The Virtuous Cycle | Mortal Shell Wiki

How to Access The Virtuous Cycle?

The game mode can be accessed by progressing through the Tutorial Area and onto Fallgrim Tower. Once at the tower, head to the second floor and speak to the Twin-Sister and choose to enter the Reverie, which is an alternate version of the tower. A pillar will appear to the Sister's left. Interacting with this pillar will begin a Cycle, allowing the player to choose from the Shells, Weapons and Ripostes they've unlocked.

Do I need to complete the Main Game to play The Virtuous Cycle?

No. The Virtuous Cycle takes place in a separate instance from the Main Game. While unlocked Shells and Weapons are shared between the two, upgrades, resources and items are not carried over into The Virtuous Cycle. Instead, each Cycle begins fresh and your run is modeled around the Instincts you acquire. There are exceptions in the form of the Runic Gate upgrades which persist between runs. See the Runic Gate section below for details. Tar and Glimpses are also retained between Cycles but are not shared with the Main Game.

Note: your item familiarity and your compendium are shared between the Main Game and the Virtuous Cycle on that save file. 

The Hadern shell and the Axatana weapon must be unlocked separately in the Main Game and the Virtuous Cycle, having their own unlock requirements in each. 

Entering and Leaving The Reverie

Before you can begin a Cycle, you must first enter the Reverie -- a special instance of Fallgrim Tower accessed by speaking to the Twin-Sister on the second floor. The first time you speak to her, a cutscene will play. Once unlocked, you can enter the Reverie by speaking with the Sister. 

The Reverie looks identical to Fallgrim Tower in almost every way, albeit it looks hazy and dream-like. Weapons and Shells can be found in the same locations. There is now a Pillar to the left of the Sister and a Runic Gate to her right. To exit the Reverie and return to the Main Game, head down to the first floor and interact with the petrified statue of Sester Genessa.

Beginning a Cycle

To begin a Cycle, inspect the Pillar to the left of the Sister. You will be given a choice between all your unlocked Shells, Shades, Weapons and Ripostes as well as various notification settings. In the settings menu you can input a Seed number (if none is selected, you will be assigned a random Seed). This will give guaranteed Instincts and enemy placements depending on the seed and which upgrades you have unlocked.

Parry Instincts

Modifies the way your Parry works. (Example: Parried enemy drops more Tar upon death)

Max 1 Parry Instinct per Cycle.

Riposte Instincts

Modifies the way your Riposte works. (Example: Increases the amount of healing received on a successful Riposte)

Max 2 Riposte Instincts per Cycle.

Harden Instincts

Modifies the way your Harden works. (Example: Reduces Harden cooldown)

Max 2 Harden Instincts per Cycle.

Dodge Instincts

Modifies the way your dodge works. (Example: Freezes enemies after dodging)

Max 2 Dodge Instincts per Cycle.

Character Instincts

Provides a bonus to your stats such as Health and Stamina or reduces Stamina consumption for certain actions.

Max 2 Character Instincts per Cycle.

Roll Instincts

Modifies the way your Dodge Roll works. (Example: Improves Roll speed)

Max 2 Roll Instincts per Cycle.

Last Chance Instincts

Provides an effect when you are separated from your Shell. (Example: Chance to fully heal upon reclaiming your Shell)

Max 2 Last Chance Instincts per Cycle.

Stone Stomp Instincts

Modifies the way your Stone Stomp works. (Example: Increases Blast Radius)

Max 2 Stone Stomp Instincts per Cycle.

Kick Instincts

Modifies the way your Kick works. (Example: Adds a fiery effect to your Kick that sets enemies on fire)

Max 1 Kick Instinct per Cycle.

Combat Instincts

Modifies your direct damage capabilities such as Light or Heavy attack damage bonuses or reducing enemy defenses.

Max 2 Combat Instincts per Cycle.

Weapon Instincts

Adds a modification specific to your chosen Weapon.

Max 2 Weapon Instincts per Cycle.

Ballistazooka Instincts

Provides a bonus specific to your Ballistazooka. (Example: Chance for ranged enemies to drop Large Bolts)

Max 2 Ballistazooka Instincts per Cycle.

Mortal Instincts

Mortal Instincts provide flat bonuses such as base damage, resistance to specific damage types or an increase to the health gained when you receive a new Instinct. While the bonuses are small, there are plenty of Mortal Instincts you can obtain in a cycle and stacking several of the same types can quickly raise your total bonuses. Mortal Instincts can be obtained in a variety of ways including from Pillars, Bosses and Mini Bosses or by inspecting World Objects which are shiny nodes on the ground. You can have a maximum of 10 types of Mortal Instincts per Cycle but each type stacks with each other.

When acquiring Instincts, there is a chance to obtain a Bonus Instinct which can either be a Mortal or Immediate Instinct.

Immediate Instincts

Immediate Instincts are one-off bonuses that provide a good amount of resources and utilities such as Glimpses or recharging your Last Chance ability (if you've previously been separated from your Shell). Immediate Instincts' effects are provided immediately and are not kept as is the case with Regular and Mortal Instincts.

When acquiring Instincts, there is a chance to obtain a Bonus Instinct which can either be a Mortal or Immediate Instinct.

Healing & Death

In The Virtuous Cycle, enemy encounters are perilous and healing methods are few and far in between. By default, you can only heal by using a Riposte on an enemy. However, many Instincts will provide a healing effect and the act of acquiring a new Instinct itself will provide you with small amounts of healing each time. These effects can be improved by finding more Instincts. There are even Instincts that drain from your Stamina or Resolve bar instead of your health when receiving a damaging blow.

The Simple Lute, purchasable for 25,000 Tar, can also be used up to 3 times per cycle to restore your health.

Death in The Virtuous Cycle works similarly to the main game. The first time your health is depleted, your Foundling is ejected from your Shell and you have a chance to reclaim the Shell and regain some health. Losing all your health a second time will cause you to die and fail the Cycle. However, you have a chance to acquire the bonus Instinct 'Endless Unborn' which will restore your ability to reclaim your Shell upon death. The chance to encounter this Instinct can be improved by investing in a Runic Gate upgrade.

Tar & Glimpses

Tar is used to unlock certain Pillars in the game mode, as well as gaining entry into the Temples in lieu of a Token. Both Tar and Glimpses are used to unlock the various Runic Gate upgrades, which are permanent and help improve your chances at a successful run.

When you first begin The Virtuous Cycle, only Glimpses are retained if you fail a Cycle. However, there is a Runic Gate upgrade which will allow you to retain a percentage of your collected Tar. Investing further in this upgrade will allow retention of up to 100% of your collected Tar per Cycle.

Throughout each Cycle, there are certain consumable items you will find which will grant Tar or Glimpses when used. These consumables are retained between each Cycle and can be used in the Reverie to gain enough Tar and Glimpses to unlock Runic Gate upgrades.

The three lutes found on the wall where the Old Prisoner is normally located provide passive stat boosts when purchased, along with limited use buffs when played that reset with every cycle.