Phantom Blade Zero Beginner Guide: 7 Essential Tips for Getting Started

Welcome, action game fans! If you've just started your adventure in Phantom Blade Zero, you might have heard players joking that the game is a classic case of a slow start and a strong finish. The prologue may not immediately win everyone over, but things get much more exciting after the 16-year time jump. So, don't judge the entire adventure by its opening hours!

In this Phantom Blade Zero Beginner Guide, you'll find practical tips to help you learn the combat system, choose your weapons, upgrade your equipment, and explore the world without wasting resources.

 

Master the Combat Basics

Combat in Phantom Blade Zero requires you to pay close attention to enemy movements. Learning how to defend yourself is just as important as knowing when to attack.

• Parry: Time your parry just before an enemy's attack lands to reduce their Sha-Chi and create opportunities for counterattacks.
• Dodge: Evade dangerous attacks that cannot be blocked or parried.
• Guard Stance: Use Guard Stance to defend against normal attacks, but avoid holding it for too long because it continuously consumes Sha-Chi.

Pay attention to enemy attack indicators. Blue-flash Brutal Moves should be parried, while red-flash Killer Moves must be dodged.

Tip: During your first encounters, observe enemy attack patterns before trying to attack constantly. Learning when to defend yourself will help you survive.

Take Advantage of Stealth Takedowns

Not every encounter needs to turn into a full fight. When facing groups of ordinary enemies, stealth can help you reduce their numbers before combat begins.

Press C on PC to crouch and approach an enemy from behind without being detected. Once the takedown prompt appears on the enemy's back, press E to perform a stealth assassination.

This is particularly useful when dealing with isolated enemies or trying to avoid being surrounded. If you have the opportunity to eliminate an enemy quietly, take it instead of rushing into a fight against multiple opponents.

 

Use Weapon Switching to Restore Your Sha-Chi

Carrying two main weapons isn't just about having different attack styles. Switching between them can also restore your Sha-Chi, making it a useful emergency option during difficult fights.

Press 1 on PC to switch between your equipped weapons. Each switch fully restores your Sha-Chi bar, although the ability then enters a short cooldown. If your guard is close to breaking, switching weapons can give you another chance to defend yourself instead of getting caught without enough Sha-Chi.

Keep this mechanic in mind when fighting aggressive enemies or bosses. Just remember that weapon switching has a cooldown, so don't waste it when your Sha-Chi bar is already full.

 

Choose the Right Difficulty

Phantom Blade Zero offers different difficulty levels to accommodate different types of players.

Difficulty	Recommendation
Wayfarer	Ideal for beginners who want to learn the mechanics.
Pathbreaker	For players with experience in action games.
Hellwalker	For those looking for more challenging combat.
66 Days	A special challenge for experienced players.

If this is your first experience with this type of game, start with Wayfarer. This will give you time to familiarize yourself with the controls, weapons, and boss attack patterns without too much pressure.

 

Choose Your Weapons and Phantom Edges Carefully

Soul has access to different main weapons and Phantom Edges, which function as secondary weapons and special tools.

Your main weapons determine your combat style:

One-Handed Weapons: Offer a good balance between speed and damage.

Two-Handed Weapons: Allow you to perform more powerful attacks.

Dual-Wield Weapons: Favor fast combos and aggressive offense.

Meanwhile, Phantom Edges expand your combat options with special attacks and various effects.

Phantom Edge Type	Recommended Use
Long-Range Weapons	Attack enemies from a safe distance.
Heavy Weapons	Apply pressure against enemies with strong defenses.
Elemental Weapons	Add special effects to your attacks.
Support Weapons	Control groups of enemies.

These categories describe different combat uses rather than a complete list of official in-game weapon classifications. There is no perfect combination for every situation. Experiment with different weapons until you find the ones that best suit your playstyle.

 

Upgrade Your Equipment and Manage Your Resources

As you progress, you'll obtain materials for upgrading your weapons and accessories. However, spending all your resources right from the beginning is not recommended.

