Nine Sols is a hand-drawn 2D action-platformer blending Chinese mythology with sci-fi cyberpunk aesthetics. You play as Yi, a vengeful hero seeking to kill the nine ruling Sols (god-like beings) of New Kunlun. The combat centers entirely on the deflect/parry mechanic — instead of dodging, you deflect enemy attacks to charge Talisman counters for devastating ripostes. With Sekiro-level precision demands wrapped in a Metroidvania structure, Nine Sols is one of the most mechanically demanding 2D action games available.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness — factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame.
Quick Rankings
| Role | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parry Focus | S | Stand in enemy faces, deflect everything, attach Talismans, detonate for damage while healing. | Jade Talisman (healing), Deflect timing upgrades, Internal Art charge speed boosts |
| Talisman Build | A | Deflect to attach Talismans rapidly, detonate for burst damage, use Arrow Talismans during ranged phases. | Bomb Talisman, Arrow Talisman, Talisman damage upgrades, Quick-attach passive |
| Aggressive Rush | B | Aggressively attack to stagger enemies before they start combos, use Charged Strike for burst damage. | Charged Strike upgrades, Attack speed passives, Damage boost accessories |
| Balanced | A | Adapt Talisman choice to each encounter, deflect reliably, use whatever tools the situation demands. | All three Talisman types, Moderate upgrades across all stats |
| Exploration Build | C | Speed through exploration areas, collect hidden items, accept harder combat in exchange for thorough map completion. | Movement upgrade passives, Map reveal items, Platforming-focused accessories |
S-Tier: Parry Focus
The intended playstyle — maximize deflect consistency to maintain constant Talisman pressure. Upgrade deflect timing windows through jade investments and equip passive buffs that reward successful parries. This build has the highest damage ceiling since every deflect is also offense.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Charged Strike | Yi's heavy melee attack that deals 3x normal damage after a short charge animation. |
| Core Gear | Jade Talisman (healing), Deflect timing upgrades, Internal Art charge speed boosts | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Deflect window, Talisman damage, HP recovery | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | deflect parrying | Deflecting is the core mechanic — pressing the deflect button at the exact moment of enemy contact negates damage and charges your Talisman gauge. |
How to Play Parry Focus
Stand in enemy faces, deflect everything, attach Talismans, detonate for damage while healing.
The intended playstyle — maximize deflect consistency to maintain constant Talisman pressure. Upgrade deflect timing windows through jade investments and equip passive buffs that reward successful parries. This build has the highest damage ceiling since every deflect is also offense.
What makes this role work: The synergy between Charged Strike and deflect parrying creates a gameplay loop that outperforms other options. Core gear like Jade Talisman (healing), Deflect timing upgrades, Internal Art charge speed boosts amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Clear stat priority (Deflect window, Talisman damage, HP recovery) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Talisman Build
Focus on maximizing Talisman attachment speed and detonation damage. Bomb Talismans for AoE encounters, Arrow Talismans for ranged boss phases. This build prioritizes Talisman upgrades over combat stats, trading per-hit damage for burst detonation damage.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Internal Arts | Special abilities powered by successful deflects. |
| Core Gear | Bomb Talisman, Arrow Talisman, Talisman damage upgrades, Quick-attach passive | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Talisman damage, Talisman charge speed, Attack power | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | talisman abilities | Talismans are sticky charges attached to enemies after successful deflects. |
How to Play Talisman Build
Deflect to attach Talismans rapidly, detonate for burst damage, use Arrow Talismans during ranged phases.
Focus on maximizing Talisman attachment speed and detonation damage. Bomb Talismans for AoE encounters, Arrow Talismans for ranged boss phases. This build prioritizes Talisman upgrades over combat stats, trading per-hit damage for burst detonation damage.
