TL;DR – Key Takeaways
- The Hunter’s Chain Sickle is a Martial Phantom Edge earned by defeating The Hunt boss during Chapter 3: Steel and Steam in Weeping Creek Valley.
- The Hunt is found at the Great Waterfall area, north of the Waterfall Bridge Bell — follow the main story path and you cannot miss it.
- The boss fights in two phases. Phase 2 adds a second pair of arms and faster, more aggressive chained-axe combos.
- Once you have it, the Chain Sickle lets you grapple to high ledges and swing across previously unreachable gaps.
- It is required to collect the Sha-Chi Tower Base Camp Gate Key and unlock the Deep in the Valley quest area.
- Several missable backtrack items around Weeping Creek Valley can only be reached after getting this weapon, so explore right after defeating The Hunt.
What Is the Hunter’s Chain Sickle in Phantom Blade Zero?
The Hunter’s Chain Sickle is a Phantom Edge — one of Phantom Blade Zero’s secondary weapons — and it is one of the most important tools you will pick up in the entire first region. In combat, activating it sends the chain sickle swinging in a mid-to-long-range arc, with the blade end dealing more damage than the chain itself.
But what really makes it essential is its traversal ability. The Chain Sickle can hook onto distant anchors and pull Soul across gaps that are otherwise completely impossible to cross. Think of it as Weeping Creek Valley’s grappling hook. Without it, large sections of the map stay locked off. Dozens of players have finished the main story path in this region and moved on without ever seeing those areas — and missed major loot, bells, and side quests as a result.
Once you have it, the first thing you want to do is backtrack. We will cover exactly where to go.
How to Get the Hunter’s Chain Sickle
The Hunter’s Chain Sickle is a story reward from defeating The Hunt, Sixfold Scythe — the chapter boss of Steel and Steam (Chapter 3) in Weeping Creek Valley. You cannot buy it, find it in a chest, or obtain it any other way. You have to win the fight.
The Hunt is not an optional boss. It sits directly on the main story path, and you will face it naturally as you progress through the chapter.
Where to Find The Hunt
The Hunt appears at the Great Waterfall, which you reach after crossing the Waterfall Bridge Bell area and following the linear path north. The route there is straightforward — just keep following the main thread after activating the Waterfall Bridge Bell and you will reach the Great Waterfall Bell shortly after.
Activate the Great Waterfall Bell before you approach the waterfall. The Hunt will appear as you get close, triggering the encounter. Do not skip the bell — you want that fast travel point before a tough two-phase boss fight.
How to Beat The Hunt and Earn the Chain Sickle
The Hunt is a former Order operative who wields a pair of chained axes. It is fast, relentless, and comes at you in two distinct phases. Here is what to expect from each one.
Phase 1 – Twin Chained Axes
In the first phase, The Hunt uses two chained axes in sweeping, fast combos. The attack patterns are readable once you have seen them a few times. Watch for the blue flash (Brutal Move) and parry it — every successful parry drains its Sha-Chi and opens a counter window. Red flash attacks (Killer Moves) cannot be blocked or parried, so dodge those cleanly with R1.
Stay aggressive in between its attacks. Your basic attacks cost no Sha-Chi, so keep pressure up while waiting for the next flash. When its Sha-Chi bar breaks, unload your heavy hits and Phantom Edge to maximize burst damage.
Phase 2 – Four Arms
Once The Hunt’s health drops far enough, it enters its second phase. This is where it gets notably harder — it gains two additional arms, effectively doubling the number of axe attacks in each combo string. The patterns from Phase 1 are still there, but now they come faster and with more coverage.
The key adjustment for Phase 2 is patience. Do not try to rush through combo strings hoping they end — they are longer now, and mistiming a parry costs you badly. Wait for the clear flash colour before committing to any defensive input. Dodging into red attacks for a Ghoststep counter becomes especially valuable here because the punish window gives you free damage without having to weave in between axe swings.
Defeat both phases and The Hunt goes down. You immediately receive the Hunter’s Chain Sickle as your reward.
What the Hunter’s Chain Sickle Can Do
As a Phantom Edge, you activate it with R2 (or R on PC). In combat, tap R2 to swing the sickle in a mid-to-long range arc — the blade tip deals the most damage, so aim to hit with the end of the swing. It is a solid multi-hit tool that can interrupt enemies and build Sha-Chi.
The traversal use is what sets it apart. When you are standing near a ledge, platform, or gap with a visible anchor point above or across from you, activating the Chain Sickle will hook and swing Soul across. The game marks these anchor points visually once you have the weapon — look for glowing spots that were previously just out of reach.
This is how Phantom Blade Zero’s metroidvania-style exploration works. Specific Phantom Edges unlock specific paths. The Hunter’s Chain Sickle is one of the most used because it opens up a major chunk of Weeping Creek Valley that you simply cannot reach any other way.
What to Do Right After Getting the Hunter’s Chain Sickle
Do not rush forward to the next chapter. The moment you have the Chain Sickle in hand is the best time to backtrack through Weeping Creek Valley and collect everything you missed. Here is what to grab first.
Sha-Chi Tower Base Camp Gate Key (Required for Deep in the Valley)
Fast travel to the Valley Sha-Chi Tower Summit Bell. Climb the wall beside the friendly Shadow Warden and follow the connecting tube to the ledge. Use the Hunter’s Chain Sickle to swing across and collect the Sha-Chi Tower Base Camp Gate Key — an orange-glowing item on a platform that was completely out of reach before.
Take this key to the Creek Valley Plains Entrance Bell and use it to open the locked gate. This starts the Deep in the Valley quest and opens up Creek Valley Plains — an entire optional zone with four bells, hidden bosses, multiple Tales, and some of the best loot in the region. Our Deep in the Valley Quest Guide covers everything inside.
