The Gold Scarab Talisman remains the single most essential piece of gear for any player looking to efficiently level up, purchase smithing stones, or upgrade their arsenal in Elden Ring. As of December 2025, its effect and location have not been altered by FromSoftware’s major patches, cementing its status as a permanent 20% boost to all Runes acquired from defeated enemies. This guide cuts straight to the chase, providing the exact steps to acquire this game-changing item and detailing the most effective, current rune farming strategies to use it with.
For the Tarnished aiming to maximize their Runes per hour, understanding the Gold Scarab is the first step toward true power. We will walk you through the perilous Caelid dungeon where this treasure is hidden, explain how to stack its effect for a massive 70% total boost, and reveal the best farming routes that are still viable in the current game version.
The Gold Scarab Talisman: Profile and Acquisition Blueprint
The Gold Scarab is more than just a trinket; it is a permanent, passive upgrade to your character's ability to gather the game's primary currency. Here is a quick profile of the item and the definitive step-by-step guide to claiming it.
- Item Type: Talisman
- Effect: Increases Rune acquisition by 20% (multiplicative with other buffs).
- Location: Abandoned Cave, Caelid.
- Boss Required: Cleanrot Knight (x2) Duo.
- Difficulty: Mid-to-Late Game (due to Caelid's high-level enemies and the challenging boss duo).
Step-by-Step Guide to the Abandoned Cave
The journey to the Golden Scarab Talisman is fraught with peril, as it requires traversing the scarlet rot-infested region of Caelid. The Abandoned Cave is infamous for its environmental hazards and dual boss fight.
1. Travel to Caelid: The quickest way to reach the area is by warping to the Smoldering Wall Site of Grace. From there, head east along the main road toward the giant ravine.
2. Locate the Cave Entrance: The Abandoned Cave is strategically hidden on a cliff ledge directly across a large chasm. You must cross a precarious, narrow branch or root that acts as a bridge. Look for a small torrent of water that flows over the edge—the cave entrance is right next to it.
3. Navigate the Rot: The entire dungeon is filled with the debilitating Scarlet Rot status effect. You will need a strong supply of Preserving Boluses, or a high resistance/cure incantation, to survive the journey. Move quickly, and use the small, dry ledges for brief respite.
4. The Boss Chamber: The final chamber contains the boss fog wall. Prepare yourself before entering, as you will face two formidable enemies: the Cleanrot Knight (Spear) and the Cleanrot Knight (Sickle). Focus fire on one knight first to make the fight manageable, as their coordinated attacks and ability to inflict Scarlet Rot can quickly overwhelm an unprepared Tarnished.
5. Claim Your Prize: Upon defeating the duo, the Gold Scarab Talisman will be yours. Equip it immediately in your Talisman Pouch to begin enjoying the permanent 20% Rune boost.
Maximum Rune Stacking: How to Get a 70% Boost
The Gold Scarab is powerful on its own, but its true potential is unlocked when stacked with other Rune-boosting effects. This synergistic approach is the key to achieving the highest Runes-per-hour rate in the game.
The Triple-Threat Stacking Formula
The maximum, easily attainable Rune acquisition boost is approximately 70% over the base rate. This is achieved by combining three distinct buffs:
- Gold Scarab Talisman: Provides a permanent +20% boost.
- Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot: A consumable item that provides a temporary +30% boost for three minutes. This is a critical component of any serious farming session.
- Group Password Buff: By setting a Group Password (like 'straydmn' or 'SEEKERS'), you gain a minor, temporary boost (around +5%) when a player in your group defeats a major boss. While inconsistent, it is a passive bonus that requires no effort once set.
Pro-Tip: Always activate the Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot right before you begin a farming route. Its three-minute timer is enough for several high-yield runs at the best farming locations.
The Best Gold Scarab Rune Farming Locations in 2025
A 20% boost is only as good as the enemies you defeat. The current meta for rune farming still revolves around two primary locations, both of which are best accessed late-game or via early-game skips.
1. Mohgwyn Palace: Dynasty Mausoleum Entrance (The Albinauric Massacre)
This is universally accepted as the fastest and most efficient farming spot for high-level Runes, especially when paired with the Gold Scarab. It is accessible relatively early in the game by completing White Mask Varre's questline or by using the teleporter in the Consecrated Snowfield.
The Strategy:
- Warp to the Dynasty Mausoleum Entrance Site of Grace.
- Immediately turn around and head up the hill, where a large group of passive, low-health Albinaurics are gathered.
- Equip the Gold Scarab and use a powerful area-of-effect (AoE) attack to wipe out the group in one or two hits.
- The Ultimate Weapon: The Sacred Relic Sword (acquired after defeating the final boss and starting New Game+) makes this farm trivial, as its Weapon Skill, Wave of Gold, can clear the entire group instantly.
- Warp back to the Site of Grace and repeat. A single run takes less than 30 seconds and yields over 10,000 Runes (significantly more with the Gold Scarab and Fowl Foot active).
2. Mohgwyn Palace: The Cliffside Bird Trick
This method is a perfect complement to the Albinauric farm and requires minimal effort, making it ideal for new players or those who prefer ranged combat.
The Strategy:
- Warp to the same Dynasty Mausoleum Entrance Site of Grace.
- Look down the cliffside opposite the Albinaurics. You will see a large, passive, red-eyed bird.
- Shoot the bird with an arrow or a ranged spell (like a Glintstone Pebble) to aggro it.
- The bird will begin running toward you, but due to its pathing error, it will inevitably fall off the cliff to its death.
- You instantly receive over 11,000 Runes (before the Gold Scarab boost).
- Warp back to the Site of Grace and repeat. This is a safe, repeatable, and incredibly fast source of Runes that is not dependent on your combat build.
By consistently combining the Gold Scarab with the Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot and running these two routes in Mohgwyn Palace, the Tarnished can easily accumulate millions of Runes per hour, making the journey to become an Elden Lord significantly smoother.
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