Since Preludes 14, Joineries enhance a weapon's Virtue attunement, providing 1 to 3 Virtue Attunement pips depending on the Joinery type.

Since Preludes 14, Runes activate on a Heavy Attack. Smiting enemies banks a charge that you can use to trigger the Rune effect at will.

Totems are passive bonuses applied to weapons. They are obtained by charming or rescuing animals in the world.

Rapiers are a weapon type added in Preludes 14 with their own unique moveset. The signature weapons are Navalha and Espadarte.

Soulframe is a free-to-play (F2P) fantasy action RPG developed by Digital Extremes, the creators of Warframe. Set on the isle of Midrath, it focuses on deliberate melee combat, somber exploration, and co-op play during the Preludes pre-alpha on PC.

Preludes is Digital Extremes' name for Soulframe's current pre-alpha phase. It's an early, evolving version of the game that players can experience as it's built openly alongside the community.

Short Blades · Common · 24 Jul 2026

Nettle

Q: How many weapons are in Soulframe?

Soulframe Hub covers all Soulframe weapons across 9 types, filterable by Virtue attunement. Updated for Preludes 15.

Q: Can I use any weapon with any Pact?

Yes—you can equip any weapon regardless of Pact, but **Virtue attunement** still governs damage scaling. A Pact only gates your three Arcanic skills; mismatched weapons work, yet they feel weaker until you align Virtue Points with the weapon's Courage, Spirit, or Grace lane.

Q: What is Virtue attunement?

Every weapon is attuned to one or more Virtues. Investing Virtue Points into the matching Virtue increases that weapon's damage output.

Q: How many weapons can I equip at once?

You can equip one primary weapon and one sidearm simultaneously.

Q: Can I upgrade weapons?

Yes. Bring weapon fragments and materials to Tuvalkane in the Nightfold to craft and upgrade weapons. Higher-tier recipes require Bond Level 3.

Q: How do I get weapon fragments?

Fragments drop from enemies, quest rewards, and Siege events. Collect enough fragments, then craft the full weapon at Tuvalkane.

Q: Can I mix weapons of different Virtues?

Yes. You can equip any weapon regardless of Virtue, but mismatched attunement will result in lower damage. Experienced players often swap weapons based on enemy resistances.

Common Sirin dirk (pure Grace, no Virtue gate) — remarkably strong for Common tier at 41 ATK
Farm whole-weapon previews from world containers and Hark The Collector; or craft with Scrap Steel
Entry-level Short Blade before Clivers or Witan; ideal for beginners farming early-game containers

Nettle is a Common Sirin sidearm dirk with pure Grace attunement and notably no Virtue gate, making it the most accessible Short Blade in Preludes 15 for new players. With 41 base ATK, 82 charged attack, 20 stagger, and 3% smite, it boasts remarkably strong paper stats for a Common-tier weapon — rivaling some Uncommons. Farm whole-weapon previews from world containers (Barrels, Baskets, Crates, Collector Crates, Sword Racks) and Dendrit Chests in Midrath. Hark The Collector operations also drop whole previews. Craft at Tuvalkane with Scrap Steel, Ode Graphite, and Quenching Acid (4h). Purchase from Avakot for 125 Dracs. Nettle serves as the entry-level main-hand Short Blade before upgrading to Clivers (12 Courage) or Witan (6/6 hybrid) for gated content. Refine at Tuvalkane with Chordstones for enhanced stats. The lore describes Nettle as an ornamental dirk of Skelflandish make — naught more than an overlarge paper knife held in the bookbinder's grip, designed to slice open delicate page edges where secret messages were sealed. A word, as much as any blade, can cut deep. Ideal for beginners farming early-game containers.

Naught more than an overlarge paper knife. But this cunning blade seeks a cunning hand. An ornamental dirk of Skelflandish make. Held in the bookbinder's grip, Nettle is designed to slice open the delicate edges of a folded page. 'Twas tween these bounds that Skelflandish tradition sealed secret messages. And a word, as much as any blade, can cut deep.

