Mina wields five main weapons. Three are yours from the start — you test all three below deck after the ship is attacked, then lock one in. The other two unlock later at the smithy. Each weapon has two upgrades, and you can switch weapons whenever you want: just buy another for 2,000 Bones at Legovich's Arms. So your first choice isn't a trap — pick what sounds fun and re-pick later.
Which weapon should you pick?
There's no single "best" weapon — there's a best weapon for you. Here's the quick read on each:
| Weapon | Verdict | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Nightstar | Best all-rounder. Long range, four-direction coverage, the safest pick — and the community favorite at 55% in Yacht Club's poll. | Whip / Flail Mace |
| Whisper & Vesper | Highest close-range DPS and best mobility, but the shortest reach. The aggressive, high-risk pick. | Twin Daggers |
| Blaststrike Maul | Highest single-hit damage and the only weapon with its own dodge roll. Slow and committal — for patient players. | Charge Hammer |
| Hollower's Shield | The only weapon that parries. Huge counter-damage payoff, steepest timing — the highest skill ceiling. | Coffin Shield |
| Battery Buster | The only ranged main weapon. Flexible and safe at distance, but you're always juggling ammo. | Hybrid Blaster |
New here? Start with the Nightstar. Its range and four-direction coverage make it the most forgiving weapon while you learn enemy patterns.
Weapon Comparison
| Weapon | Style | Start / Unlock | Upgrade 1 | Upgrade 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Buster | Hybrid Blaster / Mace | unlockable | Burst Shot | Charge Shot |
| Blaststrike Maul | Charge Hammer | start | Boom Charge | Spin Rush |
| Hollower's Shield | Coffin Shield (block / bash / parry) | unlockable | Grave Counter | Coffin Toss |
| Whisper & Vesper | Twin Daggers | start | Lunging Cut | Throwing Dagger |
| Nightstar | Whip / Flail Mace | start | Dread Mace | Afterstrike |
All Weapons
Battery Buster
The only ranged main weapon. Flexible and safe at distance, but you're always juggling ammo — for players who like resource management.
Blaststrike Maul
Highest single-hit damage in the game and the only starter with its own dodge roll. Slow and committal — for patient players who read tells.
Hollower's Shield
The only weapon that parries. Defensive base, huge counter-damage payoff — the highest skill ceiling in the game.
Whisper & Vesper
The fastest weapon — highest close-range DPS and best mobility, but the shortest reach. For aggressive players who like living dangerously.
Nightstar
The safest all-rounder and the best first weapon for most players — long reach, four-direction coverage, low risk.
Where to buy & upgrade weapons
All weapons live at Legovich's Arms, the red smithy in Ossex City Center. Legovich sells the upgraded version of your chosen weapon plus copies of the others, the Battery Buster, and the Hollower's Shield. Pricing: your first upgrade is 2,000 Bones, then 2,500 Bones for every purchase after. The second purchase is gated behind a duel with Armand, the smith's brother.
Upgrades are also hidden in eight red chests across the world. Pick up a duplicate and it upgrades whichever weapon you're carrying.
| Location | How to reach it |
|---|---|
| Queensbury Crypt: Old Graveyard | Up the left stairs in the manor, leap the gap, break the urn, hit the left wall for a secret exit. |
| Nox's Bayou: Swamp Shack | NE corner of the swamp; top-left chest opens with a Kear. |
| Bone Beach: Worm's Back | From the mirror point, leap from the top-right across the bouncy things over the skull pile. |
| Coltrane Peak: Rail Yard | Dig under the rails bottom-right, wind to the top chest. Also buyable at Panino in Ossex for 5,000 Bones. |
| Septemburg: Crow Town | SW of the village, the burning house; approach from the west, beat the crow, head upstairs. |
| Astral Orrery: Stellarium | After the red/blue gates, use a Kear on the right-side lock. |
| Loner's Landing: Belowdecks | Needs 2 spare Kears; borrow the ladder at Pinky's shop, burrow under the ship. |
| Radiant Manor: Courtyard | Needs 5+ Vials; cross from Ossex Station Underside, beat the Lion Knight, deposit Vials at the barrier. |
Combat basics worth knowing
Two things shape every weapon. First, Mina is four-directional — she can't move or attack diagonally, so positioning matters more than in most action games. Second, she attacks slower than many enemies, and some attacks push her back. Lean on Hollowing (your invincible burrow-dodge) to reposition between swings — it's the glue that makes every weapon work.
FAQ
How many weapons are in Mina the Hollower?
There are five main weapons. Three (Nightstar, Whisper & Vesper, Blaststrike Maul) are available at the start; two (Battery Buster, Hollower's Shield) are unlockable from the smithy.
What is the best weapon in Mina the Hollower?
The Nightstar is the best all-round pick and the community favorite — 55% in Yacht Club's official poll. But there's no single best weapon; the right choice depends on whether you want range (Nightstar), speed (Whisper & Vesper), power (Blaststrike Maul), parries (Hollower's Shield), or ranged attacks (Battery Buster).
Can I switch weapons later?
Yes. Weapon choice is never permanent. Buy any other weapon for 2,000 Bones at Legovich's Arms in Ossex City, and swap freely.
How do weapon upgrades work?
Each weapon has two upgrades. Find them in the eight red upgrade chests around the world, or buy them from Legovich's smithy — 2,000 Bones for your first, 2,500 for the rest. The second smithy purchase requires beating Armand in a duel.
Where do I find weapon upgrades?
There are eight upgrade-chest locations: Queensbury Crypt, Nox's Bayou, Bone Beach, Coltrane Peak, Septemburg, Astral Orrery, Loner's Landing, and Radiant Manor. See the table above for directions.
Is the Hollower's Shield the same as the Guardian Casket?
Yes — same weapon, two names. It's the only weapon that can parry.