Why Mage Builds Farm Faster Than Melee on Average
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2025 5:40 am
In the world of Elden Ring, farming runes efficiently is key to leveling up and testing new builds. Over time, many players notice that mage builds tend to rake in runes faster than their melee-focused counterparts. It’s not just a coincidence—it’s the result of several gameplay mechanics that favor spellcasters in rune farming scenarios. Here’s a closer look at why this happens and how you can make the most of it.
Distance Advantage and Safety
One of the most obvious perks of mage builds is their ability to attack from range. When you’re wielding a staff and casting spells, you rarely need to get up close and personal with enemies. This means fewer interruptions to your farming rhythm, fewer deaths, and less time spent running back to your corpse after a misstep. In contrast, melee builds often have to wade into a crowd, dodge multiple attacks, and manage stamina carefully—each encounter taking longer and carrying higher risk.
From my experience, this safety buffer alone can make a big difference over dozens of farming runs. You spend more time hitting enemies and collecting runes rather than getting dragged into prolonged fights. For anyone short on time or looking to grind efficiently, this alone makes mages appealing.
AoE Spells and Crowd Control
Mage builds excel at dealing with multiple enemies simultaneously thanks to area-of-effect (AoE) spells. While a melee character may have to swing repeatedly, reposition constantly, and use multiple combos to thin a mob, a mage can often clear an entire group in a few well-placed casts. This efficiency translates directly into faster rune accumulation, especially in zones with dense enemy populations.
A quick tip: investing in AoE spells that also stagger or debuff enemies can amplify your farming speed. This allows you to maintain distance, keep the enemies under control, and minimize wasted movement. It’s a small tweak that pays off big in the long run.
Reduced Gear Dependency
Melee builds often rely heavily on weapon upgrades and specific armor sets to maximize efficiency, which can slow down farming if you’re constantly swapping gear or grinding for materials. Mages, on the other hand, can perform well with a solid staff and a few key spells. While certain talismans or robes help, the barrier to effective rune farming is lower. This simplicity lets you focus on the core of farming rather than micromanaging gear stats.
For players who occasionally like to buy Elden Ring runes to test new builds quickly or smooth over a difficult grind, mage builds feel particularly forgiving. The need to balance gear stats is far less pressing, so you can focus on spells and positioning instead.
Flexibility with Summons
Another underrated factor is the synergy with summons. Mage builds often pair well with spirit summons because the caster can stay at range while the summoned allies soak up damage. Melee builds can also use summons, but managing aggro while staying alive is trickier up close. By letting your minions handle the frontline, you can continue spellcasting uninterrupted, which boosts both safety and rune gains.
In some cases, when I wanted to speed up farming sessions, I even considered using services like U4GM for quick rune boosts. While not necessary for skilled farming, it highlights how accessible mage-based grinding feels—whether you’re self-sufficient or looking to supplement your progress.
Rune Farming Routes Favor Spells
Finally, many of Elden Ring’s popular farming routes naturally favor ranged and magic damage. Enemies often spawn in groups, in tight areas, or at positions where dodging and repositioning is challenging for melee fighters. A well-placed fireball or glintstone sorcery can clear these routes in record time, letting mages run laps that melee builds would find tedious or risky.
It’s worth noting that for players seeking convenience, sites like buy Elden Ring runes legit site provide ways to get additional resources without grinding excessively. While I personally prefer earning runes the old-fashioned way, knowing you have that option makes experimenting with mage builds less stressful for newcomers.
Personal Takeaways
From my own farming sessions, the combination of safety, AoE damage, and reduced gear dependence makes mage builds noticeably faster in most circumstances. That doesn’t mean melee builds can’t shine—situations like boss fights, duels, or specific farming zones can favor strong melee characters—but for general rune farming, spellcasters often have the upper hand.
A small tip I’d share: experiment with hybrid setups. Even adding one strong AoE spell to a primarily melee character can drastically cut farming time, giving you a taste of the mage efficiency without fully abandoning your favorite playstyle.
Mage builds farm faster than melee on average because they can stay safe, control crowds effectively, and rely less on strict gear requirements. For players looking to level efficiently, test new builds, or enjoy smoother grinding sessions, magic often offers a clear edge. Pair it with smart route planning, optional summons, or even supplemental rune sources, and you’ll see why many veteran players turn to magic when they want results fast.
