Master Boss Guide 22 Bosses & Mini-Bosses

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Boss Strategies

Comprehensive move counters, rhythmic deflection timing, optimal prosthetic loadouts, and spoiler-free phase-by-phase breakdowns for every boss.

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Gyoubu Masataka Oniwa (鬼庭形部雅孝)

Ashina Castle Gate Ashina Castle Gate Fortress Memory: Gyoubu + Mechanical Barrel
Recommended Prosthetic Shinobi Firecracker / Grapple
Recommended Skill Grappling Hook Attack
Primary Weakness Beast Fright (Firecrackers stun horse for 4s)
Rhythm Focus Stand ground; deflect 3-hit spear swings

Master Strategies & Top Tips

  • Grapple Hook Attack: Whenever Gyoubu circles away and turns sharply, a green Grapple icon appears above his helmet. Grapple in instantly and press Attack to deal free posture damage.
  • Firecracker Beast Stun: Use Firecrackers when his horse is nearby. The horse will rear on its hind legs for 4 full seconds, leaving Gyoubu completely defenseless.
  • Hold Your Ground: Do not chase Gyoubu around the arena. Wait in the center, deflect his spear charges, and punish after his heavy overhead slam.

Phase 1 & Phase 2 Tactics

2 Deathblows

In Phase 1, Gyoubu charges with heavy sweeping spear thrusts. Deflect in rhythm (tap deflect 3 times on his combo). When he throws his spear attached to a rope, jump or dodge backward, then grapple directly to him. In Phase 2, he adds a sweeping multi-spin attack before charging; continue using Firecrackers with a 15-second internal cooldown between stuns.

SWEEP (危) Jump straight up and stomp his head for bonus posture damage.
Walkthrough Act 1: Ashina Outskirts Guide

Lady Butterfly (まぼろしお蝶)

Hirata Estate Audience Chamber Hidden Temple Memory: Lady Butterfly + Sakura Droplet
Recommended Prosthetic Loaded Shuriken / Gouging Top
Recommended Skill Nightjar Slash / Chasing Slice
Crucial Quick Item Snap Pea (Dispels Illusions)
Aerial Counter Shuriken mid-jump knocks her flat

Master Strategies & Top Tips

  • Anti-Air Shuriken: When Lady Butterfly perches on her high wires and leaps into the air, throw a single Shuriken. It knocks her straight down to the floor for a huge vulnerability window.
  • Dodge-Attack Rhythm ("Step-Dodge Cheese"): Attack once -> Step-dodge to her right -> Attack once -> Step-dodge right. Repeating this locks her in a hit-stun animation for nearly 80% of Phase 1!

Phase 1: Agile Kunai & High-Wire Tactics

Phase 1

Lady Butterfly attacks with high-speed kicks and thrown kunai. Deflect her kicks and throw Shurikens whenever she balances on wires. When she finishes a combo with a flying kick, dodge under and execute a Vitality punish.

SWEEP (危) She leaps down with a wide sweep. Jump and kick her head.

Phase 2: Phantom Illusions & Butterfly Butterflies

Secret Phase 2

After the first deathblow, her body vanishes and reappears at the golden Buddha statue. She summons phantom soldiers. You can pop a Snap Pea to instantly vaporize them, or simply sprint around the perimeter of the hall until she snaps her fingers, transforming the ghosts into glowing homing butterflies. Hide behind a wooden pillar to block all butterfly projectiles, then re-engage with the step-dodge attack loop!

Walkthrough Act 1: Hirata Estate Complete Guide

Genichiro Ashina (葦名弦一郎)

Ashina Castle Rooftop Castle Tower Lookout Memory: Genichiro + Bloodsmoke Ninjutsu
Required Shinobi Skill Mikiri Counter + Shinobi Eyes
Recommended Prosthetic Mist Raven / Loaded Umbrella
Combat Rhythm Attack until HE deflects, then Deflect!
Crucial Phase 3 Counter Lightning Reversal (Jump & Attack)

Master Strategies & Top Tips

  • The Rhythm of Steel: Attack relentlessly with R1 until you hear a sharp, bright "CLANG!" and orange spark—this signals Genichiro has deflected you. Immediately prepare to deflect his incoming counter-strike.
  • Floating Passage Deflect: When he begins his 9-hit sword flurry, tap deflect in a rhythmic staccato (1-2, 1-2-3-4, 1-2, finish). Alternatively, back up slightly and deflect only the final strike.
  • Phase 1 vs Phase 2 Kanji Tell: In Phase 1, after his jump-slam, he ALWAYS does a thrust (Mikiri!). In Phase 2, after his jump-slam, he almost always does a low sweep (Jump!).

