Do not treat Thistle and Vetch as a straight upgrade—Thistle is the Sirin starter Bow (Grace, Common, **44 attack** post-P15, no virtue gate) while Vetc...
Weapon overview
Thistle
Bows · Grace · Common
Common Sirin bow and the Grace pact starter unlocked through Rise, Envoy. Craft with Scrap Iron×15, Dendrit Weave×20, and Knotwood×15 (4h, 1500 Dracs); no Virtue requirement. Post-Preludes 15: 44 ATK, 110 charged, 18 stagger, 5% smite — a lightweight Rood-style recurve tuned for ranged Grace play. Optional whole-bow previews spawn from the same early containers as other starters (Barrel, Basket, Crate, Sword Rack). Mid-game Sirin upgrades: Juniper for higher Grace investment or Avex when you want a faster bow cadence; see pact-selection and beginners guides for Sirin ranged builds. Thistle pairs with the Sirin, Duelo, and Wyld Sirin pacts and is one of three Virtue-gate-free starter weapons alongside Gwylen and Nettle, making it the default ranged pick for new Grace players. Lore calls it a well-worn hunter's bow bearing the mark of a Roods craftsman — its grooved handle shaped to fit like an old friend's grip.
Dendrit longsword requiring Courage 11 and Grace attunement. Fragments drop from Etheldred The Weaver encounters, Deadwood Mockery foes, and Dendrit Chests scattered through the Glades. Craft at Tuvalkane using Knotwood×25 and Sproutfolk Frond×25 (10h). The thrusting heavy attack extends reach beyond standard slash arcs, making it effective against Mockery-type foes that resist lateral swings. Post-Preludes 15: 48 ATK, 30 poise break, 5% smite chance. Serves as the first real Courage longsword upgrade from the starter Wulder, bridging into the Etheldred fragment line shared with Clivers and Virdigris.