Deep Dive: 7 Proven Ways to Beat the Hardest Bosses in Elden Ring
Distance Advantage and Safety
One of the most obvious perks of mage builds is their ability to attack from range. When you’re wielding a staff and casting spells, you rarely need to get up close and personal with enemies. This means fewer interruptions to your farming rhythm, fewer deaths, and less time spent running back to your corpse after a misstep. In contrast, melee builds often have to wade into a crowd, dodge multiple attacks, and manage stamina carefully—each encounter taking longer and carrying higher risk.
From my experience, this safety buffer alone can make a big difference over dozens of farming runs. You spend more time hitting enemies and collecting runes rather than getting dragged into prolonged fights. For anyone short on time or looking to grind efficiently, this alone makes mages appealing.
AoE Spells and Crowd Control
Mage builds excel at dealing with multiple enemies simultaneously thanks to area-of-effect (AoE) spells. While a melee character may have to swing repeatedly, reposition constantly, and use multiple combos to thin a mob, a mage can often clear an entire group in a few well-placed casts. This efficiency translates directly into faster rune accumulation, especially in zones with dense enemy populations.
A quick tip: investing in AoE spells that also stagger or debuff enemies can amplify your farming speed. This allows you to maintain distance, keep the enemies under control, and minimize wasted movement. It’s a small tweak that pays off big in the long run.
Reduced Gear Dependency
Melee builds often rely heavily on weapon upgrades and specific armor sets to maximize efficiency, which can slow down farming if you’re constantly swapping gear or grinding for materials. Mages, on the other hand, can perform well with a solid staff and a few key spells. While certain talismans or robes help, the barrier to effective rune farming is lower. This simplicity lets you focus on the core of farming rather than micromanaging gear stats.
For players who occasionally like to buy Elden Ring runes to test new builds quickly or smooth over a difficult grind, mage builds feel particularly forgiving. The need to balance gear stats is far less pressing, so you can focus on spells and positioning instead.
Flexibility with Summons
Another underrated factor is the synergy with summons. Mage builds often pair well with spirit summons because the caster can stay at range while the summoned allies soak up damage. Melee builds can also use summons, but managing aggro while staying alive is trickier up close. By letting your minions handle the frontline, you can continue spellcasting uninterrupted, which boosts both safety and rune gains.
In some cases, when I wanted to speed up farming sessions, I even considered using services like U4GM for quick rune boosts. While not necessary for skilled farming, it highlights how accessible mage-based grinding feels—whether you’re self-sufficient or looking to supplement your progress.
Rune Farming Routes Favor Spells
Finally, many of Elden Ring’s popular farming routes naturally favor ranged and magic damage. Enemies often spawn in groups, in tight areas, or at positions where dodging and repositioning is challenging for melee fighters. A well-placed fireball or glintstone sorcery can clear these routes in record time, letting mages run laps that melee builds would find tedious or risky.
It’s worth noting that for players seeking convenience, sites like buy Elden Ring runes legit site provide ways to get additional resources without grinding excessively. While I personally prefer earning runes the old-fashioned way, knowing you have that option makes experimenting with mage builds less stressful for newcomers.
Personal Takeaways
From my own farming sessions, the combination of safety, AoE damage, and reduced gear dependence makes mage builds noticeably faster in most circumstances. That doesn’t mean melee builds can’t shine—situations like boss fights, duels, or specific farming zones can favor strong melee characters—but for general rune farming, spellcasters often have the upper hand.
A small tip I’d share: experiment with hybrid setups. Even adding one strong AoE spell to a primarily melee character can drastically cut farming time, giving you a taste of the mage efficiency without fully abandoning your favorite playstyle.
Mage builds farm faster than melee on average because they can stay safe, control crowds effectively, and rely less on strict gear requirements. For players looking to level efficiently, test new builds, or enjoy smoother grinding sessions, magic often offers a clear edge. Pair it with smart route planning, optional summons, or even supplemental rune sources, and you’ll see why many veteran players turn to magic when they want results fast.
Deep Dive: 7 Proven Ways to Beat the Hardest Bosses in Elden Ring