Which stat to level up first in Mina the Hollower

When you level up in Mina the Hollower, you can level up one of three different stats: attack, defense, or sidearms. Defensiveness can be useful, but perhaps attack will prove to be the best form of defense. Sidearms, too, can come in handy, but they may not be the most reliable stat to focus on. If you’re unsure which stat to prioritize, you can also choose a fourth alternative — bonestone.

Here’s our advice on which stats to level first in Mina the Hollower.

Which stat should you level up first in Mina the Hollower

If you open Mina’s inventory, you will see three stats listed on the right side of the screen: attack, defense, and sidearms. Every stat is accompanied by a number, which is the number of bones you’ll need to level up that stat. When you reach the threshold, the “bone up” menu will automatically pop up, allowing you to spend your bones on any available stat.

If you’d rather save your bones for later, you can also turn them into bonestones. Bonestones aren’t lost upon death, and they can be used as an alternative currency in stores. Additionally, you can convert bonestones to bones in the Underlab by interacting with the machine in the top right corner.

Here’s what every stat in Mina the Hollower means:

• Attack: Boost the power of your main attack (the damage dealt with your main weapon).
• Defense: Reduces the damage received from attacks.
• Sidearms: Increase the power of sidearms (which may deal damage, but also improve movement abilities or defensive power).

As a new player, it’s best to level defense first, as you may not have mastered the burrowing mechanic yet, which is necessary to avoid incoming damage. The rigid horizontal and vertical direction of attack may take some time to get used to as well, so you may not want to rely on your fighting skills too much. The second-best stat to level first would be attack, as the sidearm supply isn’t infinite, and you’re likely to miss a few shots, especially while trying brand-new sidearm types.

It’s not recommended to create bonestones instead of leveling stats in the early game, as Mina the Hollower feels most difficult at the start, when you haven’t had much practice or upgrades yet. The extra defense or attack boost is probably more than welcome, so best not to postpone it.

As you acclimate to burrowing and collect defensive items, such as HP-increasing health roses, cloaks, and trinkets, you might want to start focusing on attack instead of defense. However, we recommend getting to at least level 4 in defense, or waiting until you’re used to the combat before you pivot to attack. Additionally, with a plethora of sidearms at your disposal and perhaps bought the Sidearm Recoverer upgrade from Drillhardt at the Hollower’s Guild (allowing you to keep your last equipped sidearm after death), consider leveling sidearms as your second priority.