Mortal Shell 2 All 8 Shells Ranked Found and Upgraded
All 8 Shells in Mortal Shell 2 are found as physical bodies scattered across the world, and each one is upgraded by spending Tar and Glimpses at a Sister-in-Waiting. There is no single “correct� ranking for every playstyle, but the consensus among players is that the Foundling (the default Shell) is the weakest for late-game content, while the Venerable and the Acolyte are the strongest overall.
This guide covers where to find every Shell, how the upgrade system works, and a practical tier list based on their unique abilities, stats, and suitability for different boss fights. Mortal Shell 2 is the sequel to the 2020 soulslike by Cold Symmetry, and it keeps the core mechanic of inhabiting dead warriors, each with their own health, stamina, and resolve pools.
How Shell Upgrades Work
Each Shell has a base set of stats and a single unique skill tree. You upgrade a Shell by spending two currencies: Tar (the common currency dropped by enemies) and Glimpses (a rarer currency earned from bosses, elite enemies, and certain consumables). The Sister-in-Waiting at the Fallen Temple is the main upgrade NPC, but there are also three other Sisters hidden in the world who offer the same service.
Each Shell has 10 upgrade nodes. The first five nodes are stat increases (Health, Stamina, Resolve, and Hardening efficiency). The final five nodes unlock and enhance the Shell’s unique ability. You do not need to fully upgrade a Shell to use its ability; the ability is available from the moment you first inhabit the Shell, but it becomes significantly stronger with the final upgrade.
Upgrade costs scale with the number of nodes already purchased. The first node costs 500 Tar and 1 Glimpse, and the tenth node costs 3,000 Tar and 5 Glimpses. Fully upgrading a single Shell costs approximately 15,000 Tar and 30 Glimpses. Since the game gives you roughly 25–35 Glimpses per playthrough (depending on how many optional bosses you kill), you can fully upgrade two Shells per run, or three if you skip some side content.
All 8 Shells Ranked
This ranking assumes a normal playthrough without New Game+ modifiers, and it weighs survivability, damage output, and utility against the hardest bosses (the final two encounters and the optional Abyssal Knight).
8. Foundling
The Foundling is the Shell you start with. It has the lowest Health and Stamina of any Shell, and its unique ability—Resolve Gain—simply increases the rate at which your Resolve meter fills. While this sounds useful, the increase is only about 15%, which is barely noticeable in practice. The Foundling’s only real advantage is that it costs nothing to upgrade (you start with it), but by the midpoint of the game, every other Shell outclasses it. If you are doing a challenge run, the Foundling is the intended choice. Otherwise, switch as soon as you find your second Shell.
7. The Martyr
Found in the Catacombs of the First Pilgrim, the Martyr has high Stamina and moderate Health. Its ability, Last Rites, causes your next attack after taking damage to deal bonus damage equal to 20% of the damage you just received. In theory, this rewards aggressive play after being hit. In practice, the bonus damage is often wasted because you are usually trying to heal or retreat after taking a hit. The Martyr’s stat spread is decent, but its ability is situational and unreliable in boss fights where you cannot afford to trade blows.
6. The Heretic
The Heretic is hidden in the Scorched Grove, behind a locked door that requires the Ember Key. Its unique ability, Burning Vengeance, causes your Hardened state to release a small explosion that damages nearby enemies. The explosion damage scales with your Resolve level, making it powerful when you have three bars full. However, the explosion has a short radius and does not stagger most bosses. The Heretic’s stat spread is well-balanced, but its ability is more useful for clearing trash mobs than for fighting bosses, which is where most players struggle.
5. The Dancer
Found in the Crimson Halls, the Dancer has the highest Stamina in the game and a unique ability called Flowing Steps. This ability increases your dodge distance and reduces the stamina cost of dodging by 50% for 10 seconds after you perform a parry. If you are skilled at parrying, the Dancer is excellent for aggressive, hit-and-run play. If you rarely parry, the ability is wasted, and the Dancer’s low Health makes it a risky choice. It is a high-skill, high-reward Shell that does not suit beginners.
4. The Acolyte
Located in the Chapel of the Silent Mother, the Acolyte has the highest Resolve capacity of any Shell (four bars instead of three). Its ability, Focused Mind, increases the damage of your Weapon Skills by 30% while your Resolve is full. Since Weapon Skills are already the strongest attacks in the game, this Shell turns them into boss-melting tools. The downside is that the Acolyte has below-average Health and Stamina, so you need to be comfortable dodging and hardening to survive. For experienced players, the Acolyte is a top-tier choice.
