This walkthrough covers the first level of Mortal Shell 2: The Forgotten Path — the Village Outskirts — from the moment you step through the gate to the boss fight at the Old Church. You will learn the exact route, where to find the two Shells, the three weapons, the key items, and how to beat the first boss, the Hollowed Priest. This guide assumes you are playing on the default difficulty and are familiar with the basic controls of the game.
Formula
The formula used in the calculator above is the standard pace and speed relationship. It converts a given distance and time into an average pace (time per unit distance) and an average speed (distance per unit time).
The pace is calculated as:
pace = time / distance
The speed is calculated as:
speed = distance / (time / 60)
Where:
- time is the total time taken, in minutes.
- distance is the total distance covered, in kilometers.
- pace is the average time per kilometer, in minutes per kilometer (min/km).
- speed is the average speed, in kilometers per hour (km/h).
Worked Example
Using the default values from the calculator: you run 10 kilometers in 50 minutes.
First, calculate the pace:
pace = 50 min / 10 km = 5.0 min/km
Next, calculate the speed:
speed = 10 km / (50 min / 60) = 10 km / 0.8333 h = 12.0 km/h
So, your average pace is 5 minutes per kilometer, and your average speed is 12 kilometers per hour. The calculator gives the same results, rounded to two decimal places.
Getting Started: The Abandoned Gate
You begin the Village Outskirts after the short prologue in the forest. You are standing at the Abandoned Gate, a large wooden structure with a broken bell. The path forward is straight ahead, but before you go, look to your left. There is a small alcove with a corpse holding a Scrap of Tattered Cloth — a key item that you will need later for a side quest. Do not miss it.
Go through the gate and down the dirt path. You will see a few basic enemies — the Rotting Peasants. They are slow and have a simple two-hit combo. Use your light attack to stagger them, then finish with a heavy attack. There are three of them in the first group. After killing them, continue forward. The path splits: left leads to a dead end with a Tar item, and right continues the main route. Take the left first to grab the Tar.
The First Shell: The Vessel of the Wanderer
Return to the main path and continue. You will see a large, ruined house on your right. Enter it. Inside, you will find the first Shell of the game: the Vessel of the Wanderer. This is a balanced Shell with good health and stamina. Interact with it to claim it. This Shell is your default for the rest of the level, but you can switch between Shells at any Sester (the merchant NPC) later.
After claiming the Shell, exit the house. There is a small courtyard with two more Rotting Peasants and a Rat that you can kill for a bit of Tar. The path continues to the right, leading to a narrow bridge over a dry creek. Cross it, and you will see a large, open area with a fountain in the center. This is the Village Square.
Village Square and the First Weapon
The Village Square is a major hub. There are several paths leading out of it. First, clear the square of enemies — there are four Rotting Peasants and one Shambling Brute (a larger enemy with a club). The Brute is slow but hits hard. Use the fountain to circle around it and get a backstab (heavy attack from behind).
After the fight, look for a small shop stall on the north side of the square. Behind the counter, you will find the Rusty Shortsword — your first weapon. It is a fast, low-damage sword. Pick it up and equip it from your inventory. Now you have a proper weapon.
From the square, there are three exits: north (main path), east (leads to a small chapel), and west (leads to a cemetery). Go east first to the chapel.
The Chapel and the Second Shell
The chapel is a small, ruined building. Inside, you will find a few items: a Mossy Key on a pew, and a Healing Salve in a chest. The key is essential — it opens a locked door later. The chapel also has a Sester NPC (a hooded figure) who can level up your Shell and heal you. Use her to spend your Tar on upgrades.
Behind the altar, there is a hidden passage (look for a slightly different colored wall). Press the interaction button to open it. Inside, you will find the second Shell: the Vessel of the Martyr. This Shell has more health but slower stamina recovery. It is a good choice for players who prefer a tanky build. Claim it, then return to the Village Square.
