Mortal Shell 2 Iconoclast Guide: Is Your Starting Weapon Worth Keeping?
🎯 TL;DR: The Iconoclast (your starting weapon) is more than capable of finishing the game — decent range, good damage, fast attacks. Its only real limit is an 8-Tarstone pool that caps late-game scaling.
1. What It Offers
- Decent melee range + good damage — solid all-rounder
- Fast attacks — forgiving for learning the game
- Compatible with several Infusion Tarstones — including Zealot's Stone and Shrike Stone
✅ Honest take: Most players carry the Iconoclast for the first two hours regardless of preference. It's genuinely good — the question is only when to upgrade past it.
2. When to Move On
The Iconoclast's 8-Tarstone pool limits its late-game ceiling. When you're ready for more, the Axe and Dagger is the first genuine upgrade and is reachable without touching Mammon.
3. How to Get the Most from It
- Use its fast attacks to stay safe while learning Harden and Perfect Guard
- Don't over-invest smithing stones — hold them until you commit to a weapon
- Experiment with Infusions — Zealot's Stone and Shrike Stone are both viable
🎯 Bottom line: The Iconoclast is a genuine weapon, not a tutorial prop. It'll carry you until you find something that fits your build better — no need to rush.