Character Development in Sekiro Shadows Die Twice Sekiro guide, walkthrough

Last update: 12 April 2019

In this section of the guide to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, we have compiled the most important information about character development. You can learn, among other things, how to increase the life expectancy and attack power of a controlled character or how to access new skills.

• Improving the hero's stats
• Unlocking New Skills
• Combat Arts
• Ninjutsu Technique
• Spirit Emblems

Improving the hero's stats

In Sekiro, the main character is described by three parameters - Vitality, Posture and Attack Power. A very important feature of the game is that you increasing the statistics of the hero by grinding, i.e. by repeatedly cracking down on the same monsters, is not easily achievable. Instead, you should rely on the methods described below.

Vital force and Posture can be increased only by purchasing Prayer Beads. They can be rewarded for defeating selected bosses, although some of them are found in the game world in the form of loot. A full list of the Prayer Beads (there are 40) is readily accessible in a separate chapter of our guide.

Hero stats don't automatically increase when you discover each new Bead. Instead, you need to wait until you collect 4 Beads and then go back to any Sculptor's Idol. In the camp menu, you can select the option to Enhance Physical Attributes.

Attack power can be increased only by obtaining new Memories. These are rewards for overcoming the main bosses of the game. After killing the boss, you will receive information about unlocking the associated memories.

Attack Power does not automatically increase when a new memory is unlocked. You have to go back to any Sculptor's Idol, and then select the option in the camp menu to Enhance Attack Power by 1 point.

Unlocking New Skills

Another way to increase the effectiveness of the hero on the battlefield is the acquisition of new skills. Before you can start unlocking skills, you need to meet two requirements.

The first requirement is to have an Esoteric Text, i.e. a skill book. The Book of Shinobi Arts and the Book of Prosthetic Arts will be given to you at the initial stage of the game by the sculptor. The remaining books you have to obtain yourself. A list of books, along with their locations, has been included in the chapter Esoteric Texts.

The second requirement is to have some skill points available - they're awarded for advancing to new levels. XP is awarded for each enemy killed, with more points guaranteed by defeating bosses. We recommend that you check the section Farming XP and Gold, where we break down the best methods of accumulation of experience.

Once you earn at least 1 development point, you can select the category of skills you're interested in from the tabs in the upper left corner of the screen. Most skills require spending more than 1 ability point. They are also linked to one another in trees, and so in order to unlock more advanced abilities, you must first purchase corresponding basic skills.

{ramakniebieska}Our suggestions of the most useful abilities can be found in the section What Skills Should I Buy First? Don't try to unlock all skills from just one tree. Instead, try to achieve the best skills from different categories. {/ramkaniebieska}

Combat Arts

As you progress through the game, you can access new Combat Arts. These are special abilities activated by the following combination of buttons: L1+R1/LB+RB. Each activation of Combat Arts consumes Spirit Emblems (usually 2 or 3).

Almost all martial arts you can be unlocked with the acquisition of skills related to them. The exception here is the Mortal Draw Art, which is granted when you receive the Blade of Mortality.

You can only have one Combat Art active at a time - set it in the main character tab. You may want to switch between the available abilities. This is highly advisable as some normal opponents and bosses are less resistant to the chosen Combat Arts. Our suggestions regarding the selection of abilities can be found in the guide to the battles with the game's bosses.

Ninjutsu Technique

In Sekiro, you can unlock only three Ninjutsu Techniques. Here's a list of these:

1. Bloodsmoke Ninjutsu - awarded automatically for defeating the main boss, Genichiro Ashina.
2. Puppeteer Ninjutsu - awarded automatically for overcoming the Folding Screen Monkeys. This is an unusual and mandatory "boss fight."
3. Bestowal Ninjutsu - awarded for defeating Undead Guardian Ape, which is one of the additional bosses in Ashina Depths.

As with the martial arts described above, at any given moment, you can only have one ninjutsu technique ready to use. You select them from the character card. Always carefully read the technique descriptions to learn how to apply it. It is worth noting that they consume much more Spirit Emblems. Use them in moderately.

Spirit Emblems

The Spirit Emblems - are a very important resource in Sekiro, allowing you to use:

1. Prosthetic tools
2. Combat Arts
3. Ninjutsu Techniques

The pool of Spirit Emblems can be replenished by:

1. Getting them from some killed opponents
2. Finding them around the game world
3. Buying them from the level of Sculptor's Idols - each symbol costs 10 Sen.

Try to always have a large number of Spirit Emblem in stock, as you can very easily use them up, for example, repeating a battle with a strong boss. The hero can access only a limited number of Spirit, but:

1. You can increase the number of the Emblems you're able to carry, thanks to passive skills.
2. Unused Emblems are stored at the Sculptor's Idols. After returning to the camp, the game will automatically replenish their stock, and then you do not have to worry about collecting them again.