Puppet Theater is a summoner build for Phantom Blade Zero: Sanguine and Scarlet Wraithblade as main weapons, Puppeteer’s Bell and Kuye Temple Prayer Beads as Phantom Edges, and Nuo Mask and Fine Thread Ball as key accessories. Let others fight for you: puppets and Bronze Men attack while you stay in control. The Nuo Mask makes summons cheaper and the Fine Thread Ball gives them +50% damage.
Main weapons
| Weapon | Type | What it brings | How to get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanguine | One-handed | At level 10 it unlocks Phantom Execution for all one-handed weapons. Tempers into Infernal Rouge | Starting weapon (chapter 1) |
| Scarlet Wraithblade | Two-handed | Lilies that slow, drain Sha-Chi and explode | Hua, Deadly Betrothed |
Phantom Edges
| Phantom Edge | Category | Use | Cost | How to get it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppeteer’s Bell | Summoning | Summons puppets | 2 sparks | Dusk, the Puppeteer |
| Kuye Temple Prayer Beads | Summoning | Summons Bronze Men | 2 sparks | Bi Hai |
Accessories
The two marked with ★ are the core: wear them even if you only have 2 slots. The other four come in as you level up Boundless Capacity (up to 6 slots).
| Accessory | Effect | Why it fits | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ Nuo Mask | Summons cost one spark less and trigger Berserk | makes your summons cheaper | Three parts and the old man at the altar |
| ★ Fine Thread Ball | +50% summon damage | your summons hit much harder | Tale “Quick Hand’s Request (2)” |
| A Puppet’s Wooden Heart | +25% summon duration | your summons last longer | Tale of the same name |
| Remnant Spark Cage | 33% chance to recover a spark | — | Smuggler’s Treasure Cellar |
| Formless Divine Mirror | Sha-Chi attacks generate a temporary spark | — | Back Hill Pavilion bell |
| Crude Radiant Heart | Sha-Chi attacks generate a temporary spark | — | Tale “Cui” |
Medicines
You carry 2 medicines; besides healing, they give buffs that fit the build. Level them up with the medicine upgrade guide.
| Medicine | Effect (base) | Why it fits | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forbidden Concoction | +10% Phantom Edge damage for 15 s and 20% health | +10% damage for your Phantom Edges | Village of Lu, southwest of the lake |
| Kuye Dew | −20% damage taken for 15 s and 40% health over 10 s | −20% damage taken | Outlaw Trap bell |
How to get all the gear
Sorted by the point in the game where you can get each piece.
| Stage | Piece | Type | How to get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valley and Crimson Forest | Sanguine | Main weapon | Starting weapon (chapter 1) |
| Valley and Crimson Forest | Scarlet Wraithblade | Main weapon | Hua, Deadly Betrothed |
| Village of Lu and Pangzhen | Puppeteer’s Bell | Phantom Edge | Dusk, the Puppeteer |
| Village of Lu and Pangzhen | Kuye Temple Prayer Beads | Phantom Edge | Bi Hai |
| Village of Lu and Pangzhen | Nuo Mask | Key accessory | Three parts and the old man at the altar |
| Village of Lu and Pangzhen | Remnant Spark Cage | Accessory | Smuggler’s Treasure Cellar |
| Village of Lu and Pangzhen | Formless Divine Mirror | Accessory | Back Hill Pavilion bell |
| Village of Lu and Pangzhen | Forbidden Concoction | Medicine | Village of Lu, southwest of the lake |
| Village of Lu and Pangzhen | Kuye Dew | Medicine | Outlaw Trap bell |
| Encampment, Meigu, Imprisonment and Estate | Fine Thread Ball | Key accessory | Tale “Quick Hand’s Request (2)” |
| Encampment, Meigu, Imprisonment and Estate | A Puppet’s Wooden Heart | Accessory | Tale of the same name |
| Encampment, Meigu, Imprisonment and Estate | Crude Radiant Heart | Accessory | Tale “Cui” |
How to play it
- Find an area with plenty of Sha-Chi (the icon glows) and summon with the Puppeteer’s Bell.
- While the puppet distracts, drain the boss’s Sha-Chi with the Scarlet Wraithblade’s lilies.
- The Formless Divine Mirror and the Crude Radiant Heart generate sparks with your Sha-Chi attacks: summon again as soon as you can.
- Remember that a new summon replaces the previous one.
Strengths
Very comfortable against bosses that chase you.
Weaknesses
Depends on areas with plenty of Sha-Chi to summon.
Bosses where it shines
| Boss | Region | Health | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mu Xiaokui | Village of Lu | 46,890 | Lightning, Ice |
| Kui Yanyan, the Deranged | Mountain of Imprisonment | 120,160 | Poison, Ice, Water (Wet) |
| Corpse-Eating Xue | Mandate Encampment | 67,150 | Ice, Water (Wet) |
| Gu Wanyue, the Wailing Wraith | Pangzhen (back alleys) | 45,780 | Fire, Ice, Water (Wet) |
Related builds
- Army of the Veil (summoner)
- The Last Breath (glass cannon)
- Sha-Chi Breath (Sha-Chi)
- Wanderer’s First Step (starter)
Try your own combinations in the build creator or go back to all builds.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need for the Puppet Theater build?
Sanguine (starting weapon, chapter 1), Scarlet Wraithblade (Hua, Deadly Betrothed), Puppeteer’s Bell, Kuye Temple Prayer Beads, at least the Nuo Mask and Fine Thread Ball accessories, and the Forbidden Concoction and Kuye Dew medicines. The “How to get all the gear” table shows where each piece is.
When can I start using Puppet Theater?
From the Encampment, Meigu, Imprisonment and Estate stage, which is when you have the weapons, the Phantom Edges and the two key accessories.
Are the damage figures official?
The accessory percentages are the ones published by Vandal and SoloJugadores. The game does not show base weapon damage, so the build is based on their effects.
