Weapons and Shields in Dead Cells Dead Cells Guide
Last update: 31 August 2018
In this chapter you will find some useful information concerning the basic equipment of our protagonist - the available weapons. You will begin your adventure with a standard sword, but in your other hand, you can carry a shield or another weapon that will deal damage over longer distance. Each type of weapon is characterized by different stats, passive effects, damage, attack speed and a special attack, which becomes available after a combo of three strikes.
Below, you will find a list of all the schematics available in the game, along with their location and the chance of obtaining them during combat with particular enemies. Remember that a blueprint will only be available on the collector's list after you manage to get it there. If you die on your way, the blueprint will be lost, and you'll have to obtain it again. Furthermore, even if you will get the blueprint there, you have to allocate a number of cells in order for the given weapon to permanently appear in stores and chests. After unlocking a blueprint, a collector will give you a copy of the given weapon right away, which you'll be able to carry with you to new locations.
Melee combat
Below, you may find a list of all melee weapons available in the game. Apart from special properties of the weapons, we've also listed the enemies that may yield a blueprint of the given weapon as loot.
Icon | Name | Properties | Where to find it |
 | Blood Sword | Causes bleeding, which may multiply a couple of times. | The blueprint will be dropped by a Zombie. |
 | Broadsword | Pretty big physical damage, but rather slow. | At the corpse of Prisoners' Quarters (the one you talk to at the beginning of the game). The corpse is near the entrance to the Promenade of the Condemned. |
 | Rusty Sword | Deals minor physical damage. Change this weak weapon for something better ASAP. | Your starting weapon by default. Getting the Random Melee Weapon perk guarantees a better starting weapon. |
 | Balanced Blade | An upgraded version of the standard sword. You can perform quick attacks to deal minor physical damage. | Available since the very beginning. |
 | Twin Daggers | Every third hit deals critical damage. Improved speed. | Available since the very beginning. |
 | Assassin's Dagger | Deals critical damage when you backstab an enemy (use roll to get behind them). | Secret part of The Promenade of the Condemned. You have to climb above the place in which you begin the exploration of this location. |
 | Impaler | Deals critical damage to enemies standing against the wall. Good speed and range. | The blueprint is dropped by the boss The Concierge after you defeat him two times. |
 | Spiked Boots | Deals critical damage if you manage to break the enemy's attack with a kick. | The blueprint is dropped by a Thorny. |
 | Rapier | Deal a critical damage after each roll. | The blueprint is dropped by a Scorpion. |
 | Shovel | Deflects attacks and projectiles towards the enemy, who had dealt them. | The blueprint is dropped by a Purulent Zombie in the Graveyard. |
 | Cursed Sword | Note! The protagonist is always under a curse, which means they die upon receiving any damage. The weapon requires to get a I Like to Live Dangerously... trophy. | The blueprint is dropped by Conjunctivius after the second time you kill it. |
 | Oiled Sword | Causes enemies to become very susceptible to fire damage (set them on fire with any skill/weapon). | The blueprint is dropped by a Bat. |
 | Spartan Sandals | Pushes enemies back and breaks their combos. | The blueprint is dropped by a Runner. |
 | Frantic Sword | You deal critical damage as long as the protagonist has less than half health points. This is one of the best weapons in the game, but it works on high-risk-high-reward basis. | Dropped by a Kamikaze. |
 | Spiteful Sword | You deal critical damage with attacks delivered right after receiving damage yourself. | The blueprint is dropped by a Buzzcutter. |
 | Torch | A successful attack sets the enemy on fire. The effect applies for a little under 3 seconds. | The blueprint is dropped by a Spawner. |
 | Hayabusa Boots | Deals pretty good physical damage with every third hit of a combo. A kick will push enemies back. | The blueprint can be found in the Forgotten Sepulcher. |
 | War Spear | Deals critical damage every time your attack reaches more than one enemy. | The blueprint is dropped by a Hammer in the Prison Depths. |
 | Sadist's Stileto | The dagger deals better critical damage if an enemy is bleeding or poisoned. Make sure you have other weapons that can apply these negative statuses. | The blueprint is dropped by a Spiker. |
 | Giant Killer | Deals increased damage to elite enemies and bosses. | Very rare weapon - can be obtained via completing the Daily Challenges. |
 | Hayabusa Gauntlets | Every fifth blow dealt with the gauntlets deals critical damage. The attacks can also push enemies back. | The blueprint is dropped by a Lancer. |
 | Meat Skewer | Every third hit of the combo lets you rush past an enemy. | Also a very rare weapon. You can only obtain it via completing Daily Challenges. |
