Starting Slayerbound for the first time can feel confusing because the game barely explains anything. You spawn in with almost no direction, important items aren’t marked clearly, and even basic progression systems like breathing trainers are hidden across the map. Because of that, most new players waste a lot of time just wandering around without realizing how simple the early game actually is once you know the correct order of steps.
This guide walks through the most efficient path from Level 1 to Level 20, including how to get your first weapon, where to farm experience quickly, and where to find the breathing trainers.
Step 1 – Use Codes and Spin Your Clan First
Before doing anything else, you should redeem all available codes. Slayerbound regularly gives a large number of free spin codes, and these are extremely valuable early on because your clan determines many of your passive bonuses.
The game also has a pity system, meaning after a certain number of spins you are guaranteed to receive a higher-rarity clan. Because of this, using your free spins immediately can give you a major advantage before you even begin leveling.
Even rare clans can provide strong early benefits like increased movement speed or faster attack rates, which make grinding much easier.
Step 2 – Get Your First Katana Immediately
Once you spawn in, the first thing you need is a weapon. The game doesn’t clearly tell you where it is, but your first katana is located right near the starting area.
You’ll need a small amount of yen to buy it, which you can easily earn from your very first quest. Having a katana early dramatically speeds up leveling because you can actually fight enemies efficiently.
Step 3 – Do the Wood-Chopping Quest
Your first mission comes from an NPC near spawn who asks you to chop wood. This is the fastest way to earn your starting money.
The game doesn’t clearly mark which trees to cut, but you should focus on the smallest trees in the area. If you hit the wrong one, you’ll notice sparks and hear a loud sound, which indicates it cannot be harvested.
Completing this mission once or twice usually gives enough yen to buy your katana.
Step 4 – Deliver Coal for Easy XP
After getting your weapon, the next important quest involves delivering coal to another location. This mission is extremely valuable because it provides both experience and a large amount of currency while requiring no combat.
It also guides you toward important map areas, including the location of the Flame trainer, making it one of the most efficient early quests in the game.
Running this mission repeatedly is one of the fastest ways to reach Level 10.
Step 5 – Buy Healing Food Early
Survival becomes much easier once you start carrying healing items. A chef NPC sells basic food like bread and ramen, which restore health during fights.
These items are inexpensive and worth buying in bulk because they allow you to handle tougher missions without constantly returning to safe zones.
Step 6 – Reach Level 10 and Unlock Fast Travel
Fast travel becomes available at Level 10 and dramatically reduces travel time across the map. Instead of walking long distances between quests and trainers, you can instantly move between key locations for a small yen cost.
This is one of the biggest quality-of-life upgrades in the early game, so reaching Level 10 quickly should be a priority.
Step 7 – Do the Message Delivery Mission
Another key quest involves delivering a message to the Slayer leader. This mission is important because it leads you to the area where the Final Selection event takes place.
Completing it also unlocks access to several major progression systems, including advanced training paths.
Step 8 – Invest Skill Points Wisely
As you level up, you’ll earn skill points. The most useful early upgrades focus on mobility.
Unlocking dash abilities and double jump significantly improves both travel speed and combat survivability. These skills help you escape dangerous enemies and navigate the map much more efficiently.
Offensive upgrades can come later once you begin specializing in a breathing style.
Step 9 – Prepare Before Attempting Final Selection
The Final Selection is a major milestone where players must defeat multiple demons within a time limit. While it can be attempted early, it’s usually better to level up first and obtain stronger skills before trying.
Entering under-leveled often results in failure, so reaching at least mid-teens levels makes the challenge much easier.
Breathing Trainer Locations
Becoming a breathing style user requires finding specific trainers across the world.
The Flame trainer is located near the coal delivery route and requires collecting demon horns before training begins. The Wind trainer can be found in a seaside town and usually requires defeating a specific demon to obtain materials.
The Water trainer is located high in a mountainous area near a river village, while the Thunder trainer is close to the starting region and often requires collecting crafting ingredients.
Each trainer has unique requirements, but all of them involve gathering items dropped by demons.
Best Ways to Level From 1 to 20
Early leveling in Slayerbound revolves around repeating safe, high-reward quests rather than constant combat.
Delivery missions provide some of the fastest experience gains because they are quick to complete and carry minimal risk. Raids are another excellent option, offering both experience and mastery rewards for your abilities.
Combining these activities allows players to reach Level 20 relatively quickly without grinding endlessly against low-level enemies.