The Minutero: Clock-Hand Sword
Zirian's weapon is the Minutero — a giant clock hand that belonged to his grandfather. It's a weapon, a key, and a transformable tool that grows with you throughout the adventure.
Weapon Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Minutero (clock-hand sword) |
| Origin | Belonged to Zirian's grandfather (Master XII) |
| Type | Melee + Transformable |
| Doubles as | Key for chests |
| Energy System | Normal attacks restore energy; special attacks consume it |
| Transformations | Picks up new forms and attacks as you progress |
| Upgrades | Rainbow Ingots found in each region |
| Block | None — dodge is your only defense |
The Minutero is intentionally designed to evoke the Keyblade from Kingdom Hearts — same handle and guard design, same "weapon as key" concept. Weird Beluga cites KH as a primary inspiration, and the Minutero is their love letter to it.
Combat Moveset
Basic Attacks
| Move | Input | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Three-Hit Combo | Attack × 3 | Wide sweeping strikes flowing one into the next. Third hit has the most knockback. |
| Target Swap | Switch lock-on mid-combo | Allows hitting multiple enemies in one combo string. Essential for crowd control. |
| Projectile Deflect | Timed swing at incoming projectile | Bats enemy projectiles back at them. Crucial for ranged enemies. |
| Falling Attack | Attack from above (after jumping) | Drop down from platforms for a high-impact hit. Useful in boss arenas with elevated positions. |
Special Attacks (Energy-Consuming)
| Move | Energy Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Blast Attack | Moderate | High-damage cone hit that pushes Zirian back slightly. Positioning is crucial — the knockback can be used tactically. |
| Chronoblast ("Shotgun") | Moderate | Ranged attack the developers informally call the "Shotgun." Limited ranged option in a primarily melee game. |
| Weapon Transformation | Varies | The Minutero transforms during special attacks, releasing new attack patterns. New forms unlock as you progress. |
The energy economy is the core of Duskfade's combat depth. Normal attacks restore energy, special attacks consume it. This means you can't just spam specials — you need to weave normal attacks in between to keep your energy topped up. The rhythm is: normal combo → dodge read → time-freeze → free hits → special when energy is full → repeat.
Transformations
As you progress through the game, the Minutero picks up new forms and attack patterns. The moveset keeps opening up well past the demo's slice. Each sword form is tied to a story milestone:
| Transformation | Unlock | What It Adds |
|---|---|---|
| Base Form | Starting weapon | Three-hit combo, projectile deflect |
| Blast Attack | Demo (early game) | Cone blast, costs energy, knockback |
| Chronoblast | Mid-game (estimated) | Ranged "shotgun" attack |
| Stopwatch | After Lantern Port (the Time Flux Channeler) | Brief invulnerability — also the key to every Cross Time Rift |
| Timebomb | Timeflux Channeler III | A landmine that clears enemies or launches Zirian long distances |
| Starfall | Late game | A meteor shower that spreads across the battlefield |
"The Minutero transforms as you progress, picking up new forms and attacks the deeper you get, so the moveset keeps opening up well past the demo's slice." — Based on demo coverage
Upgrades: Rainbow Ingots
Rainbow Ingots buy new appearances for the Minutero from the blacksmith Clouphaestus, whose forge is in the Tick Town square to the right of the door to Meridian Village. Each appearance costs 500 Star Shards. There are nine ingots in total — find them all and the achievement is yours.
Find all rainbow ingots across all regions. This is a 90G Gold achievement — one of the highest-value collectible achievements in the game. Don't miss any!
Where to Find Rainbow Ingots
| Region | Location Hint | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tick Town (hub) | Bought from the Traveler for 1,000 Star Shards | Needs the Hookshot |
| Ezarus Forest | Hookshot points over the water, left of the Fast Travel Point | Hookshot |
| Mount Cinder | Upriver of the lava waterfall, hopping the half-submerged gears | Hookshot |
| Meridian Village | Inside a Cross Time Rift above the rooftops | Stopwatch |
| Clockwork Academy | Drop below the Fast Travel Point and clear the Inky ambush | — |
| Canal Hamlet | Through the stone arch to a Cross Time Rift | Stopwatch |
| Auric Palace | Ride the Sundial rail to the top of the semi-circle ruin | Sundial |
| Tick Town again | The Traveler restocks later — check the bottom of his list | Most missed ingot |
| Deepthorne | Deep in the fourth path | Crunia’s Wings |
Rainbow Ingots are often in areas that seem unreachable when you first visit a region. They're designed to be found on return visits with new abilities. Make a mental note of suspicious spots and come back when you have the Grapple, double jump upgrades, or other gadgets.
The Minutero as Key
One of the Minutero's most useful features: it's also your master key. When you spot a locked chest off the main path, you already have what opens it. Just swing at the chest.
Unlike many platformers that require finding specific key items for specific chests, Duskfade keeps it simple. The Minutero opens every chest. This means: when you see a chest, open it immediately. Don't wait — come back later only if you can't reach it due to missing abilities.
Combat Combo Guide
Basic Bread-and-Butter
| Combo | Steps | Best Against |
|---|---|---|
| Basic String | Attack × 3 | Single enemy, consistent damage |
| Deflect Counter | Timed swing at projectile → close in → Attack × 3 | Ranged enemies |
| Crowd Control | Attack → target swap → Attack → target swap → Attack | Groups of basic enemies |
Advanced Combos
| Combo | Steps | Best Against |
|---|---|---|
| Freeze Punish | Read enemy swing → time-freeze dodge → Attack × 3 → back off | Bosses, heavy enemies |
| Blast Finish | Attack × 3 (restore energy) → Blast Attack | Groups, tight spaces |
| Air Assault | Jump → double jump → falling attack → land → Attack × 3 | Elevated enemies, boss phases |
| Shotgun Mix | Attack × 3 → Chronoblast → close in → Attack × 3 | Ranged + melee mix |
| Grapple Strike | Grapple to point → falling attack on arrival | Boss arenas, multi-platform |
Don't stand still after a combo. Always end with a dodge roll, jump, or grapple. The game punishes stationary play heavily — enemies swarm and surround you. Make "attack → reposition" your muscle memory.
Maxing Out the Minutero
To get the most powerful version of the Minutero, you need to collect:
- All Rainbow Ingots — Sword upgrades (achievement: "The Most Beautiful Sword in the Land", 90G Gold)
- Upgrade Gears — Spend on Minutero skill tree branch for new combos and transformations
- Shop upgrades — Buy every upgrade for the Shopaholic achievement (80G Gold)
There is a secret achievement (90G Gold) for discovering "Grandpa's big secret". It is tied to Gramps' workshop and the lore you piece together about Master XII and the Master Clockmakers — so talk to every Cloudie and read every Echo you find instead of sprinting past them. See the achievement list for all 25.