3. The Venerable
You find the Venerable in the Sunken Crypt, guarded by a mini-boss. It has the highest Health of any Shell, and its ability, Unyielding, makes you take 30% less damage while Hardened. Since Hardening is already the core defensive mechanic of the game, this ability effectively gives you a massive damage reduction on demand. The Venerable’s Stamina is average, and its Resolve is slightly below average, but the survivability it offers is unmatched. It is the best Shell for learning boss patterns or for players who prefer a tanky playstyle.
2. The Revenant
The Revenant is found in the Ashen Depths, after the second boss. Its unique ability, Death’s Embrace, causes you to heal for 10% of your maximum Health every time you land a critical hit (which happens when you break an enemy’s posture). Since posture breaks happen frequently against most enemies, this Shell provides excellent sustain without requiring any consumables. Its stat spread is well-rounded, with slightly above-average Health and Stamina. The Revenant is the best all-rounder Shell for a first playthrough.
1. The Wraith
The Wraith is the hardest Shell to find. It is located in a secret area within the Crimson Halls, accessible only after you obtain the Veil of Shadows from a side quest. Its ability, Phantom Step, allows you to teleport a short distance in any direction while Hardened, at the cost of 50% of your Resolve. This makes you nearly untouchable in boss fights, because you can dodge any attack by teleporting, even ones that normally track you. The Wraith’s stats are average, but its ability is so powerful that it trivializes most encounters. It is widely considered the best Shell in the game, and the only reason it is not universally recommended is that it requires a significant detour to obtain.
Where to Find Each Shell
Here is a quick reference for every Shell location, in the order you are likely to encounter them:
- Foundling – Starting Shell, no location required.
- The Martyr – Catacombs of the First Pilgrim, in a side room off the main path.
- The Acolyte – Chapel of the Silent Mother, behind a door that requires the Chapel Key.
- The Dancer – Crimson Halls, on a balcony above the main hall.
- The Revenant – Ashen Depths, in a pit near the second bonfire.
- The Venerable – Sunken Crypt, guarded by the Grave Warden mini-boss.
- The Heretic – Scorched Grove, behind a locked door that requires the Ember Key.
- The Wraith – Secret area in the Crimson Halls, requires the Veil of Shadows from the side quest “The Lost Pilgrim.�
Upgrade Priority and Tips
If you only fully upgrade one Shell in your first playthrough, choose the Wraith or the Venerable. The Wraith’s teleport is the single most powerful defensive tool in the game, and the Venerable’s damage reduction makes every boss fight significantly easier. If you prefer offense, the Acolyte is the best choice, but you will need to be comfortable with its low Health.
A common mistake is spreading your Glimpses across multiple Shells. Because Glimpses are limited, it is better to fully upgrade one Shell than to partially upgrade three. A partially upgraded Shell is only marginally better than an unupgraded one, whereas a fully upgraded Shell’s unique ability is often twice as strong as its base version.
Another tip: the final upgrade node for each Shell is the most impactful, so if you are close to finishing a Shell, prioritize getting that last node before spending Glimpses elsewhere. Also, remember that you can swap Shells at any Sister-in-Waiting, and there is no penalty for switching. You can keep a fully upgraded Wraith for bosses and a Venerable for exploring dangerous areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Shell upgrades carry over to New Game+?
Yes, all Shell upgrades carry over to New Game+. Your Tar and Glimpses also carry over, but enemy drops are increased in NG+, so you will be able to upgrade additional Shells more quickly.
Can I miss a Shell permanently?
No. All 8 Shells are missable in the sense that you can walk past them without picking them up, but you can return to their locations at any time before the final boss. After you defeat the final boss, the game enters an ending sequence, and you cannot return to the world on that save file. Make sure you have collected all Shells before triggering the final encounter.
Is the Wraith worth the detour?
Yes, if you are comfortable with the side quest. The Veil of Shadows is obtained by completing “The Lost Pilgrim� quest, which involves finding three hidden items in different areas. The entire detour takes about 30 minutes, and the Wraith’s Phantom Step ability is the strongest defensive tool in the game.
Which Shell is best for beginners?
The Venerable is the best Shell for beginners. Its high Health and damage reduction while Hardened give you a large margin for error. The Revenant is a close second, because its healing on critical hits reduces the need to manage consumables.
Does the Foundling have any hidden advantages?
No. The Foundling is intentionally the weakest Shell. Its only advantage is that you start with it, and it has no special requirements. Some players use it for a challenge run, but there is no hidden stat bonus or secret ability.
How many Glimpses do I need to fully upgrade all 8 Shells?
Fully upgrading all 8 Shells requires approximately 240 Glimpses and 120,000 Tar. In a single playthrough, you will earn roughly 30 Glimpses, so you would need about 8 New Game+ cycles to fully upgrade everything. This is not necessary for any trophy or achievement; the only Shell-related achievement requires fully upgrading a single Shell.
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