TL;DR
- Mortal Shell 2 has 8 primary weapons and no bad ones — even the starter sword works all the way through.
- The Iconoclast — your default greatsword, free from the start, good for slow and patient players.
- Axe & Dagger — best early weapon for fast, aggressive play; found near Mushroom Village.
- Great Martyr’s Blade — heavy two-hander with range, great for players who like slow hard hits.
- Axatana — fastest weapon in the game, does both speed and power; worth the longer trek to get.
- All weapons are usable by any Shell — pick based on how you like to fight, not raw numbers.
One of the first things new players ask in Mortal Shell 2 is which weapon to use. The game does not hold your hand here. It hands you a sword and sends you out into a dark, punishing open world without telling you what else is out there or where to find it. The good news is there are no bad weapons in this game. Every single one is viable from start to finish. But some are much easier to reach early and suit beginner playstyles better than others. This guide breaks down the best weapons for beginners in Mortal Shell 2 and where to find them. If you are just getting started, also check our Mortal Shell 2 beginners guide for a full overview of the basics.
Before diving into specific picks, it helps to know the weapon count. There are 8 primary weapons in Mortal Shell 2, scattered across the map. Two of them — the Iconoclast and the Naylshotte shotgun — are handed to you automatically. The other six must be found. For beginners, the goal is to grab weapons that are accessible early and match a playstyle that feels comfortable without needing high skill to use effectively.
How Weapons Work in Mortal Shell 2
Every weapon in Mortal Shell 2 is usable by any Shell. Your Shell is the character you inhabit, and switching Shells changes your stats and abilities, not your weapon pool. This means you pick a weapon based on how you want to fight, not which Shell you are using at the time.
Each weapon has light attacks, heavy attacks, and a running light attack. These often feel very different from each other within the same weapon. For example, some weapons change form entirely between light and heavy. You can also upgrade weapons at the Tarforge to unlock unique weapon abilities. Understanding the Mortal Shell 2 Tarforge system early helps you get the most out of whatever weapon you settle on.
Now, here are the best picks for beginners.
1. The Iconoclast — Best Starter Weapon
Playstyle: Slow, deliberate, heavy-hitting
How to get it: Automatic — given at the start of the game
The Iconoclast is your default weapon. You get it during the prologue without doing anything. It is a greatsword with slow but powerful swings. Most beginners assume they need to replace it fast, but that is not true. The Iconoclast can carry you through the entire game if you choose to stick with it.
It is best for players who prefer a patient, measured approach to combat. You wait for an opening, swing hard, and back off. The heavy attack in particular does solid damage and can stagger enemies if timed well. The downside is the slow speed. Against fast enemies or groups, it can feel clunky until you learn the timing.
If you are completely new to Soulslike games, the Iconoclast actually teaches you good habits. It punishes button mashing and rewards patience. Start here and only switch when you find something that suits your style better.
2. Axe & Dagger — Best Early Upgrade for Fast Players
Playstyle: Fast, aggressive, combo-focused
How to get it: Shrine of Trials dungeon near Mushroom Village
The Axe & Dagger is the first weapon most players should try to unlock. It is reachable early and immediately changes how the game feels if the Iconoclast’s slow swings are frustrating you. Its moveset lets you dart in and out of range, stacking hits faster than any other early weapon. The running light attack is especially good — it catches enemies off guard and can one-shot basic mobs in the opening zones.
This weapon is a fan favourite from the original Mortal Shell and for good reason. It rewards aggressive play. If you are using Tiel as your first Shell, the Axe & Dagger fits perfectly since Tiel is a fast, stealth-based Shell. The two work together naturally. It also pairs well with early Tarstones like the Duality Stone and Arbiter’s Prize, both of which boost its fast-hit style further.
How to Get the Axe & Dagger
You need the Chapel Key to access the Shrine of Trials where this weapon is held. From the Mushroom Village Beacon, head toward the bonfire area surrounded by witch enemies. Look for a misty stone archway nearby — it is an illusion. Walk through it and interact with the large statue behind it to collect the Chapel Key from the rope.
Then return to the Mushroom Village Beacon and head left. Use the Chapel Key on the locked tower door. Inside is the Shrine of Trials, a short three-room dungeon. In the first room, read the plaque that says “Gaze upon your king so true, back and back shall pass you through” — face the statue and walk backwards to pass through the illusory wall. In the second room, push the two stone pedestals onto the pressure plates to open the next door. In the final room, defeat the Spear Knight and interact with the slab to claim the Axe & Dagger. Our Chapel Key in Mortal Shell 2 guide covers every step of this in detail.
