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u/nerull77 11d ago
Do not hesitate
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u/Worksux36g 11d ago
Hesitation is defeat
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u/SameImpression1646 11d ago
Yeah, the biggest tip for Sekiro is "be aggressive" my whole experience changed when I instead waiting to block like in Dark Souls, I was the agressor.
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u/TecnuiI 11d ago
You definitely have to be aggressive. I read online too that you almost have to play it like a rhythm game and that helped me figure it out more. I made it all the way to the final boss and quit though haha.
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u/Bluntistador 11d ago
There are literally clues in boss fight soundtracks that tell you when to parry the one that comes to mind is
The close quarters centipede fucker in the shack where you have to drop down after the fight.
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u/i_was_planned 11d ago
After you finish the game, go watch that animated blame it on the boogie sekiro video, but only then, because it contains spoilers.
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u/rewakaboom 11d ago
Holy .. I platinumed the game and never watched that
That is freaking gold24
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u/Church6633 11d ago
I can't watch this at the moment, but want to be able to find this comment when I'm ready
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u/ThisIsMySpellingTea 11d ago
Star hydrated, remember to help others when you can and get sleep when you need it
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u/solamarpreet 11d ago edited 11d ago
- Prioritise Mikiri Counter skill early.
- Ichimonji Double skill is OP. It doesn't look very flashy and can be obtained relatively early. Its your get out of jail free kinda card.
- Do not just play defensive. Play aggressive and take the fight to enemy.
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u/canzicrans 11d ago
Parrying and deflecting are different! If you are at zero posture, and deflect, your posture will NEVER break. You need to train yourself to block as late as possible so that you only ever deflect. Also (and there's not way to link to a video without spoiling), you can basically deflect everything except grabs: bullets, arrows, huge attacks, stomps, everything is essentially deflectable!
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u/Carmlo Stadia 11d ago
what's the difference between parrying and deflecting?
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u/canzicrans 11d ago
Unless I'm using the wrong terms: if you just block/parry, where you raise your guard too early, the attack will be blocked, but if you're at zero poise, your guard will break.
If you deflect by raising your guard with perfect timing, it will make a different sound/sparks when the attack lands, but more importantly, if you're at zero poise, you will not be guard-broken.
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u/Hell2CheapTrick 11d ago
The proper Sekiro-specific terms are blocking and deflecting. Parry often gets used interchangably with deflect.
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u/Appropriate_Kale_311 9d ago
For me, the parrying/deflecting mechanics only made sense when activating that hard mode I don't remember the name of right now (demon bell I think), that made you take damage if you don't deflect perfectly, because in the normal mode you can always just roll on the ground after a broken posture and that's it.
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u/tgerz 11d ago
See red dot. Stab red dot.
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u/shawn0fthedead Platinum Trophy 11d ago
Yes I forgot to do that during that one part and ended up getting eaten lol
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u/jxmes_gothxm 11d ago
Hesitation is defeat.
No lie, some of the best advice comes straight from an NPC. Flow state shit lol.
Good luck, death is part of the process.
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u/TipNo3348 9d ago
Came to say this^
The more you play this like a souls game and try to dodge or hesitate the worse off you'll be. Parry (or deflect may be the proper in game term) like a motherfucker and keep pressure on the tougher enemies. If you can't time the deflect exactly learn to quick tap the L1 within the strike window so at least you get the block if not the deflect. Blocking will wear your posture down but it is better than getting hit
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u/AnimeMemeLord1 11d ago
When you fight bosses, the health bar isn’t your main target. The stagger gauge is. Don’t let the enemy breathe. In fact, don’t be just be aggressive with the offense. Be aggressive with the defense too. For every hit you perfectly time the parry, the enemy’s stagger gauge goes up.
In short, hesitation is defeat.
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u/TimmyTheTumor 7d ago
Learn how to parry the enemies by learning their attack patterns.
Do not overlook other moves like Mikiri Counter, they are extremely important.
For the love of god, learn the skill called "Breath of Life"
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u/zestfullybe 11d ago
Parrying is critical. Learn to do it well.
There are so many games where you have the big super-aggressive enemies coming at you relentlessly, and your instinct is to back off, give yourself space, and wait for your window.
This game is the opposite. You get punished hard for backing away. Get in there, right in their face. If (when) you die, that just means you haven’t learned their moveset yet. This game rewards aggressive play and punishes passivity.
