How to Obtain the Grave Scythe in Elden Ring: A Comprehensive Guide
The Grave Scythe is a powerful and sought-after weapon in Elden Ring, coveted for its versatile moveset and impressive damage output. Unlike some unique weapons found in specific locations, the Grave Scythe is a drop item, meaning it’s obtained by defeating certain enemies. However, its drop rate isn’t guaranteed, making it a potentially time-consuming endeavor to acquire. So, how do you get a Grave Scythe? The straightforward answer is: you must defeat Skeleton Mages throughout the Lands Between, hoping they will drop the weapon upon their demise.
Understanding the Grave Scythe Drop Mechanics
The Grave Scythe is not a guaranteed drop from any particular enemy. Instead, any Skeleton Mage has a chance to drop it. This makes farming for the weapon a matter of patience and persistence. These Skeleton Mages aren’t exactly rare, but they are usually scattered, and often only one or two of them wield the scythe in each location, making the process slightly tedious. The game’s random number generator determines whether a particular kill will result in the desired item.
Where to Find Skeleton Mages
These skeletal spellcasters are commonly found in the following areas:
- Graveyard areas: As their name suggests, graveyards are prime locations to find Skeleton Mages. Explore the various graveyards scattered across the map.
- Ambushes: They can be part of ambushes, often appearing when you explore certain areas or trigger specific events.
- Shallow water: Some Skeleton Mages can be encountered near bodies of shallow water.
- Under bridges: Check under bridges and elevated areas; they are known to lurk there.
Recommended Farming Locations for the Grave Scythe
While any Skeleton Mage can drop the scythe, some locations are better for farming due to their density of these enemies. Based on the information and community experience, two locations stand out:
The Graveyard Near Lake-Facing Cliffs
The graveyard west of the Lake-Facing Cliffs Site of Grace is one of the most popular farming spots. This area has multiple Skeleton Mages, increasing the chances of a drop. To optimize your farming:
- Fast Travel: Start by traveling to the Lake-Facing Cliffs Site of Grace.
- Head West: Proceed west from the Site of Grace towards the large graveyard area.
- Eliminate the Mages: Carefully defeat the Skeleton Mages in the area, noting those wielding the Grave Scythe.
- Reset and Repeat: If no scythe drops, return to the Site of Grace to reset the area and repeat the process.
Road-Fork Near Behind Caria Manor
Another potentially efficient spot is the area around a road-fork southeast of the Behind Caria Manor Site of Grace, which is due west of the Royal Grave Evergaol. Here’s how to approach it:
- Fast Travel: Start by traveling to the Behind Caria Manor Site of Grace.
- Head Southeast: Travel southeast from the Site of Grace towards the road-fork.
- Engage the Mages: You’ll find several Skeleton Mages in this area, again prioritize the ones that appear to wield the Grave Scythe.
- Reset as Needed: If no scythe drops, travel back to the Site of Grace and repeat.
Optimizing Your Grave Scythe Farm
To maximize your efficiency in farming the Grave Scythe, keep the following tips in mind:
- Arcane Stat: Consider raising your Arcane stat. This stat boosts item discovery, which can increase the chances of enemies dropping rare items like the Grave Scythe.
- Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot: Use a Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot. This consumable item temporarily boosts your item discovery.
- Fast Killing Power: Use a weapon that can quickly dispatch Skeleton Mages. This will reduce the time spent fighting and allow you to farm more efficiently.
- Patience is Key: Farming for rare drops can be frustrating. Stay patient and persistent, and you will eventually get the Grave Scythe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Grave Scythe
1. Is the Grave Scythe a Rare Weapon?
While there are many potential locations to find it, the Grave Scythe is considered somewhat rare because it isn’t a guaranteed drop. The chances of obtaining it are low enough to require grinding.
2. Is the Grave Scythe better than the regular Scythe in Elden Ring?
The Grave Scythe is generally considered superior due to its higher damage output on most Affinities, though it is a bit shorter and lacks the Scythe’s unique moveset.
3. What are the best Ashes of War to put on the Grave Scythe?
The Grave Scythe can be infused with a variety of Ashes of War. Experiment to find the best ones for your playstyle, but some popular choices include Blood Tax, Spinning Weapon, and Seppuku for powerful bleed builds.
4. Can you find the Grave Scythe early in the game?
Yes, it is possible to acquire the Grave Scythe relatively early in the game by farming the Skeleton Mages in the graveyard west of Lake-Facing Cliffs.
5. Can the Grave Scythe be infused with different affinities?
Yes, like many weapons in Elden Ring, the Grave Scythe can be infused with different affinities (e.g., fire, magic, lightning) to adjust scaling and damage types.
6. Do Skeleton Mages always carry a Grave Scythe?
No, not all Skeleton Mages carry a Grave Scythe. Only some of them wield it, and even then, they don’t always drop it when defeated.
7. Does using a specific build help increase the chance of obtaining the Grave Scythe?
Yes, increasing your Arcane stat will directly impact your item discovery, giving you a higher chance for item drops.
8. Is there a guaranteed location to find a Grave Scythe?
No, there isn’t a guaranteed location. The Grave Scythe is exclusively a drop item from Skeleton Mages.
9. How many times do I need to farm a Skeleton Mage before it drops?
There’s no set number of kills, due to the random drop rates. It could drop on your first attempt or require many hours of grinding. This depends heavily on luck.
10. Does difficulty affect the drop rate of the Grave Scythe?
The game difficulty level does not affect item drop rates. Whether you’re in New Game or New Game+, the chance of a Skeleton Mage dropping the scythe remains the same.
11. Can I trade for the Grave Scythe with other players?
Yes, you can trade with other players if you are unable to farm it on your own. However, this will require online connectivity and potentially access to online communities.
12. Can the Grave Scythe be upgraded?
Yes, the Grave Scythe can be upgraded using Smithing Stones at a blacksmith. It can be upgraded to level +25.
13. Is the Grave Scythe good for PvP combat?
Yes, the Grave Scythe can be effective in PvP due to its range, damage, and ability to inflict status effects with appropriate Ashes of War.
14. Does the Winged Scythe have anything to do with the Grave Scythe?
While both are scythe weapons, they are separate items, each with unique movesets, locations, and properties. The Winged Scythe is found in a chest and is obtained much easier than the Grave Scythe.
15. What is the “Fatal Scythe” mentioned in other Elden Ring content?
The Fatal Scythe mentioned in some online references comes from other franchises, such as Sword Art Online, and is not directly related to the Grave Scythe in Elden Ring.