TL;DR
- Harros is your first shell in the prologue, but you lose him permanently when it ends.
- Tiel is the first shell you can grab in the open world — he is in a grave near Mushroom Village in Fainweald.
- Proxima is close by — head northeast from Widow’s Overlook Beacon and enter the glowing Beacon where she waits.
- Both Tiel and Proxima are automatically marked on your map when you reach Marrow Keep.
- There are 8 shells in total, spread across Fainweald and the Ruins of Mammon.
- You can pay 3 Glimpse to the Shellkeeper, Zhirelle, to reveal any shell’s location on your map.
Where to Find the First Shell in Mortal Shell 2
Shells are the heart of Mortal Shell 2. You play as the Harbinger — a being that possesses the bodies of fallen warriors and wears them in combat. Each shell comes with its own abilities, passives, and playstyle. Choosing the right one early can make a big difference, especially when you are just learning how the game works.
The moment the prologue ends, you are dropped into the open world without a shell. You need to find one fast. Fortunately, two shells are available very close to your starting area — and the game even marks them on your map without spending any resources. Before you go hunting, make sure you already know how to get a map in Mortal Shell 2 so you can navigate Fainweald properly.
Mortal Shell 2 is available on Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox. You can also visit the official Mortal Shell website for more details on the game.
What Happens to Harros After the Prologue?
Harros the Vassal is your shell during the prologue. He is a returning character from the first game and works as a balanced, beginner-friendly option. His ability, Stone Stun, lets him petrify enemies briefly so you can strike them freely and build up the Break meter for a Riposte.
However, once the prologue ends, Harros is gone for good. This is a permanent part of the story and cannot be undone. You will still keep the Harden mechanic, but Harros himself will not be usable again. From that point forward, you need to find a new shell to inhabit.
Where to Find Tiel — The First Shell in Mortal Shell 2
Tiel the Acolyte is the easiest shell to find in the open world. He is also one of the best early picks because of how his stealth mechanics work. As soon as you reach Marrow Keep after the prologue, Zhirelle the Shellkeeper will automatically mark Tiel’s location on your map. You do not need to spend any Glimpse to reveal him.
Here is exactly how to get to Tiel:
- Travel to the Widow’s Overlook Beacon in Fainweald — this is your default starting fast travel point in the open world.
- Turn around from the Beacon and head southeast, following the path downhill.
- You will run into cultist enemies along the path. Take them out or run past them.
- Keep going until you reach a large tree. Flying enemies are nearby — be careful of their projectiles.
- Continue past the tree toward a wooden doorway with torches on either side.
- As soon as you pass through the doorway, your screen will begin pulsating red. That means a shell is close.
- Look to your left. You will see Tiel partially buried in a grave.
- Interact with the shell to trigger his memory sequence. Watch it through and you will unlock Tiel immediately.
Tiel’s Abilities and Playstyle
Tiel is a fast, rogue-style shell built around stealth and precise timing. He is great for players who like to dodge, stay mobile, and punish enemies from the shadows.
- Lingering Shadow (Active): Tiel becomes invisible. While in Shadow, enemies cannot detect you. Performing a Light Attack while invisible triggers Shadow Strike, which deals heavy dagger damage and can be upgraded further through the shell upgrade system.
- Shadow Dash (Passive): If you dodge just before an attack lands, Tiel gains Shadow for a few seconds and inflicts Stagger Damage on the attacker. This rewards precise defensive play and opens enemies up to follow-up strikes.
Tiel is the recommended first shell for players who prefer speed over brute force. His invisibility makes tricky encounters much more manageable, especially early in the game when you are still learning enemy patterns.
Where to Find Proxima — The Second Early Shell in Mortal Shell 2
Proxima the Broodseeker is the second shell available near your starting area. Like Tiel, she is automatically marked on your map when you first speak to Zhirelle at Marrow Keep. No Glimpse required.
Here is how to reach Proxima:
- Start at the Widow’s Overlook Beacon and head northeast up the sloping path.
- Push through the enemies along the way. There are several, but you do not need to clear them all.
- There are dungeons to the sides — ignore them for now if your only goal is Proxima.
- Cross the ravine and continue until you see a glowing Beacon. Enter it.
- Once inside, your screen will pulsate red. Proxima will be directly in front of you.
- Interact with her remains and watch the memory sequence. After it ends, you can switch to Proxima immediately.
Note that this Beacon functions differently from the standard cleansable ones in the world. It does not require cleansing and does not reward Ova.
Proxima’s Abilities and Playstyle
Proxima is a more defensive shell compared to Tiel. She blends offensive utility with damage mitigation, making her a solid choice for players who do not want to rely on perfect dodge timing.
- Biosampler (Active): Proxima fires a hook from her left arm that pulls enemies toward her. The follow-up strike inflicts Lightning, which deals damage over time and can build into a shockwave if stacked on the same target.
- Grafted Armor (Passive): Proxima has a base 15% chance to mitigate incoming melee or ranged damage. When triggered, the damage is reduced by 50% and stagger is prevented entirely.
If Tiel is too punishing for your playstyle because of the dodge timing requirement, Proxima is a great alternative. She can absorb more hits and still deals solid damage through her Lightning-infused hook mechanic.
Tiel vs Proxima — Which First Shell Should You Pick?
