How do you increase damage?

[tonechild]

I'm around 74% through the game or so, and am now just exploring older areas and collecting stuff, trying to upgrade. I realized very late (after beating 4 bosses) that I could even upgrade my heal viles xD - I was wondering if there's something similar that makes you do more damage? I've read that the Mea Culpa does but all I see in there are just newer attacks like additional combo finishers and stuff. But I also noticed that some enemies that used to be 2-hits are now 1-hit, so does it just go up as you level up Mea Culpa in general or does it go up when you unlock the different skills? Are there any items you can equip that does more damage?

EDIT: just noticed I'm 74% now

[ChubbNutt]

The shrines you go to in order to upgrade your sword make your sword stronger the first time you visit them.

[Macario]

When you visit for the first time an altar where you can get the skills, it also increases the power of your sword, it is not very well explained, I did not notice that the first time I played.

[drae_perin]

In addition to raising Mea Culpa's level by discovering and interacting with new Mea Culpa Altars / Shrines...

Equipping the Rosary Bead, Knot of Hair, increases damage.

Equipping the Rosary Bead, Token of Appreciation, increases sword strike damage when all Bile Flasks are depleted. It appears to be activated when using the Mea Culpa Heart, Heart of the Holy Purge, as well, possibly because it empties your Bile Flasks when it disables them. You can switch to the Heart of the Holy Purge temporarily just to empty your Bile Flasks and equip a different Mea Culpa Heart as well.

The Prayer, Solea of Excommunication, increases damage.

The Prayer, Seguiriya to your Eyes like Stars, increases sword attack speed.

The Mea Culpa Heart, Heart of Oils, increases damage.

And the Mea Culpa Heart, Heart of Saltpeter Blood, increases damage when your health is less than 1/5.

Sequiriya can be overwhelmingly powerful, especially when combined with the Token or Knot, and it has a very low Fervor cost. Great for vulnerable high HP targets.

Solea does have the benefit of applying the damage bonus to Mea Culpa Abilities, which can be devastating in the right situation. Some enemies, or even groups of enemies, can simply be crushed with a Lunge or Charged attack powered by Solea.