Mortal Shell 2 offers a diverse arsenal of combat tools, ranging from hybrid katana-axes to rapid-fire alien machine guns. These weapons are categorized into main weapons and sidearms, each with unique characteristics that require experimentation with Tarstones to maximize their effectiveness. A tiered ranking based on ease of use and damage capabilities can help players navigate these choices.
Best Main Weapons
S-Tier
Axatana: This fan-favorite weapon returns, blending the fluidity of a katana with the power of an axe. Its dual nature makes it a versatile choice, though a slight delay exists when switching between forms. The katana form alone is often sufficient, but for maximum impact, equip the Duality Stone to ensure every attack hits twice and the Hexapod Core for rapid slicing attacks.
Recommended Tarstones: Duality Stone, Hexapod Core.
A-Tier
Axe and Dagger: Found early in Mushroom Village, this pair is ideal for stealthy, damage-dealing builds, particularly with the Shell Tiel. Its rapid strikes and swift movements are effective throughout the early to mid-game. For mob clearing, Magdalena's Memento can aid in spiraling attacks, while the Serpent Stone infuses them with poison.
Recommended Tarstones: Magdalena's Memento, Serpent Stone.
Black Needle: This spear boasts some of the fastest attacks in the game, with a consistent poke that maintains a safe distance. While its heavy attacks are slower, its light attacks are excellent for sustained damage, reminiscent of the combat style seen in Hollow Knight: Silksong. The Nightgrasp Stone provides Phantom damage, and the Zealot's Stone offers an effective light combo finisher.
Recommended Tarstones: Nightgrasp Stone, Zealot's Stone.
Veteran's Battle Axe: A powerful heavy weapon that can carry players through a significant portion of the game. Despite the general risk associated with slow-hitting heavy weapons in Mortal Shell 2, the Battle Axe's heavy attack chains are potent. Infusing it with the Inflamed Clawstone adds Burn damage, and the Lost Clotstone allows it to be flung for distance.
Recommended Tarstones: Inflamed Clawstone, Lost Clotstone.
B-Tier
Clockwork Scythe: This weapon excels at clearing groups of enemies with its wide arcs and sweeping attacks, making it useful for optional bosses composed of multiple foes. However, both its light and heavy attacks are slow, and its running combos can leave players vulnerable. The Arbiter's Prize can infuse it with Bloodcurse, and the Clockwork Shardstone enables rapid spinning.
Recommended Tarstones: Arbiter's Prize, Clockwork Shardstone.
Great Martyr's Blade: An evolution of a weapon from the first game, this blade offers significant reach and damage. Its slow attack speed, however, makes it less effective compared to more agile options in Mortal Shell 2. Focusing on running attacks, which offer some invincibility frames, can mitigate this. The Clerik's Stone provides a heavy combo finisher, and the Warden's Stone infuses it with Frost.
Recommended Tarstones: Clerik's Stone, Warden's Stone.
Iconoclast: The starting longsword is a reliable and balanced weapon. It offers consistent damage without the unwieldy feel of some heavier options. The Shrike Stone allows for a powerful ground slam that triggers a shockwave, and the Parasitic Stone grants Leech stacks with each kill, increasing maximum health over time.
Recommended Tarstones: Shrike Stone, Parasitic Stone.
C-Tier
Obsidian Hammer: This weapon hits incredibly hard but is extremely slow. Its effectiveness is limited to advanced players who can consistently parry incoming attacks, and it struggles against bosses with rapid, unblockable attack strings. The Colossus Stone allows for a ground-slam shockwave, and the Lost Clotstone enables it to be flung.
Recommended Tarstones: Colossus Stone, Lost Clotstone.
Best Sidearms
S-Tier
Caged Hystrix: This sidearm functions like a gun, with the creature inside spitting rapid-fire rounds. It is exceptionally fast and effective for inflicting chip damage on bosses, staggering enemies, and dealing with groups. The Hag Stone adds Poison infusion, and the Splitting Stone increases projectile count without consuming Resolve.
Recommended Tarstones: Hag Stone, Splitting Stone.
Troubadour's Lute: While not a high-damage option, the Lute excels at inflicting confusion and Break damage, making it invaluable for crowd control by turning enemies against each other. It is particularly useful in the early game where enemy density is high. The Enfeebling Stone inflicts Fragile, and the Hand of Rock deals burst damage.
Recommended Tarstones: Enfeebling Stone, Hand of Rock.
A-Tier
Forgotten Crossbow: A solid choice for most of the game, this crossbow fires a torrent of bolts with good range, making it ideal for picking off weaker enemies from a distance. It is useful for hitting environmental targets for puzzles as well. The Barrage Stone causes heavy rounds to detonate mid-air, and the Myriad Stone allows for multiple bolts to be fired in an arc without consuming Resolve.
Recommended Tarstones: Barrage Stone, Myriad Stone.
Naylshotte: The game's equivalent of a shotgun, obtained early on. It delivers quick, powerful shots effective for initiating combat before transitioning to melee combos. The Confessor's Keepsake provides a devastating blast, and the Emberseed Stone infuses attacks with Burn.
Recommended Tarstones: Confessor's Keepsake, Emberseed Stone.
B-Tier
Salvaged Trebuchaxe: This sidearm launches powerful axes for significant damage against single targets, making it suitable for bosses. However, its lengthy reload time makes it impractical for crowd control or quick engagements. The Charged Stone speeds up charging, and the Squall Stone causes launched axes to spin upon impact.
Recommended Tarstones: Charged Stone, Squall Stone.
Ballistazooka: A powerful rocket launcher that can cause enemies to explode. Its slow firing rate can be a significant drawback against the game's faster enemies. The Rupturing Stone makes critical shots deal Break damage, and the Marksman's Stone passively increases critical hit damage.
Recommended Tarstones: Marksman's Stone, Rupturing Stone.
Triarch Repeater: Similar to the Ballistazooka in its large size and slow charge-up, this weapon unleashes a rapid stream of extraterrestrial machine gun fire. While the charging process leaves the player vulnerable, the sustained barrage is effective. It pairs well with the Rupturing Stone and Marksman's Stone for increased critical hit damage.
Recommended Tarstones: Marksman's Stone, Rupturing Stone.
C-Tier
Cursed Child: This peculiar sidearm is best used to create distance with limited-range knockback attacks. Its effectiveness is inconsistent, and it pairs best with heavy weapons to create openings, though this combination is hampered by the weaknesses of the associated heavy weapons. The Charged Stone can speed up its activation, and the Enfeebling Stone inflicts Fragile stacks.
Recommended Tarstones: Charged Stone, Enfeebling Stone.