Lingran’s Pendant (Accessory)
Fast travel back to The Beginning Bell — the very first bell in the game, right at the start of Weeping Creek Valley. From there, backtrack toward the start of the map and look for a platform above that you could never reach before. Use the Hunter’s Chain Sickle to grapple up to it. Open the chest there to claim Lingran’s Pendant, a useful accessory collectible.
Mechanical Gear (Ruthless Archer Camp)
Head to the Ruthless Archer Camp Bell area. Look for a nearby rooftop that was just too high to climb before. Use the Chain Sickle to pull yourself up and collect the Mechanical Gear item on top.
Pendant of Righteousness (Original Starting Area)
Return to the original starting area of the game — the very beginning of Weeping Creek Valley before you even reached the Outpost. Explore in the opposite direction from the route you originally followed. Use the Chain Sickle to reach the chest in that area and pick up the Pendant of Righteousness.
Areas and Quests the Hunter’s Chain Sickle Unlocks
Beyond the immediate backtrack items, the Chain Sickle is a key requirement for several other quests and area unlocks throughout Weeping Creek Valley:
- Deep in the Valley — The Creek Valley Plains gate can only be opened once you have the Sha-Chi Tower Base Camp Gate Key, which needs the Chain Sickle to reach. See our full Deep in the Valley Quest Guide.
- Rusted Loong Key area — The Chain Sickle is needed to access parts of Creek Valley Plains where the Rusted Loong Key leads. Our Rusted Loong Key guide walks through exactly how to use it.
- Four Fierce Axes Evidence — Evidence Document #7 for the Four Fierce Axes quest sits on a platform that requires the Chain Sickle to reach. You cannot complete that questline without it.
- Festering Secret conclusion — The Mandate Lieutenant inside Creek Valley Plains can only be reached after you open the gate with the key earned via Chain Sickle traversal. See our Festering Secret Quest Walkthrough.
- Crimson Manor unlock — Inside Creek Valley Plains, the Crimson Manor questline starts — which is tied to the True Ending requirements.
- Whence the Weeping progression — The Sha-Chi Powered Boat and Meigu Lake content later in the game is tied to completing the earlier quests that the Chain Sickle opens up. Our Whence the Weeping Quest Walkthrough explains how everything connects.
Hunter’s Chain Sickle Stats and Skills
- Type: Phantom Edge (Martial subtype)
- Starting Damage: 247
- Starting Guard Break: 234
- Combat use: Mid-to-long-range multi-hit swing; blade end deals more damage than the chain
- Traversal use: Hooks onto distant anchor points to pull Soul across gaps and up to high ledges
- Activate with: R2 (controller) / R (PC keyboard)
Like all Phantom Edges, it can be upgraded to improve its damage and Guard Break values. Upgrade materials gathered through your exploration of Weeping Creek Valley are enough to start levelling it up quickly.
Tips for Using the Hunter’s Chain Sickle
- Aim for the blade tip in combat. The chain itself does less damage — position yourself so the end of the swing connects for maximum output.
- Look for visual anchor points when exploring. Glowing hooks or highlighted ledge spots are your cue that the Chain Sickle will work there. If you see a platform that looks just out of reach, try it.
- Backtrack before advancing to Crimson Forest. All the Chain Sickle-gated content in Weeping Creek Valley stays accessible, but it is easiest to clear it while the region is fresh. Going back later means navigating through enemies you have already cleared.
- Upgrade it as soon as you can. The Chain Sickle stays useful well beyond Weeping Creek Valley — keep it levelled to maintain its damage in later regions where you still use it for traversal.
Want to see all the outfits you can unlock as you explore these areas? Our guide on all Phantom Blade Zero outfits and how to unlock them covers every cosmetic. And for a full picture of where this moment fits in the story, see our Phantom Blade Zero all chapter list.
Haven’t grabbed the game yet? It is available on PC via Steam, PS5 via PlayStation Store, and Epic Games Store. Check PC requirements first with our preload and PC requirements guide, or read our full Phantom Blade Zero review.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get the Hunter’s Chain Sickle in Phantom Blade Zero?
Defeat The Hunt, Sixfold Scythe — the chapter boss in Steel and Steam (Chapter 3). The Chain Sickle drops automatically as a story reward after both phases of the fight are complete. It is not missable.
Where is The Hunt boss in Phantom Blade Zero?
The Hunt is at the Great Waterfall in Weeping Creek Valley. Follow the main story path north after the Waterfall Bridge Bell. Activate the Great Waterfall Bell first, then approach the waterfall to trigger the encounter.
What does the Hunter’s Chain Sickle do?
In combat, it performs a mid-to-long-range multi-hit swing with the blade end dealing the most damage. For traversal, it hooks onto distant anchor points and lets Soul swing across gaps or pull up to high ledges that cannot be reached any other way.
Can you get the Hunter’s Chain Sickle before defeating The Hunt?
No. It is a direct drop from The Hunt and there is no other way to obtain it. The boss itself is required story progress in Chapter 3, so you will always earn the Chain Sickle naturally as you play.
What should I do first after getting the Hunter’s Chain Sickle?
Backtrack immediately. Fast travel to the Valley Sha-Chi Tower Summit Bell and use the Chain Sickle to grab the Sha-Chi Tower Base Camp Gate Key — this opens Creek Valley Plains and starts the Deep in the Valley quest. Also grab Lingran’s Pendant near The Beginning Bell and the Mechanical Gear at the Ruthless Archer Camp before moving forward to Crimson Forest.
