Duskfade does not use a normal experience bar that increases Zirian's level after enough fights. Progress comes from items found while exploring, including Upgrade Gears and Clock Heart Pieces. The demo shows the basic structure, but the full skill trees and every item location should be checked again after launch.
What Upgrade Gears Do
Upgrade Gears are spent on skill trees. The available paths cover Minutero, Zirian's abilities and gadgets, and support skills connected to Cuckoo. This gives you more control than a single automatic level increase because you decide which part of Zirian's kit receives attention first.
The demo does not provide enough final-game information for a permanent best-build list. Costs, balance, and later skills may change. Read every available upgrade and choose one that solves a problem you are having now. More combat help is useful if enemies keep surrounding you; a movement or gadget option may help if exploration is the harder part.
Minutero Is More Than a Basic Sword
Minutero belonged to Zirian's grandfather and works as the main combat weapon. Its wide attacks can move between nearby enemies, and a well-timed swing can deflect some projectiles. Upgrades connected to Minutero improve the part of the game you use in almost every fight.
Do not assume every Minutero upgrade only increases damage. The skill trees can include new moves and changes to how attacks work. Check the description before spending a Gear, especially if the demo does not allow you to undo the choice. A respec system has not been confirmed for the final game.
Collect Three Clock Heart Pieces
Clock Heart Pieces increase Zirian's health. You need three pieces for the health increase, so finding one piece does not immediately change the health display. Keep exploring until the set is complete.
Clock Heart Pieces are especially useful before the Wrath fight because the boss can punish a missed dodge quickly. Search side paths, raised platforms, and routes that become reachable after receiving the hook-shot. The current public sources do not confirm every demo location, so this guide does not label an incomplete list as complete.
Healing Potions and Refills
Zirian receives a healing potion early in the demo after opening a chest with Minutero. Refills can be found in the world. Use healing when you have enough room to finish the action safely; trying to recover while enemies are already attacking can cost the health you just restored.
Before entering a boss arena or a difficult combat room, check the nearby path for a refill. Do not use healing only because a small amount of health is missing. Saving it for a dangerous section can be more useful than entering the next fight without an option to recover.
Star Shards, Echoes, and Flasks
Boxes and defeated enemies can drop Star Shards. Collect them as you move, but do not treat any unconfirmed final-game price or use as permanent yet. The expanded demo also added an Echoes menu. Echoes provide story and world information rather than a direct health upgrade.
Multicolored Flasks also appear as collectibles. They may connect to NPC requests, but their complete purpose has not been officially explained. Keep them when you find them and wait for the game to confirm how they are used.
Explore Again After Getting the Hook-Shot
The hook-shot can open routes that were not reachable earlier. When the game gives you the gadget, think back to high platforms and visible items you could not reach. Revisiting an area can be more productive than searching the same ground-level route again.
Upgrade Checklist
- Spend Upgrade Gears on a problem you can identify, not an untested online build.
- Collect three Clock Heart Pieces to receive the health increase.
- Check side paths before leaving a biome.
- Save a healing refill for difficult rooms or the Wrath fight.
- Revisit unreachable routes after receiving the hook-shot.
Duskfade launches on August 13, 2026. Once the final game is available, this guide can expand into complete skill trees, verified costs, and full collectible locations. Until then, it explains what each confirmed item does without turning demo information into a fake launch guide.
For a wider introduction to the demo, read our Duskfade demo beginner guide.
