Sub-weapons are secondary attacks that consume hearts. Only one can be held at a time, and picking up a new one replaces the current one. They are found in candles and are essential for dealing with specific enemy types or bosses. Mastering their use is vital for advanced play.
- Dagger: Throws a straight projectile. Low heart cost (1 heart). Good for quick, consistent damage.
- Axe: Throws an axe in an arc. Moderate heart cost (1 heart). Excellent for enemies above or below Simon, and many flying bosses.
- Holy Water: Throws a vial that creates a flame pillar on the ground. Moderate heart cost (1 heart). Deals continuous damage and can stun enemies. Highly effective against ground enemies and Dracula.
- Stopwatch: Freezes all enemies on screen for a short duration. High heart cost (5 hearts). Useful for bypassing difficult sections or getting free hits on bosses, but very heart-intensive.
- Cross: A boomerang-like projectile. Moderate heart cost (1 heart). Hits enemies on its outward and return path. Good for clearing horizontal lines of enemies.
The choice of sub-weapon can drastically alter your strategy for a given area or boss. Always consider the upcoming challenges when deciding which sub-weapon to keep.