Once your skill tree unlocks early in the story, spend your shards on broad utility first and then on core weapon power-ups. Lost Soul Aside is available on PS5 and PC—get it from the product page or on Steam.

Tip: The skill tree should appear within the first hour (shortly after freeing Arena and fighting the golden soldiers on Mt. Salvation). If it remains locked, a reload or new save often resolves it; keep an eye out for updates.

1) Potion Pouch Expansion (all weapon trees)

More heals means more mistakes you can recover from while learning bosses. Each weapon tree includes a Potion Pouch Expansion node; unlocking them across multiple trees stacks the total potions you can carry. This single upgrade smooths difficulty spikes and reduces downtime between encounters.

  • Who it’s for: Everyone, immediately.
  • Trade‑off: Low direct damage impact; pure sustain.

2) Arena Power Slot / Trinket Slot (all weapon trees)

These unlocks raise your build ceiling by letting you equip more Arena Powers and trinkets. The extra Arena Power slot is especially impactful in boss fights, enabling stronger burst windows or complementary effects (e.g., control plus damage). Trinket Slots let you layer passive bonuses without respecs.

  • Who it’s for: Players who want flexible loadouts early.
  • Trade‑off: No immediate DPS; sets up stronger synergies.

3) Heavy Cleave → Shadow Rend (Sword)

Heavy Cleave gives the Sword a fast gap‑closer on a held heavy input, tightening neutral and punishing whiffs. Its upgrade, Shadow Rend, extends into a rapid multi‑hit finisher for excellent stance damage and burst. This chain makes the Sword feel “complete” in the air and on the ground.

  • Pairs well with: Burst Pursuit: Shadow Flash or Obliteration for extended pressure.
  • Trade‑off: Commit timing; vulnerable if mistimed.

4) Eagle Strike (Sword)

After long air strings, Eagle Strike snaps you back to the ground on demand, keeping momentum and letting you re‑engage immediately. It fixes early clunkiness transitioning between aerials and ground combos, which is crucial against enemies that reset spacing often.

  • Who it’s for: Players leaning into aerials and launchers.
  • Trade‑off: Utility over raw damage.

5) Spinning Thrust (Greatsword)

The Greatsword’s default charged heavy can feel rooted; Spinning Thrust converts that commitment into a swift multi‑hit follow‑through with better flow and payoff. It dramatically improves the weapon’s feel in mixed packs and against staggered bosses.

  • Pairs well with: Burst Pursuit: Waterspout to amplify the ender.
  • Trade‑off: Learn the timing to avoid getting clipped mid‑charge.

6) Enhanced Poleblade (Poleblade)

This upgrade adds an extra volley to the Poleblade’s ground heavy projectile stream, turning it into reliable mid‑range chip and shield pressure. Great for controlling space, tagging aerial targets, and setting up safe approaches without sacrificing tempo.

  • Pairs well with: Burst Pursuit: Air Blast for bigger windows.
  • Trade‑off: Lower per‑hit damage; shines through volume and safety.

7) Spinning Strike / Whirling Strike (Poleblade)

Hold light attack to spin on the ground (Spinning Strike) or in the air (Whirling Strike), shredding shields and mob packs quickly. These moves slowly drain stamina, but the break pressure and crowd control often outweigh the cost—especially when you need to crack a boss guard fast.

  • Who it’s for: Players comfortable managing stamina.
  • Trade‑off: Overuse can starve dodges; cancel early if danger cues appear.

8) Burst Pursuit: Void Array (Scythe)

This turns a well‑timed dodge into a passive offense starter: finishing a dodge plants Array columns that you can detonate. It’s a standout tool once you unlock the Scythe, rewarding precise defense with extra damage and zone control in hectic arenas.

  • Who it’s for: Reactive players who like parry/dodge‑punish loops.
  • Trade‑off: Timing‑sensitive; best with matchup familiarity.

How to choose your first upgrades: Prioritize universal economy—Potion Pouch Expansion and extra slots—so your whole kit scales. Then invest in one weapon’s core heavy chain (Sword or Greatsword) to anchor your damage plan, and round it out with a Poleblade tool for safe pressure. As you progress, layer Burst Pursuit links that extend the moves you already use, and avoid stamina‑heavy options until you’re comfortable dodging on low bars. If the skill tree hasn’t appeared after the early Mt. Salvation fights, reload your save and continue; once it’s available, spend shards regularly so your power curve keeps pace with new encounters.