How to Get · 11 Ways to Obtain Nettle

Farm reference

Common Short Blade (41 ATK, no Virtue gate, 3% smite). Container/Hark previews.
See clivers-vs-nettle compare note.

P15 acquisition

P15: In Midrath most drops preview whole on the ground — pick up, then Refine at Tuvalkane with Chordstones. See Chordstone refining · Preludes 15 notes

Preludes 15 · community-verified

Route A · Drop

Loot whole Nettle previews from Barrels/Baskets/Crates or Hark, The Collector

Route B · refine

Refine at Tuvalkane with Chordstones — pick Temper/Craftwork rolls

Route C · Craft

Or craft at Blacksmith — Scrap Steel×25, Ode Graphite×30, Quenching Acid×25 (4h, 1500 Dracs)

Route D · Drop

Container: Barrel — Preludes 15 · Whole weapon (preview on ground)

Route E · Drop

Container: Basket — Preludes 15 · Whole weapon (preview on ground)

Route F · Drop

Container: Collector Crate — Preludes 15 · Whole weapon (preview on ground)

Route 7 · Drop

Container: Crate — Preludes 15 · Whole weapon (preview on ground)

Route 8 · Drop

Container: Dendrit Chest (Midrath) — Preludes 15 · Whole weapon (preview on ground)

Route 9 · Drop

Container: Sword Rack — Preludes 15 · Whole weapon (preview on ground)

Route 10 · Drop

Operation: Hark, The Collector — Preludes 15 · Whole weapon (preview on ground)

Route 11 · Drop

Avakot merchant (125 Dracs, qty 1) — Preludes 15 · Whole weapon (preview on ground)

Craft materials

Fragments: 1
Craft time: 4h
Price: 1,500 Dracs
Required virtue: None

Short Blades comparison

Side-by-side stats for weapons in the same slot — pick the best fit for your build.

← Swipe horizontally for full comparison →

Weapon	Base ATK	Charged ATK	Stagger	Smite	Rarity	Required virtue
NettleThis page	41	82	20	3%	Common	None
Rostrum	41	82	26	5%	Uncommon	12
Cobladh	41	82	26	4%	Uncommon	7
Grinn	41	82	26	6%	Uncommon	14
Virdigris	41	82	26	4%	Uncommon	12
Witan	41	82	26	5%	Uncommon	6 6
Rivt-II	26	52	13	4%	Common	13
The Royal Tines	26	52	13	6%	Uncommon	10
Unsula	26	52	13	5%	Uncommon	10
Clivers	25	50	15	5%	Common	12

Frequently Asked Questions

How many weapons are in Soulframe?

Can I use any weapon with any Pact?

What is Virtue attunement?

How many weapons can I equip at once?

Can I upgrade weapons?

What is a Joinery?

How do I get weapon fragments?

What is a Rune?

What is a Totem?

Can I mix weapons of different Virtues?

What are Rapiers?

What is Gossamer Quartz and how do I farm it?

What is Virtue attunement in Soulframe?

How many weapon types are in Soulframe?

How do you get weapons in Soulframe?

What is the best weapon for beginners in Soulframe?

What are Virtues in Soulframe?

What is Soulframe?

What is Preludes?

Is Soulframe free to play?

How do I join Preludes?

Is Soulframe only on PC?

What are Soulframe PC system requirements?

Does Soulframe support multiplayer?

When will Soulframe officially release?

Will progress be reset?

Can I stream or share gameplay?

Is Soulframe related to Warframe?

Where can I give feedback or report bugs?

Next steps

← Weapons

Nettle

Common Sirin dirk (pure Grace, no Virtue gate) — remarkably strong for Common tier at 41 ATK

Farm whole-weapon previews from world containers and Hark The Collector; or craft with Scrap Steel

Entry-level Short Blade before Clivers or Witan; ideal for beginners farming early-game containers

Naught more than an overlarge paper knife. But this cunning blade seeks a cunning hand. An ornamental dirk of Skelflandish make. Held in the bookbinder's grip, Nettle is designed to slice open the delicate edges of a folded page. 'Twas tween these bounds that Skelflandish tradition sealed secret messages. And a word, as much as any blade, can cut deep.