Best Mina The Hollower Sidearms

Mina The Hollower blends the exploration and puzzle-solving of a classic Game Boy Legend of Zelda adventure with some Castlevania-inspired mechanics. While the game's main progression follows a traditional structure, the variety of Sidearms available adds a unique layer of gameplay. These sub-weapons, which you can collect from lanterns or find scattered in the environment, are essential for both exploration and combat. In fact, some Sidearms are necessary to reach key areas or defeat the game’s Secret Bosses.

Unlike the purely combat-focused sub-weapons in Castlevania, the Sidearms in Mina The Hollower serve multiple purposes. For instance, the Deflector Parasol allows Mina to float across gaps when jumping, making it a valuable tool for traversal. Similarly, the Drill Driver is more than just a weapon — it can be combined with trinkets and burrow jumps to reach otherwise inaccessible spots. However, not all Sidearms are equally useful, and some may be better left unused unless they serve a specific purpose.

The Most Useful Mina The Hollower Sidearms

When choosing the best Sidearms, it’s important to consider both their combat effectiveness and traversal utility. The Drill Driver is arguably the most versatile, offering powerful knockback that can help in both fighting and exploring. Its ability to cross large gaps makes it an essential tool for players aiming to reach the farthest corners of the game world.

The Mist Jar is another standout, despite not dealing direct damage. When used to dash through enemies, it recovers health and plasma, which can be crucial in tough battles. The Volt Hatchet, while slow, compensates with its ability to fire four projectiles at once, making it a solid choice in combat. The Beckoning Collar adds a pet that fights alongside Mina, providing additional damage and an explosive finisher when needed.

The Fishing Rod is a surprisingly effective tool for both traversal and resource management. It can retrieve health, plasma, and ammo, and its grappling hook functionality allows access to hard-to-reach areas. However, it can be a bit tricky to use in certain spots. Similarly, the Angler’s Raft is useful for crossing large bodies of water, but it requires precise timing to activate.

Where to Buy the Dual Sidearm Permit

After collecting several Sidearms, you’ll have the option to unlock the ability to use two at once. To do this, you need to speak with Brandish and Holden, who are located near a carriage north of the Music Hall in the western part of Ossex. They offer the Dual Sidearm Permit for 2,000 Bones. This upgrade allows Mina to wield two Sidearms simultaneously, which can be swapped using the E key on PC or the right bumper on a controller. The ammunition is shared between both weapons, making resource management an important factor.

Further upgrades can be purchased from Drillhardt in the Follower HQ after saving Rhene from the Rebel Barracks in the Southern Outskirts Commons. He sells the Joule Alembic for 1,000 Bones, which allows you to replenish your Sidearm ammo while in the Underlab. Additionally, the Sidearm Recoverer for 2,000 Bones ensures that your last equipped Sidearm(s) are saved when you die, which can be a lifesaver in intense combat situations.

Mina The Hollower Joule Box Locations

Joule Boxes provide extra ammo for your Sidearms, which is especially important when exploring dangerous areas. There are eight Joule Boxes in total, each located in different parts of the game world. Here’s where you can find them:

  • Ossex: Emporium – Three are sold by the merchant for 500, 2,000, and 4,000 Bones respectively.
  • Southern Outskirts: Cave Network – Navigate through the floating puff plants and defeat a knight to reach the Joule Box.
  • Backwater: Pinky’s Parlor – Use the ladder to access the hidden area where the Joule Box is located.
  • Sandfalls: Sifting Sands – Use a bomb to destroy a wall and retrieve the Joule Box from the chest inside.
  • Eastern Heath: Buckler’s Bluff – Unlock the Kear lock from the Grasslands to access this location.

These locations are just the beginning — there are more Joule Boxes scattered throughout the game, each offering a boost to your Sidearm arsenal. Whether you're preparing for a tough boss or exploring a new area, having access to extra ammo can make all the difference.