Weapons

You start with the sword. Each boss you beat for the first time unlocks something new.

Reach is in screen cells. Poise damage is explained below.

Other unlocks

• Spin slash: beat the first boss, Gateward.
• Lantern: beat the second boss, Nightrend. It makes your own light bigger, which matters when the screen gets dark.

Poise

Ghosts have poise. A hit only staggers and pushes a ghost back when its poise is broken. Shield knights have the most, archers the least, and deeper depths add more. Heavy weapons break poise faster. A hit that does not break poise still deals damage. Bosses have no poise.

Choosing a weapon

• The sword is the balanced choice for learning boss patterns.
• The dagger is fast and safe at close range, but you must stand near enemies.
• The greatsword reaches far and staggers shield knights, but each swing commits you.
• The spear thrusts in a line and has the longest reach.