How to die less often in Sekiro Shadows Die Twice? Sekiro guide, walkthrough

Last update: 25 March 2019

This section of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice guide includes different tips on how to avoid dying in the game. We recommend reading it before starting the game for the first time, especially that frequent deaths might result in progressing Dragonrot.

• Try to attack your opponents by surprise
• You don't have to kill each enemy you encounter
• If you're in a tight spot - run.
• Keep some healing consumables close at hand
• Remember that falling from greater heights can often kill you
• Do not take additional risks after being revived
• Use consumables that increase your chances of winning
• Unlock skills that improve healing processes

Try to attack your opponents by surprise

This is the best solution, as long as you can do this at a given location. When performing a sneak attack, you do not risk the direct confrontation that might result in losing health points or even dying. Try killing as many enemies this way as possible. Sneak attack is thoroughly described in the Sneaking section of this guide.

Here are some pieces of advice:

1. If your sneak attack alarmed other enemies, you can lose them and then wait until the situation settles (your foes will return to their original positions) and start sneaking again.
2. The game allows you to attack some of the bosses by surprise. A sneak attack will not kill an enemy with two red dots, however, he will be weakened allowing you to deal with him more easily.

You don't have to kill each enemy you encounter

This piece of advice might prove useful in locations with weaker enemies standing on your way to the boss. You can ignore regular foes and sprint and use the grappling hook to focus solely on reaching the boss's lair. Such behavior will result in more healing consumables and other useful items during a boss fight.

If you're in a tight spot - run.

The main protagonist in Sekiro can move much faster than most of his adversaries. You can use that to flee from the battlefield each time you find yourself in a dangerous situation or at the brink of death. Sprint and use the grappling hook. When using the latter remember, that most enemies cannot attack your character from a distance and cannot climb onto roofs.

Another way to escape is the Homeward Idol that is always equipped by your character. It allows you to teleport to the Dilapidated Temple or to the previously visited Sculptor's Idol. It is worth using it if you were to run into previously avoided enemies during your escape.

Keep some healing consumables close at hand

The most important healing consumable is the Healing Gourd, however, you can also have other ones with you, like Pellet or the Antidote Powder, which allows you to lift the negative poisoning effect off.

After using all the Healing Gourds, you should consider returning to the camp. Resting results in your foes being respawned, however, you can run past them and focus on exploration.

Remember that falling from greater heights can often kill you

This is extremely important when you're fighting next to a precipice (e.g. with the ogre boss at Ashina Outskirts) or when performing complicated actions with a grappling hook (e.g. jumping towards grapples hanging over a chasm). There are two things that can happen if you fall from a considerable height:

1. You can instantly die without being able to resurrect.
2. You can also lose a lot of HP and be teleported to the nearest gap.

In both cases, the end result is not really desirable. Try to lure enemies away from gaps and edges in order to minimize the risk.

Do not take additional risks after being revived

Resurrecting your character proves useful when protecting him from final death, but you have to be mindful of the limitations that come with this mechanic. After his revival, your character is weakened. You might be tempted to jump into battle right away, however, if you have any healing consumables on you, move away from the enemy that killed your character and replenish some health.

After being resurrected, you might decide to full back to the last sculptor's idol in order to avoid final death. You can also attempt retrieving the "free" revival - more details in How to replenish revival charges? section of this guide.

Use consumables that increase your chances of winning

When completing the game, you can find different kinds of items, some of which might prove useful to keep your character alive. One of the most "common" finds is the Ungo's Sugar - after being consumed, it temporarily decreases physical damage. Swallowing it is recommended when you are about to engage a boss fight.

Unlock skills that improve healing processes

This topic has been thoroughly described in How to heal your character? section of this guide. In our opinion, the most important skills to be unlocked early on in the game are:

1. Breath of Life: Light - You can retrieve some health points each time you mount the Deathblow. This skill might save you from using the healing gourd if, after taking some damage, you perform Deathblow on several weak opponents.
2. Emma's Potency - Two passive skills. Each one allows you to regain more health points when using any healing consumable. As a result, you will be able to last longer on a battlefield before using all healing consumables.