Castlevania: Belmont's Curse offers a departure from the series' typical combat, featuring Rose with access to seven distinct weapon families, each with four upgradeable variations. These weapons, along with numerous relics, can significantly alter gameplay and unlock new combat strategies.
Weapon Families and Locations
The game's combat system allows for varied approaches, moving beyond the series' traditional focus on exploration over complex combos. Rose can wield seven weapon types, each with unique properties and upgrade paths found in grand chests throughout the game.
Sword
Swords are fast weapons. Attacking immediately after a backdash or slide increases their damage. The Arcane Whip can also be used with swords to dash through enemies upon impact.
- Longsword: Paris Streets - Bank of the River Seine (Starting weapon)
- Bastard Sword: Paris Streets - Justice District Sewers
- Joyeuse: Location unknown
- Valmanway: Location unknown
Shortsword & Shield
This combination offers both offense and defense. Regular attacks with the shortsword deal damage, while holding the attack button blocks incoming attacks. A charged shield-dash attack is possible, and using the Arcane Whip while attacking executes a shield bash.
- Rusted Harpé and Aegis: Holy Innocents' Cemetery - Serpent's Lair
- Fleuret and Tower Shield: Library - Condemned Shelves
- Unknown: Location unknown
- Unknown: Location unknown
Spear
Spears provide both melee and ranged options. A quick press thrusts the spear, while holding the button allows for aiming and flinging. The Arcane Whip creates a pushing attack.
- Lance: Holy Innocents' Cemetery - Fountain of the Innocents
- Halberd: Clock Tower - Mechanic's Ascent
- Unknown: Location unknown
- Unknown: Location unknown
Gauntlets
Gauntlets are the fastest weapon type, with each hit increasing their power. When combined with the Arcane Whip, Rose can launch enemies for aerial combos.
- Cestus: Paris Streets - Sewer Reservoir
- Jewel Knuckles: Main Hall - Servant's Hall
- Unknown: Location unknown
- Unknown: Location unknown
Greatsword
Greatswords are powerful but slow, with a charged attack available. The Arcane Whip ability performs a Blade Dive when a greatsword is equipped.
- Burnt Sword of Fierbois: Paris Streets - Roof of the Tower
- Claymore: Clock Tower - The Way of the Fist
- Durandal: Library - Lisa's Laboratory
- Unknown: Location unknown
Dual Blades
Dual Blades allow for extended combos with rapid attacks. Using the Arcane Whip causes Rose to spin, damaging nearby enemies.
- Pair of Longswords: Catacombs of Paris - Crossroads of the Dead
- Rapiers: Main Hall - Watch Tower
- Unknown: Location unknown
- Unknown: Location unknown
Whip
This specialist weapon deals increased damage at its tip. The Arcane Whip ability with a whip results in a forward dash and smash attack.
- Whip: Catacombs of Paris - Hall of the Fallen Angels
- Thorn Whip: Library - Fine Art Shelves
- Unknown: Location unknown
- Unknown: Location unknown
Navigating the Clock Tower
The Clock Tower presents a significant challenge, featuring hazards like spinning blades, iron fists, and laser-firing skeletons. Players must utilize platforming skills and environmental interactions to ascend.
Key challenges include navigating rooms with pounding iron fists, using Medusa Heads for verticality, and avoiding spinning blades and lasers. Puzzles involving rotating platforms activated by iron fists are also present. A stone golem mini-boss guards the upper sections of the tower.
After reaching the summit, players discover the apparent boss fight is a deception. To progress, players must descend the tower, utilizing newly opened pathways revealed by crashing iron fists. This descent leads through areas like the Smelting Room and culminates in a final trap sequence before the true boss encounter. Defeating this boss grants the ability to break through glowing floors.
Relics for Enhanced Combat
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse features 44 relics that can be equipped in sets of three, offering passive buffs and new combat possibilities. Strategic relic selection can significantly impact gameplay, particularly during boss fights.
For general traversal, the combination of Obsidian Fang and Necro Charm can be effective against groups of enemies, offering damage bonuses after guards are broken or enemies are defeated. For boss encounters, Vile Trinket can provide a damage boost when striking from behind, while Shadow Veil increases defense at low health. The Crypt Key relic is highly recommended for beginners, fully restoring health and mana upon opening any chest, which is especially useful when seeking out challenging relics and hidden weapons.
Notable Relic Locations
- Crypt Key: Paris Streets - Seer's Hovel
- Twilight Gem: Paris Streets - Central Sewer Drain
- Abyssal Eye: Holy Innocents' Cemetery - Cemetery Entrance
- Raven's Feather: Holy Innocents' Cemetery - Roman Baths
- Necro Charm: Catacombs of Paris - Jaws of Limbo
- Obsidian Fang: Paris Streets - Guard Level
- Shadow Veil: Paris Streets - Burned District
- Mourning Bead: Catacombs of Paris - Quarry Elevator
- Ghostly Pendant: Main Hall - Abandoned Workshop
- Sinister Rune: Clock Tower - Eastern Access Shaft
- Vile Trinket: Clock Tower - Daedalus Crossing
- Lich's Mark: Library - Rhetoric Shelves