Castlevania II: Simon's Quest
Castlevania II: Simon's Quest

Currency & Purchases

Learn how to use Hearts as currency in Castlevania II: Simon's Quest. Purchase sub-weapons and upgrade the whip to aid Simon's quest against Dracula.

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Currency & Purchases

In your perilous journey through Transylvania, Simon will need more than just his trusty whip to survive. Hearts are your lifeblood in Castlevania II, serving as the primary currency that allows you to upgrade your primary weapon, purchase crucial sub-weapons, and acquire essential items that will aid in your quest to defeat Dracula. Understanding how to earn and spend your Hearts wisely is paramount to success.

Acquiring Hearts (Currency)

Hearts are primarily obtained by defeating the various creatures that infest the land and by breaking candles. Every monster you vanquish will drop a certain amount of Hearts, which are automatically added to your inventory. The amount varies depending on the enemy type, with stronger foes generally yielding more. Candles, while less reliable, can also provide a small boost to your Heart count.

  • Enemy Drops: The most consistent way to earn Hearts. Focus on defeating enemies efficiently.
    • Early Game Farming: In the initial stages, focus on defeating weaker enemies like Zombies and Skeletons near towns. They are easy to dispatch and provide a steady trickle of Hearts.
    • Nighttime Bonus: Be aware that enemies often drop more Hearts during the night. While the increased difficulty of nighttime can be a challenge, it's a lucrative opportunity for farming.
  • Candle Drops: Occasionally, breaking candles will also yield small amounts of Hearts, though this is less reliable than monster drops. Always break candles you encounter, as every Heart counts!

Towns and Merchants

Towns are your safe havens and the primary locations for making purchases. Each town features various merchants and wise men who offer their wares and cryptic advice. Look for buildings with open doors to enter and interact with the townsfolk. Remember, all purchases are made using Hearts.

Essential Purchases

Prioritizing your purchases is crucial, especially in the early game when Hearts are scarce. Here's a breakdown of what you should aim for, along with specific locations and strategies. Always remember that all prices are in Hearts.

Whip Upgrades

Your primary weapon, the whip, can be upgraded multiple times. These upgrades significantly increase your attack power and range, making combat much more manageable. You'll find these upgrades for sale from specific merchants in various towns. Always prioritize whip upgrades to make your journey easier.

  • Thorn Whip: This is your first essential upgrade from the starting Leather Whip. It offers increased range and damage.
    • Location: Purchased in the town of Jova (the starting town).
    • Cost: 100 Hearts.
    • Strategy: As soon as you begin your quest, focus on defeating Zombies and Skeletons around Jova. Accumulate 100 Hearts quickly and purchase this upgrade. It will make subsequent combat significantly easier and faster.
  • Chain Whip: A substantial power boost over the Thorn Whip, further increasing your reach and damage output.
    • Location: Purchased in the town of Brahm. Brahm is accessible after passing through the first mansion (Berkeley Mansion).
    • Cost: 200 Hearts.
    • Strategy: By the time you reach Brahm, you should have accumulated enough Hearts from your travels and mansion exploration. Prioritize this upgrade over other non-essential items to prepare for tougher enemies ahead.
  • Morning Star: A powerful whip that will serve you well for a significant portion of the game, offering excellent damage and range.
    • Location: Purchased in the town of Aldora. Aldora is typically reached after exploring the second mansion (Rendezvous Point).
    • Cost: 400 Hearts.
    • Strategy: Aldora is further into your journey, so you'll have more opportunities to farm Hearts. This upgrade is highly recommended before tackling more challenging areas and subsequent mansions.
  • Flame Whip: The ultimate whip, offering immense power and a fiery visual effect.
    • Location: This is a special upgrade and cannot be purchased. It is found in a hidden location later in the game, specifically within the Deborah Cliff area after using the White Crystal.
    • Strategy: Obtaining this requires specific actions and item usage. It's a late-game acquisition that will make the final encounters much more manageable.

Sub-Weapons

Sub-weapons consume a separate pool of smaller Hearts (not the currency Hearts) but offer invaluable utility in combat and exploration. These are often purchased from merchants in towns.

  • Dagger: A fast, straightforward projectile that flies horizontally.
    • Location: Often available in early towns like Jova.
    • Cost: 50 Hearts.
    • Strategy: A good initial purchase for ranged attacks against flying enemies or those you want to keep at a distance. Very useful for enemies like Bats and Flea Men.
  • Holy Water: Creates a damaging flame pillar on the ground upon impact.
    • Location: Can be found in various towns, typically after the Dagger, such as Veros.
    • Cost: 100 Hearts.
    • Strategy: Excellent for hitting enemies on lower platforms, clearing out groups of ground-based foes, or revealing hidden passages when thrown at suspicious blocks.
  • Axe: Throws an axe in an arc, allowing it to hit enemies above Simon.
    • Location: Available in later towns, such as Aldora.
    • Cost: 150 Hearts.
    • Strategy: Indispensable for dealing with airborne enemies or those on higher ledges that your whip can't reach, such as Medusa Heads or Bone Pillars.
  • Cross: A powerful, screen-clearing boomerang-like attack that travels a short distance and returns.
    • Location: Usually found in more advanced towns, such as Ondol.
    • Cost: 200 Hearts.
    • Strategy: Save your small Hearts for this when facing tough boss encounters or overwhelming enemy numbers. Its return path can hit enemies twice.

Key Items

These items are often crucial for progression or survival. They are typically one-time use or have specific functions required to advance the story.

  • Oak Stake: Required to destroy the Orbs containing Dracula's body parts, which are found at the end of each mansion.
    • Location: Purchase from merchants in towns near the Orb locations (e.g., Jova for Berkeley Mansion, Veros for Bodley Mansion).
    • Cost: 50 Hearts.
    • Strategy: Always ensure you have at least one Oak Stake before attempting to retrieve a body part. They are consumed upon use. If you forget one, you'll have to backtrack, which can be time-consuming.
  • Laurels: Grants temporary invincibility, making Simon immune to damage for a short period.
    • Location: Available in many towns, often found in Veros, Aldora, and Ondol.
    • Cost: 50 Hearts.
    • Strategy: Stock up on these for difficult platforming sections (especially those with environmental hazards) or boss fights where taking damage is almost inevitable. They can be a lifesaver.
  • Garlic: Reveals hidden items or passages when used in specific locations.
    • Location: Purchase from merchants in various towns, such as Veros.
    • Cost: 50 Hearts.
    • Strategy: Essential for uncovering secrets and progressing through certain areas. If you're stuck or suspect a hidden path, try using Garlic. It can reveal hidden platforms, items, or even NPCs.
  • White Crystal: Required to access certain areas and reveal hidden paths.
    • Location: Found in the town of Veros.
    • Cost: 50 Hearts.
    • Strategy: This is a key item for progression. You'll need to use it in specific locations (e.g., Deborah Cliff) to make new paths appear.
  • Blue Crystal: Similar to the White Crystal, used to reveal hidden paths.
    • Location: Found in the town of Aldora.
    • Cost: 100 Hearts.
    • Strategy: Another critical progression item. Use it in areas like the Dead River to create a path forward.
  • Red Crystal: The final crystal, also used for revealing hidden paths.
    • Location: Found in the town of Ondol.
    • Cost: 150 Hearts.
    • Strategy: Necessary for accessing the final areas of the game, such as the path to Dracula's Castle.

Remember, careful management of your Hearts and strategic purchases will significantly ease Simon's burden and bring him closer to breaking Dracula's curse. Always keep an eye on your Heart count and prioritize upgrades and essential items to ensure a smoother journey through Transylvania.