Today, we're diving deep into the power of the Scythe weapon class. While scythes are typically associated with strength or dexterity builds, I'm here to show you that they are also incredibly potent when used in an Arcane-based build. The combination of high blood loss buildup, Elden Ring Items, poison effects, and devastating multi-hit Ashes of War makes this setup a force to be reckoned with in PvP.

 

In this guide, we'll go over the core components of this build, including stats, weapons, talismans, and the all-important tactics that will help you dominate in invasions. Whether you're facing off against aggressive invaders or tackling team-based gank squads, this Scythe build has everything you need to succeed. Let's dive in!

 

Why the Scythe?

 

Scythes are a weapon class that combines elegant reach with devastating AoE (Area of Effect) potential. What makes them so appealing in the DLC is their synergy with the Arcane stat, particularly when infused with the Occult modifier. This infusion boosts both the blood loss buildup and damage scaling from Arcane, making them incredibly effective in sustained combat, especially against players who cluster together.

 

The key advantage of using Scythes in an Arcane build is their ability to consistently apply pressure with blood loss buildup, poison, and poison mist. Plus, with multi-hit Ashes of War like Stormaller and Sword Dance, you can easily stack bleed damage, devastating your opponents before they even know what hit them.

Stats for the Build

 

The stat distribution for this build is relatively straightforward but crucial for maximizing the damage output and survivability of the Scythe weapon class.

 

1.Arcane (Primary Focus)

 

Arcane is the heart of this build, so it should be your highest stat. A high Arcane stat increases both the damage scaling of your weapons and your blood loss buildup. Arcane also synergizes well with consumables like sleep pots, which can help disrupt overly aggressive players and set up for easy kills.

 

2.Strength and Dexterity (Minimal Investment)

 

Scythes scale with both Strength and Dexterity, but for this build, you only need enough points to meet the requirements for your desired weapons. This build's focus is on Arcane, so keep Strength and Dexterity at their minimums to equip your weapons and let Arcane do the heavy lifting.

 

3.Endurance and Vigor (Vital for Tanking)

 

To ensure you can tank hits and continue applying pressure in fights, you'll want to invest in Endurance and Vigor. These stats will increase your stamina and health, making you harder to kill when facing multiple enemies.

 

4.Mind and Intelligence (Optional)

 

Depending on how much you want to use poison or other magical effects in your build, you may want to invest a small amount in Mind or Intelligence to boost your effectiveness with certain incantations. However, these are secondary to the primary stats of Arcane, Strength, and Dexterity.

 

Key Weapons and Infusions

 

Now, let's talk about the weapons and their respective infusions. The Scythe class, particularly with the Occult infusion, can create chaos in both PvP and PvE environments, especially when paired with powerful Ashes of War.

 

5.Scythe (Occult Infusion)

 

The Scythe is your main weapon, and infusing it with Occult will allow you to scale with Arcane and enhance its blood loss buildup. The multi-hit capabilities of scythe movesets, especially when paired with powerful Ashes of War, make it an excellent choice for stacking bleed damage over time.

 

6.Stormaller Ash of War

 

The Stormaller Ash of War is perfect for this build, as it delivers multiple hits and has the added benefit of applying blood loss build-up quickly. This Ash of War is fantastic for large groups of enemies or for pressuring players in PvP when they're grouped together. The whirlwind of attacks provides a steady buildup of bleed, and the AoE effect is perfect for crowd control.

 

7.Sword Dance Ash of War

 

Sword Dance is another solid Ash of War that works well with the Scythe. Its quick, multiple slashes and stagger potential allow you to control space and apply pressure. The fast, fluid animations make it great for interrupting aggressive opponents and keeping them on the defensive.

