Starting Tips for Sekiro Shadows Die Twice Sekiro guide, walkthrough

Last update: 25 March 2019

On this page of the guide to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice we have listed a number of starting tips. Getting acquainted with these should help hit the ground running in the game, especially since some of the mechanics have changed significantly compared to the Dark Souls series. In this section, we have touched on various topics related to, in particular, combat and exploration. Some of these issues are discussed in detail in separate sections of the guide.

• Sneak as often as possible
• Parrying attacks (deflecting) is the most vital element of combat
• Weaken the enemy's Posture to kill them easier in direct combat
• Some attacks cannot be blocked or parried
• Sekiro features no stamina bar
• Don't kill NPCs!
• Make good use of the grappling hook
• You don't have to go back to the scultpor's idols (checkpoints)
• Exploit weak spots of enemies
• The use of gadgets is limited
• You can practice with Hanbei for free
• Obtain two Gourd Seeds early on
• Look around a lot not to miss any of the many significant discoveries
• Do not attempt to defeat each boss you encounter right away
• Lock the camera on the opponent you want to attack
• Do not use all healing consumables at once
• Do not rest if there are enemies nearby
• Don't open coin purses if you don't need gold right now
• You can pause the game whenever you want

Sneak as often as possible

The stealth mechanics in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice are a novelty in FromSoftware games. You can sneak in almost every location and the stealth mode is activated by pressing the left analog knob. Sneaking into Sekiro has two main uses - sneaking past your opponents (useful if you don't want to engage in combat) and attacking enemies by surprise. The game usually offers freedom in choosing the attack method - you can, for example, sneak up to the opponent from behind and pierce them with the katana, jump at them from above, or push them off if they're standing near an edge.

Standard enemies die with a single stealth attack (when you weren't detected by them when you were planning the assassination). A single stealth attack is enough even for more powerful enemies. This mechanic helps a lot during the game.

This method doesn't work on all bosses. Stronger opponents and bosses can survive a surprise attack. If the enemy is highlighted by a single red dot (which appears if a surprise attack can be performed), then a single attack will kill them. If there are more of these dots, then the opponent will only be weakened. For stronger enemies, red dots appear in the upper left corner of the screen (next to the name of the enemy). Always use surprise attacks - even if the enemy does not immediately die, killing them will be easier if they're weakened in this manner.

Parrying attacks (deflecting) is the most vital element of combat

Each skirmish in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice should be approached differently depending on your playstyle, which might be different to the one you know from previous productions by FromSoftware. Parrying attacks is the key to success. This is especially true in boss fights but also applies to fights with ordinary enemies.

To parry, an attack, press the parry button (L1/LB by default) shortly before the attack reaches the hero. The error margin is small, so it's a good idea to practice a lot on weaker opponents. Each correct parry will be signaled by a flash of the colliding weapons. Parrying gets increasingly more difficult as the game progresses. Enemies will attack more often meaning that you may have to parry a few strikes in a short period of time.

Weaken the enemy's Posture to kill them easier in direct combat

Delivering attacks with the katana and parrying successive blows gradually fills the orange Posture bar of the enemy, which is displayed at the top of the screen. When fighting regular opponents, it is displayer beneath their small health bars, while bosses and mini-bosses have a separate posture meter at the top of the screen (example in the screenshot above). This information is vital. You should always try to fill the posture bar of the enemy, which will make the enemy stagger. This is a perfect chance to deliver a Deathblow finishing attack to the enemy. The enemy may die immediately or lose one of the red dots displayed next to their name (only the loss of all the red dots will mean that the finisher will actually be lethal).

The filling of the Posture bar works both ways, which means it also applies to the protagonist, and he can also stagger. The posture bar can be filled especially as a result of failed or inaccurate parries of enemy attacks, and by blocking instead of parrying. A universal way of reducing the value of this bar is to dodge sideways, allowing the protagonist to catch a breath.

Some attacks cannot be blocked or parried

The main character is able to parry attacks of most beats, powerful bosses included. The exceptions are, fortunately, clearly indicated by the game. The appearance of a red symbol on the screen means that the attack cannot be blocked or parried. In order to avoid receiving damage, you have to:

1. Jump - If the attack is a sword cut.
2. Dodge - If the attack is a thrust.

Make sure to stay vigilant and recognize attacks quickly to be able to react accordingly and not to lose health points. Some enemies can use grab attacks. Avoid them by dodging or jumping. If you get caught, you won't be able to free yourself.

After you unlock the Mikiri Counter, you will be able to stop an enemy unblockable thrust by pressing the dodge key and moving the left stick towards the enemy. This has been described in How to use Mikiri Counter section of this guide.

