Elden Ring Scythe Arcane Build Guide: The Bleeding Mushroom Assassin

Elden Ring Mar-18-2026 PST

Welcome to another build guide, folks! This time, we’re diving into the Scythe Weapon Class, but with a twist: we’re focusing on Arcane scaling. It’s a build that brings both high damage output and great utility with poison and bleed buildup. Using a combination of Occult infusion and Arcane stat scaling, this build can melt through enemies with the added bonus of blood loss buildup. If you're looking to buy Elden Ring Runes to upgrade your character or weapons, this build will make great use of that investment. Let's break down the stats, weapons, and tactics you’ll need to dominate the battlefield.

1. Stats and Priorities:

The focus of this build is on Arcane. Here’s a simple breakdown of what you need to prioritize:

· Arcane: Max this out as much as possible. The higher your Arcane stat, the better your damage scaling with the Occult infused scythe. Not only does this enhance your damage, but it also boosts blood loss buildup, which is key to melting enemy health bars.

· Strength & Dexterity: While not the primary focus, you’ll need the minimum strength and dexterity required for the specific scythe or weapons you plan to wield.

· Endurance: Having decent endurance is essential, especially for PvP invasions, as you’ll want to be able to tank damage while dishing out some serious hits.

· Vigor: A solid health pool is always important, especially since you’ll be engaged in frequent close combat.

Recommended Stat Distribution:

· Arcane: As high as possible (50+ if possible)

· Strength: 20-30 (for the scythes you prefer)

· Dexterity: 15-20 (again, depending on weapon)

· Endurance: 25-30 (for mobility and stamina)

· Vigor: 40 (health is important for PvP)

2. Weapons:

The scythe is the star of this build, with the Occult infusion providing excellent Arcane scaling. Here are some options to consider:

· Scythe (Occult Infused): Classic and reliable, the Scythe is a strong weapon that benefits from both bleed buildup and Arcane scaling.

· Stormaller: This multi-hit weapon is perfect for stacking bleed buildup quickly. It’s also a solid choice for AoE (area of effect) attacks, which are fantastic when fighting against groups of enemies.

· Sword Dance Ash of War: This is great for fast, multi-hit combos, which will help trigger bleed even faster.

· Other Scythes: Consider experimenting with different scythes for variety, but always stick with Occult infusion for the best Arcane scaling.

3. Armor:

The armor is flexible for the most part, but one essential piece for this build is the Mushroom Crown. Here's why:

· Mushroom Crown: Boosts poison damage, which is key for the poison-focused aspect of this build. It synergizes perfectly with the Kinder of Rot’s Exaltation talisman, which boosts damage when you use Poison Mist.

· For the rest of your armor, you can mix and match pieces that suit your playstyle. A light to medium load will give you decent mobility without sacrificing too much defense.

4. Talismans:

Here’s the talisman setup you should consider for maximizing your damage output:

· Two-Handed Sword Talisman: A must-have for the extra 10% damage boost when you’re wielding your scythe two-handed.

· Kindred of Rot’s Exaltation: If you’re using Poison Mist, this talisman boosts the damage when you’re poisoned, which is fantastic for increasing your overall output when you poison your enemies.

· Shards of Alexander: Boosts your Ash of War damage, especially helpful when using powerful AoE abilities like Stormaller.

· Urchins +2 Talisman: If you’re not focusing on poison and want some extra poise or utility for survival, this is a solid choice for added protection against stagger.

Alternate Talismans:

· Retaliatory Cross Tree: If you’re using an Ash of War with no inherent damage (like Storm Stomp), this will enhance your counterattacks.

5. Consumables:

Certain consumables complement this build very well, enhancing your ability to control the battlefield and deal additional damage:

· Poison Pots: Apply poison to your enemies, and you’ll get a damage buff thanks to your setup. These are especially effective against groups or when your enemy is trying to camp in a corner.

· Sleep Pots: If enemies are getting overly aggressive, sleep pots are a great tool. You can easily punish them while they’re asleep, setting them up for a devastating attack.

· Poison Mist: This is a core ability for this build. Not only does it provide poison buildup, but it also synergizes with Kindred of Rot’s Exaltation for huge damage output.

6. Combat Strategy:

The key to mastering this build lies in strategic engagements. Here are some tips to excel:

· Bleed Buildup: Always aim to hit multiple times in quick succession. Using multi-hit Ashes of War like Sword Dance is perfect for quickly building up blood loss and triggering massive damage. Stormaller is especially effective for this.

· Poison Build-Up: Don’t forget about your poison options. Use Poison Mist or Poison Pots to wear down enemies, making them easy targets for your high-damage scythe attacks.

· Mobility: While your defense is solid, don’t rely solely on tanking hits. Your Arcane focus means you need quick reflexes, especially in PvP. Make use of dodges and jump attacks to control the flow of the battle.

· Use of Sleep: When things get chaotic, use sleep pots to incapacitate enemies. Once they’re asleep, you can follow up with a devastating combo. This is particularly useful when you’re outnumbered or facing aggressive teams.

7. PvP Tactics:

· Against Bleed Spam: Stay aware of other bleed-focused builds. Make sure to mix up your attacks to prevent them from getting the upper hand.

· Team Fights: In team-based invasions, you’ll want to keep your distance and rely on area-of-effect Ashes of War like Stormaller or Sword Dance to damage multiple enemies at once. Use poison pots and sleep pots to disrupt the enemy's plans.

· Playing with Allies: If you’re invading alongside another player, you can use the Stormaller combo to clear out enemies quickly. Poison and bleed work well in these scenarios, where they don’t expect multiple layers of debuffs.

8. Conclusion:

This Arcane Scythe build is all about damage over time. You’re combining poison, bleed, and Arcane scaling to overwhelm your enemies with powerful, multi-hit attacks. Whether you're invading as a lone wolf or facing off against multiple foes in a team, this build allows you to apply constant pressure while maintaining a tank-like presence in combat. If you're looking for Elden Ring Items for sale to boost your build, be sure to check out MMOEXP for a wide variety of items to enhance your gameplay. Make sure to experiment with your talisman setup and consumables for different combat scenarios.