Phase 1 & Phase 2: Ashina Blade & Greatbow

Phases 1 & 2

Maintain close-quarters pressure. If he rolls back to draw his bow, sprint forward to interrupt with a sword strike. In Phase 1, execute a Mikiri Counter following his overhead jump slam. In Phase 2, watch his torso twist for a low sweep—jump over it and stomp his head.

THRUST (Phase 1) Mikiri Counter immediately after overhead jump.
SWEEP (Phase 2) Jump and stomp head after overhead jump.
GRAB (危) Step dodge backward when he drops his weapon to grab.

Phase 3: Genichiro, Way of Tomoe (Lightning)

Secret Phase 3

After the second deathblow, Genichiro sheds his armor, brandishes a lightning-infused blade, and begins the fight with a long-range leaping thrust attack. Execute a Mikiri Counter immediately as the phase starts! When he leaps into the air with lightning crackling on his sword or bow, jump straight up, let the bolt strike you mid-air, and tap Attack before landing to perform a Lightning Reversal. This electrocutes him, dealing massive vitality and posture damage!

Walkthrough Act 2: Ashina Castle Complete Guide

Guardian Ape (獅子猿)

Sunken Valley (Bodhisattva Valley) Bodhisattva Valley Idol Memory: Guardian Ape + Slender Finger
Phase 1 Prosthetic Flame Vent (Oil + Fire) / Firecrackers
Phase 2 Essential Prosthetic Loaded Spear (Extract Centipede)
Defensive Prosthetic Phoenix's Lilac Umbrella (Blocks Scream)
Phase 1 Weakness Beast Burn & Firecracker Stun

Master Strategies & Top Tips

  • Phase 1 Flame Vent Combo: Throw an Oil pot at the start of Phase 1, then use Flame Vent + Chasing Slice. The Ape catches fire and writhes in agony for 5 seconds, letting you chop down half his vitality.
  • Fart & Poop Throw Counter: When he reaches behind his backside, sprint directly underneath him. His aerial toxic poop throw will sail harmlessly over your head, allowing you to hit him as he lands.

Phase 1: Beastly Frenzy & Poop Cannon

Phase 1

In Phase 1, the Guardian Ape behaves like a chaotic beast. Avoid staying directly behind him (he farts and poisons you). When he flails on his back like a tantrum, stay near his head and deflect his fists. Use Firecrackers every 20 seconds to trigger a 3-second flinch.

SWEEPING GRAB (危) When he sits back to sweep-grab, jump straight up.
LEAPING DIVE GRAB (危) When he leaps high into the air, sprint away diagonally.

Phase 2: Headless Undead & The Loaded Spear Trick

Fakeout Phase 2

The Twist: After the "Shinobi Execution" banner in Phase 1, the Ape picks up its severed head and a giant nodachi sword, rising for Phase 2! His rhythm shifts completely from wild beast to rhythmic, eerie sword dancer.

The Centipede Extraction Secret:

Deflect his snaking sword strikes. When he raises his sword high into the clouds for a towering overhead slam, deflect it cleanly. The Ape will stagger and collapse to the ground for 3 seconds. Immediately equip the Loaded Spear, aim at his neck cavity, and tap R2 twice! You will pull out the giant centipede, dealing massive direct vitality and posture damage!

Terror Scream Counter: When blood bubbles out of his neck and he places his head to his throat, sprint away immediately or open the Phoenix Lilac Umbrella to negate the Terror scream.

Walkthrough Act 4: Sunken Valley Complete Guide

Great Shinobi Owl (大忍び 梟)

Ashina Castle Rooftop Castle Tower Lookout Memory: Great Shinobi + Aromatic Branch
Recommended Prosthetic Mortal Draw / Flame Vent / Umbrella
CRITICAL WARNING DO NOT USE THRUST ATTACKS! (He Mikiri Counters you!)
Anti-Heal Bomb Green smoke prevents gourd use for 30s
Primary Punish Dodge right on his 2-Shuriken Flip Slam

Master Strategies & Top Tips

  • Never Use Charged Thrusts: Owl knows every shinobi art you know. If you hold R1 to do a thrust attack, he will instantly Mikiri Counter you for an instant-kill deathblow!
  • Punish the 2-Shuriken Somersault: When Owl throws two shurikens and leaps high into the air for a somersault sword slam, step-dodge to his right as he lands. He is frozen for 2 seconds—punish with Mortal Draw or Whirlwind Slash.
  • Lloyd's Charm Anti-Heal: When he tosses the small green bomb, sprint behind him to land 2 free hits, or back off to avoid getting locked out of your Healing Gourd.

