Lies of P Beginner Guide: Combat, Weapons, Early Tips

This guide covers the core combat mechanics, weapon system, and early-game strategies you need to survive the opening hours of Lies of P. You will learn how the game’s unique weapon assembly works, why the Perfect Guard is your most important tool, and which early upgrades give you the best return on your Ergo.

Combat Fundamentals: Guard, Perfect Guard, and Dodge

Lies of P is a Soulslike, but its combat leans heavily on a parry-like mechanic called the Perfect Guard. Unlike many similar games, dodging has a slight delay and recovery, making blocking and Perfect Guarding the more reliable defensive options in most fights. Your basic block reduces damage but still lets chip damage through and drains your stamina. A Perfect Guard, timed just as an enemy’s attack lands, negates all damage, breaks the enemy’s weapon if they are humanoid, and builds up their stagger meter.

You can also dodge, but it is best used to reposition rather than as your primary defensive tool. The game’s dodge has a short delay after the input, so dodging too early often gets you hit. Later in the skill tree, you unlock a dodge that functions more like a quickstep, but early on, treat blocking as your default and dodge only when you are confident in the timing.

Stagger is a key part of the combat loop. Each enemy has a hidden stagger meter that fills as you land hits and Perfect Guards. When it fills, the enemy becomes briefly stunned and glows white. A fully charged heavy attack (hold the heavy attack button) will then knock them down, allowing you to land a critical hit (the “Fatal Attack”) for massive damage. This loop—Perfect Guard, punish, stagger, Fatal Attack—is the core of every major boss fight.

Weapon Assembly: How to Combine Blades and Handles

The most distinctive feature of Lies of P is that every weapon is made of two parts: a blade (or bludgeon) and a handle. You can swap these parts at any workbench in the Hotel Krat hub. The blade determines the weapon’s damage type (Slash, Strike, or Pierce) and its base damage. The handle determines its moveset, scaling (how well it benefits from your stats), and the Fable Arts you can use.

This means you can, for example, take the fast moveset of a rapier handle and attach it to a heavy greatsword blade, creating a weapon that swings quickly but hits like a truck. The handle’s scaling is what matters most for damage output. Each handle has a letter grade (S, A, B, C, D) for each of the three stats: Motivity (strength), Technique (dexterity), and Advance (elemental damage). You want to match your handle’s best scaling with your highest stat.

Fable Arts are special moves tied to the handle. You charge them by landing hits and Perfect Guards, then unleash them with the Fable Art button. Some are buffs, some are heavy attacks, and some are utility moves. Experiment with different handles to find a moveset you like, then find a blade that complements it. The game’s early weapon drops give you plenty of options to mix and match within the first few hours.

Best Early Weapons and Where to Find Them

You start with the Puppet Saber, a balanced weapon that is fine for the first area. But you can get better options very quickly. The first merchant you meet, Pulcinella in Hotel Krat, sells a few handles and blades. One standout early purchase is the Greatsword of Fate blade, which you can attach to the starting saber’s handle for more reach and damage. Alternatively, the Baton Handle gives a good Motivity scaling moveset that works well with the starting saber blade.

As you progress through the first major area, you will find the Electric Coil Stick in a chest. This weapon deals electric damage, which is extremely effective against the puppet enemies that dominate the early game. Its handle also scales with Advance, making it a strong choice if you are investing in that stat. Another excellent early find is the Bone-Cutting Sawblade, which has high base damage and a solid moveset when paired with a technique-scaling handle like the Dancer’s Curved Sword Handle.

For a more defensive option, the Greatsword of Fate blade combined with the Baton Handle gives you a moveset that is both fast and hard-hitting. Do not be afraid to experiment—the game encourages you to swap parts freely, and there is no penalty for changing your setup at the workbench.

Early Game Tips: Stats, Upgrades, and Ergo Management

Your stat allocation matters, but not as much as in other Soulslike games. The three main combat stats are Motivity, Technique, and Advance. Motivity increases damage for strength-scaling weapons, Technique for dexterity-scaling weapons, and Advance increases elemental damage. For a first playthrough, pick one stat and stick with it. A balanced build (e.g., 20 Motivity and 20 Technique) will give you less damage than focusing on one.

Vitality (HP) and Vigor (stamina) are also important. You want enough HP to survive a few hits, and enough stamina to attack and dodge without running out. A good early target is 20 Vitality and 15 Vigor by the time you reach the first major boss. Capacity is another stat worth investing in—it increases your equip load, allowing you to wear heavier armor and carry more items without slowing down.

