Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice presents a significant challenge to players. Its somewhat ambiguous nature necessitates extensive exploration to fully understand the game. This guide aims to minimize that exploration by sharing valuable tips that would have been beneficial to me when I first embarked on this remarkable journey crafted by the imaginative Hidetaka Miyazaki.

You will experience death multiple times.

It seems almost unnecessary to mention, but the hallmark of FromSoft games is the relentless cycle of dying repeatedly. Much like in those titles, we urge you to remain resilient. Don’t hesitate to take a breather now and then. Treat yourself to a bagel or a snack. The key is to not allow the irritation of frequent setbacks to dampen your determination to continue. In the end, you’ll be thankful you persevered.

Discover all that there is to offer.

I understand that the situation is tough and the battles can be intimidating. It’s tempting to rush ahead to the next statue and escape the threats. However, I must advise you to be cautious. There are valuable items that can be found off the main route. In addition to various helpful consumables such as sugars, Pellets, and Piles of Ash, exploring side paths may lead you to crucial components for your prosthetic. You might regret missing out on items like the Firecracker and the Axe simply because you didn’t take a left turn an hour earlier.

Be cunning.

Stealth plays a crucial role in Sekiro. Positioning yourself for a strike or avoiding confrontations entirely is essential for a successful playthrough. When in doubt about enemy locations, move quietly while crouched. Utilize tall grass or areas with overhangs for cover. Ascending to higher ground with your grappling hook is also a smart strategy, as it allows you to survey the area below and refine your escape route. However, stay alert, as the Ashina clan often places snipers on rooftops to thwart such reconnaissance.

Eliminate strategically.

Stealth tactics in Sekiro can only carry you so far. Eventually, you will need to confront the numerous foes and creatures eager to defeat you. Thus, sneaking serves primarily to gain an upper hand in the unavoidable battles, allowing you to dictate the terms of the fight. When you encounter an unsuspecting enemy, you can deliver an instant deathblow, bypassing the need to weaken their posture first. This emphasizes the importance of positioning and observing enemy movements carefully.

Shifting from stealth to direct confrontation involves simplifying the upcoming battle to your advantage. A key strategy is to eliminate the enemies that pose the greatest threat first. Those wielding a pan or a torch can easily raise the alarm for nearby enemies, making them a priority target. Additionally, taking out foes armed with large axes or those with heavier armor can also be beneficial, as it helps you avoid a more challenging fight later on.

Take advantage of the finishing move.

These instant kill opportunities will become essential in the intricate dynamics of swiftly eliminating groups of enemies. After stealthily dispatching a high-value target, your next goal should be to swiftly break the posture of another foe. It’s important to recognize the benefits of executing a Deathblow during combat. First, it removes an enemy from the fight, regardless of whether their health has been fully depleted. Second, you become invulnerable during the Deathblow animation, allowing you to engage in this action with reduced risk. Lastly, executing Deathblows is an efficient method to restore your Resurrection meter, represented by the pink dots above your health. The quicker you can eliminate enemies, the faster you can regain a lost revive, ensuring your survival in the battle.

Blocking is effective, but deflecting is even more advantageous.

Much has been discussed regarding the advantages of deflecting attacks in Sekiro. In addition to inflicting posture damage on foes, deflection can entirely negate damage and place you in an advantageous position to launch a counterattack. However, the challenge lies in timing, particularly when facing multiple enemies who strike unpredictably. Bosses, in particular, can unleash lengthy sequences of attacks, making it nearly impossible to deflect every strike.

Blocking can be quite advantageous in this context. You have the option to block whenever you choose and maintain it for as long as you can. However, it’s important to note that the damage you sustain while blocking is merely diminished, not entirely eliminated. Additionally, your posture meter can fill up rapidly when you endure multiple hits. While the primary objective is to create distance, blocking can be crucial in determining whether you escape a tough situation with injuries or not at all. Furthermore, when you’re not under attack, blocking allows your posture to recover at a faster rate than usual, making it a valuable tactic to employ.

In certain situations, running is the most effective option.

At times, persisting in a challenging battle may not be the best choice. The stakes can be high, and dying not only depletes your resources but can also lead to the feared Dragonrot, which affects the NPCs in the game and alters their behavior towards you. Nobody desires that outcome. If the situation becomes increasingly difficult and you’re uncertain about your chances, consider making a quick dash back to an Idol. There, you can recuperate and attempt the fight anew, although you will lose any items you had used.

Jogging can be an effective strategy for reaching that challenging boss that keeps defeating you. Stealthily navigating through familiar areas can be tedious and irritating. Frequently, dashing straight to the boss can be the quickest method to re-engage in the battle you’re eager to participate in. While it does come with its risks, it remains a viable choice.

The Mini-Boss Challenge: Balancing Risk and Reward

In Sekiro, players will encounter numerous foes that pose a greater threat than typical adversaries. These formidable “mini-bosses” can be recognized by several characteristics. Generally, they are larger than the surrounding enemies, and they possess unique names, such as General Tenzen Yamauchi. Additionally, they feature two deathblow markers above their health bar, indicating that a stealth attack will not be sufficient to eliminate them instantly, even if you manage to catch them off guard.

The confrontations you encounter are intense and often not mandatory. If you come across a route that leads to one of these opponents, you might want to explore a different path before opting to engage. You might be amazed at how many of these encounters you can simply avoid. However, if you choose to take them on, rest assured that your efforts will be rewarded. Every boss you defeat drops Prayer Beads, essential for enhancing your abilities. Since this is the most dependable method to obtain them, battling these formidable enemies could prove beneficial in the long term.

Is a Mini Boss targeting you? There could be a technique to handle it!

Sekiro offers limited options for customization compared to earlier Souls titles. You can’t modify your equipment to alter your playstyle or farm souls to enhance your attributes. Essentially, what you start with is what you have to work with. However, you may discover that certain boss mechanics are quite unique and can be effectively countered by examining your skill tree closely. Often, the key to overcoming a formidable enemy lies in having the appropriate abilities at your disposal.

If a spear-wielding opponent is causing you trouble, think about allocating some skill points to the Miriki Counter. While this technique carries some risk, successfully executing it can inflict significant posture damage on a thrusting foe, paving the way for a powerful counterattack. If you’re facing an enemy that won’t give you a moment to recover, try using Firecrackers to momentarily stun them and reduce their speed.

Utilize your belongings.

In Sekiro, you’ll come across a variety of items, many of which are quite beneficial. Avoid the tendency to ignore them in your inventory due to pride or any other reason. These items can be lifesavers. Whether it’s the Sugars that enhance your damage or protect against health loss, or a Fistful of Ashes that can stun an opponent when thrown, these resources are available for your use. Take advantage of them to gain the upper hand in challenging situations.

Visit the Crumbling Temple frequently.

Regular visits to Emma and The Sculptor are crucial, as they have much to share with you. Almost every experience you encounter during your journey can trigger fresh dialogue, which may either expand the narrative or offer you essential skills, items, or guidance for the challenges you face. Numerous significant elements are initiated through discussions at the Temple.

We hope this helps you navigate the early stages of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. For additional details, feel free to visit our Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Wiki!