Sekiro features no stamina bar

This makes things a lot easier, allowing you to focus fully on the posture bar. You can deliver attacks and dodge without any restrictions, as the protagonist will not become 'tired' at any time of the game. However, it is worth noting at this point that this does not apply to parrying. As already mentioned, some blows cannot be stopped in any way. Also, even if the connection was perfect with a parry, it will still add a few points to your posture bar.

Don't kill NPCs!

During the game, you will come across friendly NPCs. Don't attack them even when they are abrasive towards your character or when they say that they would defeat you in a fight. If you kill an NPC, you may block yourself from accessing some features of the game.

The looter in Hirata Estate is a good example (see the picture above). If you killed him in the past (you visit Hirata Estate three years before the main events), he will remain dead (that person would now be known as Anayama the Peddler). You won't be able to purchase, e.g. an upgrade for your prosthetic tool.

Make good use of the grappling hook

The grappling hook is one of the most useful gadgets in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Most importantly, it can be used to reaching inaccessible places, for example, rooftops or on high rock shelves. You have to keep two things in mind. First, you cannot use the hook without any constraints. You can use it only if a marker informing you about the possibility to use the grappling hook appears by the Edge or ledge - initially it is gray, but after you approach it and getting into the tool's range it turns green (example in the screenshot). The second application of the hook is using it in combat. You can use it to pull enemies. This is very useful when you want to shorten the distance quickly.

As you progress, you will be able to unlock an ability to mount a katana attack after the protagonist hangs on to an interactive spot using the hook.

You don't have to go back to the scultpor's idols (checkpoints)

The mechanism for resuming Sekiro after the death of the protagonist changes in certain ways in relation to Dark Souls or Bloodborne. After death, you can return to the last sculptor's idol, however, this is one of two available options. Alternatively, you can revive your character where he died and continue fighting (remember though, that your character will be weakened after the resurrection).

Exploit weak spots of enemies

Every combat situation in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is challenging, especially if you encounter a strong boss. Fortunately, some opponents have unique weaknesses that can be exploited to ensure an easier win. Take a close look at each new enemy before a fight, as well as during combat. In many cases, the different gadgets available (prosthetics) will come in handy. Here are some examples of their application:

1. Using the Flame Vent to attack the Ogre. The weakness of ogres is the element of fire, which will for some time fight with flames instead of attacking the protagonist.
2. Use the Loaded Axe to destroy wooden shields. This makes it a lot easier to weaken enemies using shields.
3. Scaring the beast with a Shinobi Firecracker. After that, the enemy will be vulnerable to your attacks for a few seconds.

The use of gadgets is limited

The gadgets installed on the hero's prosthesis can help you eliminate opponents, but their use is not unlimited, unfortunately. Any use of the prosthesis gadgets consumes the Spirit Emblems - at least one charge. The game tells you how many charges do you have in the bottom right corner of the screen. In the exemplary screenshot, there are 13 out of 17 available emblems.

Use the tools mainly when they can help you weaken the enemy, or to expose them to regular, katana attacks. The Spirit Emblems can be looted from defeated enemies, found in the world or purchased by the Sculptor's Idol. More information on that in the How to replenish Spirit Emblems ? section of this guide.

You can practice with Hanbei for free

You don't have to practice combat basics or newly unlocked moves on your opponents. All attacks can be tested in a safe environment. Return to the Dilapidated Temple to meet Hanbei the Undying. During your first Meeting, the list of available actions will be short, however, new options will become available each time you purchase a new attack/skill or automatically unlock a new move during the story campaign.

When practicing with Hanbei, you do not have to worry about losing health points or dying. You can repeat each lesson any number of times. We recommend participating in training regarding:

1. Parrying blows
2. Parry series of attacks - useful during boss fights
3. Reacting to unblockable attacks (cuts and thrusts)
4. Proper utilization of Mikiri Counter

Obtain two Gourd Seeds early on

Gourd Seeds are unique treasures in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. By finding them, you increase the number of Healing Gourds you can carry and use to heal your character. Upon starting the game, you have only one Healing Gourd. We recommend expanding this number as soon as possible:

1. The first Gourd Seed can be acquired after defeating the General Naomori Kawarada mini-boss at Ashina Outskirts.
2. The second Gourd Seed can be found in a chest right behind the Ashina Outskirts, where the Chain Ogre resides.

Take the seeds back to Emma the Physician at the Dilapidated Temple. By collecting both seeds mentioned above, you will increase the number of Healing Gourds up to three. This means that you will be able to heal three times before returning to the sculptor's idol.