Phase 1 & Phase 2 Tactics

2 Deathblows

In Phase 1, fight patiently. Deflect his heavy katana slashes and punish after his somersault slam. In Phase 2, he introduces Poison Pools across the arena (sprint out of the poison) and tosses Smoke Bombs that break your lock-on (immediately hold block to catch his surprise slash, then re-lock on).

Walkthrough Act 6: Shinobi Siege & Owl Guide

True Corrupted Monk (宮の破戒僧)

Fountainhead Palace (Votive Bridge) Fountainhead Palace Gate Memory: True Monk + Dragon's Tally Board
Recommended Prosthetic Firecracker / Fistful of Ash / Flame Vent
Phase 2 Skip Secret Tree Grapple Stealth Deathblow!
Phase 3 Weakness Firecrackers + Fistful of Ash Stun Loop
Consumable Yashariku's Sugar + Divine Confetti

Phase 2 Stealth Skip & Ash Loop Trick

  • Phase 2 Instant Stealth Deathblow: As soon as Phase 1 ends, immediately grapple up to the highest tree branch on the left/center of the bridge. Look down as the dark mist appears; target the Monk and press Deathblow to skip Phase 2 entirely!
  • Phase 3 Firecracker/Ash Lock: In Phase 3, alternate between Firecrackers and Fistful of Ash (Throw Ash -> 3 Sword Hits -> Firecracker -> 3 Sword Hits). She will never be able to attack!

Phase 1, Phase 2, & Phase 3 Breakdown

3 Deathblows

In Phase 1, deflect her 5-hit twirling naginata dance. In Phase 2, either execute the tree stealth deathblow or grapple between branches while shadow phantoms spawn. In Phase 3, a giant centipede bursts from her neck to spit Terror vomit—circle around to her back and execute the Ash/Firecracker stun combo.

Walkthrough Act 7: Fountainhead Palace Guide

Isshin, the Sword Saint (剣聖 葦名一心)

Silvergrass Field (Underpass) Near Secret Passage Memory: Saint Isshin + Dragon Flash Skill
Recommended Prosthetic Suzaku's Lotus Umbrella / Loaded Spear
Recommended Skill High Monk / Mikiri Counter / Ichimonji Double
Crucial Buff Ako's or Yashariku's Sugar + Divine Confetti
Phase 4 Deciding Factor Lightning Reversal

Master Strategies & Top Tips

  • Warmup (Genichiro Way of Tomoe): Sprint behind him when he opens with the Black Mortal Draw. Punish with Ichimonji: Double to recover your posture while shredding his.
  • Phase 1 Ashina Cross Punish: When Isshin sheathes his katana with a glint of white light, sprint in a circle around him or get very close to trigger a quick hilt-strike + sweep (jump it!). If far away, deflect twice cleanly.
  • Phase 2 Spear & Gun Rhythm: When he pulls out the spear and semi-automatic pistol, deflect his 4 rapid gunshots, then immediately ready your Mikiri Counter for his following spear thrust!
  • Suzaku Umbrella on Combat Arts: When he charges Dragon Flash or his circular wind slash, hold the Suzaku Umbrella and retaliate with Projected Force for huge posture damage.

Phase 1: Pure Katana Mastery

Phase 1

Stay close to Isshin. Attack once or twice until he deflects. When he raises his sword above his head for Ichimonji, wait until the downward swing starts, then step-dodge right and punish his back.

THRUST (危) When he dashes right and thrusts, Mikiri Counter!
SWEEP (危) Jump and head-stomp when wind swirls around his sheath.

Phase 2: The Spear, Glock Pistol & Overhead Leaps

Phase 2

Isshin stomps the earth, drawing a massive cross-spear and a semi-automatic handgun. Deflect Combo: Gunshot x4 -> Spear Thrust -> Mikiri Counter. When he leaps backward sweeping his spear, dodge forward under the blade to stay aggressive.

Phase 3: Lightning Saint & Final Victory

Phase 3

In the final phase, lightning strikes the field. Whenever Isshin leaps into the air with lightning coursing through his spear, jump into the air, absorb the bolt, and hit Attack before touching the ground. Two successful Lightning Reversals will break his posture completely, unlocking the game's final Deathblow!

