The Best Arrows In Nine Sols

Key Takeaways

• The Rhizomatic Arrow is crucial for the True Ending, obtained from Kuafu, and can only be used once.
• The Thunder Buster Arrow deals massive AoE damage, ticking 12 times over 2 seconds for 216 total damage potential.
• The Shadow Hunter Arrow homes in on enemies, chasing them for multiple hits, and dealing 30 base damage per strike.

Nine Sols is a fully immersive 2D Metroidvania game in the style of Sekiro. That said, it’s not without its major challenges. Players will need all the help they can get to plow through enemies. As the story progresses, they’ll learn all the tricks of the battlefield that make Yi successful against his enemies. They’ll also pick up essential tools along the way, including runes and weapons.

One of those weapons is the Azure Bow. This weapon gives Yi a long-distance attack that can make all the difference against some of the most challenging enemies. Knowing which arrow type to use for each situation is crucial. While each arrow has its benefits, some definitely outrank others in terms of the punch they pack.

4 The Rhizomatic Arrow

The Last-Ditch Effort For The End

• Required for the True Ending

The Rhizomatic Arrow is a very special arrow type. In fact, it’s a one-and-done type of projectile. Players can obtain it from Kuafu if they unlock the game’s True Ending. What’s important about this arrow is that it’s unlike any of the others Yi can use, as it’s also a Key Item. Additionally, players cannot manually select or use the Rhizomatic Arrow, unlike all other arrow types.

Kuafu specially crafted this arrow with the Rhizomatic Bomb as inspiration. As such, both weapons’ destructive energies are very similar. It was created for Yi specifically for the final battle with Eigong, and players can only use it as a last resort. When they do, players will be treated to an emotional cutscene during the True Ending, followed by Yi unleashing the might of this formidable arrow.

3 The Thunder Buster Arrow

Repeated Explosions For Massive Damage

• 18 base damage per hit
• 12 explosion ticks over around 2 seconds
• 216 base damage potential

As players progress through the main story, they’ll eventually collect a Key Item known as the Thunderburst Bomb. According to legend, this ancient weapon had such destructive lethal power that Lear banned it. But when players stumble across it, they can present it to Kuafa to get a brand-new arrow type.

The Thunder Buster Arrow causes major AoE damage when it strikes its target. When the explosion is generated, it will tick 12 times over a period of around 2 seconds, delivering 18 base points of damage. One explosion has the potential to deal 216 base damage. This arrow can be upgraded twice to become the Thunder Buster S and then the Thunder Buster X. Each upgrade increases the damage dealt by each tick of the explosion by 35% of the original base damage value. In addition, the explosion area of effect will increase with each upgrade.

2 The Shadow Hunter Arrow

Chase Enemies Down

• 30 base damage per hit
• Homes in on enemies for multiple hits
• The number of hits depends on the enemy’s hitbox

Enemies can certainly be tricky, no matter how deftly Yi moves across the environment. Players need as many tricks up their sleeves as possible. The Shadow Hunter Arrow works with a homing device and essentially chases down enemies once it’s locked on. To get this arrow, players must first progress through the story to obtain the Homing Darts. These come from a special ancient collection and were once thought to be underhanded weapons that only villains would consider using.

Despite that, Yi can make good use of them by giving them to Kuafa. With the Shadow Hunter Arrow equipped, Yi can fire the Azure Bow at his enemy, and it will lock on, chasing them for multiple hits. Each strike deals 30 base damage. The number of strikes the Shadow Hunter Arrow will deal depends on the size of the enemy’s hitbox. This arrow can be upgraded twice (Shadow Hunter S and Shadow Hunter X), with each upgrade increasing the damage dealt by 35% of the original base damage value.

1 The Cloud Piercer Arrow

The Ultimate Shield Buster

• Default arrow type
• 136 base damage
• Pierces shields and objects

When players first get the Azure Bow, it automatically unlocks the Cloud Piercer Arrow. While this is the default arrow type, it is exceptionally useful and powerful. Its mechanism of action involves firing a horizontal beam that pierces objects in its path. This results in high damage and staggering effects against enemies and bosses. Its base damage is a whopping 136.

The Cloud Piercer Arrow can be upgraded twice to Cloud Piercer S, and then Cloud Piercer X. The first upgrade enables Yi to break shields and other obstacles in the path of the beam. With each upgrade, the base damage is increased by 35% of the original value.