Your first big decision in VV: ULTIMATUM is which race to play, and that choice locks you into a unique weapon pool, ability set, and evolution path. The Bleach-inspired RPG gives you three options, and none of them are simply better than the others. The right pick depends on whether you want a melee fighter you can customize, a single weapon you grow over time, or a ranged build powered by spiritual energy.
Quick answer: Pick Shinigami for an evolving Zanpakuto with Shikai and Bankai, Hollow for customizable parts and four starter forms that climb toward Vasto Lorde, or Quincy for ranged Spirit Weapons that unlock Letter Abilities.
Race comparison: Shinigami, Quincy, and Hollow
Each race feels different from the moment you select it. The table below lines up their core identity, starting choice, and evolution path so you can match a race to the build you want.
| Race | Core identity | Starting choice | Evolutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shinigami | Unique weapon pool, Soul Pager access, evolving Zanpakuto | A Zanpakuto with its own moveset | Two or three forms, including Shikai and Bankai |
| Quincy | Uses Raishi energy to conjure ranged Spirit Weapons | Spirit Weapons in character creation | Letter Abilities like Imagination and Almighty |
| Hollow | Animalistic look, customizable Zanpakuto parts, own weapon pool | Gorilla, Lizard, Centipede, or Turtle | Menos Grande, Adjuchas, Vasto Lorde |
Shinigami: an evolving Zanpakuto with Shikai and Bankai
The Shinigami race is built around the Zanpakuto, its signature weapon. Each Zanpakuto carries a distinct moveset and can take two or three forms as it evolves, including Shikai and Bankai. You also get a unique weapon pool, access to the Soul Pager, and customizable Zanpakuto parts.
A defining strength is that you can use both elemental skills in base form, without needing a transformation. That opens up more frequent mix-ups in combat, which is treated as essential to playing the race well. Zanpakuto parts feed melee-oriented passives, and faction passives add more on top. Faction 12, for example, grants an extra node that helps you gain more passes through charms.
Shinigami carry nine weapons in total. One of those, the tanto, is unique to the race, while five are shared with others. The great axe and scythe overlap with Hollow and Vasto Car, and the club is shared with Quincy. Weapons can also roll multiple skins, such as the Odachi, so you can land different cosmetic variants when rolling.
The tradeoff sits in the transformation. It is the weakest of the three at roughly 113% output, an overall damage and defense bump when you transform, and it only adds a small HP pack compared to what other races gain. To progress as a Shinigami, complete Main Storyline Quests and Soul Society missions.
Hollow: four starter forms and two end-game branches
Hollow has the most animalistic look and the deepest progression. You start by choosing one of four types, Gorilla, Lizard, Centipede, or Turtle, which changes your appearance. From there you climb through Fishbone, Menos, and Jukas, with Menos Grande, Adjuchas, and Vasto Lorde as your evolution milestones. Much of the race’s progression stays locked until you become an Arrancar.
The major fork comes at the top of the tree. Removing your mask earlier leaves you with only three Hollow traits, while reaching Vasto Lorde unlocks four. After that, you decide between two playstyles that handle traits very differently.
Vasto Lorde vs Vasto Car
| Branch | Benefit | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Vasto Lorde | All four Hollow traits active at all times; access to the entire Haka tree and Keto tree | No transformations, res skills, or elemental skills |
| Vasto Car | Access to res weapons and sac parts, plus transformations; gains Hollow traits when transforming | Traits are not always on |
Most players take the Vasto Car route. Its base form works much like a Shinigami’s, with res weapons and sac parts, and it carries nine weapons including two unique ones, the Minun and the Lance. Its transformation lands at around 113% output, the same ballpark as Shinigami, but the standout is that transforming grants Hollow traits, which gives Vasto Car a real edge over other races.
Choose Vasto Lorde if you want those four traits running constantly and you are willing to give up transformations, res, and elemental skills. Pick Vasto Car if you want the more standard combat toolkit and prefer traits on demand. Either way, this is the most challenging race to play.
Quincy: ranged Spirit Weapons and evolving crits
Quincy gather spiritual energy called Raishi to conjure Spirit Weapons, giving the race a conjuration-focused, ranged identity. You choose between different Spirit Weapons during character creation, and those weapons can be evolved to change their Heavy Attack. Quincy progression opens at level 25, after which you take on a series of missions.
The race runs eight weapons, two of which are unique: the rapier and the rifle. Weapon evolution is the centerpiece. Evolving can add new crits, and the focus is on expanding your crit options rather than changing base stats. Rotating through different crits keeps opponents guessing and can push slightly more crit damage.
In base form, Quincy use only one elemental ability, but they make up for it with weapon evolution effects and a mini buff when blade caught. As you progress, Spirit Weapons advance into Letter Abilities such as Imagination and Almighty. The transformation also hits the highest output of the three at roughly 115%.
Transformation output and how traits change the picture
Transformation output gives a rough way to compare raw power, but it is not the whole story. Quincy posts the highest number, yet Vasto Car’s traits can matter more than output alone.
| Race | Transformation output | Key advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Shinigami | ~113% | Both elemental skills usable in base form |
| Hollow (Vasto Car) | ~113% | Gains Hollow traits on transforming |
| Quincy | ~115% | Highest base output and evolving crits |
Note: more than 20 Clans layer on top of each race, granting permanent stat bonuses. You can keep rerolling clans until you land one that fits your playstyle, so your race choice is only the first step in shaping a build.
How to choose your race
Match the race to the playstyle you actually want before committing, since each one ties you to a different weapon pool and progression line. Hollow rewards players who like customization and multiple starter forms, with the deepest payoff once you reach Arrancar. Shinigami suits players who want to invest in one evolving Zanpakuto and play around base-form mix-ups. Quincy fits a spiritual, ranged style that builds toward high-end Letter Abilities.
You will know your choice took effect once you load in as your selected race with its matching weapon pool, abilities, and evolution options. From there, your goal is the same regardless of pick. Push toward your race’s higher forms, whether that means Bankai as a Shinigami, Vasto Lorde as a Hollow, or Almighty as a Quincy, and complete the opening tutorial first so you learn to deflect the green and orange attacks that decide most fights.
