Quick answer
Nine encountered, eight permanently playable
Harros is used during the prologue and then lost as part of the story. The permanent roster is Tiel, Proxima, Gragu, Eredrim, Smert, Lazlo, Sariel, and Sester Genessa.
For a first run, unlock Tiel and Proxima before committing Shell Points. They are the two accessible early choices and teach very different combat styles.
Tiel or Proxima: which early Shell should you choose?
| Choose | If you want | Main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Tiel | Stealth, perfect-dodge repositioning, Shadow Strike and high burst. | Less room for mistakes; his value depends on timing and follow-ups. |
| Proxima | Mitigation, an enemy hook, Lightning control and a forgiving first build. | Biosampler needs upgrades and Resolve support before it feels complete. |
Every permanent Shell and location
| Shell | Location / requirement | Player identity | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiel | Shallow grave near Widow's Overlook | Stealth, perfect dodges, Shadow Strike, Poison and critical burst | Full guide |
| Proxima | Shattered Beacon north of Blackridge Pass | Biosampler control, Lightning, mitigation and Coin farming | Full guide |
| Gragu | One-Legged Wolf tavern; requires the Heart of Vatra | Single-target punches and replenishing exploration heals | Research queue |
| Eredrim | Fighting pit inside the Citadel of Penance | Committed melee, shoulder pressure and defensive play | Research queue |
| Smert | Blood ritual near the Outskirts of Nochte | Fight Stance and aggressive martial combat | Next-wave guide |
| Lazlo | Royal crypt beyond Vellen in Mammon | Late-game specialist with strong build-dependent payoff | Research queue |
| Sariel | Chamber of Becoming in southeastern Mammon | Scythe-linked, mobile and matchup-sensitive combat | Research queue |
| Sester Genessa | Secret unlock requiring the Sester's Chalice | Faithful and Stray forms with summon-based survival | Next-wave guide |
How permanent Shell unlocks work
- 01Reach or reveal the Shell's location in the open world.
- 02Interact with its remains or complete its special requirement.
- 03Finish the first memory sequence instead of leaving midway.
- 04Return to normal play and confirm the Shell is available for switching.
- 05Use the Shellkeeper at Marrow Keep to invest in higher ability tiers.
Do not spread early Shell investment across all eight
Unlocking a Shell and fully bonding it are different decisions. Test the base ability, health profile, movement and preferred weapon first. Build one main Shell, keep a second functional, and delay expensive experiments until the build-defining weapon and Tarstones are known.
Frequently asked questions
How many Shells are in Mortal Shell 2?
You encounter nine named Shells including Harros in the prologue. Harros is lost permanently at the end of that sequence, leaving eight permanent collectible Shells for the main game.
Which Shell should a beginner choose first?
Choose Proxima for more mitigation and a forgiving early kit. Choose Tiel for faster movement, stealth burst, and a higher-risk playstyle that becomes extremely strong with practice.
Can you unlock both Tiel and Proxima early?
Yes. Both are available after reaching Marrow Keep, and neither requires a mandatory boss. Unlock both before spending heavily so you can compare their combat rhythm.