Sekiro: 10 Parry and Combat Tips to Master Ashina

Why Sekiro Demands a New Mindset

Unlike other FromSoftware games where dodge-rolling is king, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice forces you to learn a completely different combat language. Hesitation is defeat—literally. The most important skill you'll ever develop is the deflect, a perfectly timed block that parries enemy attacks and decimates their posture. If you're still playing it like Dark Souls, you're going to get obliterated. Here are 10 pro tips to help you unlearn bad habits and become the shinobi Ashina needs.

1. Master the Deflect (But Don't Spam It)

The deflect window is tighter than a standard block, but far more generous than a parry in other games. Press L1/LB just as the attack lands. Spamming block might save you in a pinch, but it only gets you chip damage and broken posture. Instead, train yourself to stay calm and time each press. Practice on the Undying Warrior in Dilapidated Temple to internalize the rhythm.

2. Posture Is the Real Health Bar

Forget about HP as your main win condition. In Sekiro, depleting an enemy's posture opens them to a deathblow—even if they still have health left. Similarly, if your posture breaks, you're stunned and vulnerable. Keep yours in check by holding block to recover posture faster and avoiding unnecessary attacks. When an enemy's posture is high, they're easier to break; when it's low, they recover quickly, so keep pressuring.

3. Know When to Dodge—Sweeps Can't Be Deflected

Not every attack can be parried. Sweep attacks (often telegraphed by a perilous red kanji) must be jumped over. Thrust attacks can be deflected, but the Mikiri Counter (a skill unlock) is a far better option—it nullifies the thrust and deals massive posture damage. Learn the visual tells: thrusts typically come straight at you, sweeps start from the side, and grabs require a well-timed dodge backward. Don't panic when you see the kanji; read the animation.

4. Don't Hesitate—Aggression Wins

In Sekiro, standing back and waiting for an opening is a death sentence. Aggression is your survival tool. Keep attacking until the enemy deflects you (a louder, higher-pitched clash), then immediately switch to deflecting their counter-attacks. This creates a rhythm of offense and defense that whittles down enemy posture and can lock many bosses into a loop. Be relentless, but not reckless.

5. Use Prosthetic Tools to Exploit Weaknesses

The Shinobi Prosthetic is your Swiss Army knife against tough opponents. Firecrackers stun beasts and break enemy rhythm, Shurikens interrupt aerial attacks and keep pressure on mobile foes, and the Loaded Axe shatters shields. Each tool has a unique niche—experiment and upgrade them at the Sculptor. A well-timed Umbrella can even block undodgeable grabs and projectiles.

6. Stealth Deathblow First, Always

Every major fight can be shortcut with stealth. Use the environment to get a free deathblow before combat truly begins. This isn't cheating—it's assassination, the shinobi way. Use Gachiin's Sugar to lower your profile, hide in tall grass, or grapple to a rooftop to perform a plunging attack. Even the hardest mini-boss becomes manageable if you start with half their health removed.

7. Spend Sen and Skill Points Wisely

Money and XP are lost on death, so always spend them at a sculptor's idol before a tough encounter. Buy coin purses from merchants (they preserve Sen across deaths), and invest in passive skills like Shinobi Eyes, which extends Mikiri Counter's posture damage, or Breath of Life: Light, which restores HP on deathblows. Active combat arts are fun, but passives offer survivability that trumps flashy moves in the early game.

8. Memories and Prayer Beads—Don't Hoard Them

After each major boss, you'll receive a Memory that boosts your Attack Power when consumed at an idol. Similarly, Prayer Beads (spread across the world and boss drops) increase your Vitality and Posture. Use them immediately. There is absolutely no reason to save them, and the stat boost could be the difference between surviving a combo or getting one-shot. Always be upgrading.

9. Learn Every Boss's “Dance”

Each boss is like a rhythm game. The key is to recognize their attack chains and know exactly where the deflects land. For example, Lady Butterfly's kunai throw can be deflected and followed by a quick shuriken of your own to interrupt her jump. Practice dying—it's the intended way to learn. Don't get frustrated; treat each death as a learning step. Eventually, the fight becomes a beautiful, brutal dance.

10. Use Items and Buffs to Even the Odds

You have a whole item wheel for a reason. Grind some divine confetti for extra damage against apparitions, pop Ako's Sugar to boost offense, and use Pacifying Agent to counter terror buildup. Also, don't forget your Healing Gourd seeds—find them all to maximize your healing. When stuck, check if a consumable can tip the balance. Even a small buff can make a boss much smoother.

Final Words

Sekiro is about mastering the fundamentals, not farming levels. Once you internalize the deflect and learn to stay aggressive, every encounter becomes a test of patience and skill rather than raw stats. Remember: hesitation is defeat. So get back out there, shinobi, and take your rightful place as the Owl's protege.