The combat mechanics of Death's Door are fairly simple to learn. The enemies and challenges in the game aren't that difficult compared to most Souls-like video games, but the combat can definitely punish those who aren't careful.
One of the best ways for players to combat the enemies in this stunning indie title is to find a weapon that fits their play style. Including starting weapon, the Reaper's Sword, there are a total of five weapons for the player to choose from. The player can easily beat the game with any of the weapons provided, but if they want to make the experience more nuanced and personal, they should seek the four other weapons available to them.
Reaper's Sword
The Reaper's Sword is the game's starting weapon. This could be considered as the game's milquetoast weapon, as it has the most balanced and average statistics. Be that is it may, in the right hands, this weapon is more than enough to deal with the various enemies the player will encounter in the game.
The Reaper's Sword Stats
- Damage — x1
- Swings — x3
- Range — x2.5
- Swing Time — x0.4
Discarded Umbrella
The first weapon the player will most likely stumble upon in the game is the Discarded Umbrella. According to its description, this umbrella may not be useful in combat. Players will likely find that this is the case here, as this umbrella is more of a gag weapon than a useful tool.
Discarded Umbrella Stats
- Damage — x0.5
- Swings — x3
- Range — x2.5
- Swing Time — x0.4
The swings in a combo, range, and the swing time of the Discarded Umbrella are the same as the Reaper's Sword. However, it deals 0.5 less damage. The only reason a player would use the Discarded Umbrella is for a challenge run, where they purposefully make things a little bit harder. In fact, those who can manage to beat the game using this weapon only will receive the Academy of Umbrellas achievement/trophy.
Where To Find The Discarded Umbrella
This weapon is in the Hall of Doors. It is northwest of the main lobby, right by a lamp post just before a gate locked by the contraption that requires fire magic.
Rogue Daggers
The Rogue Daggers are perfect for those who want to land as many attacks as they can in a span of a few seconds, as this weapon is the fastest in the game. It has a unique design, although the slash animation for the weapon remains the same as any in the game.
Rogue Daggers Stats
- Damage — x0.8
- Swings — x6
- Range — x1.8
- Swing Time — x.035
Aside from having the fastest swing time in the game, this is also the only weapon that can swing six times in one combo. With this weapon, the player will be able to spam as many hits as they can before they need to move away or to dodge. It is perfect against massive, slow enemies and bosses with slow-moving attacks.
Where To Find The Rogue Daggers
The Rogue Daggers weapon is in the Estate of the Urn Witch. From the Ceramic Manor, head back to the Estate and navigate the southeastern area of the level. The player will need to light a couple of fire urns to open an area that leads to a lever, which will then open a gate that will lead to a ladder. Climb the ladder and keep moving forward until the weapon is visible. It is on the ground right beside a closed gate.
Thunder Hammer
The Thunder Hammer is the second most powerful weapon in the game. As the name implies, it covers the enemy with lightning upon landing a hit, stunning them for a few moments. It is especially useful when the player is surrounded by multiple small enemies ,as the lightning can trickle down on other enemies when they're close to the main target.
Thunder Hammer Stats
- Damage — x1.15
- Swings — x2
- Range — x2.5
- Swing Time —x0.5
The damage of the Thunder Hammer is slightly higher than the Reaper's Sword, but it only swings twice in one combo. As decent as this weapon is, it is more of a placeholder until the player is able to wield the next weapon the game offers, which is functions very similarly to this but with better stats.
Where To Find The Thunder Hammer
The Thunder Hammer is in the Mushroom Dungeon. Getting to this weapon is a bit complicated and it requires the player to head back out to the Overgrown Ruins. Follow these steps to get to the Thunder Hammer.
- From the first room with the gate, simply head forward to the level until the player reach the second room.
- From there, jump down from the bridge and head to the lower right entrance. Continue to the southern room until the player finds a room with an adjacent ladder and stairs.
- Take the ladder down and continue heading southwest until players spot a tall ladder, which they will then need to climb on.
- Take the lower right path. This will take the player back to the Overgrown Ruins. Continue and take the ladder beside the entrance. Keep moving forward until the player finds a room filled with boxes.
- Break the boxes and this will reveal an opening, which leads back to the Mushroom Dungeon. The hammer is in this room.
Reaper's Greatsword
The Reaper's Greatsword is the most powerful weapon in the game, and likely the last one players will find. It's perfect for taking out late-game enemies, and even surpasses the powerful Thunder Hammer.
Reaper's Greatsword Stats
- Damage — x1.25
- Swings — x2
- Range — x3
- Swing Time — x0.5
It has the highest damage in the game and also the greatest range. Its swing time and swings in a combo are equal to the Thunder Hammer, but its excellence in the other departments already makes it better than the previous weapon. Its only caveat is that it is located in the penultimate stage of the game and requires the Hookshot, the last magic ability the player will earn.
Where To Find The Reaper's Greatsword
The Reaper's Greatsword is in the Stranded Sailor. Getting to the weapon will require the player to solve a little puzzle by breaking four secret walls. Behind these walls are switches they must flip. Here are the locations of these walls:
- The first is underneath the bridge north of the gate, between the two northern pillars.
- For the next wall, the player must simply proceed upwards until they spot a wall with two conspicuously placed columns. Damaging the middle of the columns will reveal the secret passage.
- The next is to the east of the previous wall. Once the player spots a giant mask, destroy the wall directly across the said landmark.
- The last secret wall is still east of the previous one. Players must simply go to the right side of the level until they encounter a structure that will spin the camera as they go around it. The secret wall is underneath a gargoyle.
Once the player flips all the switches, they must simply go back down until they reach a dock. Continue this path, and players should find the Reaper's Greatsword.