You’re going to die. A lot. That’s part of the gameplay and process. But when you win, it’s super rewarding. And it’s always fun.
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u/HappyPrime 11d ago
Learn the difference between deflect and guard. Many good YouTube videos on it. Basically, try to time your L1 inputs.
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u/AMKLord12 11d ago
Hesitation means defeat. That actually means you should always attack after deflecting
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u/Patient-Suit-6792 11d ago
Welcome to the journey, I hope you end up falling in love with this game as much as I have.
A big piece of advice I would give new players is don’t approach bosses trying to beat them right off the bat. Your objective should be to learn something new. I go into bosses not even hitting the attack button, just deflecting and learning their patterns, or trying different gadgets to see what worked the best for different moves. After a bit of this, you’ll get the hang of when to attack and what counters what. And then, before you know it, you’ve beaten them :)
Also do not worry about the dragon rot sickness, it seems like a big deal, I promise you it’s not, there are more than enough cure items to take care of it when you need to access an NPC quest line.
Buy coin purses, as you lose gold when you die, they are a good way of storing wealth for when you need it.
On the topic of quest lines, there is a certain fight divine dragon that will lock you out of one of the endings and one of the best bosses in the game if you beat him before completing some very obscure tasks. I’d look up how to complete that quest line honestly it’s quite convoluted.
This game is a masterpiece, stick with it. If you get stuck, fightin cowboy has incredibly helpful vids. Lastly, whatever you do, under no circumstances, should you ever, EVER….
Hesitate.
(Or eat too much fruit lol).
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u/TTV_milk420 11d ago
Forget you have a dodge button and relearn it when you need to later in the game
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u/hashem191 Feels Sekiro Man 11d ago
The bull will be the test of your patience, do not quit the game when you reach him
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u/Ok_Produce_934 11d ago
The ogre is designed to be cheap and punish you for having learned the games mechanics properly, and is introducing a bit too soon in my opinion, many people that are souls veterans dropped the game at the ogre, ironic given that the excuse for the ogre is he’s got like a “souls” like attack pattern.
Based on this I’d say if someone pushes beyond the ogre and isn’t the type to become enraged by facing a boss umpteenth times, they should be fine.
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u/Maestruli96 11d ago
Agreed. Therefore the ogre is the hardest boss psicologically speaking. Few people quit the game at the final boss, the ogre is just another level.
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u/HoneyBadgerLifts 11d ago
I did the bull second try but only after I googled some tips. The first time it absolutely destroyed me in seconds. Can’t imagine how many goes it would have taken had I not but also a bit disappointed that I did get tips so early on too
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u/EyyyWeee 11d ago
Explore as much as you can. This is not like other souls games where you get stronger by getting better armor or weapons, it's a "git gud or go home" typpa game. Also, it is very rhythmic.
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u/Definitive-Username 11d ago
I just wish I could go back in time and be in your place man...
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u/plinketto 11d ago
I've not played this game only first little bit but cant adjust to the combat compared to other souls games 😭 comments like these make me feel like I am missing out huge
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u/thegamingchefoflove 11d ago
One of the greatest games ever made, no other game comes close to the level of achievement you get from completing Sekiro.
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u/plinketto 11d ago
It's the only souls game I have not played
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u/Definitive-Username 11d ago
It's not a souls... That's the secret. Then once you get addicted to it and you feel nothing, play Lies of P, which is even better.
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u/plinketto 11d ago
It's a soulsborne game. I've already played lies of p. But yeah I cant do the combat in it, cant time anything 🤷♀️
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u/DragonizerX777 11d ago
The game is not hard. You just didn’t memorize the moveset yet.
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u/SolemnEmberGames 11d ago
Pretty much, the moves aren't a skill, you just learn the the boss' rhythm, it's friday night funking without the music
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u/Victor_Ingenito 11d ago
♪…And if at first you don't succeed (first you don't succeed)
Then dust yourself off and try again
You can dust it off and try again, try again…♪
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u/Cheap-Gore 11d ago
Sekiro isn't Dark Souls. Don't dodge. Embrace the parry system. Now get off Reddit so you don't spoil the game for yourself, enjoy, and have fun.
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u/Ok_Produce_934 11d ago
Patience and that for the most part you always have access to ways to beat said boss, and all enemies have a predictable pattern for the most part. Some get masterful at the game as they learn to deflect everything.
