If you're looking for a comprehensive type soul soul reaper guide, you've probably realized by now that starting as a simple Lost Soul is just the beginning of a very long, slightly stressful, but ultimately rewarding journey. Becoming a Shinigami in this game isn't just about swinging a sword; it's about navigating complex progression systems, grinding out raids, and eventually facing your own inner demons to unlock that sweet, sweet Bankai. Whether you're a total newbie or someone stuck at Semi-Grade 1, this walkthrough is going to break down everything you need to know to climb the ranks.
Getting Started: From Human to Trainee
First things first: you can't be a Soul Reaper if you're still breathing. To start your journey, you need to die. You can find a Hollow to finish you off or just ask another player to do the honors. Once you're a Lost Soul, you'll see the world in a hazy, grey light. Now, you need to find a Soul Reaper (a player) to "purify" you using their Senkaimon, or you can find the NPC in Karakura Town who handles the transition.
Once you've successfully transitioned, you'll spawn in the Soul Society as a Trainee. This is the "tutorial" phase, so don't expect to be throwing around massive spiritual pressure just yet. You'll have a basic katana and a lot of running to do.
The Early Grind: Climbing the Grades
The progression in Type Soul is built around a "Grade" system. You start at Trainee and work your way up to Elite Grade.
To get from Trainee to Grade 5, you just need to do some basic quests. Look for the quest boards scattered around the Soul Society. They usually involve killing a few Hollows or running errands. It's a bit repetitive, but it goes by fast.
As you move from Grade 5 to Semi-Grade 1, things start to get a bit more serious. You'll need to focus on three types of XP: 1. Mission XP: From doing those board quests. 2. Division XP: This is crucial. You need to join a Division (there are 13 of them) and complete their specific tasks. 3. Raid XP/Grip XP: This comes from participating in raids or "gripping" (finishing off) players from rival factions like Quincies or Arrancars.
Pro Tip: Choose your Division wisely. For example, Division 12 is great if you want to focus on passive tasks, while Division 11 is perfect if you just want to hit things.
Unlocking Your Shikai: The First Big Power Spike
You can't call yourself a Soul Reaper without a Shikai. This is where this type soul soul reaper guide gets into the "make or break" territory for a lot of players. To even attempt your Shikai, you need to reach Grade 2.
Once you're Grade 2, you need to start meditating. Press 'K' on your keyboard to sit down and enter your inner world. You have to do this three times for about 20 minutes each. After the third session, you'll be prompted to fight your Shikai spirit.
This fight is no joke. The spirit uses your own moves against you, and if you haven't put much thought into your stats yet, it might kick your teeth in. If you lose, there's a cooldown before you can try again. Once you win, you'll be granted your Shikai element. Some are definitely better for PvP (like Blood or Ink), while others are great for PvE (like Fire or Ice). If you don't like what you got, you'll need a Shikai Call or a reroll item to change it.
The Long Road to Elite Grade
After you get your Shikai, the grind to Grade 1 and eventually Elite Grade becomes a test of patience. You'll need a massive amount of XP, and at this point, you should be living in raids. Raids happen periodically in different zones (Karakura Town, Hueco Mundo, or Soul Society). Winning these gives you the best XP and the items you'll need for the endgame.
Don't ignore your Division duties during this time. I know, running back and forth to clean walls or heal NPCs feels beneath a powerful Shinigami, but that Division XP is mandatory. If you're stuck and not ranking up despite having "enough" XP, it's almost always because one of your XP categories (Mission, Division, or Grip) is lacking.
Unlocking Bankai: The Ultimate Challenge
This is the peak of the mountain. To get your Bankai, you must be Elite Grade. But just being the right rank isn't enough; you have to prove your worth through a three-stage trial that has brought many players to the brink of quitting.
- Stage 1 (The Grind): You need to rack up a ridiculous amount of activity. This involves 13 Raid wins, 15 Elite grips (killing Elite Grade players of other factions), and 80 Hollow NPC kills. Note: The requirements sometimes shift with game updates, so always check the latest community discord if you feel like the bar is moving.
- Stage 2 (The Interaction): Once you've finished the grind, you have to find a specific NPC and go through a series of interactions that test your knowledge and dedication.
- Stage 3 (The Boss Fight): This is the hardest boss fight in the game. You face your Bankai spirit, and it is relentless. It has massive health pools and hits like a freight train. Most players have to rebuild their entire stat tree just to beat this guy.
Once you win, you unlock your Bankai. Press 'G' when your bar is full to transform. It's a massive buff that changes your moveset and makes you a god on the battlefield for a limited time.
Stats and Builds: What Should You Focus On?
In Type Soul, your stat points (Investment) determine your playstyle. You generally want to focus on one or two main paths:
- Kendo: This is all about raw sword damage. It's great for consistent DPS and has some very satisfying combos.
- Hakuda: Hand-to-hand combat. This is for players who like high mobility and "in-your-face" aggression. It's arguably the most fun but requires good ping and fast reflexes.
- Medic/Kido: This is your "magic" stat. It powers your spells and healing. A full Kido build can be absolutely devastating from a distance, but you'll be a "glass cannon"—powerful but fragile.
Most players go for a hybrid build, like Kendo/Speed or Kido/Speed, to ensure they have enough mobility to survive while still dealing decent damage. Don't be afraid to reset your stats using a Blue Pill if you feel like your current build isn't working for your Shikai type.
Becoming a Vizard: Embracing the Hollow Within
If you want to take things even further, you can become a Vizard. This allows you to put on a Hollow mask, giving you a massive stat boost and access to Ceros. To do this, you need a Hollow Essence (an extremely rare drop from raids) and then you have to complete a specific challenge involving surviving against your inner Hollow. It's not strictly necessary for every build, but if you want to be "meta" in high-level PvP, it's something to look into.
Final Tips for Success
- Don't play solo: This game is significantly easier (and more fun) if you have a clan or a group of friends to raid with.
- Watch the timers: Raids are the lifeblood of progression. If you see a notification for a raid, drop what you're doing and go.
- Learn to Parry: You can't just spam M1 (left-click) and expect to win. Learning the timing of your blocks and parries is the difference between a Grade 5 player and an Elite.
- Check the Trello: The developers update the game constantly. Whenever a new patch hits, things like XP requirements or Shikai strengths can change.
Starting your journey with this type soul soul reaper guide should give you a solid roadmap. It's a grind, no doubt about it, but the feeling of finally shouting your Bankai's name and wiping a group of Quincies off the map? Totally worth it. Good luck out there, and try not to get gripped too often!