Fallout 76 Season 17: Is The Head Hunter Scythe any good?

Head Hunter Scythe in Fallout 76 Season 17 is one of the newest and undoubtedly one of the most powerful early melee weapons introduced in the Skyline Valley update. This new Scythe is a legendary weapon that can be unlocked through the latest Season Pass. It has the same base design as a pickaxe, but its frame seems slightly larger and it is decorated with various bits, scraps, and a skull that gives it an edgy gothic look.

If you have some black robes, equip them with this weapon and you role-play as the grim reaper of the wasteland. However, it does have a serious drawback when upgraded. Nevertheless, The Head Hunter Scythe is a great option that is definitely worth your time.

---

Head Hunter Scythe is arguably the best melee weapon in Fallout 76 Season 17

The most devastating legendary in the new update (Image via Bethesda || YouTube/Angry Turtle)

Before getting into its effectiveness in combat, first, you will need to learn how to unlock it. The Head Hunter Scythe in Fallout 76 can be unlocked through the Season Pass. It is visible on page six, and can easily be obtained by scoring enough Tickets, which can be done by completing challenges.

Once unlocked you can craft it on your weapon bench. The components for the weapon aren’t very hard to get but do keep in mind that this weapon requires two legendary modules to craft which can be a little tricky to find. After you create, no matter what you do, do not upgrade it to “Sharp”.

The true strength of the Head Hunter lies in its bleed damage effect. Unlike traditional melee weapons, the scythe applies a potent bleed over five seconds, which ignores enemy armor and damage resistance. This mechanic is particularly effective against bosses and heavily armored foes, whom you kill easily by stacking some bleed.

Bleed your opponents to death (Image via Bethesda || YouTube/Angry Turtle)

But if you choose to upgrade the weapon to Sharp, the Head Hunter Scythe will lose the bleed damage type in Fallout 76 Season 17. Instead, it turns into a ballistic weapon. We have no idea why Bethesda made this choice, but upgrading the weapon and changing its damage type significantly reduced its effectiveness in combat.

The Head Hunter scythe in Fallout 76 Season 17 works even brighter when you combine it with the right build and armor. Melee-focused perks and food buffs can substantially increase its damage output. Additionally, pairing it with Thorn armor creates a devastating bleed combo, as the armor's bleed effect stacks with the weapon's own.

In the end, if you don't upgrade the weapon for a meager damage boost, The Head Hunter Scythe can be one of the most effective and devastating melee weapons in your arsenal in Fallout 76 Season 17.