The Homeward Idol is a single-use consumable item that allows Sekiro to instantly return to the Dilapidated Temple from anywhere in the world. This convenient item bypasses the need to find a Sculptor's Idol for fast travel, making it invaluable for quick retreats or returning to upgrade your gear.
What is the Homeward Idol?
The Homeward Idol is a rare and useful consumable that acts as an emergency escape or a quick return trip to the game's central hub. When used, Sekiro is immediately transported back to the Dilapidated Temple, allowing you to interact with the Sculptor, Emma, Hanbei, or merchants without having to traverse the game world on foot or rely on a Sculptor's Idol.
How to Obtain Homeward Idols
Homeward Idols can be acquired through several means:
- Merchant Purchases: Fujioka the Info Broker, found near the Ashina Castle gate, often sells Homeward Idols for Sen. His stock may vary, so check back periodically.
- Enemy Drops: While uncommon, some enemies may occasionally drop Homeward Idols.
- Item Discovery: They can sometimes be found as loot in chests or on the ground in various locations throughout the world.
- Quest Rewards: Certain NPC quests or events might reward Sekiro with a Homeward Idol.
Strategic Uses of the Homeward Idol
The Homeward Idol offers several strategic advantages:
- Quick Retreat: If you find yourself in a difficult situation or low on health, using a Homeward Idol can save you from a potentially fatal encounter and the loss of experience.
- Efficient Upgrades: After acquiring enough Sen or materials for upgrades, you can use a Homeward Idol to instantly return to the Sculptor at the Dilapidated Temple, saving significant travel time.
- Item Management: If you need to offload items or purchase specific goods from merchants at the temple, the Homeward Idol provides immediate access.
- Avoiding Dragonrot: While not a direct function, quickly returning to the temple after a death can sometimes help manage the spread of Dragonrot by allowing you to rest and potentially trigger events that mitigate its effects.
Limitations
It's important to remember that the Homeward Idol is a consumable item and is lost upon use. Therefore, it's best to save them for situations where quick travel is genuinely beneficial, rather than using them for routine travel between Sculptor's Idols.