If you've been grinding for hours and finally feel ready to take on the project slayers final selection, you probably already know that this is the biggest hurdle in the game for any aspiring slayer. It's the moment where everything you've learned—every M1 combo, every breathing technique, and every frantic dash—finally gets put to the test. If you pass, you're officially part of the corps. If you fail? Well, you're just another respawn back at the village.
Honestly, the first time I tried to tackle the selection, I thought I could just wing it. I had my basic katana, a few levels under my belt, and a whole lot of overconfidence. Spoiler alert: I got absolutely wrecked. The difficulty spike is real, and if you aren't prepared for the sheer number of demons that swarm you, it's going to be a short trip.
Let's break down everything you need to know so you don't make the same mistakes I did.
Getting Prepared: The Bare Minimum
Before you even think about heading toward the forest, you need to make sure your stats are actually up to par. You technically only need to be Level 15 to enter the project slayers final selection, but if I'm being real with you, Level 15 is pushing it. Unless you're a god-tier player with perfect parry timing, you're going to have a much easier time if you wait until you're Level 18 or 20.
Another huge factor is your breathing style. Whether you went with Water, Thunder, or Insect, make sure you've unlocked at least a couple of moves. Relying purely on basic sword swings is a recipe for disaster. You need area-of-effect (AoE) damage because those demons don't wait their turn to attack you; they'll dogpile you the second they get the chance.
Also, don't forget to stock up on some healing items. It sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people forget that their health doesn't just magically snap back to full while they're being chased by five hungry demons.
Finding the Selection Location
So, where do you actually go? You're looking for the Kirby Forest. It's a bit of a trek depending on where you are, but once you arrive, you'll see an NPC named Uncle Kanjuro. He's the guy who handles the entries.
One thing that trips people up is the timing. You can't just show up at noon and expect to start. The selection only happens at specific times in the game world. Generally, you're looking for the 6 PM to 6 AM window in-game time. If you show up and nothing is happening, just hang out for a bit, check the sky, and wait for the sun to go down. It's a great time to practice your combos on the nearby trees or just chat with the other players who are likely just as nervous as you are.
What Happens Inside the Trial?
Once you talk to Kanjuro and the event starts, you'll be teleported into the actual selection area. The goal is pretty straightforward on paper: survive for 10 minutes and kill 50 demons.
That "50 demons" part is what usually catches people off guard. Ten minutes feels like an eternity when you're constantly dodging, and if you play it too safe by just running away, you'll run out of time before you hit your kill count. You have to find that sweet spot between being aggressive enough to rack up kills and being cautious enough to keep your HP bar from hitting zero.
The demons in the selection aren't your typical low-level fodder. They have more health, they hit harder, and they are way more aggressive. They'll try to surround you, and if they manage to break your guard, it's basically game over.
Survival Tactics
My best advice for the combat part? Keep moving. If you stand still for even three seconds, you're inviting a demon to lunge at you from off-screen. Use your dash constantly, but keep an eye on your stamina. There's nothing worse than needing to dodge a heavy attack only to realize your stamina bar is empty because you were spamming dashes for no reason.
If you're using Water Breathing, the moves are great for keeping demons at a distance. If you're a Thunder user, use that speed to zip in, get a few hits, and zip out before they can retaliate. It's all about rhythm.
The Importance of Blocking
I can't stress this enough: learn to block. I know, I know—it's more fun to just mash the attack button and see the flashy effects. But in the project slayers final selection, blocking is literally the difference between life and death. You aren't going to dodge every single hit. When you see a group of demons winding up, hold that block button. It'll mitigate a ton of damage and give you a window to counter-attack once they finish their animation.
Also, try to "train" the demons. If you can get a group of them to follow you in a line, you can turn around and hit them all at once with an AoE move. It's way more efficient than trying to duel them one-on-one.
What Do You Get for Passing?
If you manage to survive the full ten minutes and hit your kill quota, congratulations! You've done what a lot of players struggle with for days. Once the timer ends, you'll be teleported back, and you'll get your rewards.
First and foremost, you get your Slayer Uniform. It's a classic look, and it finally makes you feel like you're actually part of the world. But more importantly, you get your Ore to craft your first real Nichirin Katana. This is a huge upgrade over the starter sword. You'll also get your Kasugai Crow, which acts as your quest giver and guide for the rest of your journey.
The crow is honestly one of my favorite parts of the game. It adds that extra layer of immersion, even if it does scream at you occasionally.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Before you jump in, here are a few quick things that tend to ruin runs:
- Ignoring your level: Don't try it at Level 10. You'll just get frustrated.
- Forgetting the timer: If you have 2 minutes left and only 10 kills, you need to start playing much more aggressively.
- Playing on a laggy server: This is a big one. Since the combat is so timing-based, a bit of lag can make parrying impossible. If the server feels "heavy," hop to a different one before starting the selection.
- Solo vs. Group: While you can do this with others, don't rely on them to carry you. If they die or disconnect, you're on your own.
Final Thoughts
The project slayers final selection is definitely a "gatekeeper" moment. It's designed to make sure you actually understand the game's mechanics before letting you progress into the harder areas. It can be super stressful, especially when the timer is ticking down and you're surrounded by glowing red eyes in the dark, but that's what makes it so rewarding when you finally clear it.
Take your time, gear up, and don't get discouraged if it takes you a couple of tries. Every time you fail, you're actually getting better at reading the demon attack patterns. Before you know it, you'll be rocking that slayer uniform and heading off to your first official mission. Good luck out there—you're gonna need it!