So you wanna run a Faith build in Elden Ring, but you're stuck in Limgrave with a starter weapon that hits like a wet noodle. Yeah, I've been there too. Good news though — some of the best faith build weapons early game in Elden Ring are just sitting in chests a short ride away from the First Step grace. You don't gotta beat a single shardbearer to grab them.

This guide covers the top Faith-scaling weapons you can snag in Limgrave, Liurnia, and Weeping Peninsula, plus exactly how to get each one. No fluff, no made-up stats — just real locations and real numbers.

What Makes a Weapon Good for Faith Builds Early On?

Before we dive in, here's the quick version of what you're looking for:

  • Faith scaling (D or better) so your damage grows when you level Faith
  • Low stat requirements so you can actually equip it before level 40
  • Holy or Fire damage that benefits from Faith investment
  • Somber Smithing Stone upgrades — these are easier to find early than regular smithing stones at high volumes

One thing to keep in mind: in Elden Ring, "Faith weapon" doesn't always mean "holy damage." Some Faith weapons deal physical damage but scale with Faith. That's fine too.

Top Faith Weapons You Can Get Early

1. Winged Scythe — The Best Overall Early Faith Weapon

This is usually the first answer when someone asks about the best faith build weapons early game. The Winged Scythe has a base Faith scaling of D (which goes up as you upgrade it), deals physical + holy damage, and comes with a unique skill called Angel's Wings that hits hard and can stagger enemies.

Why it's great: - Requirements are only 16 Strength, 16 Dexterity, 24 Faith - Its Ash of War (Angel's Wings) is a spinning overhead attack that deals big holy damage - You can get it before fighting any boss

How to get it:

  1. Start at the First Step grace in Limgrave.
  2. Ride northeast along the road toward the Bridge of Sacrifice (the one leading to Weeping Peninsula).
  3. Just before the bridge, look for a ruined structure on the left side of the road.
  4. Inside, you'll find a chest. Open it to get the Winged Scythe.

That's it. No boss, no puzzle. Just a short horse ride.

2. Cipher Pata — Pure Holy Fist Weapon

The Cipher Pata is a fist weapon that deals pure holy damage. It weighs nothing, has no Strength or Dexterity requirement, and only needs 30 Faith. It's a fantastic backup weapon for Faith builds because it ignores shields when you use its skill, Unblockable Blade.

Why it's great: - Zero weight, so it won't slow you down - Pure holy damage scales directly with Faith - Its weapon skill pierces through blocking enemies

How to get it:

  1. Reach Roundtable Hold (you'll get invited after resting at a grace outside Limgrave or after defeating Margit).
  2. Once inside, jump over the balcony railing near the fireplace area.
  3. Follow the path to a locked room. You'll need a Stonesword Key to open it.
  4. Inside, the Cipher Pata is on a corpse.

You can buy Stonesword Keys from the Twin Maiden Husks in Roundtable Hold for 2,000 runes each. If you started with the Stonesword Key as your keepsake, even better.

3. Golden Halberd — High Risk, High Reward

The Golden Halberd is dropped by the Tree Sentinel, the golden horse rider right outside the First Step. Yes, that guy. He's tough at level 10, but if you can beat him (or cheese him), you get one of the strongest early Faith weapons in the game.

Why it's great: - Massive base damage - Scales with Strength, Dexterity, and Faith - Comes with Golden Vow skill, which buffs you and nearby allies

How to get it:

  1. Leave the First Step grace and head toward the Tree Sentinel.
  2. Fight him normally, or use the classic cheese: lure him to the cliff edge near the church and let him fall.
  3. Once defeated, he drops the Golden Halberd.

Warning: It requires 30 Strength, 14 Dexterity, and 12 Faith. That's a lot of Strength for a Faith build. Only go for this if you're planning a hybrid build.

4. Treespear — Solid Mid-Early Option

The Treespear is a spear that deals physical + holy damage and has a unique charged heavy attack that hits twice. It scales primarily with Faith once you upgrade it.

