The Axe and Dagger pairing is likely the first weapon most players unlock after the starter, and it is far more than a sidegrade. As a dual-wield set it is one of only two weapons in Mortal Shell II that can equip the Duality Stone — and with it, every swing becomes a double strike.
Note: screenshots below are in-game frames referenced from a community weapon-guide video, credited in the sources section.
Where to find the Axe and Dagger
The unlock is simple once you know the trick:
- Start from the mushroom village and head right, crossing the bridge.
- The archway ahead looks unremarkable, but it is an illusory wall — strike it to reveal a statue, then walk through.
- Grab the key hidden behind it.
- Bring the key to the Shrine of Trials, clear its challenge, and the Axe and Dagger is yours.
No boss gate, no dungeon crawl — the only obstacle is spotting the illusion.
Moveset overview
- Light attacks — a snappy one-two chain; with Duality Stone each beat lands twice.
- Heavy attacks — committed swings that trade some speed for poise damage.
- Running light — a strong multi-hit that shreds stagger bars on approach.
- Running heavy — a short leap into a downward strike.
Best Tarstones: Duality Stone, no contest
The Duality Stone turns each hit of the base combo into a strike-twice attack, effectively doubling your DPS. Only the two dual-wield weapons — this set and the Axatana — can use it, and for both it is simply best in slot. If you build around one Tarstone this run, make it this one.
Infusions: Blood Curse over Poison
You can roll Serpent Stone (poison) or Arbiter's Prize (Blood Curse). Poison is better handled by ranged sidearms, so the melee set wants Blood Curse: cursed enemies stagger and damage themselves when they attack, which pairs perfectly with a weapon that applies status this fast.
Special ability
Magdalena's Memento, dropped by the first gate boss, is the pick: a huge flurry of strikes that inflicts Weak and stacks high crit chance and crit damage. Chain a light string into the special and most early bosses melt — the damage is genuinely respectable even when you are overleveled for the target.
Verdict
Fast, aggressive, and doubled by the best combat Tarstone in the game. Grab it early, feed it the Duality Stone, and let the flurry do the talking.