Phantom Blade Zero throws tough bosses and shielded brutes at you from the very start, so a solid early-game build can make the opening hours far less painful. The good news is that the strongest setup is not locked behind late regions.
Below is every piece of the early-game build loadout, from weapons and Phantom Edges to accessories and medicines, along with where each one is found in Phantom Blade Zero.
Phantom Blade Zero: Best early-game build
This best early-game build loadout covers two jobs. One weapon does the steady damage, another clears armor, and the rest of the kit makes dodging, parrying, and surviving easier.
Primary weapon: Jagged Steel
Jagged Steel is the main damage dealer of the build. It has high base damage and applies a powerful Bleed status effect, which is exactly what the damage-over-time plan needs. Once it reaches Level 5, it unlocks Blood Blade, which gives a massive damage buff.
It drops from the mandatory first boss, Jagged Steel, the Frenzied Brute, so there is no hunting involved. Beating the boss is enough. You can check out our detailed guide on defeating this boss.
Also read: Phantom Blade Zero walkthrough: How to complete Diverging Paths
Secondary weapon: Scarlet Wraithblade
The Scarlet Wraithblade is a heavy two-handed sword built for guard break damage. It clears shields and heavy armor that would stall the Bleed plan.
Getting it takes a short detour. Head to the northern part of Weeping Creek Valley and travel toward Sha-Chi Tower. In the machinery area, look for a hidden opening that leads to a wooden bridge.
Slide across the bridge to reach a secret clearing, then defeat Hua, Deadly Betrothed, to obtain the Scarlet Wraithblade.
Phantom Edge 1 and 2: Dread Axe and Hunter’s Chain Sickle
The first Phantom Edge is the Dread Axe, a destructive tool that instantly smashes through enemy shields. It comes from defeating the main story boss Peng Meng, the Axemaster, in Weeping Creek Valley, at the Mandate Outpost during the “Against The Flow” quest.
The second is the Hunter’s Chain Sickle, the utility pick. It grapples into hidden map areas and pulls agile enemies closer, which unlocks mid-to-long-range combat. To get it, progress through the main campaign until you reach Weeping Creek Valley.
Climb Sha-Chi Tower and descend the ladder past the Shadow Warden, then follow the path to trigger the rematch against The Hunt (Sixfold Scythe). Defeat him, and he drops the Hunter’s Chain Sickle.
Crucial accessory: Reflex Device
The Reflex Device widens your Parry and Perfect Dodge timing windows by 15%, which makes it the accessory that matters most in this early-game build. It comes from the Sha-Chi Furnace Inspection Crank in Weeping Creek Valley.
First, find the crank. Travel to the Valley Sha-Chi Tower 1st Floor Bell, or head to the tower summit and defeat the Shadow Warden on the way down if the crank has not been picked up yet. Next, go to the Valley Sha-Chi Tower Base Bell and find the furnace right beside it. Interact with the furnace and insert the crank to receive the accessory.
Other Accessories: Ancient Armor Fragment and Battle Wraps
The Ancient Armor Fragment rewards staying healthy. The higher the HP, the greater the damage reduction, up to 20% at full HP. It sits on the ground at the water’s edge, in the yard just outside the Crimson Manor in Weeping Creek Valley.
The Battle Wraps increase damage dealt to enemies by 5%. Travel to the First Meeting with Yu’er bell in Weeping Creek Valley and look near the nearby stone carving. Transcended enemies are fighting Gold Mask warriors there. Join in and defeat the masked warrior with the large sword to get the accessory.
Check out: All bosses in Phantom Blade Zero and where you can find them
Medicines: Healing Gourd and Kuye Dew
The Healing Gourd is the starting remedy. It restores 40% HP, starts with 2 uses, and is added to the HUD automatically during the prologue.
Kuye Dew is the stronger option. It reduces damage taken by 20% for 15 seconds and restores 40% HP over 10 seconds, with 4 charges. To find it, locate the Crimson Forest Tunnel Crank in a cavern near the Outlaw Trap bell and use it on the nearby mechanism to open the underground area.
Follow the path to a building that overlooks the starting area, open the chest for the Sha-Chi Amber Fragment, then check the adjacent ledge for the Kuye Dew.
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Edited by Rishi Pallav
