Enemy Types & Weaknesses (Non-Boss)

Enemy Types & Weaknesses (Non-Boss)

Sekiro's world is teeming with various adversaries beyond the formidable bosses. Understanding their attack patterns, weaknesses, and effective Prosthetic Tool or Combat Art counters is crucial for survival and efficient progression. This guide details common non-boss enemies, offering actionable strategies to overcome them.

Ashina Soldiers (Foot Soldiers & Spearmen)

These are the most common enemies encountered throughout Ashina. While individually weak, they can be dangerous in groups.

• Foot Soldiers:
  • Description: Basic sword-wielding enemies. Often found patrolling or guarding areas.
  • Weaknesses: Easily staggered. Can be stealth killed with ease.
  • Strategies:
    • Stealth: Always prioritize stealth deathblows when possible, especially against isolated targets.
    • Deflect & Attack: Their attacks are straightforward. Practice your deflect timing to quickly build their posture.
    • Prosthetic Tools: The Shuriken is effective for interrupting their ranged attacks or closing gaps. The Loaded Axe can break their guard if they block frequently.
• Spearmen:
  • Description: Wield long spears, often performing thrust attacks.
  • Weaknesses: Vulnerable to the Mikiri Counter.
  • Strategies:
    • Mikiri Counter: This is your primary tool against spearmen. When they initiate a thrust attack (indicated by the red Kanji warning), dodge forward to perform a Mikiri Counter, dealing significant posture damage.
    • Deflect: Their sweeping attacks can be deflected, but their thrusts are best countered.
    • Combat Arts: Arts like Ichimonji or Ichimonji Double can quickly break their posture after a successful Mikiri Counter.

Ashina Samurai

More skilled than standard soldiers, these enemies often wear heavier armor and possess more complex attack sequences.

• Description: Found in areas like Ashina Castle. They wield katanas and have improved posture and vitality. Some may perform perilous sweeps or thrusts.
• Weaknesses: Can be staggered, but require more precise deflections.
• Strategies:
  • Aggressive Deflection: Their attack chains are longer. Focus on deflecting each strike to build their posture rapidly.
  • Perilous Attacks: Be ready for both thrusts (Mikiri Counter) and sweeps (jump over). Pay close attention to the red Kanji.
  • Prosthetic Tools: The Fire Vent (when upgraded to Flame Vent) can inflict Burn status, causing continuous damage and interrupting attacks. The Loaded Axe is also useful for breaking their guard.
  • Combat Arts: Whirlwind Slash can hit multiple samurai if you're surrounded, while Ashina Cross delivers quick, high-damage strikes.

Nightjar Shinobi

Agile and elusive, these enemies are often found on rooftops and high vantage points, utilizing swift attacks and aerial maneuvers.

• Description: Black-clad shinobi who use quick slashes, shurikens, and dive attacks.
• Weaknesses: Vulnerable when grounded after a dive attack.
• Strategies:
  • Deflect & Dodge: Their attacks are very fast. Focus on deflecting their melee combos. Dodge to the side when they perform their spinning aerial attacks.
  • Shuriken Counter: When they jump into the air to prepare a dive attack, throw a Shuriken to knock them out of the air, creating an opening for a few hits or even a deathblow.
  • Grapple: If they retreat to a higher perch, use your grappling hook to quickly close the distance.
  • Gokan's Sugar: Consider using a Gokan's Sugar to temporarily boost your posture resistance, making it easier to deflect their rapid attacks without being staggered.

Monks (Senpou Temple)

Found primarily in Senpou Temple, these enemies come in various forms, some wielding staves, others with unique abilities.

• Description: Ranging from basic staff-wielding monks to those who can summon centipedes or use martial arts.
• Weaknesses: Many are susceptible to fire.
• Strategies:
  • Staff Monks: Treat them similarly to spearmen, but be aware of their wider sweeping attacks. The Mikiri Counter is still effective against their thrusts.
  • Centipede Monks: These monks can summon centipedes that inflict poison. Prioritize taking them out quickly. The Flame Vent is highly effective against them, as fire quickly builds their Burn status and interrupts their summoning.
  • Martial Arts Monks: These are more aggressive, often using kick combos and perilous sweeps. Jump over sweeps and deflect their kicks.
  • Divine Confetti: Against the more spiritual or centipede-infested monks, Divine Confetti can increase your damage output, though it's often better saved for apparitions.

Undying Monks (Senpou Temple)

These unique enemies cannot be killed by conventional means and require a specific approach.

• Description: Monks with centipedes emerging from their bodies. They will revive after a deathblow unless a specific item is used.
• Weaknesses: The Mortal Blade.
• Strategies:
  • Mortal Blade: After performing a deathblow, you must immediately follow up with the Mortal Blade Combat Art (obtained later in the game) to truly kill them. Without it, they will simply revive.
  • Fire: The Flame Vent is still very effective at dealing damage and building their posture, making the initial deathblow easier.
  • Stealth: Stealth deathblows are still possible and recommended to get one life bar out of the way.

Gecko & Lizards

Small, often overlooked creatures that can pose a minor threat or provide useful items.

• Description: Found clinging to walls or scurrying on the ground. Some drop valuable items.
• Weaknesses: Very low vitality.
• Strategies:
  • Quick Attack: A single sword swing is usually enough to dispatch them.
  • Shuriken: The Shuriken is excellent for taking them out from a distance, preventing them from escaping or bothering you.
  • Item Farming: Certain lizards, particularly the white ones, drop Scrap Iron or Scrap Magnetite, useful for Prosthetic Tool upgrades.