The Nightstar is Mina’s signature weapon — a crushing mace on a flexible chain. If you’re not sure what to pick, pick this. It has the longest reach of any starting weapon, hits in all four directions, and lets you fight from a safe distance while you learn enemy patterns.
Who it’s for
The Nightstar is the safe pick. New players, anyone learning a boss, and anyone who’d rather not get punched in the face for a few seconds of greed. You trade a little raw speed for reach and control. That’s a good trade while you’re still reading tells.
It won the community vote by a wide margin — 55% in Yacht Club’s official poll, ahead of the Blaststrike Maul (29%) and Whisper & Vesper (16%). That popularity isn’t an accident; range is king in a four-direction action game.
How it plays
Press attack to lash out at a distance. The reach lets you poke enemies before they reach you, and it’s great for smacking destructible objects to open up paths. A few quirks to know:
- Connecting on the ground nudges Mina back slightly. Use that knockback to keep spacing instead of fighting it.
- Attacking in the air extends your range even further, but ground swings come out a touch faster.
- On back-to-back air strikes you won’t change which way you’re facing.
- It can yank armored enemies out of position — handy for breaking up groups.
The Nightstar pairs naturally with Hollowing (burrow): poke, burrow away, re-emerge, poke again. Long range means you rarely have to commit.
Where to find it and how to upgrade
You can pick the Nightstar as one of your three starting weapons. Changed your mind later? Buy it for 2,000 Bones at Legovich’s Arms, the red smithy building in Ossex City Center.
Both upgrades come from the eight red upgrade chests scattered across the island, or you can buy them from the smith. The smith’s first upgrade costs 2,000 Bones, then 2,500 for every purchase after that. Heads up — the second smithy purchase is gated behind a duel with Armand, the blacksmith’s brother.
Note on damage numbers
Yacht Club hasn’t published exact damage values. Outlets describe the Nightstar as medium damage with great range — not the fastest boss-killer, but the most forgiving. Treat any hard numbers you see online as unofficial until the studio confirms them.
Verdict: The safest all-rounder and the best first weapon for most players — long reach, four-direction coverage, low risk.
Moveset
| Move | Input | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Whip Strike | Press attack | Long-range hit in the direction you face (four directions). Slight knockback on Mina — use it for spacing. |
| Air Strike | Jump, then attack | Extends range further. You won't change facing on back-to-back air swings. |
| Afterstrike Pulse | Hold attack (after upgrade) | Releases a damaging pulse around Mina to catch crowding enemies. |
Upgrades
| Upgrade | Effect | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Dread Mace | Bonus damage when you connect with the tip of the mace. Rewards precise spacing — keep enemies at the very end of the chain. | Red upgrade chest (8 world locations) or buy from Legovich's smithy |
| Afterstrike | Hold the attack button to release a damaging pulse that catches nearby foes — a flail-style follow-up. | Red upgrade chest (8 world locations) or buy from Legovich's smithy |
FAQ
Is the Nightstar good?
Yes. The Nightstar is the most popular weapon in Mina the Hollower (55% in Yacht Club's own poll) and the best all-rounder for new players thanks to its long reach and four-direction coverage.
Where do I get the Nightstar?
It's one of the three starting weapons you pick below deck. If you chose something else, buy the Nightstar for 2,000 Bones at Legovich's Arms in Ossex City.
How do I upgrade the Nightstar?
Find a duplicate in one of the eight red upgrade chests around the world, or buy the upgrade from Legovich's smithy. The first upgrade costs 2,000 Bones; later ones cost 2,500.
Is the Nightstar based on Castlevania?
It plays like one. The mace-on-a-chain resembles Castlevania's Morning Star, and the Afterstrike pulse echoes Simon Belmont's whip in Super Castlevania IV.