Combat Arts and Skills are special abilities that Sekiro can learn and equip, offering a diverse range of offensive and defensive maneuvers that can dramatically alter the flow of combat. These abilities are unlocked by spending Skill Points, which are earned by defeating enemies and bosses, and by accumulating experience. Each Combat Art consumes Spirit Emblems to use, making their deployment a strategic decision, especially during prolonged engagements. Skills, on the other hand, are passive enhancements or new moves that are always available once learned, providing permanent upgrades to Sekiro's combat prowess.
There are various branches of skills to pursue, such as the Shinobi Arts, Ashina Arts, and Prosthetic Arts. For instance, the Shinobi Arts branch includes powerful offensive abilities like the Whirlwind Slash, which can hit multiple enemies in a wide arc, and the Ichimonji Double, a powerful overhead strike that deals significant Posture damage to the enemy and recovers some of your own Posture. The Ashina Arts focus on defensive and counter-attack techniques, such as the Ashina Cross, a devastatingly fast draw attack. Learning these Combat Arts and integrating them into your combat rotation can turn the tide of battle, allowing you to exploit enemy weaknesses or create crucial openings. For example, using the Mortal Draw Combat Art against a large, slow-moving enemy can deal massive damage.
Beyond Combat Arts, passive Skills offer continuous benefits. The Mikiri Counter, a crucial Shinobi Art skill, allows you to stomp on thrusting attacks, dealing significant Posture damage to the attacker and preventing your own Posture from increasing. This is an essential skill for dealing with many enemy types, particularly those who rely heavily on thrusts. Other skills might increase your Vitality or Posture recovery speed. The choice of which Combat Arts and Skills to invest in depends heavily on your preferred playstyle and the challenges you are facing. Experimenting with different combinations, such as pairing a quick offensive Combat Art with a strong defensive Skill, is key to developing a personalized and effective combat strategy against formidable foes like the Guardian Ape.