Mortal Shell 2 is a challenging game, and knowing a few tricks can make your journey through its dark and eerie world much smoother. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind as you embark on your adventure:
Auto-Pickup Gold
See a penny, pick it up. Literally. Enable the 'auto pick up gold' setting in the settings menu. This handy feature ensures that you never miss out on those precious coins scattered across the game's environments. It's especially useful in areas like swamps, where loot might be harder to spot.
Prioritize Shells
After your initial interaction with NPCs in the Marrow Keep, two shells - Tiel and Proxima - will be marked on your map. These are your primary classes and offer significant boosts to attack and defense. Prioritize heading towards them as soon as you enter open fields. While the Harbinger character is serviceable, shells are your key to survival and power.
Proxima's Penny-Wise Abilities
The Proxima shell is a strong choice for exploration. Its ability to make enemies drop sellable items can be a game-changer, especially in the late game when money might be scarce. However, be mindful that this powerful ability is a tier 3 skill in her ability tree, requiring a significant investment.
Glimpses: Manage Your Resources
Glimpses, used to strengthen shells and unlock skill trees, are finite. In my experience, there were enough to max out two shells, with a few left over. Be cautious with how you spend them, as they can't be replenished. Focus on shells you plan to use long-term, and consider burning glimpses for minor bonuses if necessary.
Walls and False Walls
Mortal Shell 2, like other Soulslikes, has its fair share of false walls. Keep an eye out for the symbol painted on walls, tombstones, or other surfaces. These indicate secret passages or hidden treasures. Don't be afraid to swing at them and explore.
Inventory Versatility
Your inventory is more versatile than you might think. Consumable items can be used for immediate effects in the field or added to passive equipment slots for continuous benefits. The more you collect, the stronger these passive effects become. It's a good strategy to use them, as the game rewards finding a lot of them.
Sheep and Their Benefits
Early in the game, you'll encounter a minor boss that controls sheep. Killing it grants you the Sheephead Totem, which converts you into a sheep with a passive ability that reduces enemy HP. Keep an eye out for more sheep to nab additional totems for an even greater passive effect boost.
Cleansing Beacons and Mini-Dungeons
The majority of beacon checkpoints are mini-dungeons that need to be cleansed. Take the time to do this at every beacon. You'll find important prizes like weapons or Tarstones, and some beacons contain stray Ova that unlock endgame content. It's always worth the effort.
Easy and Hard Modes
If you're struggling with combat, consider using the Slayer Seal in the Marrow Keep. Equipping it turns off trophies and achievements, but it greatly enhances your sidearm and heals you with every riposte attack. For a more challenging experience, enable Night mode, where enemies have more HP and deal more damage, but the rewards are greater.
Tarstones: Augment Your Power
Tarstones are a valuable resource, with over 70 in the game. They can be equipped to augment weapons, passive effects, and special attacks. Don't be afraid to shuffle them as you progress, as some are specific to certain weapons. If you're still struggling to find weapons, buy maps to their locations from Merrick.
Early Grinding Spot
For early-game grinding, head to the area just in front of the Mushroom Village Gate. A tall, bipedal monster with large mandibles stunlocks easily and drops a significant amount of gloom with each kill. It's close to the beacon, making it an ideal spot to quickly gain levels before tackling major bosses.
Remember, these tips are just the beginning. Mortal Shell 2 is a deep and rewarding game, and exploring its secrets will make your journey through its dark and eerie world much more enjoyable.