Why it's great: - Good reach - Can be buffed with incantations - Lower stat requirements than the Golden Halberd

How to get it:

  1. Head to Liurnia of the Lakes.
  2. Go to the Avenue Balcony grace (north of the Liurnia Lake Shore grace).
  3. From the grace, head north and look for a caravan wagon.
  4. The Treespear is in a chest near the wagon, guarded by a few soldiers.

You'll need 18 Strength, 14 Dexterity, and 18 Faith to wield it.

5. Erdsteel Dagger — Simple and Effective

Don't sleep on the Erdsteel Dagger. It's a dagger that scales with Faith and has a unique property: it restores a small amount of HP on hit. It's not flashy, but it's fast and reliable.

Why it's great: - Very low requirements (10 Strength, 12 Faith) - Fast attacks - HP restore on hit helps with survivability

How to get it:

  1. Complete the questline for D, Hunter of the Dead (the guy in Roundtable Hold).
  2. He'll eventually give you the Erdsteel Dagger as a reward.
  3. Alternatively, you can find it on a corpse in the Auriza Hero's Grave in Altus Plateau, but that's much later.

For early game, the quest reward is the way to go.

How to Upgrade Your Faith Weapons Early

Finding the weapon is only half the battle. Here's how to make it hit hard:

For Somber weapons (Winged Scythe, Cipher Pata, Golden Halberd):

  1. Find Somber Smithing Stones. The easiest early ones are in Limgrave and Liurnia.
  2. Somber Smithing Stone [1] and [2] can be found in the Lakeside Crystal Cave and near the Liurnia Lake Shore.
  3. Take them to Blacksmith Hewg in Roundtable Hold.
  4. Upgrade your weapon to +3 or +4 before fighting Godrick.

For regular weapons (Treespear, Erdsteel Dagger):

  1. Collect regular Smithing Stones from Limgrave tunnels (Morne Tunnel, Limgrave Tunnels).
  2. Upgrade to +3 or +4 as soon as possible.
  3. Use the Iron Whetblade to add a Faith-scaling Ash of War if you want.

Common Mistakes Faith Players Make Early Game

Mistake 1: Dumping everything into Faith and ignoring Vigor. You'll die in two hits. Get Vigor to 20 before pushing Faith past 30.

Mistake 2: Trying to use the Golden Halberd at level 15. You can't. The requirements are too high. Stick with the Winged Scythe or Cipher Pata until you've leveled Strength.

Mistake 3: Forgetting to upgrade your seal. Your incantations scale with your Sacred Seal, not your weapon. Grab the Finger Seal from Roundtable Hold and upgrade it.

Mistake 4: Ignoring the Winged Scythe because it's "just a scythe." It's one of the best early Faith weapons in the game. Use it.

Mistake 5: Not using buffs. Golden Vow, Flame Grant Me Strength, and Blessing of the Erdtree (later) make a huge difference. Use them before boss fights.

A few extra warnings for new players: - Don't sell the Winged Scythe by accident — it's easy to fat-finger at a merchant, and you can't get another one without NG+. - The Tree Sentinel will absolutely wreck you if you're under level 20 and don't have a plan. Don't just run up and swing. - Stonesword Keys are limited early on. Don't waste them on random imp statues before you grab the Cipher Pata.

FAQ

Q: What's the best Faith weapon for a beginner in Elden Ring? A: The Winged Scythe. It's easy to get, has low requirements, and deals solid holy damage with a great weapon skill.

Q: Can I get a Faith weapon without fighting any bosses? A: Yes. The Winged Scythe and Cipher Pata both require zero boss fights. Just explore Limgrave and Roundtable Hold.

Q: Should I use the Golden Halberd on a pure Faith build? A: Probably not. It needs 30 Strength, which is a lot of points you could put into Faith or Vigor. Use it only if you're doing a Strength/Faith hybrid.

Q: How early can I get the Cipher Pata? A: As soon as you reach Roundtable Hold, which can happen within the first hour if you rest at a grace outside Limgrave or defeat Margit.

That's the full rundown. Grab the Winged Scythe first, then work toward the Cipher Pata and Treespear as you level up. With these weapons and a decent Sacred Seal, you'll be melting through Limgrave and Liurnia with holy power in no time.