Outlaw Warblade.

Jing Ye, the Crimson Forest outlaw, carried the Outlaw Warblade, a wide and lengthy two-handed blade that deals in blood.

This two-handed warblade, forged to slice through horse and rider, has high shield-breaking power. Two functions define it. Enemy blood is siphoned to heal the user, and the user's own blood can be spent to end a fight sooner. The result is a sustain weapon that nevertheless rewards gambling with your health.

You get it early on, as the prize for the Crimson Forest boss who comes second. Since Puppets, Golden Bodies and Phantom Bodies are immune to the drain, the weapon loses worth against them, unless the Livingwood Talisman is equipped.

Because Phantom Blade Zero has no published 0–100 bars for stats, this page gives the weapon's numbers as they stand at level 1.

These numbers are taken from values the game itself lists for level 1; they were not confirmed through play.

Before you start:

• Reach Crimson Forest
• Beat Jing Ye, the Outlaw

1. Play through Crimson Forest.
2. Beat Jing Ye, the Outlaw, who fights on horseback during the opening half of the battle.
3. The fight itself grants the Outlaw Warblade.

Reaping Retreat

Any attack can be chained into a backward-moving slash that saps life and returns HP. The slash heals more whenever some Recoverable HP remains, so a recent wound gives a larger payoff.

Puppets, Golden Bodies and Phantom Bodies are unaffected by the drain.

Bloodthirst Frenzy (active art)

As the active art, it consumes 1 Sha-Chi. A wild, crushing flurry of slashes, it holds in place and drains whichever enemy it strikes, and blocking it is impossible. Puppets, Golden Bodies and Phantom Bodies are likewise immune to its drain. Using it on a target that keeps moving won't land every hit, so don't count on that.

Spending your own blood

Siphoning aside, the warblade lets you exchange some of your life for Recoverable HP loss, which fuels stronger attacks that smash guards.

Perks from levelling

These are unlocked as the weapon gains levels, between Lv. 5 and Lv. 30.

Soul Tempering

Cost of each upgrade level

Going from Lv. 1 to Lv. 60 takes 59 upgrades, and reaching +59 costs 2,036,340 Remnant Dust in total.

Strengths

• Landing hits returns HP, giving you leeway for additional errors in drawn-out duels.
• Its heavy Guard Break puts pressure on enemies that carry shields or block.
• Whatever Bloodthirst Frenzy hits is drained, and the move can't be blocked.

Weaknesses

• Puppets, Golden Bodies and Phantom Bodies are immune to the drain.
• Sacrificing health to strike harder leaves you vulnerable when it can't be recovered.
• The weapon skill is often squandered when the target keeps moving.

Best used for

• Prolonged boss duels, like Bai Chilian, where constant recovery matters more than quick kills.
• Battles with blocking enemies whose defence you must crack.
• Teaming it with the Livingwood Talisman against foes that usually resist the drain.

Jing Ye was a man outside the law, and the warblade was his companion until the end. The achievement The Blade's Thirst is unlocked by draining a foe through its special art.