Phantom Blade Zero Weapons & Phantom Edges Explained: Upgrades and Reforging

Phantom Blade Zero offers more than a collection of swords. S-GAME has confirmed over 30 primary weapons and 25 secondary weapons called Phantom Edges, with upgrades, accessories and the ability to recover invested materials through reforging.

These systems work together. A primary weapon defines much of your regular attack style, while Phantom Edges add specialised ways to fight — and sometimes new ways to explore.

1. Primary weapons define your basic combat style

S-GAME's August showcase and subsequent coverage highlight a range of distinctive weapons and movesets. The goal is not simply to find a sword with a higher number; weapons change how Soul moves and attacks.

Examples shown or discussed in published footage include:

• Drunken Sword Style: deceptive, staggering-looking movement that builds drunken energy.
• White Serpent and Crimson Viper: dual weapons combining close-range attacks with a blade that moves around Soul.
• Soft Snake Sword: a flexible sword that curls around opposing attacks.

These examples suggest that playstyle matters as much as any raw damage figure. Some weapons may suit direct pressure, while others appear more suited to mobility or unusual attack angles.

See the growing primary weapons database for individual entries and source labels.

2. What are Phantom Edges?

Phantom Edges are a separate arsenal of special secondary weapons. The official count is 25, and they extend Soul's options beyond standard slashes and thrusts.

Demonstrated examples include:

• Tiger Cannon, a powerful ranged option.
• Flaming Mane, a large mask used to unleash fire.
• Other tools that support different ranged, heavy or traversal interactions.

The complete release roster, ammo or charge rules, and exact input details still require confirmation. We should avoid giving an untested 'best Phantom Edge' ranking before retail players can compare them.

Our Phantom Edges wiki separates documented examples from entries that still need verification.

3. Some weapons are earned by defeating enemies

The developer confirms that defeating certain enemies expands Soul's arsenal. This is important for both combat and our Wiki's planned boss-to-reward connections.

It does not mean every boss definitely drops a weapon. The exact boss, weapon and acquisition condition needs to be checked for each entry.

When those relationships are confirmed, the boss database should link directly to relevant weapon pages, without inventing drop rates or hidden prerequisites.

4. Weapons can be upgraded and paired with accessories

S-GAME has confirmed weapon upgrades and accessories as parts of the build system. A published deep-dive summary also describes a skill tree and weapon progression unlocking additional techniques.

That creates several decisions for players: which weapon to invest in, which special tools complement it, and whether accessory effects support the chosen style.

However, a full build calculator would need verified item numbers, stat scaling and skill requirements. Until release, we can explain the systems without manufacturing tables of upgrade costs.

5. Reforging lets players recover materials

One particularly useful official detail is reforging. S-GAME says players can reforge an upgraded weapon, recover the upgrade materials and reinvest them into another weapon.

For players who like experimenting, that reduces the pressure to identify a 'perfect' weapon early on. You can try one setup and redirect materials later if a different weapon feels better.

The developer hasn't yet supplied a complete reforging-cost table or all equipment restrictions. This is another place where post-launch testing will make the guide stronger.

6. Weapon choices also affect exploration

Phantom Blade Zero incorporates Metroidvania-style progression: acquiring particular weapons or secondary tools can let you return to an earlier zone and access an area that was blocked before.

Previewers describe using a bow to reach loot, an axe to break obstacles, and a grappling-style tool to reach otherwise inaccessible places. That means a new weapon can be more than a combat upgrade — it may be a key to a secret boss or hidden reward.

Read our exploration guide for more on how those connections work.

7. What we can responsibly recommend before launch

The most useful initial approach is to learn one weapon's spacing and counters, keep an eye on what each Phantom Edge can do outside combat, and experiment with upgrades knowing that reforging exists.

Specific rankings such as 'highest DPS', 'best early sword' or 'strongest boss weapon' should wait until the final release. We'll update the wiki with precise sources and acquisition instructions once they can be verified.

Sources: S-GAME on PlayStation.Blog · Epic Games deep-dive summary · RPGFan hands-on