 

8.Poison Mist

 

One of the standout features of this build is the use of Poison Mist. Poison is extremely effective when combined with the right talismans, as it applies continuous damage over time, slowly wearing down your opponents. By using poison-based items and buffs, you can set up deadly combos that leave your enemies with little room to escape. Poison also works perfectly with the Kindred of Rot's Exaltation talisman, further boosting your damage.9.Mushroom Crown

 

The Mushroom Crown is a unique piece of armor that provides a significant buff when using poison in your build. It increases poison buildup and enhances the damage of poison-based attacks, making it a must-have for this setup. Not only does it provide excellent utility, but it also gives you a distinct fashion choice in the form of a hilarious mushroom head!

 

10.Talismans for Maximum Damage

 

Choosing the right talismans is key to maximizing the potential of your build. Here are the talismans I recommend for the Scythe-focused, Arcane build:

 

1.Two-Handed Sword Talisman

 

This talisman boosts your damage when wielding your weapon with both hands, and since the Scythe has a powerful two-handed moveset, this talisman is a must-have. It increases your damage output by 10%, which can make all the difference when going up against tough opponents.

 

2.Kindred of Rot's Exaltation

 

When using poison mist or other poison-based effects, this talisman boosts your damage significantly. The increased damage while poisoned or when causing poison is an excellent synergy with the rest of this build, allowing you to deal massive amounts of damage to enemies who are already affected by poison.

 

3.Shard of Alexander

 

This talisman increases the potency of your Ashes of War, and if you're using Stormaller or Sword Dance, this talisman will make your AoE attacks even more deadly. It's a solid choice if you want to maximize your burst damage potential.

 

4.Urchins +2

 

In situations where poison is not your main source of damage, or when you need a little extra oomph, swapping out Kindred of Rot's Exaltation for Urchins +2 can increase your overall damage, providing a reliable and powerful boost.

 

5.Retaliatory Cross Tree

 

If you're using an Ash of War that doesn't inherently do a lot of damage (like Storm Stomp), the Retaliatory Cross Tree can help enhance your counterattacks. This is especially useful when facing tanky enemies or players who are overly aggressive, as it rewards you for landing those precise counters.

 

6.Tactics for Invasion Success

 

The Scythe build is highly versatile and can be adapted to various combat situations. Here are some key strategies that you can use to gain the upper hand in invasions:

 

1.Utilize AoE for Crowd Control

 

One of the best ways to deal with groups of enemies is to use AoE-focused Ashes of War like Stormaller or Sword Dance. When enemies are grouped together, you can apply pressure from a distance while stacking bleed damage, poisoning them, or even forcing them into defensive positions.

 

2.Use Poison to Disrupt Aggressive Players

 

Poison Mist is perfect for disrupting overly aggressive players. The buildup from the poison will pressure them, especially in tight corners or areas where they can't easily escape. Coupled with the Kindred of Rot's Exaltation, the damage becomes lethal.

 

3.Manipulate the Environment

 

The environment plays a huge role in PvP, so be sure to use the terrain to your advantage. Whether it's using elevated spots for ranged combat or setting up traps with poison, always keep an eye on your surroundings. This is especially important when dealing with multiple enemies, as you'll need to stay mobile and out of their range.

 

4.Tank and Trade Hits

 

With high Endurance and Vigor, you can afford to tank a few hits and retaliate with powerful attacks. Don't be afraid to trade with enemies, especially when using the two-handed moveset of the Scythe. The reach and stagger potential of your attacks can create openings that you can exploit.

 

Conclusion

 

The Arcane Scythe build in Elden Ring is an incredibly fun and effective way to dominate the battlefield in the latest DLC. With high blood loss buildup, poison synergy, and devastating AoE Ashes of War, this build allows you to take control of invasions and leave your enemies in a state of constant pressure.

 

By combining Scythes with the power of Arcane, you can easily overwhelm your foes, whether you're facing aggressive players or gank squads. With the right setup, this build will have you feeling like an unstoppable force, get more Elden Ring Runes, able to use poison, bleed, and your devastating weaponry to take on even the most challenging enemies.