Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Beginner's Guide: Posture, Deflecting and Resurrection

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1. Consider using a controller FromSoftware's official manual describes controls on a gamepad and supports Xbox, DualShock 4 and similar controllers. Keyboard play works too, and all inputs can be changed in the Options menu. Whatever you choose, put Deflect on a button you can press comfortably.
2. Lock on at the start of every fight The official manual's first reminder is that your first action in combat should almost always be to Lock On. Face the target and press the right stick; push the stick toward another enemy to switch targets.
3. Learn to deflect instead of guarding Holding Guard protects you, but according to the manual you take more Posture damage than when deflecting. Pressing the button just before a blow lands is a Deflect: you take no damage and fill the enemy's Posture bar. Nailing this timing against single attacks in the early hours is the foundation for everything else.
4. Attack right after a deflect Attacking immediately after a successful Deflect performs what the manual calls a Counter-slash. The attack, deflect and counter-slash chain is the fastest rhythm for breaking Posture.
5. Read the danger symbol Some enemies use unguardable Perilous Attacks marked with a danger symbol. According to the official manual: deflect a thrust as it lands, jump before a sweep lands, and get out of range of a grab by jumping, sprinting or step dodging.
6. Rest when you find a Sculptor's Idol Resting fully restores Vitality, returns one Resurrective Power charge and replenishes Spirit Emblems and Quick Items. After you find a second idol you can fast travel between activated idols. Saving is automatic; according to Activision a blue flame in the top right corner shows the game is saving.
7. Use the prosthetic arm and its tools The Shinobi Prosthetic fitted by the Sculptor gives Wolf a Grappling Hook: circular grapple markers turn green when in reach. Bring Shinobi Tools you find to the Sculptor and he turns them into Prosthetic Tools. The Loaded Axe, for example, breaks shields. Tools cost Spirit Emblems, and you can equip up to three.
8. Spend your skill points Experience earns Skill Points. Once you have one, talk to the Sculptor to receive the Shinobi Esoteric Text and spend points in the Shinobi Arts, Ashina Arts and Prosthetic Arts trees. Combat Arts you unlock must be equipped before use.
9. Collect Gourd Seeds and Prayer Beads Kuro gives you the Healing Gourd very early. Giving Gourd Seeds to Emma increases its uses per rest; after you get the prosthetic, Emma stands just outside the entrance of the Sculptor's temple. Collect enough Prayer Beads and you can consume them to raise maximum Vitality and Posture.

• Thin out groups with stealthYou can perform a Stealth Deathblow on enemies unaware of you; leaping on one from high ground is a Plunging Deathblow. Crouching and circling a group to take enemies out one by one makes the remaining duels far easier.
• Sometimes lower Vitality firstAccording to the manual, the lower an enemy's Vitality, the slower its Posture recovers. Against enemies with very fast Posture recovery, focus on Vitality first, then go for the Posture break.
• How to get Resurrection backAfter resurrecting once you cannot do it again until enough life has been taken. According to the manual, a Deathblow on a powerful enemy (even if it survives) or killing several weaker enemies usually makes Resurrection available again.
• Spend what you would loseDeath permanently takes half your sen and half the experience toward your next skill point. Spending sen on something useful before a boss gate reduces the loss. Occasionally a low-chance Unseen Aid lets you keep everything, but do not count on it.
• Take Dragonrot seriouslyIf Wolf dies enough, Dragonrot afflicts characters he has interacted with, affecting your interactions with them and sometimes the story. If you keep dying in one area, backing off and trying another path protects both your nerves and those characters.
• Do not guard against the danger symbolPerilous Attacks cannot be guarded. When the symbol appears, do not panic and hold Guard; read the enemy's stance and deflect, jump or get out of range depending on the attack.
• Jump or dodge to get back upIf your Posture breaks or you are knocked down, quickly press jump or Step Dodge to Safety Roll back to your feet. It is a lifesaver when Vitality is low or several enemies are around.
• Plan your Quick Item slotsYou can equip up to five Quick Items in the Equipment menu. Put backup healing such as Pellets next to the Healing Gourd; opening menus mid-fight costs time.
• Rematch bossesIn the Game of the Year Edition, Reflection of Strength at a Sculptor's Idol lets you fight bosses you have already beaten. According to Activision, Quick Items and Spirit Emblems used there are returned, which makes it ideal for testing new tactics at no cost.
• EavesdropSome conversations show a listening prompt. Listen with D-pad down; taking a moment for these conversations helps you get to know the area and its characters.

• Holding Guard all the time: guarding takes more Posture damage than deflecting, and a broken Posture leaves you exposed.
• Fighting without locking on: the camera and your attack direction drift, making deflect timing harder.
• Trying to drain every enemy's health: in most fights the real goal is breaking Posture for a Deathblow.
• Guarding when the danger symbol appears: Perilous Attacks cannot be guarded and the right response depends on the attack type.
• Entering tough areas with unspent sen: dying permanently costs half the sen you carry.
• Dying repeatedly in the same spot: repeated deaths spread Dragonrot; exploring another path is often more productive.

This guide was written for version: This guide reflects FromSoftware's official web manual (Ver1.05 content) and Activision support pages as of September 2026. Controls are controller defaults; PC keyboard keys are not listed one by one because they can be rebound in the settings.

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