Phantom Blade Zero Best Early Weapons: What to Upgrade
Jagged Steel is the best-supported early upgrade recommendation in the sources reviewed here. Choose a second weapon for enemies that resist its bleed.
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First upgrade: Jagged Steel
The opening boss awards Jagged Steel. Its Blood Blade mechanic builds bleed pressure, making it a useful early investment against susceptible human enemies. PC Gamer’s launch playthrough also reports continuing to use it roughly 30 hours in.
Upgrade priorities
Prioritize Blood Blade and bleed-related perks. Read the next perk in the forge preview before spending materials, then choose upgrades that strengthen the attacks you use most often.
Cover the bleed weakness
Puppets, Golden Bodies and Phantom Bodies normally resist bleed. The Livingwood Talisman, found near Smuggler’s Tunnel in the Village of Lu, enables bleed against them at reduced effectiveness. Until then, keep a second weapon whose moveset you can use reliably.
Compare the broader tier list
Compare 21 campaign weapons in the weapon tier list. Choose an early damage option, a defensive partner or a later specialist, then follow its acquisition lead to plan your next detour.