When it comes to upgrades, focus on your primary weapon first. The upgrade materials (Moonstones) are scarce early on, so choose one weapon to upgrade to +3 or +4 before spreading resources around. You can always disassemble the weapon later to get some materials back, but it is more efficient to stick with one main weapon.

Ergo is your currency and experience. Spend it on levels and upgrades, but also on consumables like Pulse Cells (healing) and throwables. Throwables, especially the Sawtooth Wheel and Throwing Cells, are incredibly strong in this game and can turn a hard boss fight into a manageable one. Do not hoard them—use them when you are stuck.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

One of the biggest mistakes new players make is treating Lies of P like Dark Souls and relying on dodging. The dodge has a delay, and many enemy attacks have long reach and tracking. Instead, practice blocking and Perfect Guarding. You can even hold the block button and tap it again just as an attack lands to get the Perfect Guard timing—this is a technique called “block-parrying” and it is extremely effective.

Another mistake is ignoring the Legion Arm. This is a mechanical arm that gives you a special tool, like a grappling hook or a flamethrower. You get it early in the game, and it is a huge source of damage and utility. The Falcon Eyes (a crossbow) and the Flamberge (a flamethrower) are especially good for staggering enemies from a distance. Upgrade your Legion Arm at the hub when you can.

Finally, do not neglect your Pulse Cells. You start with a limited number, but you can increase the amount you carry by finding Quartz and upgrading your P-Organ (the skill tree) at the hotel. The first upgrade you should get is the one that adds an extra Pulse Cell charge. This is a game-changer for survivability.

Boss Strategy: The Parade Master and Beyond

The first major boss, the Parade Master, is a giant puppet that serves as a skill check. You can summon a specter to help you, but if you want to fight it solo, the key is to learn its attack patterns. It has a few telegraphed attacks, including a charge and a grab. The grab is the most dangerous—if it connects, it deals heavy damage. You can avoid it by dodging to the side or behind it.

Use the Electric Coil Stick or any electric damage to exploit its weakness. Throwables, especially the Sawtooth Wheel, can stagger it quickly. When it is staggered, use a charged heavy attack to knock it down, then go for a Fatal Attack. In the second phase, it becomes more aggressive and adds a jump attack that creates a shockwave. Roll through the shockwave or block it.

After the Parade Master, you will face the Mad Donkey and then the King’s Flame, Fuoco. Fuoco is a fire-based boss that is weak to electric damage. The same tactics apply—Perfect Guard, use throwables, and keep your distance when it does its flame attacks. By this point, you should have a good feel for the game’s rhythm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best starting weapon in Lies of P?

The Puppet Saber is a solid all-rounder, but the best early weapon is the Electric Coil Stick, found in a chest in the first area. It deals electric damage, which is super effective against puppets, and its handle scales with Advance. If you prefer a strength build, the Greatsword of Fate blade combined with the Baton Handle is a great choice.

How does the Perfect Guard timing work?

You need to press the block button just as the enemy’s attack is about to hit you. The window is about 0.3 seconds, which is generous compared to other parry mechanics. A successful Perfect Guard negates all damage, breaks the enemy’s weapon (if they have one), and builds stagger. You can practice on the training dummies in Hotel Krat.

Should I focus on Motivity or Technique?

Pick one and stick with it. Motivity is for heavy, slow weapons, and Technique is for fast, light weapons. A hybrid build is viable but will deal less damage than a focused one. Look at the handle’s scaling—if it has an A or S in Motivity, that is the stat to invest in.

How do I increase my Pulse Cell charges?

You need to find Quartz, which is often hidden in levels or dropped by elites. Take the Quartz to the P-Organ upgrade station in Hotel Krat and unlock the node that adds +1 to your Pulse Cell capacity. This is one of the most valuable early upgrades.

Is it better to block or dodge in Lies of P?

Blocking is generally safer because the dodge has a slight delay. However, blocking still drains stamina and lets chip damage through. The ideal is to use Perfect Guard, which negates damage and staggers enemies. Use dodge for repositioning, not as your primary defense.

What should I spend my Ergo on first?

Level up Vitality to 20 and Vigor to 15 first. Then invest in your main damage stat (Motivity or Technique) and Capacity. Also, buy the basic throwables from the merchant—they are cheap and incredibly useful in boss fights.

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