 | Nutcracker | Very slow weapon. Can stun enemies that have at least 75% HP. | Available since the very beginning. |
 | Swift Sword | You deal critical damage if the character has a bonus to speed from previous kills. This is a good weapon if you prefer aggressive melee combat. | Awarded for completing a Daily Challenge for the first time. |
 | Symmetrical Lance | A big weapon with two blades on either end. Allows you to deal greater damage after killing 2 enemies within 15 seconds. The last hit of the combo pushes enemies back. | The weapon (and the blueprint) is dropped by the boss Hand of the King after you kill it for the first time. |
Ranged weapons
Below, you can find a list of all ranged weapons available in the game. Depending on your equipment, you will need to manage your ammo well and take good vantage points in each location, in order to allow yourself dealing the most damage you can in the safest way possible.
Icon | Name | Properties | Where to find it |
 | Beginner's Bow | You can only collect those arrows that killed an enemy or after waiting for a while. It's a poor bow and you should replace it fast. | This is one of the more basic weapons you can choose at the beginning. Random Starter Bow guarantees a better ranged weapon. |
 | Quick Bow | Deals critical damage to enemies that have been hit with at least two shots. | Secret area in the starting location of the Prisoners' Quarters, where you begin the game. |
 | Bow and Endless Quiver | You never run out of ammo. | The blueprint is dropped by a Undead Archer. |
 | Heavy Crossbow | Fire multiple projectiles at once. | The blueprint is dropped by the boss The Concierge after you kill it for the first time. |
 | Repeater Crossbow | Fire a quick series of projectiles. | The blueprint is dropped by a Dark Tracker. |
 | Fire Brands | Incinerates the highlighted area and the enemies within for 3 seconds. | Available since the very beginning. |
 | Throwing Knife | Causes bleeding. Targets the enemy closest to the protagonist. | Available since the very beginning. |
 | Infantry Bow | Deals critical damage if the enemy is danger close. | The blueprint is dropped by a Undead Archer. |
 | Hunter's Longbow | Deals critical damage if you fire from a long distance. | You can find it behind the door in Ossuary. The door become locked after spending 3:30 min in the location. |
 | Ice Bow | Freezes enemies. A very useful feature that perfectly exposes enemies to different attacks. | The blueprint is dropped by a Undead Archer. |
 | Electric Whip | The whip lets you attack enemeis at a distance Targets the enemy closest to the protagonist. | Available since the very beginning. |
 | Valmont's Whip | The whip allows you to attack enemies at a distance. They receive maximal damage if they're standing in the center of the whip's path. The weapon can also pierce shields. | The blueprint is dropped by a Disgusting Worm. |
 | Wrenching Whip | The whip allows you to attack enemies at a distance. The attacks bring the enemies near you and the last attack of the combo deals critical damage. Apart from that, the weapon can pierce shields. | The blueprint is dropped by a Pirate Captain in the Stilt Village. |
 | Alchemic Carbine | The weapon oozes a toxic cloud dealing damage and poisoning enemeis. | A secret area in the Ancient Sewers. |
 | Boomerang | The weapon automatically returns to the protagonist, dealing critical damage on its way. | Secret area in the High Peak Castle. You have to obtain the keys from the three elite bosses and open the room to the left of the passage to the Throne Room. |
 | Duplex Bow | Fires two arrows simultaneously. | Available since the beginning of the game. |
 | Explosive Crossbow | The bow fires explosive bolts. A direct hit deals critical damage. | You need to find three Gardener's Keys in the Promenade of the Condemned and open the doors in the closed building. The process is described elsewhere in this guide. |
 | Hokuto's Bow | Tags hit enemies for future attacks. They receive increased damage for a period of time. There's a chance of them transferring the curse onto nearby enemies. | The blueprint is dropped by a Cannibal in the Clock Tower. |
 | Ice Crossbow | A shot from the crossbow can deal critical damage (if you charge the attack by holding the fire button longer). | The blueprint is dropped by the boss The Time Keeper after you defeat it the second time. |
 | Marksman's Bow | Deals critical damage if the shot was fired from a greater distance. Target the farthest enemies. | You have to open the time door in the Ossuary; these have to be reached within 8 minutes. |
 | Nerves of Steel | Deals critical damage if the projectile is released in the right moment (signaled by a sound). | Secret area in the Ramparts - you have to jump onto an invisible ledge on the right side of the map. |
Shields
Below you may find a list of all shields available in the game. They only become useful when you've learned the attack animations of the enemies. Mind you that parrying can be done by raising your shield after the enemy has dealt their blow. Simply holding your shield up for longer time is totally useless.
