Thunder Spear at a Glance
- Dropped by a boss. Chang Hong, the Thunder Spear, must be beaten in Pangzhen to receive it. That battle lies along the story path.
- Paralysis is what counts. Struck enemies are paralysed and sluggish about lifting an arm or stepping, and the handful of breaths gained this way outweigh the damage itself.
- Heavy on status. Its level 1 stats are 450 Damage and 360 Status Effects.
- Control over burst. Being a long weapon that reaches far and acts through its tip, it is better for pinning down a target than for slugging it out.
Overview
Slim and sharp, wrapped in crackling lightning, Thunder Spear belonged to Chang Hong and is a Phantom Edge made to hold enemies in place.
A thin shaft ends in a sharp point. Swinging it through the air whips up wind and cloud, and lightning follows every motion. In the fight where Chang Hong faces Soul once more, he calls his horse, snaps the spear, and a bolt strikes the earth and spreads like silver snakes.
Once you wield it, the effect of the lightning on its victim is what counts. Enemies it hits are paralysed, and that is a form of control, not damage. Facing a quick enemy, paralysing it first is better than exchanging blows. Facing a heavy enemy, spend the gained time on changing position and varying how you sequence attacks.
Stats at Level 1
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.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Weapon type | Martial Phantom Edge |
| Wielder | Soul |
| Damage | 450 |
| Status Effects | 360 |
| How to obtain | Defeat Chang Hong. |
| Added in | Base game |
These numbers are taken from values the game itself lists for level 1; they were not confirmed through play.
How to Obtain
Before you start:
- Beat Chang Hong, the Thunder Spear
- Make your way through Pangzhen to the Ancestral Shrine Square.
- Battle Chang Hong, the Thunder Spear, and beat him. You are given the spear as the prize.
- Once the fight ends, defeat the enemies around to get the Heavy Lion Hall Gate Key.
How It Plays
Mash the attack button for a spear combo with as many as three stages; a single string uses up 1 point of resource.
Windows of paralysis
Each hit inflicts paralysis, so the enemy moves slowly for some breaths. Spend it landing one more round, or retreat to a safer spot when the target hits hard.
Because the spear is long, it works from a distance and through its tip. Its greatest value lies in the instant the enemy is pinned, which means getting the first hit to land counts for more than sheer damage.
Weak points of Chang Hong
Ice and lightning hurt Chang Hong more, whereas fire, water, bleed and blood burst are resisted by him; worth knowing before you challenge him for the spear.
Upgrade Paths and Versions
Perks from levelling
Every upgrade adds one weapon level, running from level 1 to level 60. The abilities below become available at the levels shown.
| Name | Effect | Unlock |
|---|---|---|
| Thunder Spear Thrust | Level 5 | |
| Wrath of Thunder | Three ranks. | Levels 10, 20 and 30 |
| Reverse Thrust | Level 15 | |
| Thunder Descends | Level 25 |
Cost of upgrades
Fully upgraded, 59 times over to level 60, it multiplies the level 1 values by 6.9, reaching 3,105 Damage and 2,484 Status Effects.
| Name | Cost |
|---|---|
| +1 to +9 | Exotic Copper Ingot, 2 to 8 each; Remnant Dust 1,216 to 6,080 |
| +10 to +19 | Otherworldly Copper, 2 to 8 each; Remnant Dust 6,688 to 12,160 |
| +20 to +59 | Forged Otherworldly Copper, 2 to 32 each; Remnant Dust 13,376 to 119,776 |
Soul Tempering
| Name | Cost |
|---|---|
| Cascading Thunder | Thunder Core x1 and 5,000 Remnant Dust |
Pros, Cons and Ideal Situations
Strengths
- Since paralysis pins the target, one landed hit gives an opening for further attacks.
Weaknesses
- Paralysis controls the enemy but does not deal damage.
Best used for
- Versus quick enemies, since paralysing first is superior to trading hits.
- Versus heavy enemies, spending the opening on repositioning and altering your attack order.
Weapon Comparison
| Weapon | Role | Main effect | Level 1 numbers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thunder Spear | Control through paralysis | Lightning, paralysis | 450 Damage, 360 Status Effects |
| Fire Meteor | Burn and attack reduction | Phosphorus fire | Damage 380, Status Effects 309 |
| Hunter's Chain Sickle | Closes distance | Grapples to anchor points | 247 Damage, 213 Guard Break |
Appears In
Frequently Asked Questions
How can Thunder Spear be obtained?
Beat Chang Hong, the Thunder Spear, in Pangzhen.
What is the effect of Thunder Spear?
Enemies hit by its lightning become paralysed, creating an opening to attack or change position.
Does it count as a main weapon?
No. It belongs to the Martial type of Phantom Edge.