Elden Ring has inspired players to revisit weapon classes that often go overlooked, and one of the most stylish yet underutilized families of weapons is the scythe class Elden Ring Items. These curved reaper tools don't just look menacing-they also offer unique mechanics that make them powerful in both PvE and PvP scenarios.

This article breaks down how scythes work, the best weapon choices, stat distribution, gear, and talisman setups, as well as practical invasion strategies drawn from live battles. By the end, you'll see why this weapon class is much more than just a fashion pick-it's a versatile toolkit for players who want to punish shields, control duels, and keep their enemies guessing.

Why Choose a Scythe Build?

On the surface, scythes don't look as strong as colossal swords or as reliable as katanas. But dig deeper, and you'll find they offer several unique advantages:

 Shield Chip Damage: Scythes bypass a portion of block defense, making them excellent against greatshield users. In PvP, where turtle builds can stall fights, this is invaluable.

 Fast Light Attacks: Despite their size, scythes have quick, sweeping light attacks. They can catch opponents off guard, especially after rolls.

 Unique Combos: The standard Scythe's charged heavy can combo into Loretta's Slash, creating burst damage opportunities. Additionally, jump heavy attacks can link into light attacks for surprising chains.

 Style and Reach: Few weapons can match the aesthetic appeal of scythes. Their reach and animations also feel distinct from the usual PvP meta.

In short: scythes are sleeper-strong for invasions. If you're tired of seeing the same Rivers of Blood and Moonveil builds, scythes provide refreshing gameplay with serious potential.

Scythe Weapon Options

The beauty of this class lies in its variety. Each scythe has a different niche, meaning you can mix and match depending on your preferred playstyle.

1. Standard Scythe

 Strengths: Flexible, customizable Ash of War, and a deadly heavy attack combo with Loretta's Slash.

 Best For: Players who want a balance of reliability and creativity.

 Notes: A favorite for Chase because of its adaptability.

2. Grave Scythe

 Strengths: Highest raw damage potential in the class.

 Best For: Pure dexterity builds or those who want to maximize physical damage.

 Notes: Works well with Bloodflame Blade for bleed pressure.

3. Winged Scythe

 Strengths: Comes with the Angel's Wings Ash of War, which prevents healing on hit.

 Best For: PvP invasions where denying flasks can swing fights.

 Notes: Requires Faith investment, but the payoff is massive.

4. Halo Scythe

 Strengths: Fires Miquella's Ring of Light, offering ranged harassment.

 Best For: Zoning, pestering, or forcing opponents to roll predictably.

 Notes: This one gets spammed often in invasions-if you've been annoyed by golden discs, this is the culprit.

5. Obsidian Lamina

 Strengths: Reverse quickstep Ash of War enables sneaky backstabs and evasive maneuvers.

 Best For: Trickster playstyles and high-mobility PvP.

 Notes: While not the strongest damage dealer, its moveset is flashy and versatile.

6. Dynastic Sickle

 Strengths: Unique follow-ups and stylish combos.

 Best For: Fashion builds and creative players.

 Notes: Less common, but fun to master.

Stats and Scaling

Scythes primarily scale with Dexterity, but some demand Faith and Arcane to unlock their true potential. A balanced distribution allows you to swap between multiple scythes in a single build.

 Dexterity (Main Stat): Push this high for damage across all scythes.

 Faith: Needed for Winged Scythe and Halo Scythe. Also boosts incantations.

 Arcane: Useful for the Obsidian Lamina and bleed infusions.

 Vigor & Endurance: Never neglect survivability in invasions.

Armor and Fashion

Unlike colossal builds that demand poise-stacked armor, scythe builds thrive on mobility and spacing. Armor choice is largely fashion-oriented, but mixing resilience with style is ideal.

 Featured Look: Solitude set with Knight's Cavalry chest piece.

 Why it Works: Slim, reaper-like aesthetic that complements the weapon class while still offering decent defenses.Best Talismans for a Scythe Build

Talisman slots can make or break your build. Here's a standard, effective setup:

1.Shard of Alexander-Boosts Ash of War damage, perfect for Loretta's Slash or Angel's Wings.

2.Two-Handed Sword Talisman-Increases two-handing damage, which scythe users frequently do.

3.Erdtree's Favor +2-Improves HP, stamina, and equip load.

4.Bull-Goat's Talisman-Provides poise to trade safely, crucial when using charged heavies.

Invasion Gameplay and Strategies

The heart of this build lies in invasions.

1. Shield Breaker

In Crumbling Farum Azula, scythes shredded through greatshields with ease. Opponents who relied on blocking quickly realized their defense was no match. This gave scythes a unique edge compared to other dexterity weapons.

2. Burst Combos

The heavy attack into Loretta's Slash created devastating burst moments. Timing is everything-bait aggression, endure the trade, then unleash the combo for massive damage.

3. Healing Denial

Winged Scythe's Angel's Wings repeatedly shut down flask usage. Hosts often panicked when their go-to sustain option was suddenly removed, handing momentum to the invader.

4. Mobility Tricks

The Obsidian Lamina's reverse quickstep allowed cheeky backstabs and escapes. Combined with terrain manipulation (like baiting players off staircases), mobility turned battles into psychological duels.

5. Team Fights

Against groups with phantoms and blues, Chase used scythes' wide swings to control space. In one fight, he even turned enemy aggression into opportunities for NPC allies to land finishing blows.

6. Humor and Style

From accidental "booty" combos to hilarious NPC dragon interference, the invasions highlighted how unpredictable and entertaining scythe gameplay can be. Style matters, and scythes deliver.

PvE Applications

While the focus here is PvP, scythes are no slouch in PvE. Their range and vertical sweeps make them ideal for handling mobs, while Winged Scythe's heal-block is perfect against bosses with regen mechanics. The Grave Scythe, with bleed infusion, can chunk even the toughest bosses.

Build Weaknesses

No build is perfect, and scythes have their drawbacks:

 Lower Poise Damage: They don't stagger like colossal weapons.

 Reliance on Combos: Burst damage requires setup-miss a heavy into Ash of War and you're vulnerable.

 Split Scaling Needs: To unlock full variety, you must invest in multiple stats, which can delay power spikes.

 Learning Curve: Timing and spacing are more demanding than meta weapons.

That said, in the hands of a skilled invader, these weaknesses become opportunities for creativity.

Final Thoughts

The scythe weapon class in Elden Ring deserves far more attention than it gets. From shield-chipping light attacks to devastating burst combos and unique utility like heal denial, scythes bring both flair and effectiveness to PvP invasions.

Whether you favor the raw power of the Grave Scythe, the healing denial of the Winged Scythe, or the trickster flair of the Obsidian Lamina, there's a scythe for every playstyle.

Most importantly, scythe builds are just plain fun. They bring back the thrill of experimentation in Elden Ring-reminding us that not every fight has to be about chasing the strongest meta weapon. Sometimes, wielding death's tool itself is the most rewarding way to play Elden Ring Runes for sale.

So next time you invade or set foot in the Lands Between, consider equipping a scythe. You might just carve yourself a new favorite build.