Unleashing the Blades of Shadows: A Comprehensive Guide to Sekiro's Weapons

In the perilous realm of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, your arsenal of weapons is your lifeblood, each with its unique strengths and weaknesses. From the humble Kusabimaru to the enigmatic Mortal Blade, every blade serves a crucial role in your quest to reclaim your honor and confront your destiny.

The Kusabimaru: Your Constant Companion

The Kusabimaru is the primary weapon that accompanies you throughout your treacherous journey. Its versatility lies in its ability to switch between a short and long sword, allowing you to adapt to a wide range of combat situations. While not particularly powerful, its speed and maneuverability make it ideal for slicing through lesser enemies and applying status effects.

Pros:

• High speed and agility
• Can inflict status effects
• Versatile with short and long sword modes

Cons:

• Relatively low damage output
• Limited reach in long sword mode

The Mortal Blade: A Weapon of Legends

Said to be forged from the essence of a fallen deity, the Mortal Blade is a legendary weapon capable of slaying even the immortal. Its ability to bypass enemy vitality makes it a formidable tool against bosses and tough opponents. However, it comes at a cost, as each use drains a significant portion of your health.

Pros:

• Extremely high damage output
• Can bypass enemy vitality
• Can be used as a prosthetic tool

Cons:

• High drain on health
• Limited durability
• Slow attack speed

The Divine Confetti: Breaking the Illusion

Divine Confetti is a powerful consumable that enhances your weapon's damage against enemies corrupted by the supernatural. Whether it's the ghostly apparitions or the towering Oni, Divine Confetti can turn the tide of battle in your favor.

Pros:

• Significantly increases damage against spectral enemies
• Can be applied to both melee and prosthetic weapons
• Essential for certain boss fights

Cons:

• Limited quantity per playthrough
• Requires farming or grinding to obtain

Weapon Crafting and Upgrades

Along your journey, you will encounter various materials and blueprints that allow you to enhance your weapons. Upgrading your blades not only increases their damage and durability but also unlocks new special abilities and combat arts.

Materials and Blueprints:

• Smithing Stones: Essential for weapon upgrades, found throughout the world
• Iron: Enhances weapon durability
• Steel: Increases weapon damage
• Exceptional Iron: Enhances weapon's special abilities
• Exceptional Steel: Increases weapon's attack power
• Blueprints: Unlocks new combat arts and weapon upgrades, acquired from merchants or bosses

Effective Strategies

• Master the Posture System: Sekiro's combat revolves around breaking your enemies' posture. Focus on deflecting their attacks, dodging at critical moments, and unleashing counterattacks to fill their posture bars.
• Mix and Match Weapons: Different weapons have their strengths and weaknesses. Tailor your loadout to the specific enemies you face, switching between the Kusabimaru, Mortal Blade, and prosthetic tools.
• Utilize Stealth and Grappling: Stealth is a powerful tool in Sekiro. Sneak up on enemies, perform critical deathblows, and use the grappling hook to traverse the environment and gain tactical advantages.

Tips and Tricks

• Use Mikiri Counter: This technique effectively counters thrust attacks, dealing devastating damage and breaking the enemy's posture.
• Master Dodging and Deflecting: Timing is crucial in Sekiro's combat. Learn the attack patterns of your enemies and respond appropriately to evade or deflect their blows.
• Use Prosthetic Tools Wisely: Prosthetic tools provide a wide range of utility and combat options. Experiment with different tools to find combinations that suit your playstyle.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overreliance on Healing: Healing is limited in Sekiro. Instead, focus on deflecting, dodging, and breaking the enemy's posture to avoid taking damage.
• Neglecting Stealth: Stealth is an essential aspect of Sekiro's gameplay. Use it to gain an advantage, eliminate enemies discreetly, and avoid unnecessary confrontations.
• Ignoring Weapon Upgrades: Upgrading your weapons is crucial for increasing your damage output and unlocking new combat arts. Make sure to collect materials and blueprints to enhance your arsenal.

Step-by-Step Approach

1. Familiarize Yourself with the Kusabimaru: Start by mastering the basics of combat with the Kusabimaru. Learn its different modes and how to switch between them effectively.

2. Seek Out Divine Confetti: Acquire Divine Confetti whenever possible, as it will be essential for boss fights against spectral enemies.

3. Explore and Gather Materials: Explore the world thoroughly to find materials and blueprints. This will allow you to upgrade your weapons and enhance their abilities.

4. Practice Deflecting and Dodging: Spend time practicing deflecting and dodging enemy attacks. These techniques are fundamental to survival in Sekiro's combat system.

5. Adapt to Different Enemies: Pay attention to the strengths and weaknesses of different enemy types. Customize your loadout and tactics to suit the specific challenges you face.

Conclusion

The weapons of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice are your most valuable tools in your quest for honor. By understanding their unique properties, crafting and upgrading them wisely, and implementing effective strategies, you can wield these blades with deadly precision and triumph over the darkness that threatens the realm.