Ashina Soldier (Hassou Stance)

Ashina Soldier (Hassou Stance) Strategy

The Ashina Soldier, particularly those employing the Hassou Stance, presents a unique challenge in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. These soldiers are adept at deflecting and countering, making direct aggression risky. Learning their attack patterns and identifying openings for counter-attacks is paramount to overcoming them. Their Hassou Stance allows for rapid, multi-hit combos that can quickly break Sekiro's posture.

These soldiers are often found guarding key areas in the early to mid-game, such as the outskirts of Ashina Castle. When facing an Ashina Soldier with the Hassou Stance, observe their movements carefully. They often telegraph their powerful combos. The key to defeating them lies in precise deflections. Instead of simply blocking, time your L1 button presses to parry their incoming strikes. Successfully deflecting their attacks will build up their Posture gauge significantly.

Once their Posture is sufficiently broken, you can perform a Deathblow. Be wary of their perilous attacks, indicated by a red kanji symbol. These can often be dodged or countered with specific techniques. For instance, a sweep attack can be jumped over, and a thrust can be Mikiri Countered if you have learned the skill. Utilizing items like Fistful of Ash can also create openings by momentarily stunning them.