When playing A Plague Tale: Innocence, the player must be strategic in using their resources and choosing their battles. There are times when an enemy must be killed, and times when they'll have to resist engaging in combat and just sneak their way out. There are crafting materials, ranging from common to rare, and collectibles to be found if only the player explores thoroughly; it's a survival game after all.
Sometimes, stealth isn't enough. There are different types of human enemies the player will face throughout the game, but not to worry, there will also be different skills and projectiles they'll learn as they move forward. Every additional skill/projectile makes the next area easier and the late-game manageable. Players only need to be creative and resourceful to get through it; if not, there's a price to pay.
Updated November 17, 2021, by Mark Hospodar: A Plague Tale: Innocence isn't the type of game where players shoot first and ask questions later. Fans who want to make it through this dreary world need to be aware of all the tools at Amicia's disposal and plan accordingly.
Tangling with enemies head-on is a surefire way to experience a quick and early death. Knowing which projectiles and upgrades to prioritize from the very beginning can aid the player immensely throughout the course of a playthrough. With this knowledge in hand, players shouldn't have too much trouble conquering the game's many foes.
All Projectiles In A Plague Tale: Innocence
Projectiles are items used as ammunition against enemies or to make a safe path going forwards. There are crafting materials throughout the game, although some are hidden in difficult areas. It's better to use them wisely or the needed skill upgrades will be sacrificed and may make things less manageable.
Rock
This is the most useful projectile in the game because of its versatility. It can be used as ammunition to kill enemies, a crafting material to make other projectiles, and a projectile thrown on metals to distract enemies and break their lanterns.
It's a common item that only needs to be picked up. A great alternative in knocking torch stands when Extinguis is yet to be learned or there's a low supply of it. It's also used to break chains to open paths and remove barriers.
Pot
An uncommon projectile used to make noise to distract enemies within range. Although it doesn't need to be crafted, only one can be carried, and it can't be used as ammunition. It's better to only use this item when saving up rocks and when there are no metal objects to be thrown at as a distraction.
Ignifer
- 1 Rock
- 1 Sulphur
- 1 Alcohol
This is a useful projectile only obtained near the end of Chapter IV: The Apprentice. Lucas, Laurentius' apprentice, will teach Amicia the recipe before leaving the farm. It's used to light up torches and braziers, making paths safe for them to cross because rats are afraid of the light. Although it's cheap to make one, it's good to remember that it requires dying embers to create the light.
Somnum
- 3 Sulphur
- 4 Saltpeter
- 4 Alcohol
- 1 Fabric
A mixture best used as a last resort when killing enemies. It's obtained in Chapter V: The Raven's Spoil when they have to find another way to eliminate a soldier. Lucas will teach Amicia the recipe after they make it to the edge of the battlefield. It can be used behind them or when the enemy is super close to striking Amicia.
Although it's the quickest way to kill an enemy, only one can be made at a time, and it's expensive. It can only be used up close, which means that it only becomes a projectile upon getting the third Containers upgrade.
Devorantis
- 1 Rock
- 2 Saltpeter
- 1 Alcohol
This is a projectile used against soldiers with helmets on. It's obtained in the early part of Chapter VII: The Path Before Us, when the protagonists are escaping from the Inquisitors searching their hideout.
Melie will teach Amicia the recipe as they're about to leave the cave. It melts metals, which forces the soldiers to remove their helmets and expose their heads, making it easier to kill them.
Although it's the only way to kill soldiers with helmets on in the middle of the game, it's a bit expensive to make one. It's better to find another way to move forward half of the time.
Luminosa
- 3 Sulphur
- 4 Saltpeter
- 4 Alcohol
- 1 Leather
This is a mixture used to clear a huge amount of rats off a path. It's obtained in the middle of Chapter VII: The Path Before Us after entering the portcullis and reuniting with Lucas. Lucas will teach Amicia the recipe as they come across rats blocking their way towards an Alchemist Cart in the forest.
Although it's the only way to kill rats in the game, it's better to use it sparingly because it's highly expensive to make. It lasts for a few seconds and only kills rats near its blast. It becomes a projectile upon getting the second Containers upgrade.
Odoris
- 1 Rock
- 1 Sulphur
- 1 Episanguis
This is a projectile used to lure rats on a surface where it's thrown for 6 seconds or towards an enemy, killing them in the process. It's obtained in Chapter IX: In The Shadow of Ramparts upon exiting the house near the cemetery. Amicia will hear the Inquisition's alchemist and soldier talking about Odoris and its recipe.
The Episanguis is made by the rats in their nests and can be found from here on. The Odoris is a cheap alternative for distracting the rats and killing heavy-armored enemies. But for it to replace Luminosa, it requires the first upgrade of the Containers skill to make the effect last longer.
