The Arsenal — Bastion Walkthrough

The Arsenal

The Arsenal in the Bastion is your one-stop shop for all things combat. Here, you can equip two weapons: one primary and one secondary. Experimentation is key, as different weapons excel in various situations and against specific enemy types. Remember, you can swap out your loadout at any Arsenal found throughout the levels, not just the one back home.

Weapon Acquisition & Upgrades

Most weapons are discovered as you progress through the story, often lying in plain sight or dropped by defeated foes. Once acquired, head to the Forge in the Bastion to upgrade them. Each weapon has five upgrade tiers, with each tier offering two distinct choices. These choices often involve increasing damage, altering attack patterns, or adding special effects. Upgrades require Fragments, which are earned by defeating enemies and completing challenges.

Pro-Tip: Don't neglect your upgrades! Even a seemingly weak weapon can become a formidable tool with the right enhancements. Consider your playstyle and the challenges ahead when making upgrade decisions.

Melee Weapons

• Cael Hammer: Your starting weapon, a reliable and sturdy melee option.
  • Location: Acquired automatically at the start of the game.
  • Strategy: Excellent for close-quarters combat and breaking environmental objects. Upgrades can increase its swing speed or add a shockwave effect.
• War Machete: A faster, more agile melee weapon with a wider arc.
  • Location: Found in the "Wall of Spears" level, shortly after defeating the first group of Squirt enemies.
  • Strategy: Ideal for crowd control due to its wide swing. Upgrades can enhance its critical hit chance or add a bleeding effect to enemies.
• Brusher's Pike: A long-reaching spear that keeps enemies at bay.
  • Location: Discovered in the "Prosper Bluff" level, near the area where you first encounter the Pecking Pests.
  • Strategy: Great for maintaining distance and poking at dangerous foes. Upgrades can increase its range or allow it to pierce through multiple enemies.

Ranged Weapons

• Breaker's Bow: A classic ranged weapon, perfect for precise shots.
  • Location: Found early in the "Wharf District" level, near the first set of platforms you need to raise.
  • Strategy: Excellent for picking off enemies from a distance. Upgrades can increase arrow speed, add explosive tips, or allow for multiple arrow shots.
• Carbine Repeater: A rapid-fire rifle for sustained damage.
  • Location: Located in the "Hanging Gardens" level, after navigating the collapsing platforms.
  • Strategy: Best for quickly dispatching weaker enemies or applying consistent pressure to tougher ones. Upgrades can increase fire rate, magazine size, or add armor-piercing rounds.
• Dueling Pistols: Dual-wielded firearms offering quick, successive shots.
  • Location: Discovered in the "Jawbone Shrine" level, after completing the first trial.
  • Strategy: High damage output at close to medium range. Upgrades can improve accuracy, add ricocheting bullets, or increase critical hit damage.
• Mortar: A heavy weapon that lobs explosive projectiles.
  • Location: Found in the "Wilds" level, after clearing the area of the large Stinkeye enemies.
  • Strategy: Devastating against groups of enemies and stationary targets. Upgrades can increase explosion radius, projectile speed, or add a lingering fire effect.

Special Weapons

• Scrap Musket: A powerful, short-range shotgun.
  • Location: Unlocked after completing the "Broken Sky" level.
  • Strategy: Incredibly effective at close range, capable of clearing out multiple enemies with a single blast. Upgrades can increase spread, damage, or add a knockback effect.
• Flame Bellows: A flamethrower that deals continuous fire damage.
  • Location: Found in the "Ura's Greatworks" level, within the central chamber.
  • Strategy: Excellent for area denial and sustained damage against resilient foes. Upgrades can increase range, damage over time, or add a slowing effect to burned enemies.