Ashina Reservoir prologue, Moonlit Tower, rescue of Lord Kuro, Leader Yamauchi mini-boss, and Dilapidated Temple hub setup.
Ashina Reservoir (Prologue): Wolf wakes up stripped of his sword, vitality, and purpose inside a dark well pit three years after the fall of Hirata Estate. This opening area serves as Sekiro's core tutorial — teaching stealth crouch movement, wall ledges, basic sword deflection against Leader Shigenori Yamauchi, and the narrative loss of Wolf's left arm to Genichiro Ashina.
| Item / Key Item | Type | Location & How to Acquire |
|---|---|---|
| Kusabimaru | Primary Weapon | Gifted by Lord Kuro inside Moonlit Tower during opening prologue. |
| Healing Gourd | Primary Healing Item | Given by Lord Kuro alongside Kusabimaru inside Moonlit Tower (1 initial charge). |
| Ornamented Letter | Key Item / Note | Dropped into Wolf's well starting area at the very beginning of the game. |
| Shinobi Prosthetic | Core Equipment | Fitted by Sculptor at Dilapidated Temple after waking up from prologue Genichiro fight. |
| Tool / Component | Type | Location & Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Shinobi Prosthetic Base Arm | Prosthetic Tool Base | Fitted by the Sculptor at Dilapidated Temple; enables mounting 10 specialized prosthetic attachments. |
| Spirit Emblems (Initial Pool) | Prosthetic Ammo | Found floating near Dilapidated Temple Sculptor's Idol and dropped by enemies (Base capacity: 15 emblems). |
| Consumable / Item | Type | Effect & Location |
|---|---|---|
| Pellet x2 | Consumable Healing | Gradual health recovery over time. Found in starting well cave and grass path to Moonlit Tower. |
| Light Coin Purse (100 Sen) | Currency Item | Contains 100 Sen (protected from Death Penalty). Found under Moonlit Tower porch. |
| Fistful of Ash x3 | Combat Consumable | Throw at enemy eyes to temporarily blind and stun them. Found along Reservoir moat path. |
| Ceramic Shard x2 | Distraction Consumable | Throw to draw an enemy's attention away from their post. Found near Gatehouse perimeter. |
Area Clearance Order: As Wolf awakens in the dark well, move forward and immediately read the Ornamented Letter glowing on the ground to learn your objective. Proceed toward the faint light and jump toward the glowing wall ledge, pressing the jump button again to grab on. Pull yourself up. Continue up the rocky inclines, utilizing wall hugs where prompted, until you exit the well into the misty Ashina Reservoir.
Items to Keep Picking Up:
Area Clearance Order: From the well exit, you are unarmed and cannot fight. Move slowly and press the crouch button to enter stealth. Stick to the tall silver grass to remain hidden from the two patrolling Ashina soldiers. Move forward and drop down to the right to grab the wooden cliff ledge. Shimmy left along the cliff edge under the bridge. Once across, climb up and hug the wall under the wooden porch to avoid detection by the guard above. Make sure to pick up the Pellet on the ground here before climbing into the opening beneath the Moonlit Tower.
Items to Keep Picking Up:
Area Clearance Order: After climbing up through the hole in the floor into Moonlit Tower, you will find Lord Kuro waiting for you. Speak to him to trigger a cinematic. He will return your primary weapon, the Kusabimaru katana, finally allowing you to fight back. Speak to him a second time to receive the Healing Gourd. Once equipped, unlock the front door to exit the tower and prepare for your first combat encounter.
Items to Keep Picking Up:
Area Clearance Order: Exit Moonlit Tower, taking down the two basic enemies along the path. Continue toward the main reservoir exit gate, where you'll face Leader Shigenori Yamauchi. This is your first deflection tutorial fight — attack until he deflects with an orange spark, then immediately tap deflect twice to parry his 2-hit flurry to fill his Posture bar. Once you deathblow him, the gate opens.
Detailed Combat Breakdown: Leader Shigenori Yamauchi is Sekiro's core tutorial boss designed to test basic deflection rhythm.
Area Clearance Order: Head through the now-open gate. Use your Kusabimaru to break the pottery, then grapple across the broken bridge to the stone archway. Drop down to the tunnel and traverse the snowy passage to reach the silver grass field. Here, you face Genichiro Ashina. This fight is scripted — victory is not required, as he will sever your arm in a cutscene whether you win or lose.
Genichiro severs Wolf's left arm and kidnaps Lord Kuro. Wolf awakens in the Dilapidated Temple, where the Sculptor fits him with the Shinobi Prosthetic. Emma introduces herself as Lord Kuro's physician.
Area Clearance Order: Wolf awakens inside the Dilapidated Temple, having been rescued by the Sculptor (Busshi of Aretera). He fits you with the Shinobi Prosthetic arm, allowing you to use grappling hooks and tools. Speak to the Sculptor, then step outside and activate your very first Sculptor's Idol (Dilapidated Temple) on your right. Speak to Emma sitting nearby to unlock the ability to upgrade your Healing Gourd with Gourd Seeds.
Key Unlocks:
Area Clearance Order: Before grappling out of the hub via the tree branches, head around the right side of the temple building to find a shrine. Speak to Hanbei the Undying. Use this opportunity to complete his free combat tutorials, practicing deflection, Mikiri Counters, and sweep jumps on him. Once you feel comfortable with the mechanics, use your grappling hook on the tree branches ahead to venture into Ashina Outskirts!
With the Chained Ogre and General Tenzen defeated, you have secured the early outskirts. Your next step should be to use the Young Lord's Bell Charm at the Dilapidated Temple to explore Hirata Estate, or continue forward to face the Gyoubu Oniwa boss fight.