Walkthrough Act 8: Sword Saint Isshin Master Guide

Demon of Hatred (怨嗟の鬼)

Ashina Outskirts (Flames of Hatred) Flames of Hatred Idol Memory: Hatred Demon + 2 Lapis Lazuli
Mandatory Prosthetic Suzaku's Lotus Umbrella
Secret Phase 3 Prosthetic Malcontent Finger Whistle (Stuns 3x)
Combat Style Souls-style Sprinting & Left Leg Hug
Consumable Dousing Powder / Yashariku's Sugar

Master Strategies & Top Tips

  • Hug His Left Leg: Stick right between his feet near his left thigh. 90% of his fire punches will swing over your head.
  • Suzaku Umbrella for Jump Fire Slam: When the Demon leaps 50 feet into the air, do not run! Stand under him, pop the Suzaku Umbrella, absorb the fire explosion, wait for the shockwave, then use Projected Force for huge counter-damage!
  • Malcontent Whistle Stun in Phase 3: In Phase 3, blow the Malcontent whistle 3 times. Each blow stuns the Demon for 4 full seconds, allowing you to melt his final health bar before he can summon his deadly ring of fire.

3-Phase Endurance Strategy

3 Deathblows

Jump over his perilous sweeping charge (it is a sweep, not a grab). In Phase 2, sprint diagonally when he slams the ground to summon a fire runway, then grapple to his horns. In Phase 3, pop Yashariku's Sugar and execute the 3x Malcontent whistle combo for an easy victory.

Walkthrough Act 8: Demon of Hatred Guide

Owl (Father) (義父)

Hirata Estate Memory 2 Hidden Temple (Memory 2) Memory: Foster Father + Aromatic Flower
Recommended Skill Ichimonji: Double / Mortal Draw
Key Counter Mikiri Counter his Shadowfall leap
Phase 2 Spirit Trick Jump over Flame Owl -> Mikiri Counter!
Ending Unlock Required for Purification Ending

Master Strategies & Top Tips

  • Gunpowder Slash Dodge: When Owl throws gunpowder into the air and prepares to slice it into flames, dodge forward-right through the sparks to land behind him for a guaranteed heavy attack!
  • Shadowfall Mikiri: When Owl charges across the room with his glowing Shadowfall thrust, stand still and press Mikiri Counter to step on his blade.
  • Flaming Owl Jump (Phase 2): When he sends the flaming blue owl flying at you, jump straight up over the fiery bird, then immediately press Mikiri Counter to catch his trailing shadow-thrust!

Prime Shinobi Duel (Purification Route)

2 Deathblows

Owl Father is faster and more aggressive than Great Shinobi Owl. Deflect his shoulder-tackle and dodge through his firecrackers. When he vanishes in Phase 2, sprint around the pillars until the blue spirit bird repositions and he plunges down.

Walkthrough Part 12: Hirata Estate Memory II Guide

Essential Mini-Bosses Tactical Master Sheet

7 Crucial Encounters Prayer Beads & Key Upgrades

Quick Counter Guide for Hardest Mini-Bosses:

  • Chained Ogre (Ashina Outskirts): Use Flame Vent with Oil (causes panic flinch) and grapple into his head when the green icon appears.
  • Blazing Bull (Outskirts Gate): Deflect his head-dip charge as he skids into you (stuns him for 3 hits), then throw Firecrackers for guaranteed posture breaks.
  • Seven Ashina Spears (Reservoir): Get a stealth deathblow on Phase 1. Mikiri his thrusts, then deflect his heavy counter-shove immediately to knock him on his face.
  • Armored Warrior (Senpou Bridge): His armor is indestructible! Fill his posture bar with deflections, face a broken balcony edge, and execute the deathblow to kick him off the cliff ("ROBERRRRRRT!").
  • Ashina Elite - Jinsuke Saze (Castle Dojo): Double-tap deflect instantly when his sheath flashes white. Two perfect deflections break his posture in 3 seconds flat!
  • O'Rin of the Water (Mibu Village): Use Sabimaru (she is extremely weak to Poison) or Divine Confetti. Jump on her low sweep Kanji attacks.
  • Headless & Shichimen Warriors: Always pop Divine Confetti and Pacifying Agent. Use the Phoenix's Lilac Umbrella to block all Terror beams.