- Scythe unlock method: Master the primary steps in this guide for the adventures of elliot the millennium tales how to get scythe weapon type.
- Weapon category: The Scythe is classified under the Chains and Sickles weapon type, offering excellent crowd control.
- Dungeon location: Navigate to the Doorway Ruins in the Age of Magic to retrieve this advanced weapon.
- Magicite synergy: Equip Vacuum Magicite to group enemies before performing high-damage sweeping strikes with the sickle.
Chains and Sickles: The Scythe Weapon Overview
In the beautifully crafted HD-2D action RPG developed by Square Enix and Claytechworks, players control Elliot as he travels across four distinct eras to save his world. While the game features seven distinct weapon types, the Chains and Sickles (popularly referred to by players as the Scythe due to its curved blades and wide sweeping animations) stands out as the premier tool for advanced battlefield control.
This weapon type occupies the Advanced Control tier, requiring precise spacing and timing to maximize its potential. Unlike starter weapons that focus on straightforward frontal strikes, the Scythe utilizes a dual-ended chain mechanism. This allows Elliot to strike enemies surrounding him, control space, and pull targets directly into his melee range for devastating follow-up combos.
| Weapon Type | Primary Combat Role | Playstyle Complexity | Tier Placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sword and Shield | Balanced melee, block, counter | Low | Core Starter |
| Bow | Safe ranged pressure, single target | Low | Core Starter |
| Bomb | Delayed burst, environmental demolition | Medium | Utility Priority |
| Boomerang | Multi-hit projectile, item retrieval | Medium | Utility Priority |
| Spear | Long-reach thrusts, forward charge | Medium | Specialist Combat |
| Hammer | Heavy stagger, slow high-impact blows | High | Specialist Combat |
| Chains & Sickles | Area-of-effect sweeps, crowd pull | High | Advanced Control |
The combat rhythm of the Scythe centers around managing the distance between Elliot and his targets. Regular attacks sweep the curved blade in a wide circle, keeping smaller foes at bay. The special attack launches the chain forward, hooking an enemy and pulling them directly toward Elliot. This sets up seamless switching to high-impact melee weapons like the Hammer or Sword and Shield.
The Scythe is particularly effective in dungeons with high enemy density. By utilizing its circular reach, you can strike multiple targets simultaneously, preventing Elliot from being surrounded and overwhelmed.
the adventures of elliot the millennium tales how to get scythe: Unlock Location
To acquire this powerful weapon, you must progress through the main storyline until you gain access to the Doorway of Time. The Scythe cannot be purchased from standard merchants in the early chapters; it must be recovered from a hidden chest deep within the Doorway Ruins during a specific historical era.
Unlocking this weapon requires utilizing both Elliot's physical capabilities and his fairy companion Faie's unique support magic. Before attempting this run, ensure you have unlocked Faie's Copy Magic from the Shrine of the Mystic, as it is essential for solving the dungeon's final environmental puzzle.
| Quest Step | Required Era | Key Objective | Danger Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time Travel | Age of Magic | Locate the Doorway Ruins | Low |
| Boss Encounter | Age of Magic | Defeat the Tag Guardians | High |
| Puzzle Solving | Age of Magic | Activate dual floor switches | Medium |
| Weapon Retrieval | Age of Magic | Open the ornate stone chest | Low |
Follow these precise steps to navigate the ruins and secure the weapon:
Travel to the Age of Magic
Interact with the Doorway of Time and set your destination to the Age of Magic. This era features high concentrations of magical energy, which alters the layout of the ruins compared to the Age of Safekeeping or Reconstruction.
Locate the Doorway Ruins Entrance
Head to the northeastern quadrant of the map. The entrance to the ruins is flanked by glowing cyan pillars. Ensure your health and consumable items are fully restored before entering.
Conquer the Tag Guardians
Navigate to the lower levels of the ruins. You will encounter the Tag Guardians, a dual-boss encounter that tests your ability to block and swap weapons. Defeat them to unlock the path to the inner sanctum.
Solve the Copy Magic Switch Puzzle
In the final chamber, you will find two floor switches positioned on opposite sides of a chasm. Direct Faie across the gap using the right control stick. Cast Copy Magic so Faie mirrors Elliot's movements, allowing both switches to be pressed simultaneously.
Claim the Chains and Sickles
Once the switches are activated, the central stone pedestal will rise, revealing an ornate chest. Open the chest to permanently unlock the Chains and Sickles (Scythe) weapon type for Elliot's loadout.
The Tag Guardians alternate between fire and ice elemental attacks. Do not attempt to panic-dodge their coordinated strikes. Instead, practice perfect blocking with your Shield to stun them, creating openings for counterattacks.
