Mortal Shell 2 Lute Songs Guide — Play All 5 Tracks for Heavy Metal
Updated September 19, 2026 · Checked for the current launch build
Official promotional screenshot: Steam / Cold Symmetry / Playstack
How to Play All 5 Lute Songs (Heavy Metal Trophy)
Unlike the first Mortal Shell where playing the lute built item familiarity across hundreds of strums, Mortal Shell 2 treats the Troubadour's Lute as a playable sidearm loaded with five distinct melodies.
| Action | PlayStation Input | Xbox Input | PC (Default Keyboard / Mouse) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Equip the Lute | Equipment Menu → Sidearm Slot | Equipment Menu → Sidearm Slot | Inventory Menu → Sidearm Slot |
| 2. Aim the Lute | Hold L2 | Hold LT | Hold Right Mouse Button |
| 3. Start Strumming | Press Square | Press X | Left Mouse Click |
| 4. Cycle Lute Songs | Tap D-pad Down | Tap D-pad Down | Cycle Ammo / Fire Mode key |
Each tap of the cycle input rotates to the next melody. Let each tune play for a couple of seconds so the game registers the track. As soon as the fifth unique song finishes or begins, the silver trophy Heavy Metal will unlock.
Where to Find the Troubadour's Lute
If you do not yet own the Lute, here is how to reach it from Marrow Keep:
- Mether's Breath Requirement: Siphon roughly 8 Ova at the Gloom Siphon in Marrow Keep until Mether's Breath is unlocked. This ability is required to dissolve the corruption barrier on the eastern road.
- Mushroom Village Road: From the Mushroom Village Beacon, take the bridge leading northeast past Hilga's hut and cleanse the purple corruption barrier.
- One-Legged Wolf Tavern: Follow the cliffside path across the suspension bridges until you reach the One-Legged Wolf Beacon. Step inside the tavern.
- Loot the Stage: An NPC bard is performing on stage. Look on the left side of the stage floor to find the Troubadour's Lute leaning against the wooden railing.
Note: In the Open Beta, the Lute was located in a dungeon chest near Mushroom Village. Cold Symmetry relocated it to the One-Legged Wolf Tavern for the retail release.
Combat Utility: The Confusion Status Effect
While the Lute cannot be enhanced with raw damage tiers at the Tarforge (it is the only sidearm with this limitation), it has immense tactical value in crowd fights:
- Area-of-Effect Confusion: Strumming the lute in combat drains Resolve but builds a Confusion gauge on surrounding humanoid enemies and beasts.
- Infighting: When the Confusion meter fills, enemies turn on one another for several seconds, allowing you to bypass difficult packs in Ruins of Nochte or Withered Shoals without burning healing items.
- Synergistic Tarstones: The tavern barkeep in One-Legged Wolf sells Hand of Rock (1,500 Coin), which increases sidearm stagger, and Enfeebling Stone, which reduces enemy defense while confused.
Related guides
Troubadour's Lute location · All 53 achievements · All 8 sidearms · Gragu tavern quest
Frequently asked questions
How many lute songs are there in Mortal Shell 2?
There are exactly 5 distinct lute songs/tracks programmed into the Troubadour's Lute in Mortal Shell 2. Playing all five tracks unlocks the silver trophy 'Heavy Metal'.
How do you play all lute songs to unlock Heavy Metal?
Equip the Troubadour's Lute in your sidearm slot. Hold Aim (LT / L2 / Right Click), press Fire/Play (X / Square / Left Click) to begin strumming, and then press Cycle (D-pad Down / weapon-cycle key) to switch tracks until you have heard all five unique songs. The trophy unlocks immediately when the fifth song plays.
Where is the Troubadour's Lute in Mortal Shell 2?
The Troubadour's Lute is found on the stage beside the performing musician inside the One-Legged Wolf Tavern, located in eastern Fainweald. You must first unlock Mether's Breath at Marrow Keep to dissolve the eastern corruption wall blocking the tavern road.
Can the Troubadour's Lute be upgraded at the Tarforge?
No. The Troubadour's Lute is the only sidearm in Mortal Shell 2 that cannot be upgraded for higher weapon levels at the Tarforge. Its primary purpose is instrument performance and casting an area-of-effect Confusion status on surrounding enemies.