The Vow of Potential in Type Soul is one of the most unique and rewarding Soul Vows you can obtain in the game. Unlike other vows that provide immediate advantages, this one makes your character weaker at the start of a battle but much stronger as the fight progresses. In this guide, we will cover what the Vow of Potential does, where to find it, how to obtain it from the Bamboo Hatman NPC, and the best strategies for using it effectively.
What is the Vow of Potential in Type Soul?
The Vow of Potential is designed for players who prefer endurance battles rather than short skirmishes. When activated, your character begins a fight with reduced stats, typically around a 15–25% decrease across all attributes. While this debuff may sound risky, the mechanic rewards you for staying in combat.
As you land hits, take damage, parry attacks, and perform perfect dodges, you build up what is known as the Potential Aura. Once the aura is completely charged, the initial debuff flips into a buff, granting around a 10% boost to all stats.
There are clear indicators when the transformation occurs:
Your aura glows with the same color as your character’s eyes.
The background battle music changes, signaling that your full power has been unlocked.
However, this boost only lasts for the duration of the current battle. Each time you leave combat mode, the aura resets, and the cycle begins again in your next fight.
How to Get Vow of Potential in Type Soul
Obtaining this vow requires progressing deep into the game, as it is considered late-game content. Here are the steps you need to follow:
Meet the prerequisites – Your character must have already reached an advanced transformation such as Bankai or Resurreccion before attempting to unlock this vow.
Progress through Hell – Enter the Hell progression route and clear the Highway, then advance through the First and Second Circles of Hell until you reach Ring Three, which takes the form of a labyrinth.
Locate the NPC – In Ring Three, you need to find an NPC called Bamboo Hatman. He is the key to unlocking the vow.
Trigger the fight – Offer the NPC an item known as stream of reatsu to begin the battle.
Defeat Bamboo Hatman – Winning the fight will reward you with a Soul Vow. The outcome is randomized (RNG), meaning you may not receive the Vow of Potential on your first attempt. Multiple runs may be required.
In addition to the Bamboo Hatman encounter, there are alternative methods. The Vow of Potential can also drop as a rare reward from Soul Wars or Ranked Matches. While these options exist, most players consider Bamboo Hatman the most reliable way to farm it.
Strategies for Using Vow of Potential
The Vow of Potential is best suited for players who are patient and strategic. Since you begin fights weaker, you need to survive the early disadvantage until the aura activates. Here are some effective strategies:
Play for endurance – This vow shines in longer battles where you have enough time to fully charge your aura.
Pair with defensive or healing abilities – These can keep you alive during the weaker opening phase until your stats flip into buffs.
Use in team fights – In group battles, allies can help cover you while you build up aura, making it easier to reach your maximum potential.
Because of these traits, the Vow of Potential is not always the best choice for quick duels, but it can be devastating in extended encounters where its scaling power makes a significant difference.
Final Thoughts
The Vow of Potential in Type Soul is a high-risk, high-reward Soul Vow that rewards endurance and smart play. By surviving the weakened early phase of battle and building up your Potential Aura, you unlock powerful stat boosts that can turn the tide in your favor. The most common method of obtaining it is by defeating Bamboo Hatman in Ring Three of Hell, though alternative drops from Soul Wars and Ranked Matches exist.
If you enjoy prolonged fights and want a vow that scales with time, this is one of the most rewarding choices in Type Soul.