Icon | Name | Properties | Where to find it |
 | Old Wooden Shield | Basic equipment. Allows you to parry attacks and doesn't provide any additional features. | One of the basic items for the beginning of the game. The Random Starter Shield guarantees a better shield at the beginning. |
 | Greed Shield | Deflects enemy blows and projectiles and turns them into gold (once for an enemy). Turns enemy arrows into gold as well. | Available since the very beginning. |
 | Bloodthirsty Shield | Blocks attacks and applies bleeding for 3 seconds. The status is transferred onto nearby enemies if you perform a perfect parry. | The blueprint is dropped by a Shieldbearer. |
 | Spiked Shield | Successful blocks deal considerable damage to the enemy. | The blueprint is dropped by a Cleaver in the Forgotten Sepulcher. |
 | Assault Shield | After a block, the protagonist performs a short charge. | You have to open the time doors in the Promenade of the Condemned; the doors have to be reached under 2 minutes. |
 | Cudgel | Stuns blocked enemies. They remain stunned for longer if you perform a perfect parry. | Available since the beginning of the game. |
 | Front Line Shield | Absorbs more damage at block. Can't be used for parrying. | The blueprint is dropped by a Zombie. |
 | Knockback Shield | A successful block pushes enemies back. The effect is stronger if you perform a perfect parry. | The blueprint is dropped by a Catcher. |
 | Parry Shield | Can't be used for continuous blocking; only for parrying. You can deflect grenades and projectiles and turn then against the enemies with increased power. | A secret location at the end of the Stilt Village. You have to save one key on the way there. More info can be found in this guide. |
 | Punishment | All enemies receive damage upon blocking their attacks. | A secret location in the Clock Tower. You have to solve the bell riddle in order to get the key. More info can be found elsewhere in the guide. |
 | Rampart | The shield absorbs more damage and surrounds the protagonist with a protective aura for 3 seconds afer a perfect parry. Extremely useful for a defensive build. | The blueprint is dropped by a Shield bearer. |
Spells
Below you can find a list of all spells available in the game. You can depend on them instead of the standard ranged weapons. The advantage this provides is that they apply negative statues to enemies very often - set them on fire, freeze them etc. You don't have to worry about ammo either.
Icon | Name | Properties | Where to find it |
 | Frost Blast | Freezes enemies. A very useful spell that perfectly exposes enemies for different attacks. | Available since the very beginning. |
 | Lightning Bolt | Cast lightning bolts. The longer you use it, the more damage you deal. If you push it too far, the protagonist will be killed instead. | The blueprint is dropped by a Inquisitor. |
 | Pyrotechnics | Cast fireballs. This is one of the most powerful spells. Fireballs deal greater damage if the enemy was attacked with the Oil Sword. | The blueprint is dropped by a Caster in the Slumbering Sanctuary. |
 | Fire Blast | Release fire. Goes through enemies and sets them on fire. Use the spell in combination with the Oiled Sword, which exposes enemies to fire attacks. | The blueprint is dropped by a Masker. |
 | Fire Brands | Sets the indicated area on fire, burning enemies within for 3 seconds. | Available since the very beginning. |