Castlevania Belmont’s Curse Arcana Tier List

This is a tier list for the Arcana system in Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance, specifically for the Belmont’s Curse mode. You enter the mode, pick an Arcana (a card that grants a magic spell), and the list ranks each one by how well it performs in the mode’s unique conditions. The short answer: Venus (L. Venus) and Mars (L. Mars) are the top-tier picks, while Jupiter (L. Jupiter) and Uranus (L. Uranus) are the weakest for this mode.

What Is Belmont’s Curse Mode?

Belmont’s Curse is a playable mode in Harmony of Dissonance (released in 2002 for the Game Boy Advance, later re-released in the Castlevania Advance Collection). You play as Simon Belmont, the original hero, and the mode is a what-if scenario where Simon faces Dracula’s curse alone. The twist: Simon has no sub-weapons and no item crashes. Instead, he uses the Arcana system, which is normally exclusive to Juste Belmont in the main game.

Each Arcana is a card that gives Simon a spell when he has enough hearts. You can only equip one at a time, and you find them by exploring the castle. Because Simon lacks the whip’s sub-weapon versatility, the Arcana choice largely determines your offensive and defensive options. That makes tier placement more about raw effectiveness in a mode where enemy density and boss HP are tuned for a different character.

How the Arcana System Works

In the main game, Juste can combine two Arcanas to create fusion spells. Belmont’s Curse simplifies this: Simon equips a single Arcana, and it gives him one fixed spell. The spell is triggered by pressing the attack button while holding up or by using the R button (depending on your control mapping). Each spell consumes a set number of hearts, which drop from candles and enemies.

The Arcana cards themselves are the same as in the main game, but their effects are not identical. For example, Mercury normally boosts stats, but in this mode it gives Simon a projectile. The mode also changes how the spells scale with your level and how much damage they deal, so a card that is mediocre in the main game can be a lifesaver here.

The Tier List

This list assumes you are playing through the mode normally, not speedrunning or doing a low-level challenge. It ranks cards by their overall utility: damage output, safety, boss viability, and how often you can use them.

• S-Tier: Venus (L. Venus) – Summons a whirlwind that hits multiple times and can be spammed. It deals high damage, covers a wide area, and is excellent against both mobs and bosses. Mars (L. Mars) – Summons a sword that orbits Simon. It blocks projectiles, hits enemies on contact, and has a short cooldown. It is the best defensive-offensive hybrid in the mode.
• A-Tier: Saturn (L. Saturn) – Fires a slow-moving orb that pierces enemies. It is great for corridors and can hit a boss multiple times, but it is slow and leaves you vulnerable. Luna (L. Luna) – Creates a small explosion around Simon. It is fast and safe, but the damage is lower than the top tier.
• B-Tier: Mercury (L. Mercury) – Shoots a straight projectile. It is reliable but unremarkable. Sol (L. Sol) – Summons a fire pillar. It has good damage but a narrow hitbox and a long recovery.
• C-Tier: Jupiter (L. Jupiter) – Creates a damaging aura around Simon. It sounds good but the range is tiny, and it does not protect you from projectiles. Uranus (L. Uranus) – Calls down a lightning strike. It has high damage but a long delay and a random target, making it unreliable in fast fights.

Why Venus and Mars Dominate

Venus is the best because its whirlwind stays active for a long time and hits multiple times per second. In Belmont’s Curse, Simon’s whip has a short reach, so having a projectile that covers the screen is a huge advantage. The whirlwind also pushes enemies back, which creates space. Against bosses, you can stand at a safe distance and spam it, melting their HP bars.

Mars is the best defensive option because the orbiting sword acts as a shield. It blocks enemy projectiles, which is critical in areas like the Clock Tower or the fight against the Medusa heads. It also deals contact damage, so you can walk into enemies without taking hits. The cooldown is short enough that you can keep it active almost permanently if you have enough hearts.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

One common mistake is treating the Arcana like a sub-weapon. Sub-weapons have a set damage and are limited by hearts, but Arcana spells scale with your level. That means you should not ignore level grinding early on, as a low-level Simon will deal pitiful spell damage regardless of the card.

Another misconception is that Uranus is a “nuke” that can one-shot bosses. In practice, the lightning strike has a random horizontal position and a long delay, so you will miss often. The damage is not high enough to justify the risk. Similarly, Jupiter’s aura seems like it would be great for close combat, but Simon’s whip already covers close range, and the aura does not block projectiles, so it offers no real advantage.

How to Choose the Right Arcana for Your Playstyle

If you prefer a passive, safe approach, pick Mars and focus on positioning. If you like aggressive, high-damage play, pick Venus and spam it. If you want a balanced option, Saturn gives you a piercing projectile that works in most situations.

For boss fights specifically, Venus is almost always the best choice because it can hit multiple times and you can stay out of range. If you are struggling with a particular boss’s projectiles, switch to Mars for the shield. For exploration, Mercury is a decent fallback because it is fast and cheap, but it is never the best option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get all Arcanas in Belmont’s Curse?

Yes, all eight Arcanas are available in the mode, but some are hidden in breakable walls or require backtracking. You can find them in the same locations as in the main game, but the mode’s castle layout is slightly different, so you may need to explore more.

Does the Arcana choice affect the ending?

No, the ending is determined by whether you defeat Dracula, not by which Arcana you use. You can beat the game with any card, but the difficulty varies wildly.

Is there a best Arcana for the final boss?

Venus is the most reliable for the final boss because it lets you attack from a distance. Mars can also work if you are good at dodging, but the sword’s orbit may not hit the boss’s weak point consistently.

Why is Jupiter so low if it looks like a good defensive spell?

The aura’s range is too short to be useful. Enemies can hit you from outside the aura, and projectiles pass right through it. You are better off using Mars for defense.

Can you switch Arcanas mid-run?

Yes, you can open the menu and equip a different Arcana at any time, but you cannot change during a boss fight. Plan your loadout before entering a boss room.

Does the Arcana damage scale with your level?

Yes, all Arcana spells scale with Simon’s level. This is why grinding a few levels can make a huge difference, especially for Venus and Saturn.

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