Phantom Blade Zero Weapons List: All 6 Types

Phantom Blade Zero features six weapon types: the Sword, Dual Blades, Sabre, Spear, Gauntlets, and a transforming Greatsword. Each type has its own moveset, combo strings, and special mechanics, and you can equip one primary and one secondary weapon at a time. This list covers every confirmed weapon class and how they play, based on the game’s official reveals and hands-on previews.

Background: What We Know About the Arsenal

Phantom Blade Zero is an action RPG developed by S-GAME, set in a dark martial-arts world inspired by Chinese wuxia and steampunk aesthetics. The game is directed by Soulframe Liang, a veteran of the industry. In the demo shown at events like Gamescom and the Tokyo Game Show, players control the protagonist Soul as he fights through a corrupted world. The weapon system is a core part of the combat, designed to offer both fast, stylish combos and heavier, deliberate attacks. The developers have stated that the game aims to blend the fluidity of character action games with the depth of a soulslike, and the weapon variety is central to that goal.

How the Weapon System Works

In Phantom Blade Zero, you carry two weapons at once: a primary and a secondary. You can switch between them mid-combo, which allows for chaining attacks from different movesets. Each weapon type has its own unique mechanics:

• Sword: Balanced, fast, and versatile. It has a simple moveset that’s easy to learn, making it a good starter weapon.
• Dual Blades: Extremely fast, low-damage attacks. They excel at applying status effects or building up combo meters, and they have a unique “flash step” dodge that lets you weave through enemies.
• Sabre: A curved sword with wide slashes. It has good reach and can hit multiple enemies at once, but its attacks are slightly slower than the sword.
• Spear: Long reach, thrusting attacks. It keeps enemies at a distance and has a strong focus on counter-attacks and parrying.
• Gauntlets: Close-range, high-damage punches and kicks. They have a “chi” mechanic that builds up as you land hits, and when full, you can unleash a powerful burst attack.
• Greatsword (Transforming): A heavy weapon that can shift between a broadsword and a scythe form. The scythe form offers faster, wide-arc attacks, while the broadsword form is slow and powerful.

The game also features a “Phantom” system, where you can summon a spectral copy of your secondary weapon to attack while you use your primary. This adds a layer of strategy, as you can set up combos that hit from two angles at once.

How to Choose Your Loadout

Your choice of weapons should match your playstyle. Here are some general guidelines:

• For beginners: Sword + Gauntlets. The sword is forgiving, and the gauntlets’ chi burst gives you a panic button.
• For aggressive players: Dual Blades + Sabre. This combo maximizes speed and area damage, letting you shred groups of enemies.
• For defensive players: Spear + Greatsword. The spear’s range keeps you safe, and the greatsword’s scythe form can punish enemies who get too close.
• For style: Greatsword + Dual Blades. The contrast between heavy and fast attacks creates flashy, varied combos.

Remember that you can switch weapons at any time, so experiment with different pairings to find what feels right for each boss fight.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

A common misconception is that the transforming Greatsword is just a gimmick. In fact, its scythe form is one of the best crowd-control tools in the game, and the transformation itself can be used to cancel animations and extend combos. Another issue players might face is the timing on the Dual Blades’ flash step. It’s not a standard dodge; it has a very short invincibility window, so you need to time it perfectly to avoid attacks. If you’re struggling, try using the spear’s parry instead, which has a more forgiving window.

Another problem is that the game doesn’t have a traditional stamina bar. Instead, your attacks are limited by a “focus” meter that depletes as you use special moves. This means you can’t just spam heavy attacks; you need to manage your focus to keep up the pressure. Some players find this confusing at first, but it’s actually a more aggressive system that rewards constant engagement.

Comparisons to Other Action Games

Phantom Blade Zero’s weapon system draws clear inspiration from games like Devil May Cry and Ninja Gaiden, but it also adds a unique twist. Unlike DMC, where each weapon has its own dedicated button, here you only have two weapons at a time, which simplifies the controls. The focus meter is reminiscent of Sekiro‘s posture system, but it’s more offensive. The transforming greatsword is similar to the trick weapons in Bloodborne, but it’s not the only weapon type, so you have more variety. Overall, the system is a blend of these influences, but it feels distinct because of the emphasis on switching between two weapons seamlessly.

Costs and Availability

As of now, Phantom Blade Zero does not have a confirmed release date or pricing. The game is being developed for PC and consoles, but no specific platforms have been announced. It’s likely to be a full-priced AAA title, given its scope and production values. There are no microtransactions or weapon DLCs announced, so the six weapon types are likely all you’ll get in the base game. However, this could change, so keep an eye on official announcements.

Safety and Fair Play

While this is a single-player game, there are some “safety” tips in terms of gameplay. Always be aware of your surroundings when using the Greatsword’s scythe form, as its wide swings can hit environmental objects and break them, potentially revealing hidden paths or triggering traps. Also, be careful when using the Phantom system, as summoning your secondary weapon leaves you vulnerable for a brief moment. Make sure you’re not in the middle of a crowd when you do it.

Alternatives and Similar Games

If you’re looking for games with similar weapon systems while you wait for Phantom Blade Zero, consider:

• Devil May Cry 5 – Multiple weapons with distinct movesets, fast-paced combat.
• Nioh 2 – A soulslike with deep weapon stances and combos.
• Bloodborne – Trick weapons that transform mid-combo.
• Ninja Gaiden 2 – Fast, brutal action with a variety of weapons.

These games offer similar mechanics, but none of them have the exact two-weapon switching system that Phantom Blade Zero is implementing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will there be more than six weapon types?

As of the latest information, only these six have been confirmed. The developers have not ruled out additional weapons, but they haven’t announced any either. It’s possible that more could be added post-launch, but for now, these are the ones we know about.

Can you dual-wield any two weapons?

No, you cannot dual-wield two of the same type. You can only equip one primary and one secondary from different categories. This is to ensure that each weapon has a distinct role in your moveset.

Are there any unique weapons with special abilities?

While the base weapon types are the same, it’s likely that you’ll find unique versions of each type throughout the game, similar to other action RPGs. These may have different stats, elemental properties, or special skills, but no specific examples have been revealed yet.

Is the game a soulslike?

It has some soulslike elements, like a focus on dodging and parrying, and a dark, interconnected world. However, it’s more fast-paced and combo-oriented than a traditional soulslike, so it’s more accurate to call it a “character action game with soulslike elements.”

Can you change weapons mid-combo?

Yes, that’s a core mechanic. You can switch between your primary and secondary weapon at any point during a combo, which allows for seamless transitions between different movesets.

What is the best weapon for a first playthrough?

The Sword is generally the most balanced and easiest to learn. Pair it with the Spear for range, or the Gauntlets for power. As you get more comfortable, you can experiment with the faster Dual Blades or the complex Greatsword.

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