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.

Bows · Common · 24 Jul 2026

Thistle

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 bow — the Grace pact starter unlocked after completing Rise, Envoy, no Virtue gate
Craft at the Blacksmith with Scrap Iron, Dendrit Weave, and Knotwood; world containers can drop whole previews
Upgrade path: Juniper for higher Grace investment or Avex for a faster bow cadence

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.

A well-worn hunter's bow. Lightweight and well-balanced despite its age, Thistle has the mark of a Roods craftsman. The handle is grooved around your fingertips like an old friend. You've much in common with whoever held it last. Of that, you are certain.

How to Get · 7 Ways to Obtain Thistle

Farm reference

Common starter (44 ATK post-P15). Craft after Rise, Envoy.
Uncommon upgrade (45 ATK, 5 Spirit / 7 Grace). Hark The Collector route.

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 · Quest

Complete fable: Rise, Envoy (Sirin pact unlock)

Route B · Craft

Craft at Blacksmith — Scrap Iron×15, Dendrit Weave×20, Knotwood×15 (4h)

Route C · Drop

Optional: whole-bow previews from world containers

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

Route 7 · Drop

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

Craft materials

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

Bows 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
ThistleThis page	44	110	18	5%	Common	None
Blitzel	47	118	24	2%	Uncommon	12
Avex	45	113	36	4%	Rare	13 11
Juniper	45	113	24	6%	Uncommon	5 7
Maestro	45	113	24	5%	Uncommon	13
The Starling	45	113	24	6%	Uncommon	7

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

Thistle

Common Sirin bow — the Grace pact starter unlocked after completing Rise, Envoy, no Virtue gate

Craft at the Blacksmith with Scrap Iron, Dendrit Weave, and Knotwood; world containers can drop whole previews

Upgrade path: Juniper for higher Grace investment or Avex for a faster bow cadence

A well-worn hunter's bow. Lightweight and well-balanced despite its age, Thistle has the mark of a Roods craftsman. The handle is grooved around your fingertips like an old friend. You've much in common with whoever held it last. Of that, you are certain.