Detailed information on where to find the seeds can be found in the Gourd Seeds section of this guide. However, the detailed instruction on how to increase the number of available healing consumables can be found in How to increase the capacity of Healing Gourd section of this guide.{/ramkaniebieska}

Look around a lot not to miss any of the many significant discoveries

In Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, there are many important items hidden from one's sight, and thus easy to miss if you go through a location without exploring it carefully. Make sure to explore newly visited locations thoroughly, best after dealing with the opponents residing there. Especially look for:

1. Unique grapples for your grappling hook. These can include a protruding bough and a distant ledge. These grapples can often take you to new locations.
2. Destructible objects, such as cracked walls or large jars that can hide a hidden location or some loot.
3. Rotary walls (for example in the screenshot above). After you press your back against the wall, you can press the interaction key to get into a secret location.

Besides careful exploration, you should also use every chance you get to eavesdrop enemies (the game will display a button prompt to eavesdrop a conversation). Thanks to that you can, e.g. learn about a treasure hidden nearby or about a powerful enemy in the area (this is a chance for you to prepare for an upcoming boss fight).

Do not attempt to defeat each boss you encounter right away

Thanks to a careful exploration of your vicinity, you can find new pieces of treasure as well as hidden bosses' lairs. Some bosses might prove way to challenging for a weak character, like the Headless shown in the screenshot above, hiding in the Ashina Outskirts hidden area.

Should you notice that a boss can swiftly deal with your character, and his posture meter is filled at a very slow rate, leave him for later. The game does not force you to fight each boss you encounter immediately. The boss fight is obligatory only if that boss guards an entrance to new areas. You can recognize them by the fog wall blocking your way. You can return to a challenging boss after you:

1. Develop your health bar, posture, and your character's attack strength.
2. Increase the number and efficiency of healing consumables you carry.
3. Unlock new skills and prosthetic tools.
4. Acquire new and useful items (e.g. Divine Confetti allowing you to attack wraith opponents more efficiently).

Lock the camera on the opponent you want to attack

The camera lock mechanism is well known from games developed by FromSoftware. We recommend using this option when you:

1. Plan a surprise attack. This is extremely useful when performing attacks from above to stay sure you land on the enemy you selected;
2. Fight a single opponent. This will eliminate the chance of your foe getting out of your vision or missing your attack.

Locking your camera is not recommended when you:

1. Fight a group of enemies. Focusing on a single foe might result in missing the attacks mounted by remaining enemies;
2. Are in a small room or inside a corridor. The camera tends to stray in a small location and sometimes might prevent you from following your opponent's moves.

Do not use all healing consumables at once

In Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, healing capabilities are limited - you have to keep that in your mind from the very beginning. Your character's health does not regenerate automatically, and the healing consumables restore only a fraction of your lost life energy. Below are some tips regarding the recommended play style:

1. Do not use a healing Gourd after losing a small portion of health. This way you might waste a charge if you used the gourd to restore less health than it would usually restore.
2. Healing Gourd is the only Healing Consumable that is replenished during rest. All other healing consumables (e.g. Pellets) have to be found among the loot. Thus it is not worth using them if you can still use the Gourd.
3. Increase the capacity of the Healing Gourd. This will increase your chances of reaching the next sculptor's idol successfully and will make you less dependent on healing consumables.
4. You don't have to fight everyone. If there is a boss fight ahead, you can omit nearly all enemies on the way to him. This will result in more healing consumables left for the boss fight.

More information on healing the protagonist can be found in How to heal your character? section of this guide.

Do not rest if there are enemies nearby

Always remember that Sculptor's Idols (similar to campfires from Dark Souls) are not located at safe places. There often might be some opponents nearby. If you're spotted, an enemy attack might prevent you from resting. You can solve this problem by drawing your foes away from the idol. After your return, you will have more time for the meditation animation to be fully completed, that is until the black screen.

Don't open coin purses if you don't need gold right now

In Sekiro, Coin Purses are found during exploration or bought at a merchant. Sen (coins) kept inside them are safe until you open a purse. Don't take the sen out of a coin purse if you aren't planning on buying something. One of the ways of punishing players for dying is the loss of coins that weren't kept in purses. This can be very problematic when you lose, e.g. a few thousands of sen.

There are two ways of protecting yourself from losing a lot of gold:

1. You can buy Spirit Emblems and carry more than you need. Go back to a Sculptor's Idol after you use all Spirit Emblems carried with you. The items will be transferred to your inventory.
2. Buy every unique item from a Memorial Mob - materials for crafting or upgrading the prosthetic, or Gourd Seed. The list of merchants can be found in the Merchants chapter.

You can pause the game whenever you want

Sekiro allows players to pause the game, even when they are in the middle of a fight. This makes things much easier. Pause the game to, e.g.:

1. Browse your inventory for items that may be useful in your current fight.
2. Change your equipment to make it more useful for the upcoming fight.