Complete the no-pickup boss challenge and you may call yourself a hero. Hero Sword offers the satisfying forward pressure of the basic sword with the safety of ranged waves. It rewards measured play: stay calm, bank projectile upgrades, and treat every encounter like the challenge run that unlocked it.
- Unlock condition proves mastery—no pickups allowed during the attempt.
- Adds ranged slashes so you can pressure enemies at mid-range.
- Projectile count and crit scaling give it far more ceiling than the starter sword.
Unlock Defeat a stage boss without pickups Gold and XP are allowed—everything else fails the challenge instantly.
Core scaling Projectile → Damage → Crit
Playstyle Hybrid Blend melee swings with ranged slashes for safety.
Best pilots Amog, CL4NK, Sir Oofie
Hero Sword Rank Milestones
| Rank | Projectiles | Melee Arc | Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-5 | 1 slash | Wide arc | Base hero swing |
| 6-10 | 2 slashes | Wider arc | +10% damage per rank |
| 11-15 | 3 slashes | Very wide | Adds stagger on projectile hit |
| 16+ | 4 slashes | Max arc | Crits release extra shockwaves |
- Projectile count defines the weapon—chase tomes and shrines whenever they appear.
- Crit scaling multiplies both melee and ranged portions, making it worthwhile despite the challenge unlock.
Core mechanic breakdown
Zero-pickup discipline
The unlock run teaches awareness—carry that vigilance into regular play to avoid unnecessary hits.
Hybrid spacing
Use ranged slashes to soften enemies before committing to melee range.
Boss mastery
The weapon excels at boss duels thanks to combined melee burst and projectile chip damage.
Mod priority and alternatives
Must-have mods
- Projectile Tome rank 9 to push ranged slashes quickly.
- Damage Tome rank 8 for both melee and projectile scaling.
- Attack Speed Tome rank 8 so swings and slashes stay fluid.
Flexible picks
- Crit Tome to exploit the weapon’s high base damage once stable.
- Health Tome for challenge attempts or high difficulty tiers.
Situational tech
- Luck Tome if you plan to farm hero challenge attempts repeatedly.
- Armor Tome on Sir Oofie to maintain the tanky playstyle learned from the unlock.
Recommended build patterns
Challenge Clear
Recreate the unlock run with zero-pickup discipline for consistent victories.
Core mods
- Damage Tome 8
- Attack Speed Tome 8
- Health Tome 7
Priority relics
- (None during challenge)
- Post-unlock: Hero’s Crest
- Guardian Charm
- Emergency Shield
Gameplay notes
- Practice boss patterns until you can dodge without panic movement.
- Focus on projectile count during level-ups to maintain ranged pressure.
- After unlock, keep a defensive relic slot to mimic the success conditions.
Heroic Hybrid
Balanced build that abuses both melee and ranged components.
Core mods
- Projectile Tome 9
- Damage Tome 9
- Crit Tome 8
Priority relics
- Hero Medal
- Overpowered Lamp
- Anvil
- Aggressor Boots
Gameplay notes
- Open fights with ranged slashes, then dive for melee finishers.
- Use crit relics to unleash projectile shockwaves on every swing.
- Maintain moderate distance during cool-down gaps.
Boss Purist
High-skill build focused on rapid boss kills.
Core mods
- Crit Tome 9
- Projectile Tome 8
- Attack Speed Tome 9
Priority relics
- Sharpened Halo
- Reaper’s Emblem
- Quick Step Boots
- Fate Token
Gameplay notes
- Circle bosses to land both melee and projectile hits simultaneously.
- Save damage shrines for when the boss teleports in.
- Keep movement deliberate—remember the discipline from the challenge.
Synergy quick reference
Partner Synergy Usage tips Amog Poison DoT keeps ticking while Hero Sword charges forward. Great for players who used Amog to clear the challenge. CL4NK Crit passive accelerates the sword’s shockwave scaling. Use when you want ranged crit bursts in addition to melee damage. Sir Oofie Armor scaling offers forgiveness while learning the new kit. A natural next step after grinding Sword milestones. Dicehead Permanent crit chance stacking keeps shockwaves firing nonstop. Strong for endless runs with high crit scaling.
Weapon matchup comparisons
Sword
- Edge: Hero Sword adds range and higher scaling across the board.
- Watch for: Sword is easier to unlock but far weaker; don’t look back once you have Hero Sword.
- Best when: You want sword gameplay without punishing weaknesses.
Katana
- Edge: Hero Sword offers safer mid-range play; Katana deals higher burst with riskier positioning.
- Watch for: Katana’s execution mechanic melts bosses faster if you stay in melee.
- Best when: You prefer hybrid range to pure melee aggression.
Dexecutioner
- Edge: Hero Sword is more forgiving and doesn’t rely on executions.
- Watch for: Dexecutioner still obliterates elites faster with stacked execution thresholds.
- Best when: You cleared the challenge but still want flexible gameplay.
Playstyle rhythm and details
Respect the challenge habits
- Even in normal runs, avoid reckless pickups that break positioning.
- Keep scanning the ground—old instincts prevent accidental shrine clicks.
Blend ranges
- Open with projectiles, then close the gap only when safe.
- Retreat after each melee combo and let slashes cool enemies off.
Boss poise
- Maintain figure-eight movement patterns learned during the unlock.
- Use projectile slashes to chip bosses while dodging telegraphs.
Operational checklist
- Complete a no-pickup boss kill to unlock Hero Sword.
- Purchase the weapon (requires a small Silver cost) after the challenge.
- Prioritise projectile and damage tomes to realise its hybrid potential.
- Keep challenge discipline alive—careful positioning makes the sword shine.
- Pair with crit-oriented relics to unleash projectile shockwaves.
FAQ quick answers
Do accidental pickups fail the challenge?
Yes. Chests, shrines, powerup orbs, and pot drops instantly invalidate the attempt. Restart if it happens.
Which character makes the challenge easiest?
Amog and CL4NK are community favourites—Amog’s poison provides passive damage, while CL4NK’s crit passive scales without items.
Is Hero Sword worth the effort?
It’s more about the accomplishment than raw power, but the weapon is a substantial upgrade from basic Sword and comfortable for hybrid melee/ranged play.