Elden Ring DLC: How to Farm the Exotic Pickaxe Great Hammer – Complete Guide
With the release of the new Elden Ring DLC, players are diving back into the Lands Between to uncover new gear, hidden secrets, and devastating weapons. One such weapon that has caught the eye of many Strength-based builds is the Pickaxe, a deceptively simple but incredibly powerful Great Hammer. Though it may seem unassuming at first glance, this massive mining tool-turned-weapon boasts impressive scaling Elden Ring Runes and damage output, making it a sought-after choice for PvE and PvP alike.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the Pickaxe Great Hammer: where to farm it, how to do so efficiently, and what build considerations and strategies make it truly shine. Whether you’re a hardened Elden Lord or just starting your DLC journey, this guide will help you wield this beast of a weapon with confidence.

Why Pickaxe?
The Pickaxe is an exotic Great Hammer that scales primarily with Strength, while also offering decent Dexterity scaling. What makes it stand out is its raw damage potential and strike damage type—making it highly effective against heavily armored foes and enemies resistant to slashing or piercing damage.

It has the following characteristics:

Weapon Class: Great Hammer

Damage Type: Strike

Scaling: Strength (A with upgrades), Dexterity (D or C depending on infusion)

Special Trait: High poise damage and stagger potential

Location: Farmable from Pickaxe-wielding Miners in specific areas

Due to the rarity of the drop and the power it offers, acquiring the Pickaxe can take a bit of patience. But with the right farming method, you’ll be smashing through enemies in no time.

Where to Farm the Pickaxe
1. Ruin-Strewn Precipice (Best for Intermediate to High-Level Characters)
This is the most efficient farming location for those already deep into the game or progressing through the DLC. The Ruin-Strewn Precipice Site of Grace offers quick access to several Miners who wield the Pickaxe.

How to farm:

Start at the Ruin-Strewn Precipice Site of Grace.

Instead of taking the lift, turn southeast and re-enter the tunnel.

In the open cavern, go left to find the first Miner.

Head east to locate three more Miners in the next chamber.

Climb the stairs in the middle of the room to find two more Miners.

After clearing the area, teleport back to the Site of Grace and repeat the loop.

Important Note: Avoid triggering the Vulgar Militia in the nearby room. An invisible proximity trigger on the wooden platform will set them off. If this happens, they’ll chase you and disrupt your farming run. Stick to your route and stay focused on the Miners.

Because this route features six Miners in close proximity, it offers one of the highest chances to farm a Pickaxe quickly. To maximize efficiency, consider using consumables or gear that boosts Item Discovery.

2. Limgrave Tunnels (Best for Early Game Characters)
If you're just starting out or want to grab a Pickaxe early for your Strength build, Limgrave Tunnels is your go-to location.

There are two effective routes in this area:

Route A – Surface-Level Farming
Start at the Limgrave Tunnels Site of Grace.

Head into the initial mining area.

Kill the three Miners on the wooden walkway.

Drop down and kill the two Miners below.

Check loot, then reset at the Site of Grace.

XP gain here is low, but it's efficient and safe for low-level characters, especially when using Item Discovery buffs.

Route B – Deeper Farming Loop
From the lift near the entrance, jump down into the lower section of the dungeon.

Kill the five clustered Miners (one ahead, one on the right, three to the left).

After looting, jump into the elevator shaft to die.

Respawn at the Stake of Marika and repeat.

This loop is more efficient if you’re not using consumables, and the cluster of Miners is easier to clear quickly.

? Remember: Always pick up your Runes before repeating the run to avoid losses.

Farming Tips for Success
1. Boosting Item Discovery
Higher Item Discovery directly increases your chances of obtaining a Pickaxe drop. Here’s how to boost it:

Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot – +50 Item Discovery (lasts 3 minutes)

Silver Scarab Talisman – +75 Item Discovery

Arcane stat – Item Discovery = Base 100 + Arcane

If you can stack all three, your farming efficiency will skyrocket. Many players report significantly faster drops using these tools.

2. Choose the Right Damage Type
Miners are naturally resistant to slashing and piercing due to their rocky armor. Here’s how to optimize damage:

Use Strike weapons like Maces or Clubs.

Use Fire-based Sorceries or Incantations, which bypass physical resistance.

Effective options include:

Catch Flame (Prophet/Confessor build)

Glintstone Pebble and Great Glintstone Shard (Astrologer/Prisoner)

Fire Grease or Flame Sling to enchant your weapon or deal ranged damage

Even if you’re not built for magic, elemental consumables or strike weapons will drastically speed up the kill time per run.

3. Starting Class Recommendations
Certain starting classes have an easier time with this farm:

Astrologer / Prisoner: Begin with effective ranged magic

Prophet: Has Catch Flame from the start, very effective at close range

Confessor: Can purchase Catch Flame early from Brother Corhyn for 600 Runes

Wretch: With flexible stats, can wield a Club and use consumables effectively

Best Weapons for Farming Miners
Even if you haven’t found a Pickaxe yet, using these weapons makes farming easier:

Club – 600 Runes from the Nomadic Merchant (Coastal Cave)

Mace – 800 Runes from Twin Maiden Husks (Roundtable Hold)

Sacred Blade or Flaming Strike Ashes of War – Add elemental damage to your strike weapon

No matter your build, having one of these weapons with fire or holy damage makes Miners go down much quicker.

Final Thoughts: Is the Pickaxe Worth It?
Absolutely. The Pickaxe is not only a cool and lore-rich weapon—it’s also one of the more versatile Great Hammers in the game. With scaling in both Strength and Dexterity, it fits well into many two-handed or hybrid builds.

Its strike damage is highly effective in both PvE and PvP situations, especially against foes weak to blunt force. It’s a phenomenal option for dealing with tanky enemies, invaders, or even bosses susceptible to poise breaks.

Whether you're a collector, a PvP enthusiast, or a build optimizer, farming the Pickaxe is worth the time and effort. Just make sure to bring your Silver Scarab, stock up on Fowl Foots, and pick the right route based on your level.

Happy farming, Tarnished! If you're planning to Elden Ring Items take your Pickaxe into the Colosseum or into late-game boss fights, consider pairing it with poise-heavy armor and talismans that boost stamina recovery for maximum performance.