Ceramic Shard & Gachiin's Sugar
The Ceramic Shard is a consumable item in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice that can be thrown to distract enemies. Its primary use is to lure individual foes away from groups, allowing for stealth takedowns or to isolate a single opponent for a more manageable fight. While not a direct damage-dealing item, its strategic application can significantly alter the flow of combat, especially in areas densely populated with enemies like the Ashina Castle grounds. Mastering the timing and trajectory of the Ceramic Shard throw is crucial for efficient enemy management and for avoiding unnecessary confrontations. The item can be found scattered throughout the world, often dropped by enemies or discovered in chests and on corpses. Its availability increases as players venture deeper into the game's various regions, such as the Senpou Temple, Mt. Kongo.
Gachiin's Sugar is another consumable that plays a vital role in stealth and evasion. When consumed, it temporarily reduces the player's visibility to enemies, making it harder for them to detect the Wolf. This effect is invaluable when attempting to bypass heavily guarded areas or when trying to position for a critical stealth deathblow. The duration of Gachiin's Sugar is limited, so players must time its use effectively. It is particularly useful when navigating through areas with numerous patrolling enemies, such as the Interior Ministry forces encountered later in the game. Combining Gachiin's Sugar with the use of Ceramic Shards can create powerful opportunities for silent progression and for gaining an advantage before engaging in direct combat. Both items are consumables, meaning they are depleted upon use, and manage their inventory to ensure they have a sufficient supply for challenging encounters.
The strategic interplay between these two items cannot be overstated. A well-placed Ceramic Shard can draw an enemy's attention, allowing You to consume Gachiin's Sugar and then approach from behind for a stealth deathblow. Alternatively, if detected, Gachiin's Sugar can provide a brief window to disengage and reposition, potentially allowing You to re-enter stealth. The effectiveness of both items is amplified by understanding enemy patrol routes and sightlines. For instance, throwing a Ceramic Shard towards a wall or a distant corner will draw an enemy's gaze in that direction, creating an opening. Similarly, consuming Gachiin's Sugar before attempting to sneak past a group of soldiers in the Sunken Valley can be the difference between a successful infiltration and a full-blown alarm. Players are encouraged to experiment with these consumables in various situations to fully grasp their utility.