Ghost Scepter

RangedEtherealTiers I–IV

+1 Max HP for every 20/18/16/12 enemies you kill during a wave with this weapon

Unlock: Available from the start
Starting weapon for: 14 characters

Community builds that use it

ApprenticeLevel-ups give every damage stat, so hybrid weapons pay off: Plank, Lightning Shiv and Cacti Club, or SMG/Double Barrel Shotgun and Slingshot for ranged. Take Luck to reach the higher Max HP level-ups.
DemonItems cost Max HP, so early shopping at very low HP is normal; Ghost Scepter (which grants HP on kills) and Thief Dagger are the late-game picks, and Lightning Shiv the beginner-friendly one. Sharp Bullet helps Ghost Scepter clear.
GeneralistPair three melee and three ranged weapons that scale with flat damage, such as Cacti Club or Spear with Slingshot, SMG or Javelin, and favour items that give both Melee and Ranged Damage. Ghost weapon and crit (Knife/Shuriken) combinations are also reported.
GhostBuild around the Ethereal set: Ghost Flint plus Ghost Axe for melee damage and Attack Speed, or six Ghost Scepters for a large Max HP pool that needs piercing and Attack Speed. Armor is not worth buying.
RenegadeUse single-projectile weapons that gain most from the +2 projectiles: SMG with Ranged Damage and Life Steal, Revolver or Laser Gun, or Ghost Scepter. Buy every new tier-1 item to offset the -80% Damage; explosive guns, Javelin and Flute builds are also reported.

Stats by tier

Tier I Common
Damage
10 (+100% Ranged Damage)
Cooldown
0.98s
Crit
x2 (3% chance)
Range
300
Tier II Uncommon
Damage
15 (+100% Ranged Damage)
Cooldown
0.93s
Crit
x2 (3% chance)
Range
350
Tier III Rare
Damage
20 (+100% Ranged Damage)
Cooldown
0.88s
Crit
x2 (3% chance)
Range
400
Tier IV Legendary
Damage
30 (+100% Ranged Damage)
Cooldown
0.83s
Crit
x2 (3% chance)
Range
450

Damage in brackets is added from your stats before %Damage multiplies the total; see the damage formula or the calculator.

DPS at tier IV

37.2 DPS with no stats, 62 at 20 Ranged Damage and 99.3 at 50 (single target, every projectile hits, crits averaged): #21 of 29 weapons that scale with Ranged Damage. Full ranking or your own stats.