Phantom Blade Zero Beginner Tips: 10 Things to Know Before You Start

Phantom Blade Zero throws a lot of systems at you in the first hours: Sha-Chi, Phantom Edges, Remnant Dust, Bells, Memory Flowers and an Ability Training board gated by collectibles. These tips come from the game's own tutorial text and data tables, so every number and rule here is what the game actually uses.

1. Pick the right difficulty (you cannot change it later)

The game locks difficulty once a playthrough starts, and Hellwalker can only be picked when starting a new game. These are the official descriptions:

2. Sha-Chi is your stamina and your weapon

• Holding block and Guard Stance continuously drain Sha-Chi, and blocking attacks drains extra.
• Sha-Chi Combos (Heavy Attack strings) consume Sha-Chi but break enemy guard faster than Standard Combos.
• Switching weapons fully restores Sha-Chi. It is the fastest refill in the game, so carry two weapons you like.
• Deplete an enemy's Sha-Chi with attacks to make them Guard-Broken, then execute them.

3. Parry Blue, dodge Red

• Parry costs no Sha-Chi; instead it severely depletes the attacker's Sha-Chi and generates Sha-Chi Essence.
• Parrying a Blue-flash Attack triggers Ghoststep, slipping you behind the enemy. Simply blocking a Blue-flash Attack drains massive Sha-Chi.
• Red-flash Attacks are the ones to Perfect Dodge.
• Power Surges spend one Sha-Chi Essence and can interrupt powerful enemy skills.

4. Touch every Bell

• Touching a Bell restores HP and Medicine, and the first touch reveals new areas on the map.
• Phantom Edge uses (Remnant Spark) are restored at Bells.
• Fast travel works only from a Bell, and only to Bells within the current region.
• A Traversal Talisman lets you travel to any previously rung Bell when you are away from one. Quick Hand Zhang sells them for 2,000 Dust, and the files place 44 more in the world.
• Crane-shaped Bells replay a memory, but Soul rests there for the night and Remaining Days drop by one. "Days lost to Crane Bells and story progression cannot be recovered."

5. Remnant Dust buys everything

Remnant Dust drops from enemies and containers and pays for weapon and Phantom Edge upgrades, accessory polishing, medicine upgrades, Ability Training and Quick Hand Zhang's stock. See the Remnant Dust farming guide for the best spots.

6. Memory Flowers, Blackstone and Sha-Chi Amber are permanent upgrades

Three collectibles raise your stats for good and unlock the three Ability Training lines:

Each line in Ability Training needs more of its collectible as you go deeper (the game shows "Collect more Blackstone" and similar when you are short), plus Remnant Dust from 5,000 to 85,000 per node. Early picks worth knowing: Healing Art (Increases Medicine uses by 1.); Boundless Capacity · Lv. 1 (Adds 1 accessory slot.); Endless Renewal · Lv. 1 ([Execution] Assassinations and Executions restore HP and Sha-Chi.); Still Depths · Lv. 1 (Increases maximum Remnant Spark by 1.).

11 nodes also need a Banyan's Heart. The files list one from the Tale Heart of the Banyan, one granted in Pangzhen, and one for 100,000 Dust at each of three of Zhang's Hideouts, so spend them carefully (or reset to move them). Full details on the talents page.

7. Medicine: two flasks and refills from kills

• You can equip two Medicine flasks. The Healing Gourd has 2 uses at Lv2 and 4 at Lv7, the top of its upgrade table.
• Slaying enemies has a chance to replenish Medicine flasks, and the Ability Training node Blood Remedy adds another chance. Healing Art adds one Medicine use.
• There are 17 medicines. Strong ones to look for: Longevity Tonic (Restores all HP.); Vessel Restorative (Restores 70% HP and increases natural Sha-Chi recovery speed by 50% for 5 seconds.); Phantom Brew (Restores 50% HP and grants Intangible for 1 second. While Intangible, you cannot be hit by any attack.); Kuye Dew (Reduces damage taken by 20% for 15 seconds and restores 40% HP over 10 seconds.).
• Medicines upgrade with Healer's Memories (Apprentice 7,440, Skilled 9,920, Master 16,000 Dust at Quick Hand Zhang).

8. Use stealth to thin out groups

• Approach unaware enemies from behind to assassinate them.
• You can also assassinate while sprinting along walls or by dropping onto enemies below.
• The accessory Silent Wrap cuts noise from footsteps and Assassinations by 50% (90% polished).

9. Visit Quick Hand Zhang

Quick Hand Zhang runs five hideouts (Crimson Forest, Village of Lu, Pangzhen, Meigu Village, Mirage Estate) and sells upgrade materials, accessory crystals, Healer's Memories, talismans and the Banyan's Heart. Better material tiers appear at later hideouts. Prices and stock are on the merchants page and in the upgrade materials list.

10. Know where the endings branch

Two Tales decide which ending you get: Secrets at the Heart of the Lake and Bloodline Awakening. Inanis warns you on Mount Soulrend if one is missing. The true ending guide explains the details.