How to Get the Carp in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
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The Great Colored Carp is a formidable and unique creature encountered in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Obtaining the carp is not about physical capture, but about feeding it Precious Bait and eventually triggering events that lead to rewards and progression. To put it simply, you “get the carp” by influencing its fate through specific actions at the Great Carp Attendant location. This involves multiple steps and requires careful consideration of your choices.
Locating and Interacting with the Great Carp
The Great Carp resides in the Guardian Ape’s Watering Hole area, accessible after defeating the Guardian Ape. The key to interacting with it lies with the Great Carp Attendant, located within the Sunken Valley Passage area. Reaching the Attendant requires some exploration and grappling hook usage.
Finding the Great Carp Attendant
- From the Sunken Valley Passage – Gun Fort Idol, proceed forward.
- You’ll encounter enemies wielding firearms. Either eliminate them or bypass them swiftly.
- Look for a cliff edge overlooking a large pool of water. A grappling hook point is visible.
- Grapple across and follow the path downwards, eliminating or avoiding the rifle-wielding enemies.
- You’ll eventually reach a dilapidated building. Inside, you will find the Great Carp Attendant.
Understanding the Attendant’s Role
The Great Carp Attendant’s primary function is to feed the Great Colored Carp. He provides valuable information about the carp and accepts different types of bait. The type of bait you use directly influences future events and ultimately determines the “fate” of the carp and the rewards you receive.
Feeding the Carp: The Precious Bait
The crucial element in “getting” the carp is Precious Bait. This special bait can be acquired through various means within the game world.
Obtaining Precious Bait
- Defeating Certain Mini-Bosses: Some mini-bosses, like the Shichimen Warrior, are known to drop Precious Bait.
- Completing Side Quests: Certain side quests, notably those involving merchants, can reward you with Precious Bait upon completion. The merchant at Mibu Village is particularly relevant.
- Finding Hidden Locations: Explore diligently. Precious Bait can be found hidden within the environment, often in less obvious areas.
- Trading with Merchants: Some merchants may sell Precious Bait, although it is typically expensive.
Using the Precious Bait
Once you have Precious Bait, return to the Great Carp Attendant. He will allow you to feed the bait to the Great Colored Carp by ringing a bell. Each feeding contributes to the carp’s overall health (in a narrative sense) and influences its future actions. Feeding the carp repeatedly is the most direct way to engage with it.
Outcomes and Consequences
The number of times you feed the carp, and particularly the type of bait used, has significant consequences.
Alternative Outcomes
While feeding Precious Bait is the most common approach, there are alternative (and arguably less desirable) outcomes. If you instead give the Great Carp the Truly Precious Bait, obtained by fulfilling certain conditions in the game, the carp will experience a different fate, with different ramifications for related NPCs and areas. This is not the typical route players take.
Rewards and Progression
“Getting” the carp, specifically by progressing through the Precious Bait feeding route, unlocks access to new areas and valuable items. By influencing the carp’s destiny, you open up opportunities to acquire:
- Lapis Lazuli: A crucial upgrade material for prosthetic tools.
- New Combat Arts: Valuable additions to Sekiro’s arsenal.
- Lore and Story Progression: Deeper understanding of the world and its inhabitants.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many times do I need to feed the carp?
The exact number varies, but generally, feeding the Great Carp three to four pieces of Precious Bait is sufficient to trigger the next stage of the events. Pay attention to the Attendant’s dialogue for clues.
2. Where is the easiest place to get Precious Bait?
While it depends on your progress in the game, the questline involving the Pot Noble merchants in Hirata Estate and Fountainhead Palace is a reliable source. Buying items from them will eventually unlock the option to purchase Precious Bait.
3. What happens if I give the carp the Truly Precious Bait?
Giving the carp the Truly Precious Bait leads to its death and has negative consequences for the Pot Noble merchants. It’s generally considered an “evil” route.
4. Can I kill the Great Colored Carp directly?
No, you cannot directly kill the Great Colored Carp in a conventional combat encounter. Its fate is determined through the feeding mechanic.
5. Does the order in which I feed the carp matter?
No, the order of feeding Precious Bait doesn’t matter. What matters is the cumulative effect of feeding it enough times.
6. I fed the carp multiple times, but nothing seems to be happening. What should I do?
Try resting at an Idol and returning to the area. This allows the game to progress the narrative. Also, ensure you’ve spoken to all relevant NPCs, including the Great Carp Attendant and the Pot Noble merchants.
7. Is it possible to get locked out of the carp questline?
Yes, if you progress too far in the story without interacting with the Great Carp Attendant or obtaining the Precious Bait, certain quest triggers might be missed, potentially locking you out of the “good” ending for this questline.
8. What are the benefits of completing the carp questline?
Completing the carp questline provides valuable rewards, including Lapis Lazuli (needed for upgrading prosthetic tools), access to new areas, and further understanding of the game’s lore.
9. Can I get all endings related to the carp in a single playthrough?
No. You must choose between giving the Great Carp Precious Bait (leading to a positive outcome) or Truly Precious Bait (leading to a negative outcome) in each playthrough.
10. Where do I find the Pot Noble merchants?
One Pot Noble merchant is located in Hirata Estate, and the other is in Fountainhead Palace. You need to progress the game sufficiently to access these areas.
11. What is the significance of the Pot Noble’s scales?
Pot Noble scales are used as currency with the Pot Noble merchants. You can find them in various locations, often near water or in the possession of enemies near water.
12. Does feeding the carp affect other questlines?
While the carp questline is relatively self-contained, it does intersect with the questlines of the Pot Noble merchants. Completing the carp questline in a specific way (using Truly Precious Bait) will have consequences for their stories.
13. What is the “Hidden Tooth” item, and does it relate to the carp?
The Hidden Tooth is an item that allows you to convert your health into emblems. While useful, it is not directly related to the Great Carp questline.
14. How does the Divine Dragon fit into the story in relation to the carp?
The Divine Dragon resides in Fountainhead Palace, the same area as one of the Pot Noble merchants. Completing the carp questline and interacting with the Pot Noble merchants can unlock lore and understanding about the connection between the palace and the Great Colored Carp.
15. Can I get the Lapis Lazuli from the carp questline more than once per playthrough?
No, you can only obtain the Lapis Lazuli associated with the carp questline once per playthrough. You’ll need to start a New Game Plus to acquire it again.