrunners, the Dexterity Bleed build utilizes weapons like the Uchigatana or Rivers of Blood to apply bleed procs quickly. Not only do these weapons deal rapid damage, but the bleed effect chunks enemy health dramatically—saving time and rune investment into other damage stats. Efficient for both early and late-game bosses.
2. Strength Strats with Greatswords
While not as flashy, a pure Strength build focusing on colossal weapons like the Greatsword or Ruins Greatsword can two-shot major enemies with heavy investment. The key to this build's rune efficiency is focusing solely on Strength and Vigor, allowing you to bypass wasted levels in other areas.
3. Intelligence Glass Cannon
Using powerful spells like Comet Azur, the Intelligence-focused caster can delete bosses from range before they ever reach you. Though fragile, this build minimizes rune waste by skipping over endurance and strength, instead focusing your Elden Ring runes for sale on INT and FP flask upgrades.
4. Faith Lightning Speedrunner
Faith builds can be deceptively fast. Spells like Lightning Spear and Lansseax's Glaive provide quick casting and mobility-friendly offense. Combine this with lightweight armor and talismans like Radagon Icon for reduced casting time, and you’ve got a nimble runner with minimal rune drain.
5. Dual-Wield Twinblade Agility
If your aim is to clear mobs fast and trigger status effects efficiently, the dual Twinblade setup can shine. Fast animations, bleed buildup, and low weight make this a prime choice for rune-conscious players. Plus, it’s easy to scale up damage without spreading your rune budget too thin.
6. Arcane Farm Runner
This build doubles as both a speedrun tool and a rune farm. Using Arcane to boost drop rates and synergize with weapons like Mohgwyn’s Sacred Spear, this setup allows you to power through enemies while stacking consumables and crafting materials. Players looking for Elden Ring items for sale will appreciate how much loot this build scoops up during fast clears.
7. Hybrid Int/Dex Moonveil Build
A speedrunner’s favorite, Moonveil remains strong thanks to its quick unsheathe weapon art and balanced stat scaling. Investing in both Dexterity and Intelligence gives you the flexibility to use fast melee and ranged sorcery without overspending runes. It’s no surprise that players often consider it when planning efficient early-to-mid game clears.
8. Naked No-Hit Build
For the most hardcore speedrunners, the no-armor/no-hit build focuses entirely on skill. Run light, use talismans that boost offense when HP is full, and avoid rune spending on Endurance or Vigor. This approach saves significant rune investment—but comes at a cost: mistakes are fatal. Still, for pure rune efficiency and style, it's unmatched.
Whether you're aiming for sub-hour runs or just want a faster, smarter playthrough, these builds help you maximize performance while minimizing waste. For those looking to experiment or stock up between runs, sites like U4GM often have Elden Ring items for sale and Elden Ring runes for sale to help streamline the process. Just remember: speed is nothing without precision—and the most efficient builds don’t just save time, they save runes too.