Mortal Shell 2: Unlock the No You Still Can’t Win Trophy

The “No, You Still Can’t Win” trophy in Mortal Shell 2 is unlocked by defeating the final boss, Hadern, in the new game plus mode known as “New Game+ (NG+)” without using a Vestige to restore your humanity. You must complete the entire game again on NG+ and beat the last encounter while remaining a shell-bound, soulless entity. This is the hardest trophy in the game because it forces you to fight the toughest version of the final boss with a significantly reduced health pool and no access to your human form’s benefits.

Background: What the Trophy Actually Requires

Mortal Shell 2 is a souls-like action RPG developed by Cold Symmetry. The game features a unique mechanic where you play as a “Foundling” who can inhabit the bodies of fallen warriors (shells). Each shell has its own stats and abilities. A key twist is the “Vestige” system: when you die, you lose your humanity and become a hollow, weaker version of yourself. Using a Vestige restores your human form and full stats. The final boss, Hadern, is the game’s ultimate challenge, and his fight is significantly harder in NG+ because enemies deal more damage and have more health.

The trophy “No, You Still Can’t Win” is a direct reference to a quote from the game’s marketing and the challenge it represents. It is designed for players who want the ultimate test: beating the game’s hardest boss while at your weakest. The trophy is missable in the sense that if you accidentally use a Vestige during your NG+ run, you will not get it, and you will need to start another NG+ cycle (or reload a save before the use).

How to Choose Your Run Strategy

To maximize your chances of getting this trophy, you need to plan your NG+ run carefully. Here are the key decisions you must make:

• Choose a strong shell: Pick the shell you are most comfortable with, ideally one with high health or stamina, like the Tank or the default Foundling shell. The Hollow form reduces your health by roughly 30%, so you need a shell that can survive hits.
• Upgrade your weapons early: Before starting NG+, make sure your favorite weapon is fully upgraded. You will need all the damage you can get, especially against late-game enemies and bosses.
• Learn Hadern’s moveset: If you have not fought Hadern in NG, practice that fight first. In NG+, he gains new attacks and becomes more aggressive. Watch for his unblockable attacks and learn the dodge timings.
• Stock up on healing items: In NG+, you will take more damage. Carry as many healing mushrooms and other consumables as possible. You cannot use a Vestige, but other items are fine.
• Plan to skip optional content: Optional bosses and areas are not required for the trophy. Focus on the critical path to reduce the chance of dying and losing progress.

The key is to be patient. Do not rush; learn enemy patterns, and always keep your distance when low on health.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

Many players fail to get this trophy due to a few common mistakes. The most frequent issue is accidentally using a Vestige during the NG+ run. This can happen if you are in a tough spot and instinctively use the item. To avoid this, you can simply not pick up Vestiges at all, or if you do, store them in your inventory and never equip them to a quick slot. Another common problem is dying too often in the Hollow form, which can make the game feel impossible. To mitigate this, focus on survivability: use the best armor, upgrade your health with Tar, and always have a healing item ready.

Another issue is that some players think the trophy requires you to beat the game without dying at all. That is not true. You can die as many times as you want; you just cannot use a Vestige to restore your humanity. Death in Mortal Shell 2 does not reset your progress; you just respawn at the last checkpoint, still hollow. So, if you die, simply continue from the checkpoint. The only thing that matters is that you never use a Vestige.

Comparisons to Other Souls-Like Trophies

This trophy is often compared to similar challenges in other souls-like games, such as the “No Hit” runs in Dark Souls or the “One-Death” runs in Sekiro. However, it is more lenient than most. In Dark Souls, there is no trophy for beating the game without dying; it is a self-imposed challenge. In Mortal Shell 2, the trophy is a built-in achievement, but it only restricts Vestige use, not death. This makes it more accessible than a no-death run, but still very difficult because the Hollow form has significantly reduced stats. Compared to the “Iron Man” mode in some games, this trophy is easier because you can still die and retry.

One thing to note: the trophy is not tied to any specific difficulty setting. Mortal Shell 2 does not have difficulty options; the challenge is fixed. So, the only variable is your skill and preparation.

Safety and Fairness in Your Run

While this is a video game, there are a few “safety” tips to ensure you do not waste hours of effort. First, always back up your save file before starting NG+. If you accidentally use a Vestige, you can reload your save and try again. On PlayStation and Xbox, you can use cloud saves; on PC, you can copy the save folder manually. Second, do not attempt this trophy on your first playthrough. It is meant for NG+, so you need to complete the game once to unlock it. Third, be aware that using a Vestige in NG+ does not permanently lock the trophy; you can still get it in a subsequent NG+ cycle. So, if you mess up, you do not have to restart from scratch; just finish that playthrough and start another NG+.

There are no known glitches or exploits to bypass the requirement. The trophy is tied to a flag in the game’s code that checks your Vestige usage at the moment of the final boss’s death. So, the only way to get it is to meet the condition legitimately.

Alternatives and Missable Content

If you find the trophy too difficult, there is no alternative to unlock it. It is a single, unique achievement. However, you can make it easier by playing on a character with high Vitality and using the best gear. Some players also recommend using the “Tank” shell, which has the highest health pool, to survive more hits. Another alternative is to watch a video guide of the final boss fight to learn the exact dodge timings. The trophy is missable only if you never complete an NG+ run without using a Vestige, so as long as you keep trying, you will eventually get it.

One important note: the trophy is not affected by using a Vestige in a previous playthrough. Only your current NG+ run matters. So, if you used Vestiges in NG, that does not matter. Only the current NG+ run’s Vestige usage counts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to beat the game on New Game+ specifically, or can I do it on a fresh playthrough?
A: The trophy only unlocks on New Game+. A fresh playthrough (NG) will not trigger it, even if you do not use a Vestige. You must start a NG+ cycle from the main menu after completing the game once.

Q: Can I use a Vestige before the final boss fight and still get the trophy?
A: No. If you use a Vestige at any point during your NG+ run, the trophy will not unlock. The game checks your entire playthrough, not just the final fight. You must avoid using a Vestige from the start of NG+ to the end.

Q: What happens if I die after using a Vestige? Does that reset the condition?
A: No, dying does not reset the condition. Once you use a Vestige, the trophy is locked for that run. Dying after using a Vestige does not undo it. You would need to start a new NG+ run to try again.

Q: Is the trophy glitched or bugged?
A: There are no known glitches that prevent the trophy from unlocking if you meet the condition. Some players have reported that the trophy pops a few seconds after the boss dies, so wait for the cutscene to finish. If you are sure you did not use a Vestige and it did not pop, check your save to see if you accidentally used one.

Q: Can I get this trophy on an easier difficulty?
A: Mortal Shell 2 does not have difficulty settings. The game’s challenge is fixed, so there is no way to lower it. The only way to make it easier is to be well-prepared with upgrades and practice.

Q: Does using a Vestige in a previous playthrough affect this trophy?
A: No, the trophy only cares about your current NG+ run. You can use as many Vestiges as you want in NG, and it will not affect your ability to get this trophy in NG+.

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