The highly anticipated DLC for Elden Ring brings an array of new weapons, locations, and enemies for players to explore. One of the more exotic and powerful weapons in the game is the Pickaxe, a unique Great Hammer that boasts incredible damage output. The Pickaxe scales with Strength and Dexterity and stands out due to its ability to deal pierce damage—a rarity among Great Hammers.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about farming this special Pickaxe, from where to find it, how to efficiently defeat the enemies that drop it, and the most effective farming strategies. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or new to Elden Ring, this guide will help you add this impressive weapon to your arsenal.

 Characteristics of the Pickaxe

Before diving into the farming process, let’s take a closer look at the Pickaxe itself. The Pickaxe is a Great Hammer that deals only pierce damage, which is unusual for its weapon class. Typically, Great Hammers deal blunt or strike damage, but the Pickaxe’s design allows it to pierce through enemies, making it especially effective against heavily armored foes. However, this comes with a limitation: you can’t power stance the Pickaxe with other Great Hammers, which could be a downside for players used to dualwielding heavy weapons.

This weapon excels in dealing massive damage due to its high scaling with Strength and Dexterity. Players focusing on these attributes will find the Pickaxe a great addition to their build, especially when fighting against tough enemies with high defense. Its unique moveset, borrowed from Greataxe animations, also makes it feel different compared to other Great Hammers.

Now, let’s move on to where and how you can farm this weapon in Elden Ring’s DLC.

 Where to Farm the Pickaxe

The Pickaxe is dropped by a specific enemy in the game: Miners. These enemies can be found in multiple locations across the Elden Ring world, but it’s important to note that only the regular Miners drop the Pickaxe. The Glintstone Miners, also known as Sorcerer Miners, wield the Digger’s Staff and do not drop the Pickaxe, so be sure you’re targeting the right enemies.

There are two prime locations where you can efficiently farm Miners for the Pickaxe: RuinStrewn Precipice and Limgrave Tunnels. Depending on your character’s level and progress in the game, one of these locations may be more suitable for your farming needs. Let’s take a closer look at each location and the optimal farming strategies.

 Farming the Pickaxe in RuinStrewn Precipice

If your character is at an intermediate level, the RuinStrewn Precipice is the best place to farm for the Pickaxe. This location offers a higher concentration of Miners, making it a more efficient farming route for players who have already progressed through much of the game.

 StepbyStep Farming Guide for RuinStrewn Precipice

1. Start at the Site of Grace: Begin your farming route at the RuinStrewn Precipice Site of Grace. This Site of Grace is conveniently located near the tunnel where you’ll find the Miners, allowing you to reset the area quickly after each run.

2. Head Back to the Tunnel: From the Site of Grace, head southeast back into the tunnel rather than taking the lift. You’ll encounter six Miners in this area, which gives you a good chance of obtaining the Pickaxe.

3. Eliminate the Miners: Upon reaching the open room, turn left immediately and take out the first Miner. After that, proceed east where you’ll find three more Miners. Continue into another tunnel, ignoring the Vulgar Militia to your right, as they pose no immediate threat and will only slow down your farming.

4. Clear the Room and Repeat: Head up the stairs in the middle of the room, where you’ll find two more Miners. After killing all the Miners in the area, check to see if they drop anything. If not, return to the Site of Grace and repeat the process.

 Important Notes:

 There’s an invisible trigger on the wooden platform near the Vulgar Militia that causes them to attack. Avoid this trigger to save time and keep your focus on farming the Miners.

 Consumables that increase item discovery, such as the SilverPickled Fowl Foot, can help speed up the farming process. Make sure you stock up before beginning your farming session.

 Farming the Pickaxe in Limgrave Tunnels

For players starting with a newly created character or those at a lower level, Limgrave Tunnels is a great alternative for farming the Pickaxe. While the Miners here are weaker, the area requires a bit more patience as the layout is slightly less convenient for farming compared to RuinStrewn Precipice.

 StepbyStep Farming Guide for Limgrave Tunnels

1. Start at the Site of Grace: Begin at the Limgrave Tunnels Site of Grace. There are two areas in this dungeon where you can farm Miners.

2. First Farming Area: The first area is just past the Site of Grace. Here, you’ll find five Miners, three on the wooden walkway and two on the ground. Start by killing the Miners on the walkway, then move to the lower level and kill the two Miners on the ground. Once all five are dead, check the drops and return to the Site of Grace to reset.

3. Second Farming Area (Optional): If you’re not using consumables to increase item discovery, you can venture deeper into the tunnel. After reaching the first lift, jump down and continue through the dungeon. You’ll find another group of five Miners in close proximity, making this area efficient for farming.

4. Suicide Method: Once you’ve cleared the second group of Miners, you can quickly reset the area by jumping into the elevator shaft to end your character’s life. Respawn at the Stakes of Marika to return to the same farming area and repeat the process. Don’t forget to recover your runes after each reset!

 Optimal Strategies for Fighting Miners

Farming Miners can be a bit tricky due to their tough, stonelike skin that makes them resistant to physical damage. However, there are ways to make the process faster and more efficient.

 1. Use Elemental Damage

Miners are especially weak to elemental damage, particularly fire. Using firebased spells or weapons can make quick work of these enemies, cutting down on the time spent farming.

 Catch Flame: If you started as a Prophet or Confessor, the Catch Flame incantation is highly effective against Miners. Prophets have this incantation by default, while Confessors can purchase it from Brother Corhyn at the Roundtable Hold for 600 runes.

 2. Sorcery

For players who started as Astrologer or Prisoner, the default sorceries are quite effective against Miners. Ranged magic attacks allow you to keep a safe distance while dealing significant damage, making farming less risky.

 3. Strike Damage

If you prefer using melee weapons, choose one that deals strike damage, as Miners are less resistant to this type of physical attack. Both the Mace and Club are excellent choices. The Mace can be purchased from Twin Maiden Husks for 800 runes, and the Club can be bought from the Nomadic Merchant near Coastal Cave for 600 runes.

 Conclusion

The Pickaxe is a unique and powerful Great Hammer in Elden Ring’s DLC, offering exceptional damage output for Strength and Dexterity builds. With its ability to deal pierce damage and its distinctive moveset, it’s a musthave weapon for players seeking a strong, exotic weapon.

By following the farming routes in RuinStrewn Precipice or Limgrave Tunnels and using the right strategies, you can efficiently farm this weapon. Whether you’re casting powerful spells, using elemental melee attacks, or leveraging strike damage, you’ll be able to overcome the challenges of these Miners and add the Pickaxe to your collection.

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