Soulframe: 10 beginner tips

If you’re new to Soulframe, there’s a lot the game doesn’t tell you up front. Between weird terms like Virtues, Pacts, and Combat Arts, it can feel confusing fast.

This guide breaks down things in plain words, so you know what to focus on and what to ignore for now.

Beginner tips for Soulframe

1. Learn how your character grows

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Your envoy isn’t just shaped by gear; they grow through Pacts and Virtues. Pacts are like your class. You’ll pick between Fey, Ode Tempest, or Garren Rood. Each gives different magic and stats.

• Fey is built for speed and precision, with storm-based magic like Astra Sphere.
• Ode Tempest hits harder and is more direct, with skills like Bestone that turn enemies to stone.
• Garren Rood leans into health drain and control, like Torment and Stampede.

Virtues are your core stats. These are Courage, Grace, Spirit, and Life. Weapons and magic scale based on these. The good part is you can reset your stats whenever you want using the Nightfold, so don’t stress about messing up early.

2. Focus on low-level areas first

You might be tempted to explore high-level zones right away, but it’s smarter to stick to areas where enemies are under level 10. You’ll gain XP faster without being overwhelmed. Some enemies can get up to level 25, and fighting them early doesn’t give enough in return.

3. Use Soul Mode often

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There’s a mechanic called Soul Mode that’s easy to forget but really helpful. Press E to turn it on. It lights up hidden objects like loot, pressure plates, or spirits.

You’ll also use it for soul-stealing, which helps with collecting history motes and finishing off some enemies. If you ever feel stuck, check if Soul Mode shows something you missed.

4. Throw weapons to your advantage

A cool feature in Soulframe is weapon throwing. Charge a heavy attack, and you can throw your melee weapon.

If you hit the head, you can sometimes defeat enemies in one shot. There's also a skill called Perfect Throw that boosts this even more.

5. Smash containers for easy loot

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Most loot doesn’t just fall from enemies. You’ll find it by breaking barrels, crates, and other objects.

These give you Dracs (currency) and crafting materials. It’s not flashy, but hitting every container you see adds up fast, especially in early areas.

6. Unlock weapon skills as you go

As you fight with a weapon, it gains XP and levels up to a max of 30. This unlocks points that you can use on Combat Arts, which are basically special skills for each weapon type. Some are shared across weapons, like Smite or Riposte, but others are unique.

To unlock and upgrade these, head to the Nightfold and use the shelf in the back. You can reset skills anytime and shift points between different moves in that same weapon category.

7. Learn to use the nightfold

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The Nightfold is your main hub for changing Pacts, reallocating stats, and unlocking Combat Arts. Think of it as your upgrade tent.

You’ll be coming back here often to adjust your build, especially when trying new weapons or swapping Pacts.

8. Activate crafting early

You won’t be able to craft weapons until you unlock Tuvalkane, the ancestor blacksmith. To do that:

1. Go to Oro’s Well and pick up a Moonsteel helm.
2. Carry it to a forge nearby.
3. After that, she appears at your Nightfold and unlocks the crafting station.

Once crafting is available, you can make weapons by collecting fragments and materials from certain locations. Some examples include:

• Vetch (swiftsword) drops from Sparrow’s Tales.
• Unsula (dual blades) found in rare chests.
• Juniper (bow) from a hidden chest.

Crafted weapons are strong and worth the effort, especially long-term.

9. Farm the undercity for materials

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If you want a good early farming spot, check out the Dermak Undercity. It’s filled with breakable containers, including floating ones that drop loot when popped. This place is reliable for farming Dracs and crafting pieces.

10. Use Ode’n Moaners for xp farming

Ode’n Moaners are strange rock structures you’ll find near water. If you destroy both of their heads, you’ll get a chunk of XP which is about 1000 each.

These reset when you reload the area, so you can farm them if you need to level up quickly without fighting tough enemies.

Bonus: Experiment with different weapons

Every weapon handles differently. Some scale better with certain Virtues, so if a sword works well with Grace, boost that stat.

The good thing is you can respec your stats at no cost, so there’s no downside to switching it up and trying something new. Try each weapon and find one that feels right.

FAQs

How do I unlock crafting?

• Carry a Moonsteel helm to the forge in Oro’s Well to unlock Tuvalkane. This gives you access to crafting in the Nightfold.

What is the best early weapon?

• Weapons you craft from fragments tend to be stronger. Try Vetch or Unsula once you have the pieces.

Can I reset my stats?

• Yes, you can reallocate Virtue Points and Combat Arts in the Nightfold at any time.

What does Soul Mode do?

• Soul Mode highlights hidden loot, puzzles, and interactable objects. It also helps you use soul-steal.

How do Pacts affect gameplay?

• Pacts shape your abilities and base stats. Fey is agile, Ode is strong, Garren is supportive. You can switch and upgrade pacts at the Nightfold.

How do I farm XP early?

• Destroy Ode’n Moaners near water for quick XP. They reset if you re-enter the area.

Where should I farm loot early on?

• Dermak Undercity has lots of containers and floating crates for Dracs and materials.

Do all weapons have unique skills?

• Some Combat Arts are shared, like Smite and Riposte, but others are tied to the weapon type. You unlock them by using the weapon and spending skill points.