Alright, folks, gather 'round the virtual campfire. Let me tell you a tale from the year 2026, a tale of my epic—and frankly, quite clumsy—quest to snag the Winged Scythe in Elden Ring. I'm just your average Tarnished, still getting my bearings in the Lands Between, and I heard whispers of this killer reaper that does holy damage and makes enemies bleed. I mean, holy moly, that's like finding a weapon that's both a divine blessing and a cursed nightmare! Sign me up! The internet said it was in Limgrave, so I figured, "How hard could it be?" Famous last words, my friends. Famous. Last. Words.
The Great Pilgrimage to Weeping Peninsula (Or: Why I Hate Bridges)
First things first, you gotta haul your butt down to the Weeping Peninsula. Sounds lovely, right? It's called 'Weeping' for a reason, and after this journey, I was doing some weeping myself. The starting point is this charming little spot called the Bridge of Sacrifice. Pro tip: the name isn't just for aesthetics. I sprinted across like a maniac, completely ignoring Irina and her whole questline drama. Sorry, Irina, maybe next playthrough! My sights were set on that sweet, sweet scythe.
Once you're on the southern side, you just follow the road. Easy-peasy. Except it's Elden Ring, so 'easy' involves dodging a grumpy giant who really doesn't appreciate tourists and a bunch of other critters who see you as a walking snack. I died more times to random foot soldiers on that path than I care to admit. Finally, after what felt like an eternity (and several lost Runes), you reach a slope. Now, here's where the 2024 video guide they added was a lifesaver. You take a right. Don't be like me and go left into a pack of wild dogs. Just... don't.
Follow this new path, and you'll spot a Site of Grace. Ah, the beautiful glow of safety! I almost cried. You pass it by (tough, I know) and soon you'll see a rickety old wooden bridge. Crossing it felt like a trust exercise with the game's physics engine. On the other side, you'll see a church—the Church of Pilgrimage. But you're not going to church today! You turn left before you get there. The first ruined house on your right? Bingo. That's the Tombsward Ruins. Home to your prize and, as I discovered, one absolutely massive, terrifying rat. I'm talking size-of-a-small-horse rat. I named him Stuart. Stuart did not want to be friends.
Descending into the Crypt & Facing the Pages of Doom
Upon arriving at the Tombsward Ruins, the real fun begins. You need to find the stairs leading down into a crypt. It's not super hidden, but in my panic to avoid Stuart the Mega-Rat, I ran in circles for a good five minutes. Once you find the stairs and descend, you'll be greeted by the crypt's guardians: the Pages.
Let me tell you about Pages. These aren't the cute, book-fetching kind. These are agile, crossbow-wielding maniacs who love nothing more than turning you into a pincushion. My strategy? Pure, unadulterated panic-rolling. After a few... dozen attempts, I managed to clear them out. And there it was, sitting pretty in the middle of the room: a treasure chest. The moment of truth. I opened it, half-expecting a mimic to eat my face. But no! Inside gleamed the Winged Scythe. Victory! Cue the imaginary confetti.
Behold! The Winged Scythe - Stats, Skills, and My Build Plans
Now, let's talk about this beauty. The Winged Scythe is not your average farm tool. It's a Reaper that scales with three stats: Strength, Dexterity, and Faith. It's like the weapon version of a triple-threat entertainer. But here's the kicker—you gotta be worthy to wield it. The stat requirements are no joke:
| Attribute | Required Level | My Initial Reaction |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 16 | "I can barely lift this thing!" |
| Dexterity | 16 | "My hands are not this steady!" |
| Faith | 24 | "I have faith I'll never meet this requirement..." |
Yikes. As a low-level character, I was staring at a serious grind. But the weapon is so cool, it's worth it. Here's what makes it special:
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Holy Damage & Negation: It deals Holy damage and reduces incoming Holy damage. Perfect for sending those pesky undead back to their graves.
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Bloodloss Buildup (55 per hit): This is the secret sauce. Every hit builds up that bleed meter. When it fills? Boom! A huge chunk of percentage-based damage. It's brutally effective.
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Unique Skill: Angel's Wings: You leap into the air and slam down with a holy explosion. It looks awesome, does good damage, and makes you feel like a divine avenger. A total game-changer for crowd control.
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No Ash of War Infusion: This is a bummer for customization fans, but the built-in skill is so good you won't miss it much.
My "Pro" Tips for Wielding This Beast
So, you've got the scythe. Now what? Here's my hard-earned advice for making it work, especially in the early game:
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Attribute Priority: Focus on leveling Dexterity and Faith first. They boost your damage the most. Strength is important, but there's a workaround...
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The Two-Hand Trick: If you're short on Strength points (like I was), just two-hand the weapon! This gives you a 1.5x multiplier to your effective Strength stat. It's a lifesaver and lets you meet the requirement earlier.
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Upgrade Path: You upgrade this bad boy with Somber Smithing Stones, all the way to +10. They're rarer than regular stones, so use them wisely!
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Build Synergy: This weapon is a cornerstone for early-game Faith/Dexterity hybrid builds. Pair it with incantations for a versatile holy warrior playstyle.
Starting out in Elden Ring in 2026 is still as tough as ever if you're under-leveled. Getting this weapon early was a major power spike for me. It turned my struggling confessor into a credible threat. So, if you're new and looking for a weapon that's powerful, stylish, and has a unique mechanic, the hunt for the Winged Scythe is totally worth the hassle. Just watch out for Stuart.