Keep these priorities in mind:

• Upgrade your favorite main weapon first.
• Choose Phantom Edges that complement your combat style.
• Collect materials while exploring.
• Check your accessories to make the most of their bonuses.

You should also understand the difference between resources: Remnant Spark is consumed when using Phantom Edges, while Remnant Dust is used for various equipment upgrades.

Make use of Bells to rest, replenish resources, check your equipment, and prepare for upcoming battles.

Activate Bells to Set Your Checkpoint

Bells are more than just convenient places to rest. They also serve as checkpoints throughout your journey. Whenever you find a new Bell, interact with it by pressing E on PC to restore your health, replenish your Medicine, and set it as your latest respawn point.

This is especially important before entering dangerous areas or challenging powerful enemies. If you die, you'll return to your most recently activated Bell. On standard difficulties, Soul also respawns with full health and replenished Medicine, allowing you to prepare for another attempt without worrying about running out of healing items.

 

Remember Your Medicine Shortcuts

Knowing when to heal is important, but remembering the correct buttons can save you during intense battles. On PC, press R to use Lower-Grade Medicine and T to use Higher-Grade Medicine.

Your Medicine Gourd restores 40% of your health, so keep an eye on your HP before using it. Learning these shortcuts early will help you react faster when a boss catches you off guard. You don't want to be searching for the healing button while an enemy is preparing its next attack!

 

Learn How to Break Enemy Guards

Some enemies and bosses have defenses that are difficult to overcome with normal attacks. To defeat them, you need to take advantage of the Guard Break mechanic.

The best strategy is to:

• Perform parries to reduce your opponent's Sha-Chi.
• Alternate between main weapons and Phantom Edges.
• Avoid attacking mindlessly when an enemy is guarding.
• Take advantage of the moment their guard breaks to unleash combos.

Accessories can also improve your combat performance. For example, Counterstrike Bracers increase damage after a successful parry, making them an interesting option for players who have mastered this mechanic.

 

Explore the World and Look for Resources

Don't limit yourself to following the main path. Exploration can help you discover chests, materials, NPCs, and optional enemies.

To make the most of each region:

• Check side paths and hidden areas.
• Talk to NPCs to discover quests and rewards.
• Collect materials that can be used to upgrade your equipment.
• Remember blocked paths and return when you have the ability to access them.

You can also check interactive maps from communities such as Gamersky, RaiderKing, and AllThings to find collectibles and other points of interest.

 

Watch Out for Missable Quests and Collectibles

One thing new players should be careful about is that certain quests and collectibles can become unavailable as the main story progresses. Some story transitions may lock access to earlier areas or prevent you from completing unfinished objectives.

Here are three early-game opportunities worth checking before moving forward:

• Complete the Thieves' Camp story before defeating White Crimson: Make sure you've finished the relevant story content in the Thieves' Camp before progressing past this encounter.
• Collect the Flesh Flower before reaching the Lu Family Village area: This collectible can be missed if you advance too far into the main story.
• Accept Old Man Gen's request before entering Pangzhen Backstreet: Don't leave his request unfinished before entering this area.

If you're interested in completing every side quest and collecting all available items, take some time to check your quest log before progressing through major story sections. A little preparation can save you from having to revisit everything in another playthrough.

 

Tips for Defeating Bosses

Bosses can be one of the biggest challenges for beginners. Each boss has different attack patterns, so you'll need to adapt your strategy accordingly.

Follow these tips:

• Observe their movements before attacking.
• Learn which attacks require a parry and which ones you should dodge.
• Save your Phantom Edges for important moments.
• Switch weapons if your current strategy isn't working.
• Upgrade your equipment before facing a difficult boss again.

Remember that every attempt helps you understand your enemy better. Patience and practice are essential.

 

Conclusion

Mastering Phantom Blade Zero takes practice, but learning its basic mechanics will make your adventure much easier. Focus on improving your defensive skills, experimenting with different weapons, and managing your resources wisely.

Prepare your sword, perfect your moves, and uncover the secrets of Phantom Blade Zero! What's your favorite weapon? Let us know in the comments!