The Cemetery and the Second Weapon
Now take the west exit from the square. This leads to the Old Cemetery. The cemetery is filled with Risen Dead — enemies that rise from the ground. They are faster than Peasants and have a lunging attack. Clear the area carefully, using the tombstones to block their attacks.
At the far end of the cemetery, there is a mausoleum. Inside, you will find the Gravekeeper’s Axe — a slow, high-damage weapon. It is slower than the Shortsword but hits much harder. Equip it if you prefer a heavier playstyle. Also, in a corner of the mausoleum, there is a Tar item.
Return to the Village Square. Now take the north exit, which leads to the main path toward the Old Church. But before you go, there is a locked door on the left side of the north path. Use the Mossy Key to open it. Inside, you will find a Great Rune — a rare item that increases your damage output. This is a significant power spike, so do not skip it.
The Old Church and the Boss
Continue north. The path winds up a hill. You will encounter a few more Rotting Peasants and a Brute on the way. At the top, you will see the Old Church — a large, imposing building with a broken steeple. Enter it.
Inside, the church is dark. You will see a cutscene of the Hollowed Priest — a tall, gaunt figure with a staff. He is the first boss. He has two phases:
- Phase 1: He uses a slow, telegraphed staff swing and a ground slam that creates a shockwave. Dodge to the side when he raises his staff. He also summons a few Rotting Peasants every 30 seconds. Kill them quickly to avoid being overwhelmed.
- Phase 2: At 50% health, he gains a new attack: a triple staff spin. He also starts teleporting short distances. Keep your distance and wait for him to finish the spin, then attack once or twice. Use your heavy attack to stagger him.
After defeating him, you will receive the Priest’s Key, which opens the door to the next area. The level ends after a short cutscene.
Common Mistakes and Tips
- Skipping the side areas: The chapel and cemetery are optional but contain essential items. Do not skip them.
- Using the wrong Shell: The Martyr Shell is slower but tankier. If you are struggling with stamina, switch back to the Wanderer.
- Not upgrading at the Sester: Spend your Tar on health and stamina upgrades before the boss. It makes a huge difference.
- Rushing the boss: The Hollowed Priest punishes aggression. Wait for his attacks to finish before attacking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to complete the Village Outskirts?
The average playthrough takes about 45-60 minutes, depending on how thoroughly you explore. If you skip the optional areas, it can be done in 30 minutes. The boss fight alone can take 5-10 minutes on your first attempt.
Can I go back to the Village Outskirts after leaving?
Yes, you can return to the Village Outskirts at any time by using the fast travel system at any Sester. However, some enemies will respawn, and the boss will not be there if you have already defeated him. You can still collect any missed items.
What is the best weapon for the first boss?
The Gravekeeper’s Axe is generally better for the boss because of its high damage per hit. The boss has long recovery windows after his attacks, so you can land one heavy hit and retreat. The Shortsword is faster but requires more hits, leaving you open to counter-attacks.
Is there a secret area in the Village Outskirts?
Yes, there is a hidden room behind the altar in the chapel. It contains the Martyr Shell. There is also a hidden path in the cemetery that leads to a small cave with a Tar item and a lore note. Look for cracked walls — you can break them with a heavy attack.
What should I spend my Tar on before the boss?
Prioritize health upgrades first, then stamina. The boss hits hard, and you will need to dodge frequently. A single health upgrade can be the difference between surviving a hit and dying. Do not spend Tar on weapon upgrades yet, as you will find better weapons soon.
Why is the boss so hard?
The Hollowed Priest is designed to teach you the game’s core mechanics: patience and timing. He has clear tells before every attack. If you are struggling, try to learn his attack patterns without attacking for a few minutes. Once you know when to dodge, the fight becomes much easier.
Related
Formula used
in t | Finish time | min | 50 | 0 in d | Distance | km | 10 | 0 | 100000 out pace | Average pace | min/km | t / d | 2 out speed | Average speed | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2
Each line is one input (in, sel, list) or one result (out: label, unit, formula, decimals). How the calculators work
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.
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