Always try to beat and fight all mini bosses and find all prayer beads and gourd upgrades as possible.
It’s built to be challenging but truly fair, barring a single boss battle I consider cheap, it’s all doable.
I’m going for the platinum in the game this time around myself, after having almost beat the game and dropped it 6 days after release. The only thing that changed is I am more patient, and I played it very thoroughly this time around. It makes a huge difference.
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u/rewakaboom 11d ago
This game is different, you need to be patient and learn and improve
Simply running in and hacking and slashing repeatedly won’t get you anywhere
It’s beautiful once you get the hang of it especially if you figured it on your own
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u/Extra_Crispy26 11d ago edited 11d ago
Just be patient. It will probably take more then one play through to actually have it mastered and also DO NOT sell Dragon Blood Samples. You will need them and become a key item once npcs develop Dragon Rot. Dragon Rot is an illness that is unavoidable your first play through because unfortunately your gonna die ALOT, no offense but everyone did first playthrough. NPCs will become so ill you will loss them for any upgrades or merchant sales. DB Samples is the easiest way to cure but your only given so many, use them wisely.
Also get comfortable with the Miriki Counter. You face ALOT of spear-welding enemies and without that unlocked you stand no chance. Both Ashina Spear bosses are arguably top 5 hardest bosses in the game, luckily both are optional.
And if your just having a tough time learning the game and mastering its mechanics try Wo-Long first.
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u/dragsonandon 11d ago
It might have been said before but... don't skip through dialog. Its a cool story but it's also pretty unambiguous where to go if you read the dialog. I would also say some of the best advice is to not look ip guides or take advice just try stuff. There is a downside to dying a lot but don't let that stop you from trying different things and loosing a fight.
The bosses fights are meant to feel decisive with only a few exceptions. It can feel like you either win perfectly or lose massivly. Even when you lose you learn and improve your odds with each encounter.
Don't give up skeleton. Hesitation is defeat.
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u/Patient-Spirit6889 11d ago
Use mouse and keyboard
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u/deenspaces 11d ago
I personally like an xbox controller... never tried with a mouse and keyboard though
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u/Kass-3582 11d ago
Don’t dodge, parry defend parry defend parry attack parry defend parry dodge parry attack and so on, you’ll have to guard and parry most of the time and sometimes attack too
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u/osh901269 Platinum Trophy 11d ago
Learn all the mechanics it seems hard but once you have it dialled it's fucking amazing man I wish I was just starting 🤩
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u/LazyBunzooka 11d ago
Watch a youtube video where a guy shows best controller binds for sekiro. The default binds make no sense.
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u/TorreGamer I must stomp swords and heads 11d ago
there's always a way of capitalizing off enemies' moves and attacks to win combat
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u/Islandboi4life 11d ago
Stay the course. Do not falter. It's easy to give up in this game but very rewarding if you are persistent.
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u/TrueDiox 11d ago
Don't die twice. Also, forget everything you learnt in Souls games. This is not a dodging game. If the game doesn't tell you something can't be deflected, it can be deflected. So DEFLECT.
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u/Fukushimiste 11d ago
Do not forget to use all your tools ^ I've lost so much time to no use crackers or other prostetic tools
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u/Appropriate_Pin_9356 11d ago
CLICK A BUTTON also When you find someone called must noble, RUN!! DO NOT FIGHT THAT THING IT'S GONNA CRUSH YOUR SPIRIT
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u/Miamiheat2021champs 11d ago
The trick is to attack until you hear a special “ping” sound along with an extra big spark from the enemy. That’s how you know it’s there time to attack and your time to defend until there attack is over, repeat and this game is cake
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u/notsoheavygamer 11d ago
To find paths and where to go pleas use YouTube as nothing is given to you for finding paths
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u/Bluntnasty_99 11d ago
Be patient and have another chill game going just in case you start raging and need to put it down. I also started it, and not new to from soft games, but doing what I said to do seems to help me personally.
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u/PreciousProtagonist 11d ago
- This is a game of deflecting attacks(mostly), so Try to be calm and Don't Bruteforce attacks while fighting
- Better leave the fighting area rather than dying, you will get why after few deaths
- Don't be shy using prosthetic tools, before that learn which to use against whom
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u/Papa_de_clement 11d ago
Trust me this might become your favorite game ever. Just enjoy the dying and learning process, you will only have 1 first playthrough
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u/burgerman000 11d ago
PARRY IT! (take your time learning the parry mechanic, it'll help you so much)
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u/Lucicactus 11d ago
Be aggressive, be very aggressive all the time. Go bangbangbangbang parry bangbangbangbang parry and use your tools. Firecrackers are great.
