Is your life as the one-armed Wolf full of challenges you can almost overcome? Are you sometimes overwhelmed by notable boss confrontations? Don’t worry; we’re here to help. By now, you may have checked out some initial tactics in the initial Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Strategies blog. You now also have the capabilities to slay the Chained Ogre, General Tenzen Yamauchi, Gyoubu Masataka Oniwa, and Shinobi Hunter Enshin of Misen in our first  Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Boss Tactics blog. Now for another bout of strategic swordplay; read on for helpful combat notes and takedown tips.

Juzou the Drunkard

Nogami Gensai is nearby; a friendly fellow who can help you with the fight, and make it significantly easier thanks to him distracting Juzou, thus allowing you many free hits. Bring him into the fray after you clear the weaker soldiers in the courtyard, so he lasts longer against Juzou.

Does Juzou feel too powerful to beat in battle? Then it’s strongly recommended you make progress elsewhere first. For example, beating Gyoubu and other bosses first grants you additional attack power, and you’re likely to gain more upgrades to health and/or posture, which makes the fight far easier.

Should he miss with an attack, make Juzou pay by darting in to strike, before retreating out again. Any sweeping attacks from his sword should be leapt over. Whenever he drinks or spits poison onto his oversized sword, these techniques take him a while; allowing you to move in for some quick strikes. Should he resort to palm-based attacks, keep your distance.

Focus on dealing Vitality damage and remain close and countering; jump-kicking his sweep and dodging his grab.

Then defeat him with the Combat Arts Skill Ichimonji; a heavy, one-hit overhead sword strike, and if you don’t have this Skill yet, progress elsewhere before returning here with it as part of your combat repertoire.    

Lady Butterfly

Lady butterfly is an extremely tough boss to face at the very beginning of your adventure. She’s far more manageable after you beat one or two other bosses and obtain a few upgrades, particularly those for your medicine gourd. 

If you’re trying to beat her with only one or two healing gourd uses, you’re going to have a hard time and should probably explore elsewhere first.

If she’s moving on or off the wires, or moving through the air, a shuriken will inflict a critical hit and knock her back to the ground. She can block shuriken when she’s standing and not moving, so wait until she’s in transit to throw them.

This fight is all about aggression. If fighting her feels like it’s taking a long time, you’re probably not being aggressive enough. When possible, attack her and keep her blocking; when she deflects one of your attacks, be ready to deflect immediately, then continue the aggression once again. Use shuriken to interrupt her before following up with chasing slice to close the distance and keep the pressure on.

This fight is extremely hard to win if you don’t properly counter Lady Butterfly’s sweep attacks.  She has no thrust attacks, so if she’s on the ground and you see a perilous attack marker, you know you’re safe to jump toward her and kick-flip off her to deal huge posture damage.  For more info on how to do this, try the “Countering Sweep Attacks” training with Hanbei the Undying at the Dilapidated Temple.

Great Serpent

Approach the Great Serpent with a great deal of care and attention. Find the snake in the Ashina Castle Outskirts, moving across the rocky terrain and through the long grass to an abandoned palanquin. Wait inside, then thrust your sword into the giant snake’s eye when prompted, before avoiding its thrashing as you escape across the rest of the bottomless valley.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is available now for PlayStation®4, Xbox One, and PC. Take Revenge. Restore your Honor. Kill Ingeniously.

For further details about Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, check out the Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice website, and follow @Sekirothegame on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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