*Exstinguis
- 1 Rock
- 1 Saltpeter
- 1 Episanguis
This is a projectile that's arguably more useful than the Ignifer in the late game. It's obtained in Chapter X: The Way of Roses, when Amicia goes to the University to retrieve the forbidden book: Sanguinis Itinera. Rodric, the son of a Blacksmith, teaches Amicia the recipe as they reach the courtyard.
It's used to extinguish the fire on torches, weapons, and other light sources. It's a cheap ammunition type to make, but use it with care when surrounded by rats.
Imperium
Imperium is a weapon that can only be unleashed from Hugo de Rune's mind. It's obtained in Chapter XV: Remembrance, when millions of rats rose from the pits of Château d'Ombrage bewildering Amicia and the others.
There's no recipe for it, but it requires Amicia to talk to Hugo and get him back to her side. Once obtained, the rats will no longer attack Amicia and her allies. Although it's a free alternative to the Rock and Odoris, it can only be used in the late game.
All Skills in A Plague Tale: Innocence
There are a total of 21 skills in the game with 3 main categories namely: Sling, Equipment, and Alchemy; and 7 subcategories with 3 upgrades each. The Alchemy category is made available in Chapter IX: In the Shadow of Ramparts, when Amicia will find out about the Episanguis.
Sling
Strings
- Amicia can now kill enemies with a headshot
- Reduced priming time
- Enemies will not recognize an attack from a sling
Pouch
- Amicia can focus on the target faster
- Reduces reloading time
- Amicia can attack do two consecutive attacks
Equipment
- Increases capacity for up to 12 slots of each crafting material
- Increases capacity for up to 16 slots of each crafting material
- Increases capacity for up to 22 slots of each crafting material
Ammunition bag
- Increases capacity for up to 10 ammunition of each projectile
- Increases capacity for up to 14 ammunition of each projectile
- Increases capacity for up to 22 ammunition of each projectile
Attirail
- Less noise when running and dodging
- Amicia will no longer need a workbench for upgrades
- Amicia will no longer need tools for upgrades
Alchemy
Containers
- Odoris and Luminosa will last longer
- Luminosa can be used as an ammunition
- Somnum can be used as an ammunition
Instruments
- Ignifer distracts enemies
- Amicia can craft projectiles faster
- Amicia can use a rock to remove a soldier's helmet
The Best Skill Upgrades in A Plague Tale: Innocence
While all skills are useful and convenient, there are skills to prioritize to make the game much more enjoyable and some areas much more manageable. Being informed of the best upgrades to make early on can save the player from the pain of not being able to pick up crafting materials that will prove useful in the next area. Here are the recommendations:
String
All upgrades. It's recommended to fully upgrade this before or in Chapter IX: In The Shadow Of Ramparts because the soldiers there can recognize an attack from a sling, so throwing a rock on metals may be less effective without the third upgrade.
Pouch
All upgrades. The player will start facing more enemies around Chapter VI: The Damaged Goods, so it's better to have at least the first upgrade and second upgrade during this time. The third upgrade is extremely useful in the late game when enemies are rushing towards Amicia and her allies.
All upgrades. The player will start to find many crafting materials that may be left behind around Chapter IV: The Apprentice. It's also where Amicia will learn the first of the six craftable projectiles in the game, so get that first upgrade as early as possible.
Ammunition bag
All upgrades. It's recommended to have at least the first and second upgrade before or in Chapter X: The Way of Roses because Amicia will have learned around 5 craftable projectiles that are very handy in the next areas of the game.
Attirail
The first upgrade. There are workbenches in every chapter of the game anyway, so it's better to slowly upgrade this skill starting with the first one only and upgrade the rest in the late game when possible.
Containers
The first upgrade. As soon as the Alchemy category is made available in Chapter IX: In The Shadow of Ramparts, it's recommended to get the first upgrade because of how Odoris is a cheaper alternative to distract the rats, clear paths, and kill enemies (especially in heavy armor) than using the Luminosa and other projectiles.
The Not A Toy Anymore Trophy and Handfull of Pockets Trophy
• Not A Toy Anymore trophy: The player needs to fully upgrade the Sling category, specifically the Strings and Pouch. It's easier to obtain it because of how useful the skills under the Sling category are throughout the game.
• Handfull of Pockets trophy: The player needs to fully upgrade the Equipments category. While the Pocket and Ammunition bag are incredibly useful, especially when fully upgraded as soon as possible, it's not the case with the Attirial. It's better to fully upgrade it in the late game when Extinguis and Imperium shine while the other projectiles are needed less.
A Plague Tale: Innocence was released on May 14, 2019, and is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and Amazon Luna.