Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Optimal Skill Point Farming Routes — Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Guide

Find optimal routes to farm Skill Points efficiently in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Learn strategies to maximize experience gain and avoid losing progress upon .

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Optimal Skill Point Farming Routes

Acquiring all skills in Sekiro requires a significant investment of time and effort, especially in New Game Plus (NG+) cycles where skill point costs escalate dramatically. Efficient farming routes are crucial for maximizing experience gain. Remember that dying causes you to lose half of your current experience towards the next skill point, so always spend your accumulated skill points at a Sculptor's Idol before attempting a risky route or boss fight.

Early Game (Ashina Outskirts - Wall Path)

This route is excellent for players in the early to mid-game, offering a quick loop with easily defeated enemies.

  • Sculptor's Idol: Ashina Outskirts - Outskirts Wall - Path
  • Strategy:
    1. From the Idol, head forward and grapple onto the gate.
    2. Immediately stealth deathblow the first two standard Ashina soldiers.
    3. Continue forward to the next group, which includes a spearman and several regular soldiers. Use stealth where possible, or engage them directly. The spearman can be easily dealt with using the Mikiri Counter.
    4. After clearing this group, return to the Sculptor's Idol to rest and reset the enemies.
  • Expected XP: Approximately 100-150 XP per run, depending on stealth bonuses.
  • Efficiency: Very quick runs, ideal for accumulating early skill points for foundational abilities like Mikiri Counter and Ascending Carp.

Mid-Game (Senpou Temple - Main Hall)

Once you've progressed to Senpou Temple, the monks offer a good source of experience, particularly the red-robed variants.

  • Sculptor's Idol: Senpou Temple, Mt. Kongo - Main Hall
  • Strategy:
    1. From the Idol, turn around and exit the temple.
    2. Immediately to your left, you'll find a red-robed monk patrolling. Stealth deathblow him.
    3. Continue down the path, dealing with the other monks. The red-robed monks provide significantly more experience.
    4. Consider using the Gachiin's Sugar or Gachiin's Spiritfall to enhance stealth and make deathblows easier.
    5. Once you've cleared the immediate area outside the Main Hall, return to the Idol to reset.
  • Expected XP: Around 200-300 XP per run.
  • Efficiency: Good for mid-game skill acquisition, especially for combat arts or prosthetic upgrades.

Late Game / NG+ (Fountainhead Palace - Great Colored Carp Attendant)

This is one of the most popular and efficient farming spots in the late game and New Game Plus cycles due to the high experience yield of the enemies.

  • Sculptor's Idol: Fountainhead Palace - Great Colored Carp Attendant
  • Strategy:
    1. From the Idol, turn around and head back towards the palace interior.
    2. You will encounter several Palace Nobles (the flute-playing enemies) and Okami Warriors. The Nobles give substantial experience.
    3. The most efficient method is to run past the first few enemies, grapple up to the roof, and then drop down for stealth deathblows on the Nobles.
    4. Alternatively, engage them directly. The Nobles are susceptible to quick attacks and can be staggered easily. The Okami Warriors are more aggressive but also yield good experience.
    5. After clearing the immediate area, return to the Idol to rest.
  • Expected XP: 800-1500+ XP per run, significantly increasing in NG+ cycles.
  • Efficiency: Highly recommended for grinding out the remaining skills, especially those with high skill point costs. The proximity of the Idol to high-value targets makes this route extremely fast.

Late Game / NG+ (Ashina Outskirts - Stairway)

After certain story events, the Ashina Outskirts transform, offering new, tougher enemies with increased experience rewards.

  • Sculptor's Idol: Ashina Outskirts - Outskirts Wall - Stairway
  • Strategy:
    1. From the Idol, proceed forward. You will immediately encounter several Ashina Elite enemies (red-eyed samurai) and riflemen.
    2. The Ashina Elites offer excellent experience. They are aggressive but can be parried effectively. Consider using the Ichimonji Double combat art to break their posture.
    3. Utilize stealth deathblows on the riflemen whenever possible to thin out their numbers before engaging the Elites.
    4. Clear the immediate area around the stairway, then return to the Idol to reset.
  • Expected XP: 700-1200+ XP per run, scaling well into NG+.
  • Efficiency: A solid alternative to Fountainhead Palace, especially if you prefer a more direct combat-oriented farming method.

General Tips for Skill Point Farming:

  • Prioritize Stealth: Many routes benefit greatly from stealth deathblows, which are quick and prevent damage. Consider using Gachiin's Sugar or Gachiin's Spiritfall.
  • Use Balloons: The Mibu Balloon of Wealth significantly increases experience gain for a limited time. Always activate one before starting a farming run.
  • Don't Be Afraid to Reset: The most efficient farming involves quick runs to an Idol, resting, and repeating. Don't feel obligated to clear an entire area if only a few enemies offer the best XP.
  • Mind Your Dragonrot: While not directly impacting XP, Dragonrot can affect NPC quests. Keep an eye on it, but don't let it deter your farming efforts.
  • Spend Skill Points Immediately: As mentioned, dying costs half your current experience. Always spend accumulated skill points at an Idol to avoid losing progress.