Torn Sinew is one of the most important endgame crafting materials in No Rest for the Wicked and also one of the easiest to misunderstand. Unlike many resources you encounter naturally during the campaign, Torn Sinew is deliberately locked behind late-game systems and is primarily tied to weapon exalting.
If you’re still early in the game and wondering why you haven’t seen it yet, that’s by design. This guide explains when Torn Sinew becomes available, all confirmed ways to obtain it and how to farm it efficiently once unlocked.
What Is Torn Sinew Used For?
Torn Sinew is used almost exclusively for Exalting weapons, an endgame upgrade system that significantly enhances gear beyond standard upgrades. Exalting is not required to complete the main campaign, but it becomes central to character progression once endgame activities open up.
Because exalting can require multiple Torn materials per weapon, Torn Sinew quickly becomes a high-demand resource.
When Torn Sinew Becomes Available
Torn Sinew is considered endgame-only content. It typically becomes available after completing the main campaign, once Pestilence-related systems are unlocked.
Before this point:
- Enemies do not drop Torn Sinew
- Vendors do not sell it
- Dungeons will not reward it
If you have not yet unlocked Pestilence Outbreaks, you are not missing anything.
Primary Source: Pestilence Outbreaks
The main and intended source of Torn Sinew is Pestilence Outbreaks.
Pestilence Outbreaks are special map events that corrupt an area, replacing normal enemies and loot tables with “Torn” variants. These events are designed specifically to feed endgame crafting and exalting systems.
Within a Pestilence Outbreak:
- Regular enemies can drop Torn Sinew
- Bosses have a higher drop chance
- Clearing the outbreak and defeating its boss unlocks reward chests that frequently contain Torn materials
In most cases, successfully clearing an outbreak results in a net positive amount of Torn Sinew, even when factoring in costs.
Summoning Pestilence Outbreaks Manually
You don’t have to wait for Pestilence Outbreaks to appear naturally.
At a campfire, you can manually trigger an outbreak by:
- Burning items
- Using a Torn Effigy
Notably, burning 2 Torn Sinews can corrupt an area and force a Pestilence Outbreak to appear. While this sounds expensive, the resulting run usually rewards more Torn Sinew than you spent, making it a reliable farming loop once you’re established.
This mechanic effectively allows players to convert time and skill into Torn materials on demand.
Vendor Source: The Watcher
The Watcher, located in Sacrament, sells Torn materials, including:
- Torn Sinew
- Torn Marrow
- Torn Husk
His inventory typically resets daily, making him a consistent supplemental source. While vendor prices are higher than farming costs, The Watcher is useful when you’re just short of what you need for an upgrade.
Endgame Dungeon Source: The Crucible
The Crucible is an endgame dungeon that can also reward Torn materials.
Bosses and chests inside The Crucible have a chance to drop Torn Sinew, but this is generally considered a secondary source. The dungeon is best treated as a bonus opportunity rather than a dedicated farming route.
If you’re already running The Crucible for other rewards, Torn Sinew drops are a welcome addition.
Where to Use Torn Sinew
Once you’ve gathered enough Torn Sinew, you can begin exalting weapons by visiting Madreal Seline in Sacrament.
Exalting consumes Torn Sinew alongside other Torn materials, permanently upgrading weapons for late-game viability.
Farming Tips and Efficiency
For efficient Torn Sinew farming:
- Focus on Pestilence Outbreaks first
- Clear entire outbreaks to maximize chest rewards
- Use manual outbreak summoning once you have a surplus
- Supplement with The Watcher rather than relying on him
- Treat The Crucible as secondary income
Avoid trying to farm Torn Sinew through normal exploration or standard enemies. Outside of Pestilence content, it simply does not drop.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A common mistake is assuming Torn Sinew drops from beast enemies or late-game zones naturally. It does not. Without Pestilence active, the material is effectively unavailable.
Another mistake is hoarding Torn Sinew early without engaging in exalting. The material is designed to be cycled through upgrades, not stockpiled indefinitely.
Final Thoughts
Torn Sinew is intentionally tied to No Rest for the Wicked’s endgame loop. Once Pestilence Outbreaks are unlocked, it becomes a predictable and farmable resource, rather than a frustrating rarity.
If you’re still in the campaign, ignore it for now. Once you reach the endgame, focus on Pestilence Outbreaks, use manual summoning to control your farming pace and rely on vendors and dungeons to smooth out shortages.
Handled correctly, Torn Sinew becomes a progression tool, not a roadblock.