Best Weapons to Get First in Mortal Shell 2

In Mortal Shell 2, weapons have a huge impact on your playstyle. Some allow for the quick and flashy approach where you use lightning-fast attacks to whittle down enemies, while others need you to play cool, calm, and collected, waiting for the opportunity to strike before moving.

There are 8 obtainable weapons in Mortal Shell 2, scattered around the map, waiting to be found. However, the game does not tell players which weapons are better than others and which ones are worth going after first. This guide covers weapons that are easy to get to in the first few hours of a playthrough and do not require you to go through a horde of enemies to get to. Here’s the breakdown.

Axe & Dagger

Axe & Dagger is one of the best early-game weapons for players who want something faster than the Iconoclast’s default moveset, especially if you're using Tiel as your first Shell. Its moveset allows players to weave in and out of combat as needed, overwhelming most opponents with a flurry of strikes.

The Axe & Dagger also pairs extremely well with some early-game Tarstones like the Duality Stone and Arbiter’s Prize, making the early-game sections flow more smoothly. Its running light attack is also quite useful for surprising enemies and one-shotting most basic mobs in the first few zones of the game.

How to Get Axe & Dagger

The Axe & Dagger can be found in the Shrine of Trials dungeon, west of the Mushroom Village beacon. To access this dungeon, you’ll need to first find the Chapel Key on the church door, which is found in the clearing where you find the Grisha Pup locked in a cage by the Grisha Hunters, near Mushroom Village.

Great Martyr’s Blade

The Great Martyr’s Blade is a heavy greatsword with excellent range that’s perfect for players who prefer to use heavy weapons in Soulslikes. In particular, the Great Martyr’s Blade’s running heavy attack is incredible for closing distance and dealing massive damage in an instant, making it perfect for a run-and-gun style of play.

The best part is that the Great Martyr’s Blade is extremely easy to get within the first few hours of your playthrough. Although it is located deep into the Fainweald region, it is found within an easy-to-clear dungeon, and you can run past most of the obstacles protecting it.

How to Get Great Martyr’s Blade

The Great Martyr’s Blade can be found in the Martyr's Prison dungeon, northwest of the Gloomshade Grove beacon, just east of the Citadel of Penance. To get here from the Widow’s Overlook beacon, head straight north to the Blackridge Pass beacon, then turn west along the bridges and continue along the path until you reach the Gloomshade Grove beacon.

From here, enter the cave right next to the Gloomshade Grove beacon, and you’ll find yourself right in front of the main entrance of the Citadel of Penance (where you need to use the Citadel Gate Lever). From here, turn north and squeeze through the gap in the wall.

Go past the miners and the well entrance to the Holding Cells dungeon. When the path ends, look to the left, and you’ll see the entrance to the Martyr’s Prison behind some wooden boxes.

Axatana

The Axatana is the weapon that combines the best of both worlds in Mortal Shell 2. When using light attacks, it takes the form of a lightning-fast dual-wield katana that has the fastest moveset in the game. When using heavy attacks, it transforms into a large axe that can do slow, heavy attacks that can stagger enemies with ease.

The running light attack is especially potent since it transforms the player into a whirlwind of blades that slice up opponents faster than any other weapon. The best part is that the Axatana is only protected by a single elite enemy. Very manageable.

How to Get Axatana

The Axatana can be found in a locked tower southeast of the Forgotten Tower, south of the southeastern Corrupted Gate. The fastest way to get here from the Outskirts of Mammon beacon is to go south and take the Bone Gate on the bridge to reach the Castigator’s Keep. From here, go southeast to the white stone island connected to the keep by a bridge and take the Bone Gate east. Then, go further east, past the Parasitic Stash dungeon, and take another Bone Gate to directly reach the tower where the Axatana is located.

Here, lift the metal gate by interacting with a switch in the wall. Defeat the Gloom Seeker enemy inside and interact with the pedestal in the center to claim the Axatana.