Elden Ring Steel Set & Hefty Scimitar Locations

You can get the Steel Set and the Hefty Scimitar from the same place: the Church of the Plague in northern Caelid, where the boss Battlemage Hugues drops the full armor set and the weapon when defeated. This guide covers the exact route, the boss fight, and everything else you need to know about these two items.

Where to Find the Church of the Plague

The Church of the Plague sits in the far northeast corner of Caelid, past the swamp and the giant dogs. The fastest way to reach it is to start at the Smoldering Wall Site of Grace, then head northeast along the road, past the decaying dragon and the group of soldiers. Keep going until you see a ruined church on a small hill, guarded by a few dogs and a giant crow. The entrance is on the west side, and the boss fog is right inside.

Battlemage Hugues: Boss Fight Overview

Battlemage Hugues is a magic-wielding knight who uses glintstone sorceries and a melee staff. He is not a particularly tough boss for mid-to-late game characters, but he can catch you off guard with his ranged attacks. He will open with a magic bolt, then close distance to swing his staff. His most dangerous move is a three-hit combo that ends with a magic explosion around his body. Keep your distance during the combo, then roll in and punish after the explosion.

He is weak to physical damage, especially strike and thrust, and he has low poise, so a heavy weapon or a few jumping attacks will stagger him. If you are a magic user, your spells will also work, but be careful: he has a magic damage reduction, so physical or fire damage is more effective.

Steel Set: Stats and How It Looks

The Steel Set is a medium-weight armor set with a dark, bluish-steel color and a distinctive helmet with a small visor. It is a solid choice for quality builds that want a balance between protection and mobility. Here are the key stats (at +0, no upgrades):

• Steel Helm: 3.9 weight, 4.1 physical negation, 3.2 magic negation, 2.8 fire negation, 3.0 lightning negation, 3.1 holy negation
• Steel Armor: 9.8 weight, 11.0 physical, 8.6 magic, 7.7 fire, 8.3 lightning, 8.5 holy
• Steel Gauntlets: 3.5 weight, 3.6 physical, 2.8 magic, 2.5 fire, 2.7 lightning, 2.8 holy
• Steel Leggings: 6.4 weight, 7.3 physical, 5.7 magic, 5.1 fire, 5.5 lightning, 5.6 holy

Total weight is 23.6, which is manageable for most builds. The set has decent poise (around 30 total), so you can tank a few light hits without staggering. It is a great option for early-mid game if you are exploring Caelid before heading to the capital.

Hefty Scimitar: Stats and Moveset

The Hefty Scimitar is a curved sword that scales primarily with Strength (C) and Dexterity (D). It deals physical damage and has a unique heavy attack that is a wide, sweeping slash. It is not a special weapon, so you can infuse it with ashes of war and apply greases. At +0, it has 120 base physical damage and 100 critical. It weighs 4.5 and requires 12 Strength and 12 Dexterity to wield.

Its moveset is similar to the regular Scimitar, but the heavy attack has a longer wind-up and a wider arc, making it useful for hitting multiple enemies. The weapon skill is defaulted to Spinning Slash, which is a great crowd-control move. You can change the ash of war at any Site of Grace, so you can tailor it to your build.

How to Get Both Items: Step-by-Step

1. Travel to the Smoldering Wall Site of Grace in Caelid (north of the Rotview Balcony).
2. Head northeast along the main road, past the giant dragon corpse and the group of soldiers. You will see a broken bridge on your left – ignore it and keep going.
3. You will eventually see a ruined church on a hill to your right. There is a giant crow patrolling the area, so be careful.
4. Enter the church through the west doorway. The boss fog is directly ahead.
5. Defeat Battlemage Hugues. He drops the Steel Set and the Hefty Scimitar automatically.

If you are having trouble with the crow, you can lure it away with a ranged attack or just run past it – it is not aggressive unless you hit it.

Common Mistakes and Tips

• Mistake: Going too early. Caelid is a high-level area (recommended level 60+). If you are underleveled, the enemies will one-shot you. Consider exploring Liurnia or the Weeping Peninsula first.
• Mistake: Not using the environment. The church has pillars you can use to block Hugues’s magic bolts. Use them to close distance safely.
• Tip: Use a shield with high magic negation. The Brass Shield or the Beast Crest Heater Shield are good options, as they can block most of his magic attacks.
• Tip: Summon a spirit ash. The Lone Wolf Ashes or the Skeletal Militiamen can distract Hugues and give you openings to attack.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the Steel Set and Hefty Scimitar without fighting the boss?

No, you must defeat Battlemage Hugues. He is a mandatory boss for these items, and there is no alternate way to obtain them.

Is the Steel Set better than the Knight Set?

It depends on your build. The Steel Set has slightly lower physical negation but higher magic negation than the Knight Set. If you are fighting magic-heavy enemies, the Steel Set is better. Otherwise, the Knight Set is a fine alternative.

Can I upgrade the Hefty Scimitar?

Yes, it is a regular weapon, so you can upgrade it with Smithing Stones and infuse it with ashes of war. It scales well with Strength, so it is a good choice for a strength-focused curved sword build.

Does the Steel Set have any special effects?

No, it is a standard armor set with no special bonuses. It is purely for defense and fashion.

What level should I be to fight Battlemage Hugues?

He is a mid-game boss, so around level 50-60 is comfortable. If you are underleveled, you can still beat him with careful play, but be prepared for a longer fight.

What is the best ash of war for the Hefty Scimitar?

For a strength build, consider the Heavy affinity with a physical ash like Wild Strikes or Lion’s Claw. For a quality build, the Keen affinity with a bleed ash like Seppuku can be effective.

Alternatives and Similar Items

If you like the look of the Steel Set, you can also consider the Carian Knight Set (found in Raya Lucaria) or the Raging Wolf Set (from the Volcano Manor questline). For curved swords, the Scimitar (starting weapon for the Warrior class) is a lighter option, while the Bloodhound’s Fang (from a boss in Limgrave) is a heavier, more powerful alternative with a unique weapon skill.

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