Soulmask is an open-world survival game where a mysterious ancient mask grants you supernatural awareness and the ability to recruit, manage, and command NPC tribesmen. Unlike most survival games where you're alone or relying on other players, Soulmask lets you build an entire tribe of AI-controlled NPCs who gather, craft, farm, and fight alongside you. The mask's awareness mechanic reveals hidden resources and enemy weaknesses, while the beast taming system adds rideable mounts and combat pets. Set in a prehistoric civilization with Mesoamerican-inspired aesthetics.
Your choice of equipment defines your damage output and playstyle. This guide ranks every major option, explains what makes each one strong, and tells you which builds they pair best with.
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Tier | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obsidian Greatsword | S | Warrior Chief | The strongest melee weapon in the mid-game, dealing 180 damage per swing with wide cleave arcs. |
| Compound Bow | A | Ranged Hunter | Ranged weapon with 120 damage per arrow and excellent accuracy at 60+ meters. |
| Bronze Spear | A | Warrior Chief, Solo Survivalist | Balanced melee weapon with long reach and moderate damage (95 per thrust). |
| Blowpipe | B | Ranged Hunter, Beast Tamer | Silent ranged weapon that fires poison darts. |
| Iron Shield | B | Warrior Chief, NPC equipment | Defensive equipment that blocks 80% of incoming melee damage when raised. |
S-Tier: Obsidian Greatsword
The strongest melee weapon in the mid-game, dealing 180 damage per swing with wide cleave arcs. Crafted from obsidian shards found in volcanic regions. Slow attack speed but staggers most enemies, including mini-bosses. Requires Iron-tier forge to craft.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Warrior Chief |
| Key Mechanic | mask power system |
| Recommended Build | Warrior Chief |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Obsidian Greatsword: Pairs naturally with Warrior Chief thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Compound Bow
Ranged weapon with 120 damage per arrow and excellent accuracy at 60+ meters. Different arrow types (stone, bronze, poison, fire) add versatility. Awareness mode shows the trajectory arc for precise shots. 40 arrows per stack.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Ranged Hunter |
| Key Mechanic | NPC recruitment |
| Recommended Build | Ranged Hunter |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Compound Bow: Pairs naturally with Ranged Hunter thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Bronze Spear
Balanced melee weapon with long reach and moderate damage (95 per thrust). Fast attack speed with a shield combo makes it the safest melee option. Throwable for 150 damage ranged attack but must be retrieved or crafted again.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Warrior Chief, Solo Survivalist |
| Key Mechanic | tribe management |
| Recommended Build | Beast Tamer |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Bronze Spear: Pairs naturally with Beast Tamer thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Blowpipe
Silent ranged weapon that fires poison darts. Each dart applies a stacking poison dealing 30 DPS for 10 seconds. Doesn't alert nearby enemies, making it perfect for stealth takedowns. Also used to sedate animals for taming.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Ranged Hunter, Beast Tamer |
| Key Mechanic | awareness mechanic |
| Recommended Build | Tribe Manager |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Blowpipe: Pairs naturally with Tribe Manager thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Iron Shield
Defensive equipment that blocks 80% of incoming melee damage when raised. Pairs with one-handed weapons (spear, short sword) for a tank playstyle. NPCs equipped with shields become effective base defenders against raids.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Warrior Chief, NPC equipment |
| Key Mechanic | beast taming |
| Recommended Build | Solo Survivalist |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Iron Shield: Pairs naturally with Solo Survivalist thanks to stat scaling synergies.
Equipment Progression Path
The order you should acquire equipment as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Rainforest Basin
- Compound Bow → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Bronze Spear → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Obsidian Greatsword → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Equipment Tips
- Always upgrade your primary equipment before diversifying — one strong option beats three mediocre ones.
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- Recruit NPCs with proficiency above 70 — they produce 50% more items at workstations than average NPCs. Check stats before recruiting by using mask awareness.
- Check our tier list for how equipment rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More Soulmask Guides
- Soulmask Soulmask Overview
- Soulmask Best Builds
- Soulmask Tier List
- Soulmask Walkthrough
- Soulmask Beginner's Guide
- Soulmask Tips & Tricks
- Soulmask Combat Guide
- Soulmask Boss Guide
- Soulmask Maps & Locations
- Soulmask Crafting Guide
- Soulmask Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Soulmask, check out these related guides:
- Palworld Weapons Guide — survival game with similar mechanics
- Rust Weapons Guide — survival game with similar mechanics
- ARK: Survival Evolved Weapons Guide — survival game with similar mechanics
