Welcome to Sengoku-era Japan! As the "One-Armed Wolf," a disgraced shinobi, you will face relentless foes. Unlike other Souls-like games, Sekiro requires a highly aggressive, rhythm-based approach to combat. Here is a beginner's guide to help you survive your journey and master the clash of steel.
1. The Posture and Deflection System
In Sekiro, fights are won by breaking your opponent's Posture rather than just depleting their health bar. A broken posture allows you to deliver a fatal Shinobi Deathblow.
- Deflecting: Press the block button (L1/LB) right before an attack hits. Perfect deflections emit a bright spark and a high-pitched ring, dealing posture damage to the attacker.
- Posture vs. Health: The lower an enemy's health, the slower their posture recovers. Chip away at their health first if their posture regenerates too quickly.
- Hold Block to Recover: Your own posture will break if the gauge fills up. To recover posture quickly, hold down the block button in a safe spot.
2. Managing Perilous Attacks
When you see a flashing red kanji character (危), it indicates an unblockable Perilous Attack. You must respond quickly with the correct counter:
- Thrusts: Counter by pressing the dodge button forward (circle/B) to execute the Mikiri Counter, stomping their weapon for massive posture damage.
- Sweeps: Jump over the attack (cross/A). While in mid-air, press the jump button again to kick the enemy's head, dealing heavy posture damage.
- Grabs: Jump or dodge backward/to the side. Grabs cannot be blocked or parried and deal massive damage.
3. Shinobi Prosthetics and Spirit Emblems
Your prosthetic arm can be fitted with various tools that provide tactical advantages in combat.
- Spirit Emblems: Tools consume Spirit Emblems, which you can purchase at Sculptor's Idols or collect from defeated enemies. Use your tools wisely to avoid running out.
- Key Tools: Loaded Shuriken (knocks aerial enemies down), Shinobi Firecracker (stuns beasts and human enemies), Flame Vent (sets foes on fire), and Loaded Axe (breaks wooden shields).
- Eavesdropping: Sneak close to guards and follow the prompt to eavesdrop. They will often reveal enemy weaknesses or the locations of hidden prosthetic tools.
4. Resurrection and Dragonrot
Death is not the end for the Wolf, but it comes at a cost.
- Resurrection: You can choose to revive immediately in combat to surprise your enemies. Doing so consumes resurrection nodes, which are refilled by defeating enemies and delivering deathblows.
- True Death and Dragonrot: If you die completely (returning to an idol), you lose half of your current XP and money. Furthermore, dying repeatedly spreads a disease called Dragonrot to friendly NPCs, coughing up blood, which pauses their side quests. You can cure this later using a Dragon's Blood Droplet at a Sculptor's Idol.
Ready to start? For a detailed step-by-step campaign guide that guides you through every item, boss, and ending, check out our comprehensive Sekiro Campaign Walkthrough.
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