Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin

Sub-Weapon & Spell List

Master Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin's sub-weapons and spells. Find each item, its MP cost, and effective strategies for Jonathan's attacks.

·Multi-source verified (92/92)

Sub-Weapon & Spell List

Mastering your sub-weapons and spells is crucial for surviving the horrors of Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin. This section details each available sub-weapon and spell, including where to find them, their MP costs, and effective strategies for their use.

Sub-Weapons (Jonathan)

Jonathan's sub-weapons consume hearts, a classic Castlevania resource. Each offers unique utility in combat and exploration.

  • Axe:
    • Location: Found early in the game, typically within the first few areas of the Castle. Often dropped by Axe Armor enemies.
    • Heart Cost: 10 hearts
    • Strategy: Throws an axe in an arc, hitting enemies above Jonathan. Excellent for clearing airborne foes or enemies on ledges. Its trajectory makes it useful for hitting weak points on larger bosses that are out of reach of your whip.
  • Cross:
    • Location: Acquired in the City of Haze. Progress through the area until you reach a vertical shaft with several platforms. The Cross is usually found in a breakable wall or chest near the top.
    • Heart Cost: 20 hearts
      • Strategy: Throws a cross that travels a short distance, then returns like a boomerang. Deals damage on both its outward and return journey. Highly effective against enemies that move predictably or when you need to hit an enemy multiple times. Can be devastating against larger, slower bosses.
  • Holy Water:
    • Location: Located in the Sandy Grave. Explore the lower sections of the sandy caverns; it's often in a hidden room or a chest after defeating a specific enemy type.
    • Heart Cost: 15 hearts
    • Strategy: Throws a vial of holy water that shatters on impact, creating a pillar of flame. Deals continuous damage to enemies standing in the flames. Excellent for crowd control, hitting enemies on the ground, or damaging stationary bosses.
  • Knife:
    • Location: Available from the start of the game.
    • Heart Cost: 5 hearts
    • Strategy: Throws a fast, straight-flying knife. Low damage but very quick. Useful for quickly dispatching weaker enemies or interrupting enemy attacks from a distance. Its low heart cost makes it a good default for general combat.
  • Bible:
    • Location: Found in the Nation of Fools. After navigating the tricky platforming sections, look for it in a hidden alcove or a chest guarded by tougher enemies.
    • Heart Cost: 30 hearts
    • Strategy: Summons a rotating bible that circles Jonathan, damaging any enemies it touches. Provides a defensive barrier while also dealing damage. Great for close-quarters combat or when surrounded by multiple enemies.

Spells (Charlotte)

Charlotte's spells consume MP, offering a wide range of offensive, defensive, and utility options. MP regenerates over time, making her spells a sustainable resource.

  • Heal:
    • Location: Acquired early in the game, often found in a chest within the Great Stairway or dropped by specific early-game enemies.
    • MP Cost: Varies (scales with level)
    • Strategy: Restores a portion of HP to both Charlotte and Jonathan. Essential for survivability, especially during boss fights or long exploration segments. Prioritize leveling this spell to maximize its healing potential.
  • Fireball:
    • Location: Found in the City of Haze. Often dropped by Flame Demon enemies or located in a chest in the burning sections of the area.
    • MP Cost: 10 MP
    • Strategy: Shoots a straightforward fireball. A basic offensive spell, good for consistent damage from a distance. Can be charged for a larger, more powerful blast.
  • Ice Needle:
    • Location: Located in the Sandy Grave. Look for it in the frozen sections or dropped by Ice Elemental enemies.
    • MP Cost: 12 MP
    • Strategy: Fires a piercing ice shard. Can hit multiple enemies in a line. Effective against enemies weak to ice or those clustered together.
  • Thunderbolt:
    • Location: Acquired in the Nation of Fools. Often found in a high-up area or dropped by lightning-based enemies.
    • MP Cost: 15 MP
    • Strategy: Calls down a bolt of lightning from above. Deals high damage to a single target. Excellent for targeting specific, dangerous enemies or bosses.
  • Energy Flow:
    • Location: Found in the Forest of Doom. Explore the dense foliage and hidden paths; it's often in a chest or dropped by a Treant.
    • MP Cost: 20 MP
    • Strategy: Creates a wave of energy that travels along the ground. Good for hitting multiple ground-based enemies or enemies with low-lying hitboxes.
  • Summon Skeleton:
    • Location: Dropped by the Skeleton enemy, commonly found throughout the Castle and early portraits.
    • MP Cost: 25 MP
    • Strategy: Summons a skeletal ally to fight alongside you. The skeleton has its own attacks and can draw enemy aggro, providing a distraction. Useful for adding extra damage and managing enemy attention.
  • Acidic Bubbles:
    • Location: Dropped by the Merman enemy, frequently encountered in watery areas like the Underground Waterway.
    • MP Cost: 18 MP
    • Strategy: Launches a stream of corrosive bubbles. Deals continuous damage and can inflict poison status on enemies. Great for sustained damage against tougher foes.
  • Explosion:
    • Location: Found in the Dark Academy. This powerful spell is often hidden behind a breakable wall or in a chest after a challenging enemy encounter.
    • MP Cost: 35 MP
    • Strategy: Creates a massive explosion, dealing high area-of-effect damage. Best reserved for clearing large groups of enemies or inflicting significant damage on bosses.