Scythe Combat Strategies and Weapon Pairings
Because Elliot can equip up to two weapons simultaneously and swap between them in real time, the Scythe should rarely be used in isolation. Instead, treat it as a utility tool that setups opportunities for your secondary weapon. The transition from pulling an enemy to executing a heavy strike is one of the most effective combat loops in the game.
| Secondary Weapon | Synergy Rating | Primary Combo Loop | Tactical Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hammer | ★★★★★ | Pull with Scythe, swap to Hammer downward blow | Elite burst damage & stagger |
| Sword and Shield | ★★★★☆ | Sweep with Scythe, swap to Shield for defense | Safe, balanced frontline play |
| Bomb | ★★★★☆ | Group with Scythe, detonate Bomb with Ignite | High-yield area-of-effect damage |
| Bow | ★★★☆☆ | Pull with Scythe, leap back and shoot | Spacing control, safe kiting |
To maximize your efficiency with the Scythe, study the following tactical loadout options:
The Vanguard Stagger Loadout
- Primary: Chains and Sickles (Scythe)
- Secondary: Hammer
- Focus: Pull elite enemies close, swap instantly to the Hammer, and execute a fully charged downward blow to break their shields.
The Elemental Detonation Loadout
- Primary: Chains and Sickles (Scythe)
- Secondary: Bomb
- Focus: Use the Scythe's sweeping attacks to gather enemies, drop a Bomb, and use Faie's Ignite magic to trigger an instant explosion.
The Balanced Duelist Loadout
- Primary: Chains and Sickles (Scythe)
- Secondary: Sword and Shield
- Focus: Keep multiple targets at bay with wide sweeps. Swap to the Shield immediately when an enemy prepares a fast counterattack.
When fighting fast-moving bosses, use the Scythe's extended reach to chip away at their vitality from a safe distance. If the boss attempts a high-damage area attack, use Faie's Warp Magic to instantly teleport Elliot to her position, escaping the danger zone without interrupting your offensive flow.
Faie can move independently of Elliot. Position her behind an enemy group before initiating combat. If a fight goes poorly, you can activate Warp to instantly reposition behind the enemy line, turning a ambush into a successful flank.
Best Magicite Builds for Scythe Customization
The Magicite system allows players to customize weapon behaviors, alter stats, and add elemental or utility effects. Slotting the correct Magicite fragments into your Scythe's Magicite Box is crucial for scaling its damage into the late-game eras.
Following the community feedback from the debut demo, Square Enix streamlined the Magicite customization interface, adding a dedicated sorting system and automatic duplicate dismantling. This makes managing your build significantly easier as you collect higher-tier fragments.
| Magicite Name | Slot Type | Primary Effect | Combat Synergy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacuum Core | Utility | Increases the pull range of the special attack | Perfect for grouping distant archers |
| Critical Hit | Offense | Increases critical-hit rate by 6% | Scales well with the Scythe's multi-hit sweeps |
| Counter Stance | Defense | Boosts damage by 10% when shield stamina is high | Excellent when paired with Sword & Shield |
| Expeditionary Wisdom | Utility | Reduces weapon charge times by 10% | Speeds up the recovery of heavy sweeping attacks |
To fully optimize your Scythe build, aim to complete these progression milestones as you explore the different eras:
Scythe Build Progression Goals:
- Recover the base Chains and Sickles from the Doorway Ruins
- Unlock all three Magicite slots on the weapon at the blacksmith
- Equip at least one gold-tier Vacuum Core Magicite
- Acquire the Critical Hit Magicite bonus from the orphanage desk desk campaign
- Master the Scythe-to-Hammer quick-swap combat loop
Remember that duplicate Magicite fragments can be dismantled at the orphanage desk in the Age of Safekeeping. Use the resulting materials to upgrade your core offensive fragments, prioritizing critical hit rate and pull range to keep your Scythe competitive against late-game bosses.
If you have save data from other Square Enix titles like Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake or Triangle Strategy, visit the desk on the second floor of the orphanage to claim exclusive promotional Magicite that can be slotted into your newly acquired Scythe.
Scythe Unlock FAQ
To help clear up common points of confusion regarding the Scythe and its acquisition, review these frequently asked questions compiled by the community.
Q: Is the Scythe a completely separate weapon type from the Chains and Sickles?
No. The Scythe is the community's common name for the Chains and Sickles weapon category. Any guide or player referring to the Scythe is discussing the Chains and Sickles weapon type.
Q: Can I unlock the Scythe during the Prologue Demo?
No. While the PlayStation Blog demo preview mentions that all seven weapon types are featured, the Scythe is restricted to the retail version of the game as it requires accessing the Age of Magic and the Doorway Ruins.
Q: What happens if I miss the chest in the Doorway Ruins?
The chest is not missable. You can travel back to the Age of Magic at any point using the Doorway of Time to complete the puzzle and claim your weapon.
Q: Does the Scythe have unique environmental uses like the Hammer or Bomb?
Yes. The Scythe's chain can be used to grab distant levers or pull items across small chasms that Elliot cannot jump across, making it valuable for puzzle-heavy dungeons.
The Scythe (Chains and Sickles) is one of the most rewarding weapons to master in The Adventures of Elliot. By combining its excellent crowd-control capabilities with Faie's support magic, you can easily control the flow of any battle.