As a team-based hack-and-slash title, Ys IX: Monstrum Nox comes with six characters, each of whom sports several weapons to unlock throughout the expansive story. What might surprise fans is that the best weapons can't be found. Rather, the top-tier tools for all characters must be crafted.
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What does this involve? Well, the first step is gathering the Legendary Blueprints. These lie deep in the final dungeon. This set of Blueprints thankfully details the whole weapon collection. After that, it's all about gathering the right materials. Bringing these to Tito the blacksmith, who resides in Dandelion, will allow fans to forge the toys of their dreams. It's just a matter of having the right stuff.
The primary party member and series protagonist is known as the "Crimson King." He's fairly straightforward as a warrior, meaning that he wields a sword. The best blade he can gain is Tir na nOg, which bestows a massive boost in strength to whoever holds it.
To forge this weapon, players need three materials. First is Sol Spar, which can be found on the Ciel Canyon Trail and the Ancient Battlefield. The second component is the Sacred Branch, which lies on the Path to Hidden Treasure, Ciel Canyon Trail, and the Ancient Battlefield. Finally, players must retrieve some Otherworldly cores. These are scattered across the Ancient Battlefield and Balduq Fortress of Yore. They can also come from killing Lemures. Collecting these ingredients allows Tito to craft the sword.
Also called the "White Cat," Krysta Pendleton is a thief. This means that she specializes in Rogue gameplay. To complement this style, her weapons consist of various claws. The most powerful type is the Lavandula set. Like Adol's legendary sword, these killer nails imbue Krysha with increased strength. What they also offer, however, is a greater chance of evasion.
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Despite this difference, the required materials remain the same. Players still need Sol Spar, Sacred Branches, and Otherworldly Cores to forge the thief's best claws. Luckily, they're all found in the same places.
With a title like "Hawk," it's no surprise that Credo Aiblinger is another Rogue-like character with a move set of misdirection. As such, her repertoire consists of short swords and daggers. The toughest pair of these little tools is Ariosto.
These supposedly channel madness to pierce the heavens, which basically equates to a boost in health and strength. As for the necessary components, the third verse is the same as the first. Tito still requires Sol Spar, Sacred Branches, and Otherworldly Cores to forge them. Simply revisit the same familiar areas to grind out resources, and the weapon set will be won in no time.
Anemona's dainty appearance and title of "Doll" can easily throw some players off. However, this hides a flexibility that makes her ideal for wielding a whip. While she can equip numerous snaketail blades, the most potent is the Persinette. It's said to weave tales of "phantasmagorical grandeur." In short, it offers another increase in strength, as well as a major bluff to her defense. It sure beats the whips in Dark Souls 3.
Like with the other legendary items, Anemona's ultimate whip calls for Sol, Sacred Branches, and Otherworldly Cores. Go back to the aforementioned dungeons for some fruitful farming. Then, watch Doll do the dance of death.
People typically associate Tank classes and oversized weapons with burly characters akin to World of Warcraft, but Ys's Raging Bull defies those expectations with a mighty swing. Wielding warhammers aplenty, Yufa is the heavy hitter of the group. The deadliest hammer at her disposal is Audumbla, a colossal maul whose radiance of life gives the holder limitless power.
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That certainly tracks with its stats, as the increase in strength is considerable. What also tracks is the list of ingredients. The same three components — Sol Spar, Sacred Branches, and Otherworldly Cores — combine into one powerful whole. Thankfully, the benefits to the weapon far outweigh the detriments of grinding the well-trod areas.
When players hear a name like "Renegade," they may assume that Jules Noah is another Rogue or thief character. That couldn't be further from the truth, though, as she actually excels in sorcery. She fulfills the Mage spot in the party, equipping several staves along the journey.
Those looking to truly devastate the battlefield with their spells should seek out Heidrun, the wizard's legendary staff said to usher users toward "forbidden wisdoms." That wisdom must be how to increase the rate of critical hits. Aside from that, the staff sports the usual strength boost.
At this point, the requirements for building such a weapon should be well-known. Just go to the same set of dungeons and mine the same Sol Spar, Sacred Branches, and Otherworldly Cores for the sixth time. It's no more challenging than with the other legendary weapons, which is admittedly convenient. Sadly, it might also be why this game isn't higher on the Ys tier list.