Wanderer’s First Step is a starter build for Phantom Blade Zero: Sanguine and Sanguine Reach as main weapons, Dread Axe and Bastion as Phantom Edges, and Battle Wraps and Reflex Device as key accessories. All with what you find in the Valley and the Crimson Forest: two basic Sanguines (raise both to level 10 to unlock their family executions), Dread Axe and Bastion to learn without fear.
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. Soul Tempers into Infernal Rouge | Starting weapon (chapter 1) |
| Sanguine Reach | Two-handed | At level 10 it unlocks the two-handed weapon execution (no source has published its name yet). Soul Tempers into Blazing Edge | Behind Forge’s smithy (Against the Flow) |
Phantom Edges
| Edge | Category | Use | Cost | How to get it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dread Axe | Destruction | Breaks chains, shields and golden armor | — | Peng Meng, the Axemaster |
| Bastion | Artifice | Defensive; protects you from crossbow traps | spends Sha-Chi | Zhuo Bi, the gatekeeper |
Accessories
The two marked with ★ are the core: carry 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ Battle Wraps | +5% damage | — | Enemy past the First Meeting with Yu’er bell |
| ★ Reflex Device | +15% window for perfect block or dodge | — | Furnace crank |
| Shenji’s Ring | −20% Sha-Chi when blocking | — | Terrace of the The Lady’s Cave |
| Ancient Armor Fragment | Up to 20% less damage at high health | — | Next to the Crimson Manor bell |
| Jewel’s Knot | +10% health | — | Chest past Jewel |
| Quick Hand Pendant | +10% damage with one-handed weapons | powers up your one-handed weapon | Gift from Quick Hand Zhang |
Medicines
You carry 2 medicines; besides healing, they give buffs that fit the build. Upgrade them with the medicine upgrade guide.
| Medicine | Effect (base) | Why it fits | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healing Gourd | Restores 40% of your health | the basic heal | Starting item |
| Vessel Restorative | 70% health and +50% Sha-Chi recovery for 5 s | heals a lot and speeds up Sha-Chi | Valley furnace, past two masked enemies |
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 | Sanguine Reach | Main weapon | Behind Forge’s smithy (Against the Flow) |
| Valley and Crimson Forest | Dread Axe | Phantom Edge | Peng Meng, the Axemaster |
| Valley and Crimson Forest | Bastion | Phantom Edge | Zhuo Bi, the gatekeeper |
| Valley and Crimson Forest | Battle Wraps | Key accessory | Enemy past the First Meeting with Yu’er bell |
| Valley and Crimson Forest | Reflex Device | Key accessory | Furnace crank |
| Valley and Crimson Forest | Shenji’s Ring | Accessory | Terrace of the The Lady’s Cave |
| Valley and Crimson Forest | Ancient Armor Fragment | Accessory | Next to the Crimson Manor bell |
| Valley and Crimson Forest | Quick Hand Pendant | Accessory | Gift from Quick Hand Zhang |
| Valley and Crimson Forest | Healing Gourd | Medicine | Starting item |
| Valley and Crimson Forest | Vessel Restorative | Medicine | Valley furnace, past two masked enemies |
| Village of Lu and Pangzhen | Jewel’s Knot | Accessory | Chest past Jewel |
How to play it
- Raise Sanguine and Sanguine Reach to level 10: you unlock Phantom Execution and the two-handed weapon execution.
- Practice deflecting with Reflex Device.
- Use Bastion when an attack is too much for you.
Strengths
Free, available from minute one.
Weaknesses
Falls short from Pangzhen on: evolve it into another build.
Bosses where it shines
| Boss | Region | Health | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jagged Steel the Frenzied Brute | Weeping Creek Valley | 8,280 | Poison, Lightning |
| The Hunt, Hunter of the Order | Weeping Creek Valley | 20,640 | Lightning |
| Hua Qianxiao, the Sword Fanatic | Crimson Forest | 24,260 | Lightning |
Related builds
- Puppet Theater (summoner)
- Iron Storm (destruction)
Try your own combinations in the build creator or go back to all builds.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need for the Wanderer’s First Step build?
Sanguine (starting weapon, chapter 1), Sanguine Reach (behind Forge’s smithy, Against the Flow), Dread Axe, Bastion, at least the Battle Wraps and Reflex Device accessories, and the Healing Gourd and Vessel Restorative medicines. The “How to get all the gear” table shows where each piece is.
When can I start using Wanderer’s First Step?
From the Valley and the Crimson Forest, which is when you have the weapons, the Edges and the two key accessories.
Are the damage numbers official?
The accessory percentages are the ones published by Vandal (Spanish guide) and SoloJugadores. The game doesn’t show the weapons’ base damage, so the build is based on their effects.