What makes this role work: The synergy between Internal Arts and talisman abilities creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like Bomb Talisman, Arrow Talisman, Talisman damage upgrades, Quick-attach passive amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Clear stat priority (Talisman damage, Talisman charge speed, Attack power) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
B-Tier: Aggressive Rush
A high-risk build that chains Charged Strikes and aggressive attacks to overwhelm enemies before they can attack. Requires precise knowledge of enemy stagger thresholds. Works against regular enemies but struggles against bosses with super armor who can't be staggered.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Arrow Talisman | A ranged Talisman that fires at a distance instead of requiring melee attachment. |
| Core Gear | Charged Strike upgrades, Attack speed passives, Damage boost accessories | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Attack power, Attack speed, Stagger damage | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Tao arts | Internal Arts are special abilities charged by successful deflects that deal massive damage or provide utility. |
How to Play Aggressive Rush
Aggressively attack to stagger enemies before they start combos, use Charged Strike for burst damage.
A high-risk build that chains Charged Strikes and aggressive attacks to overwhelm enemies before they can attack. Requires precise knowledge of enemy stagger thresholds. Works against regular enemies but struggles against bosses with super armor who can't be staggered.
What makes this role work: The synergy between Arrow Talisman and Tao arts creates a gameplay loop that offers reliable performance. Core gear like Charged Strike upgrades, Attack speed passives, Damage boost accessories amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Clear stat priority (Attack power, Attack speed, Stagger damage) makes gearing straightforward
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Balanced
A mix of deflect proficiency and Talisman variety. Switch between Jade (healing), Bomb (AoE), and Arrow (ranged) Talismans based on the encounter. This build sacrifices specialization for flexibility — useful for first-time players navigating unknown encounters.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Bomb Talisman | An AoE explosion Talisman that damages all enemies near the detonation target. |
| Core Gear | All three Talisman types, Moderate upgrades across all stats | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | HP, Deflect window, Balanced attack and Talisman stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | platforming | Environmental traversal uses wall-jumping, air-dashing, and grapple points to navigate New Kunlun's verticality. |
How to Play Balanced
Adapt Talisman choice to each encounter, deflect reliably, use whatever tools the situation demands.
A mix of deflect proficiency and Talisman variety. Switch between Jade (healing), Bomb (AoE), and Arrow (ranged) Talismans based on the encounter. This build sacrifices specialization for flexibility — useful for first-time players navigating unknown encounters.
What makes this role work: The synergy between Bomb Talisman and platforming creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like All three Talisman types, Moderate upgrades across all stats amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Clear stat priority (HP, Deflect window, Balanced attack and Talisman stats) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
C-Tier: Exploration Build
Prioritizes movement upgrades (air dash distance, wall jump height, grapple speed) over combat stats. Useful for reaching hidden areas and backtracking efficiently, but makes boss fights significantly harder due to lower combat stats. Only recommended for second playthroughs.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Weapon | Jade Talisman | A healing Talisman that restores Yi's HP on detonation instead of dealing bonus damage. |
| Core Gear | Movement upgrade passives, Map reveal items, Platforming-focused accessories | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Movement abilities, then minimum viable combat stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | lore terminals | Data terminals scattered throughout New Kunlun reveal the story through text logs and holographic recordings. |
How to Play Exploration Build
Speed through exploration areas, collect hidden items, accept harder combat in exchange for thorough map completion.
Prioritizes movement upgrades (air dash distance, wall jump height, grapple speed) over combat stats. Useful for reaching hidden areas and backtracking efficiently, but makes boss fights significantly harder due to lower combat stats. Only recommended for second playthroughs.
What makes this role work: The synergy between Jade Talisman and lore terminals creates a gameplay loop that provides a unique approach. Core gear like Movement upgrade passives, Map reveal items, Platforming-focused accessories amplifies this further.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Clear stat priority (Movement abilities, then minimum viable combat stats) makes gearing straightforward
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Talisman Build — the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Parry Focus once you understand core mechanics and have access to Charged Strike
- Keep a Aggressive Rush setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Exploration Build for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary weapon first — it gives the biggest power spike
- Deflect is the core mechanic — master it before progressing past the first zone. Every boss and most enemies are designed around deflect timing. Practicing against basic enemies until deflect is muscle memory saves hours of frustration later.
- Talismans deal massive damage when attached and detonated — a full Talisman chain (deflect > attach > detonate) deals more damage than 5-6 regular attacks. Always prioritize getting Talismans attached.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
See our tier list for current meta rankings, or the beginner's guide if you're just getting started.
