Projectile Weapons and Armlets

Shuriken

Location: You start the game with these.

Or "ninja stars" as they're sometimes called. You start the game with these basic throwing stars. You have an unlimited amount of them, and you can throw up to four of them very quickly. They're mostly good for taking down small vermin like bats, but they can be used to slow down oncoming enemies in a pinch (though most enemies cannot be damaged by them), or extend a combo attack. Furthermore, they can chip away at certain boss monsters' health bars over time.

Bow

Location: At the base of the door, opposite the room with the shop in Chapter 2.

The bow packs a lot more power than the shuriken, but you can only carry up to 15 arrows at a time, and your rate of fire is pretty slow. You can fire automatically at a nearby target just by just pressing the B button, and the computer is usually pretty good about aiming. If you simply tap the left analog stick while holding down B, you can aim manually from a first-person viewpoint, but doing so slows you down even more. Pressing the right shoulder button while aiming causes your view to zoom in slightly. The arrow will always fly upwards and slightly to the left of where it appears onscreen when draw back for a shot, though it will arc down over the course of its flight. You'll need to get a feel for the manual aiming, since there's no targeting reticle.

Windmill Shuriken

Location: On a ledge above a narrow alley across from Han's Bar in Chapter 4.

Reminiscent of Yuffie's oversized shuriken in Squaresoft's Final Fantasy VII, and a throwback to a special weapon from the classic Ninja Gaiden games, the windmill shuriken is a four-pointed monster of a throwing star. It flies out a short to medium distance in front of Ryu, and returns directly back to his hand along the same path. The windmill shuriken does a decent amount of damage compared to its smaller cousin, sometimes killing a weaker enemy outright. Unfortunately, enemies can usually block it, and it doesn't seem to damage enemies on the return path.

Incendiary Shuriken

Location: The archives room of the Monastery in Chapter 6.

You'll first come across these weapons when they're used against you by the ninjas in Tairon. Think of the incendiary shuriken as grenade darts - you can stick one onto an enemy, and it will eventually explode for a good amount of damage. They're also useful for breaking open new passageways.

Strongbow

Location: The second-story room across the street from the Military Gate in Chapter 8.

You'll exchange your standard bow for the more-powerful strongbow at a certain point in the game. It is functionally similar to the standard bow, but fires arrows in a perfectly straight line, like a laser beam. It may also be used to fire more-powerful explosive arrows and APFSDS cores, which you will initially find, and may later purchase from the blacksmith. As with the standard bow, you may only carry a maximum of 15 arrows at a time with the strongbow. Likewise, you may fire either automatically just by pressing B, or manually from a first-person perspective.

Explosive Arrows

Location: In a box outside the warehouse in Chapter 9.

These are an optional ammo type for use with the strongbow, and the game treats them as a separate projectile weapon type. They function identically to standard arrows, and you may only carry up to 15 of them at a time. However, they are much more damaging than standard arrows, and may deal damage even to targets that would normally be impervious to bow attacks.

APFSDS Cores

Location: In a box inside the warehouse in Chapter 9.

Armor-piercing, fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) cores are used as ammunition for main battle tanks... as well as Ryu's strongbow! These are the strongest projectile weapons in the game, more powerful than even the explosive arrows. You may carry no more than 15 APFSDS cores at a time, but each one may penetrate multiple targets along its linear trajectory. Great for shish kabobbing multiple foes, and powerful against certain bosses. They are functionally similar to other arrows.

Armlets

Armlet of the Sun

Location: Can be purchased for 5000 essence at Muramasa's shop.

When equipped, Ryu can do a little bit extra damage.

Armlet of the Moon

Location: Can be purchased for 5000 essence at Muramasa's shop.

When equipped, Ryu has somewhat more damage resistance.

Armlet of Benediction

Location: Gifted from Muramasa's shop in exchange for 15 golden scarabs.

"An armlet emblazoned with the figure of a goddess. When equipped, it increases Yellow Essence absorption."

If you're looking to gather up funds to buy a big ticket item, or tank up on elixirs at Muramasa, equip this armlet.

Armlet of Fortune

Location: Gifted from Muramasa's shop in exchange for 30 golden scarabs.

"An armlet emblazoned with the figures of two elephants. When equipped, it increases Ki power build-up."

Armlet of Tranquility

Location: Gifted from Muramasa's shop in exchange for 40 golden scarabs.

"An armlet engraved with the picture of an angel. When equipped, it gradually replenishes Ryu's health."

You can't go wrong wearing this armlet, as it causes Ryu to gradually regenerate his health. The health regeneration is slow, so don't expect it to save you in the middle of an intense battle. But if you find yourself low on spiritual elixirs, you'll always have the option to stand around and let your wounds mend themselves. Also, the Armlet of Tranquility cancels out the health-draining properties of the Kitetsu sword.