Mortal Shell 2: All Early Game Shells & Where To Get Them

Mortal Shell 2, as you might have gathered from the name, has you inhabit a number of Shells. Entities from this twisted world you're forced to roam, all with their own backstories, skills, and abilities. You'll start off with Harros, but sadly, before you really get to know them, that shell is vanquished, and you'll be forced to go in search of new shells to fortify your resolve. 

Thankfully, the opening areas of the game have quite a few shells that you can hop into, provided you know where to look, and they just might mesh with your preferred combat style. So, to help all beginners find a shell that's a good fit, here are all your early game options and where to get them. 

Tiel 

Tiel is the first shell that most players will obtain, provided you start exploring the Mushroom Village first. You can find this shell at the Ritual Grounds in an unmarked grave. 

Tiel is a shell I stuck with through most of the game, and I don't regret it one bit. Their ability to make the most of poison stacks and their ability to take to the shadows to get the jump on enemies make them a superb shell. 

I would argue that, once you get Tiel, there is very little reason to swap them out until much later in the game. So, for me, this is the top beginner choice. 

Gragu

If you're looking for a more beefy option, then look no further than Gragu. This Shell can be obtained at the One Legged Wolf Tavern, if you give Gragu Vatra's Heart, which is located nearby. 

Gragu is a solid option for exploring, as they have a refillable health system that is replenished by killing enemies. Meaning that if you stay aggressive, you'll always have a means of refilling your health. 

However, I wouldn't recommend this one for boss fights because, without fodder enemies to kill, this Shell becomes very hard to heal. 

Smert 

Just up the hill from the Outskirts of Nochte beacon, you'll come to a group of enemies performing a blood ritual. With three pools that need a blood donation. You can do this yourself, but the best option is to slay enemies standing in the pool. 

Do this in all three pools, and you'll be able to claim Smert's shell laying on the ritual table. 

Smert is essentially a monk character specialized in hand to hand combat. They have the ability to halt time and deal rapid fire attacks. Plus, Smert generates a lot of resolve when on the brink of death. 

Overall, Smert is a pretty solid alternative to Tiel, and has some great Shell Abilities that can really help make them into a force to be reckoned with. 

Eredrim 

If you manage to access The Citidel of Pennance, and defeat The Warden. You'll gain access to Eredrim's shell. Another bruiser like Gragu that also specialises in laying waste to puny enemies in bulk. 

He has a rush attack and a ranged Ethereal Dissipation attacm that deals a lot of break damage. Which allows them to lean into their main ability. The executioner skill.

This allows you to chain riposte attacks, as enemies of a certain HP threshold will be able to be instantly killed. Not to mention, this threshold rises with every execution. So, essentially, you could cut down an entire army if you manage to get a good chain going. 

Again, this boss is best for fighting mobs and exploring, but unlike Gragu, you'll have all the healing items you need for when the chips are down. 

Proxima 

Lastly for the beginner shells, we have Proxima. A Shell that is acquired when cleansing the beacon after defeating Magdalena, Lady of the Woods. 

Proxima is all about inflicting status effects and allowing the enemy to slowly succumb to their fate. With a Biosampler attack that inflicts lightning. Plus, they also have a 15% chance of mitigating any attack, taking half damage and no stagger. 

For me, Proxima is the hardest sell her abilities aren't all that potent in battle. But the ability to load her up with damage reduction passives and really lean into damage mitigation is an option makes her a defensive fortress. One that could suit more cautious players.