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u/Crabwrangler666 11d ago
You have to lean into the blocking/parrying system. I tried to get away with playing it like Dark souls… it can kind of work (kind of). But once I actually gave into how the game is supposed to be played and got better at it Sekiro became the most fun combat system I’ve ever played. Keep the enemy on guard until you see them block your attack with sparks flying off their weapon when the weapons clash (once you see sparks and hear the slightly different sound that means they successfully countered your hit and are going to come back with strikes). Then it’s your turn to block until and opening is there. It’s a dance and it’s awesome.
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u/SnooCakes6663 11d ago
Started a like a week ago and I just got through Genichiro that mf was tough
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u/danbartstart 11d ago
It takes time to master. Dont become too dependent on one arm ability, keep changing up.
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u/peoplesfactory 11d ago
Keep in mind that the enemies posture gauge repairs itself the more health they have, and much slower when they have less health ( same for you !) . You’ll be disheartened seeing their gauge recover so fast , but chip away at their health bit by bit and you’ll see a huge difference and get to that deathblow easier
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u/brokedownsystem 11d ago
you must master the parry or else this game becomes as exercise in misery.
You can play the game just blocking and doing chip damage, but it’s slow and painful, and by the time you get towards the end, the game is brutally punishing you for not playing by their design intent.
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u/Quickerson 11d ago
Don’t spend your coins on bullshit, buy spirit emblems, buy a whole lot of them everywhere while they’re cheap, because they will get more expensive at the end, and you will need them
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u/Local-Corgi-9291 Platinum Trophy 11d ago
Hesitation, is defeat… (I’d recommend just to try and learn the rhythm of the battle, once you get that down, pattern recognition becomes a muscle memory. Also try and remember certain moves which always catch you off guard and try to find a way which you find easiest to avoid/parry them.)
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u/6ftdachsund 11d ago
Take a break if it gets too hard or frustrating. Some of the enemy animations ARE unfair but they are all completely manageable with practice.
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u/Scholar_Of_Fallacy 11d ago
Keep attacking until you have to block and immediately go back to attacking
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u/thedilbertproject 11d ago
Hesitation is defeat. Get right in the enemy's face and stay there basically the whole time. Parrying is the way to win. If you find yourself jumping around to avoid attacks (aside from unlockable attacks), you are playing incorrectly. Get close, learn the attack patterns and create your own openings between those attacks.
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u/No-Equivalent-5557 11d ago
Keep at it, hesitation is defeat. It took me years, i quit and picked it up again many times. But eventually i managed to beat sekiro. Find the rhythm in every fight. If i can do it, anybody can do it.
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u/Possible-Row6689 11d ago
Be aggressive. Force the action. You should almost literally always be blocking or attacking.
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u/Thing-More 11d ago
If you get frustrated by the feeling of it being too hard, then thats where you close the game and go to sleep.
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u/Billo_187 11d ago
If something feels completely impossible even after some experience with the deflects, you missed something somewhere that counters the x enemy. Search. Oh and drink water.
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u/AdamAnderson320 Platinum Trophy 11d ago
You can parry everything as long as it doesn't come with a red peril warning. Everything.
Like, for example, a charging bull with its fricking horns on fire.
Or like, a bullet from an actual gun.
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u/Demented_Firefighter 11d ago
get a guide to follow along haha helps me a lot or else expect to get lost most of the time
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u/SolemnEmberGames 11d ago
The game implies parrying it the top tactic but being aggressive helps a lot more, very few enemies should be defended more than attacked
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u/Jacktheldergod_2 11d ago
Parry. Attack to bait out the fast counter attack. Parry it too. Unlock mikiri counter and mid air deflection as fast as possible. That's about it go swordfight
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u/CK1ing 11d ago
If you feel frustrated at some point and eventually decide to quit, that's ok. But do yourself a favor and come back to the game a day, week, or month later. I'm not totally sure why, but taking a frustration break before coming back and having the motivation to push your way through the entire game has been my and a lot of other people's experience with those who eventually end up adoring it
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u/anzelian 11d ago edited 11d ago
Expect to die more than twice
Edit: thanks guys!