How to Unlock and Upgrade the Machete

Learn how to get the Machete in Saints Row (2022) for $1,000 and unlock its powerful 'Bleeding Edge' Signature Ability by defeating Panteros.

Alright, let's talk about the Machete in Saints Row. It's a solid melee option you can grab pretty early on. You'll need to head over to any Friendly Fire store in Santo Ileso to pick it up. It costs $1,000, and you can buy it right after you finish the 'Making Rent' mission.

Like all the weapons in the game, you can upgrade the Machete a few times, but it depends on your character's level. Here's the breakdown:

• Tier 1 Upgrade: Unlocks at level 5, costs $5,000.
• Tier 2 Upgrade: Unlocks at level 10, costs $25,000.
• Tier 3 Upgrade: Unlocks at level 15, costs a hefty $100,000.

Each upgrade will boost its Damage and make the Bleed Duration last longer, which is super useful for wearing down tougher enemies.

Unlocking the Machete's Signature Ability: Bleeding Edge

Every weapon has a Signature Ability that gives it a special perk once you meet certain conditions. You can't buy these; you have to earn them. These abilities can do all sorts of cool stuff, like heal you, cause explosions, or add elemental damage. Once you've unlocked one, you can activate it at a Friendly Fire store or the armory in your HQ. You can also turn them off if you don't want them active.

The Machete's Signature Ability is called Bleeding Edge. When activated, it makes the Machete inflict triple bleeding damage over time. Pretty sweet, right? To unlock it, you need to defeat 30 Panteros enemies using regular attacks. Just mash the attack button ( / ) when you see them!

You'll find Los Panteros gangers hanging out a lot in the southeastern parts of Santo Ileso, like Mercado, West Providencia, East Providencia, Smelterville West, and Smelterville East. Just run up to them and start swinging whenever you spot them. If you're finding it a bit tough, don't hesitate to lower the game's difficulty to make the grind easier. A pro tip: you can speed this up by using the @TCHA Side Hustles to summon rival gangs, which gives you more targets.

Also, keep in mind that you need to kill 10 Idols with the Machete to complete the Challenge [The Most Dangerous Game]. So, keep that Machete handy!