Both shells are available within the first area of the game, and you can switch between them freely at any Beacon. But if you have to pick one to focus on first, here is a simple breakdown.
Pick Tiel if you like fast movement, stealth, and hit-and-run tactics. His Shadow Strike can deal serious damage when timed well, and his passive rewards players who learn enemy attack windows.
Pick Proxima if you prefer staying in fights longer, want some built-in damage protection, and enjoy pulling enemies into range for punishing combos. She is more forgiving for players still getting used to the game.
You do not have to commit permanently. Both are worth unlocking early because you will switch shells often depending on the situation.
How to Unlock Shell Locations in Mortal Shell 2
When you arrive at Marrow Keep for the first time, speak to Zhirelle the Shellkeeper. She will automatically mark Tiel and Proxima’s locations on your map for free. For every other shell, you can pay 3 Glimpse each to have their general area revealed.
Glimpse is a limited resource used for upgrading shells at Marrow Keep, so spend it carefully. Most shells can also be found through natural exploration without spending anything. If you want to avoid burning Glimpse, simply explore each region thoroughly and look for your screen to pulse red when you get close to a shell.
You can also check our Mortal Shell 2 Beginner’s Guide for tips on managing resources like Glimpse and Ova efficiently in the early game.
All Shell Locations in Mortal Shell 2
There are 8 playable shells in Mortal Shell 2. Harros is available in the prologue only. The remaining 8 can all be found in the open world across Fainweald and the Ruins of Mammon.
Shells in Fainweald
Tiel the Acolyte — In a grave near the wooden doorway south of Widow’s Overlook. Marked automatically on your map. Fast, stealth-focused rogue shell.
Proxima the Broodseeker — Inside a glowing Beacon northeast of Widow’s Overlook past the Blackridge Pass area. Marked automatically on your map. Defensive tank with a Lightning hook ability.
Eredrim the Venerable — Found inside the Citadel of Penance on the far western side of Fainweald. When you reach his location, a boss enemy drops from the sky and must be defeated before you can claim the shell. Eredrim is a heavy knight built around staggering enemies and controlling fights with his Shoulder Bash and Ethereal Diapason abilities.
Gragu the Insatiable — Located at the One-Legged Wolf Tavern in the eastern part of Fainweald, near the One-Legged Wolf Beacon. He requires a questline to unlock — he refuses to talk at first, and you need to complete a nearby dungeon and bring him a specific item. His Revered Heart ability restores health and recharges by killing enemies, making him a strong choice for aggressive players.
Smert the Apostate — Found in the western part of Fainweald. His unlock requires a ritual — you must make Blood Offerings by filling large circles on the ground with blood. Each offering knocks you out of your shell, so recover quickly before filling the next. Smert is a high-risk, high-reward shell built around gambling with his own health pool.
Shells in the Ruins of Mammon
Lazlo the Justiciar — Located deep inside a fortress in the western part of the Ruins of Mammon near the High Lord’s Courtyard. To unlock him, you must defeat a boss called Vellen, High Lord of Mammon in an underground cathedral. Lazlo is the highest HP shell in the game, built for players who want to absorb hits rather than avoid them. His Retribution ability releases a Shockwave and can overheat for a stronger version at the cost of temporarily disabling his armor.
Sariel the Endless — Found in the southeastern area of the Ruins of Mammon. Sariel requires a two-phase encounter — he flees at low health the first time, and you must follow and defeat him a second time in the Chamber of Becoming to claim the shell. He also drops the Clockwork Scythe weapon upon defeat. Sariel has a unique passive called Purge — when at no Pain, 50% of incoming damage becomes Pain instead, and at max Pain he dodges faster.
Genessa the Wayward — Unlocked through a questline in the Ruins of Mammon. Head to the Revenant Graves and find an area with red petals surrounded by Sesters. Locate the Sester’s Censer and interact with it to be transported to another area. Defeat Sester Secundus, then bring the Censer to the Stray Sester in Marrow Keep. Watch the memory and Genessa’s shell will be yours.
Tips for Finding Shells Faster in Mortal Shell 2
- Watch for the red pulsing screen. When your screen starts pulsating red, you are near a shell. Stop and look around carefully — the body is always close.
- Talk to Zhirelle first. She marks Tiel and Proxima for free. For others, decide if spending Glimpse is worth it compared to just exploring.
- Unlock fast travel before shell hunting. Collect at least five Ova and siphon them at Marrow Keep to unlock the Mether’s Breath fast travel ability. This makes crossing the map much faster.
- Some shells need quests, not just exploration. Gragu, Genessa, and Smert all require extra steps beyond just finding and interacting with their bodies. Keep that in mind when planning your route.
- You can switch shells at any Beacon. There is no penalty for swapping. Try multiple shells and keep the one that fits how you play.
Wrapping Up
The first shell you find in Mortal Shell 2 matters more than it might seem. Going into the open world without one is not just uncomfortable — it leaves you genuinely exposed. Tiel and Proxima are both strong, accessible early options that suit different playstyles, and the game is kind enough to hand you their map markers without any cost.
Start with Tiel if you want stealth and mobility. Start with Proxima if you want tankiness and crowd control. Then work your way through Fainweald and the Ruins of Mammon to unlock the remaining six shells and find the one that clicks best for you. For a full breakdown of how the game plays, take a look at our Mortal Shell 2 Review.