3. Great Martyr’s Blade — Best for Heavy Hitters Who Want Range
Playstyle: Slow, heavy, wide-range attacks
How to get it: Martyr’s Prison dungeon in Gloomshade Grove
The Great Martyr’s Blade is a two-handed greatsword. It hits hard and covers more range than the Iconoclast, but it is slow to swing. This weapon is a strong pick for beginners who like the idea of heavy combat but want something with a bigger hitbox and more presence on screen.
It takes a bit more effort to reach than the Axe & Dagger. You need to head to the Sanguine Caverns, find the Stonebled Gate Beacon, and then make your way to the Gloomshade Grove area where Martyr’s Prison is located. The dungeon entrance is found behind some wooden boxes at the end of a path in that region. The reward is well worth it if you prefer a weapon that punishes enemies on the way in rather than chasing them down.
For beginners who came from games like Dark Souls and prefer greatswords over daggers, the Great Martyr’s Blade is the natural upgrade from the Iconoclast.
4. Axatana — Best Overall Weapon for Most Players
Playstyle: Fast and heavy, extremely versatile
How to get it: Locked tower in the Ruins of Mammon / Vestige of Infinity
The Axatana is the standout weapon of Mortal Shell 2. It is two weapons in one. Light attacks use it as a pair of dual-wield katanas with the fastest moveset in the game. Heavy attacks fold the blades into a large axe that deals slow, staggering hits. The running light attack spins you into a whirlwind that shreds groups of enemies faster than anything else you can carry early on.
It covers every situation. Fast enemy? Use light attacks. Tanky enemy that needs to be staggered? Switch to heavies. A crowd? Sprint into them spinning. Very few weapons in any Soulslike game give you this kind of flexibility from one weapon slot.
The journey to get it is longer than the other weapons on this list. From the Outskirts of Mammon Beacon, head south and cross the massive chasm using the Bone Gates on the bridge to reach Castigator’s Keep. Continue south and go southeast to the white stone island connected by a bridge. The Axatana is in a locked tower in that area — only a single elite enemy, a Gloom Seeker, stands between you and picking it up. That fight is manageable with good positioning.
If you make the trip early, it will serve you for the rest of the game.
Quick Comparison: Best Beginner Weapons in Mortal Shell 2
- The Iconoclast — Free from the start. Slow and heavy. Best for patient players learning combat.
- Axe & Dagger — Near Mushroom Village. Fast combos. Best all-around early upgrade.
- Great Martyr’s Blade — Gloomshade Grove. Slow but wide range. Best heavy alternative.
- Axatana — Ruins of Mammon. Fast and heavy in one. Best overall for flexibility.
Tips for Choosing Your Weapon as a Beginner
Do not overthink your weapon choice. Here is a simple way to decide.
- If you like hitting hard and backing off, stick with the Iconoclast or grab the Great Martyr’s Blade.
- If you prefer getting in fast, comboing, and dodging out, go straight for the Axe & Dagger.
- If you want a weapon that handles everything without needing to switch based on enemy type, make the trip to get the Axatana.
Also remember that weapon upgrades matter a lot. A fully upgraded Iconoclast is stronger than an unupgraded Axatana. So if you find a weapon you love early, invest in it at the Tarforge rather than always chasing the next weapon. You can check our guide on all Mortal Shell 2 weapon and sidearm locations to see where every weapon in the game is hidden once you are ready to explore further.
Do Not Forget Sidearms
Your primary weapon is not the only thing that matters in combat. Sidearms — ranged weapons like crossbows and shotguns — complement your melee weapon and are also used to solve puzzles in the world. The Naylshotte shotgun is given to you automatically alongside the Iconoclast. It is useful for staggering enemies and creating openings for your melee attacks.
Later sidearms add status effects, area damage, and more. Understanding how your weapon and sidearm work together is key to getting better at the game. This pairs well with grabbing the Auspicious Stone Tarstone early — it boosts melee crit chance and is free to collect from the offering chest in Mushroom Village. Our guide on how to open the chest in Mushroom Village shows you exactly how to get it.
Wrap Up
Mortal Shell 2 gives you real choice from the first hour. Every weapon has a clear identity and a playstyle behind it. There is no wrong pick — only the one that clicks with how you play. For most beginners, the path looks like this: start with the Iconoclast, grab the Axe & Dagger from the Shrine of Trials as your first unlock, then work toward the Axatana when you are ready to explore further.
Focus on one weapon, learn its moveset, and upgrade it. That approach will take you further than trying every weapon without committing. If you want to dive deeper into the game’s systems before making your weapon choices, our Mortal Shell 2 review gives a full picture of what to expect. And if you are playing on PC and want to check compatibility first, see our Mortal Shell 2 PC requirements guide.
Mortal Shell 2 is available now on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. For everything else about the game, visit the official Mortal Shell website.
