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Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice – How Many Bosses Await You?

The world of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a brutal and beautiful landscape teeming with danger at every turn. While stealth and exploration are crucial, the game’s defining feature is its intense and rewarding combat, particularly the memorable boss encounters. So, the question burning in the minds of many prospective and current players is: How many full bosses are there in Sekiro?

The answer is: There are 13 mandatory full bosses in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and 11 optional full bosses. This brings the grand total to 24 full bosses. These encounters are distinct from mini-bosses, which, while challenging, generally have less complex move sets and shorter health bars. Understanding the difference is key to managing your expectations and planning your playthrough. Prepare to die. A lot. But also prepare for some of the most satisfying combat experiences in gaming.

Mandatory Bosses: The Path You Can’t Avoid

These bosses are integral to progressing through the main story of Sekiro. You can’t avoid them, so learning their patterns and weaknesses is paramount.

Gyoubu Masataka Oniwa: The first major roadblock. This mounted general teaches you the importance of posture breaking.
Lady Butterfly: A cunning illusionist who tests your agility and understanding of the combat system.
Genichiro Ashina: This fight is a brutal skill check. Defeating him unlocks crucial combat arts and sets the stage for the rest of the game.
Folding Screen Monkeys: A unique encounter that emphasizes stealth and puzzle-solving over direct combat.
Guardian Ape: A terrifying beast that dramatically changes form in the second phase. Prepare for the unexpected.
Corrupted Monk: A spectral warrior with a long reach and devastating attacks.
Great Shinobi Owl: A former mentor who uses dirty tricks and shinobi techniques.
Divine Dragon: A majestic, visually stunning battle that concludes a specific branch of the story.
Isshin, The Sword Saint: Arguably the hardest boss in the game. A true test of your skills and mastery of Sekiro’s combat.
Demon of Hatred: A fiery behemoth fueled by rage. This boss requires precise dodging and patience.
Owl (Father): This version of Owl is only available in the Purification Ending.
Isshin Ashina: This version of Isshin appears in the Shura Ending.
True Monk: A more difficult version of the Corrupted Monk.

Optional Bosses: Challenges for the Brave

These bosses are not required to beat the game, but they offer significant rewards and are often considered some of the most rewarding encounters in Sekiro. Taking them on will grant valuable items, new combat arts, and bragging rights.

Headless: Ethereal creatures found in dark, watery areas. They inflict Terror and require Divine Confetti to fight effectively. There are multiple headless, but they are generally considered one type of optional boss.
Shichimen Warrior: Similar to the Headless, these apparitions inflict Terror and require special preparations.
Juzou the Drunkard: (Revisited) Although you encounter Juzou earlier as a mini-boss, this optional encounter is stronger and more challenging.
Ashina Elite – Ujinari Mizou: A formidable swordsman with lightning-fast attacks.
Lone Shadow Vilehand: Another formidable swordsman.
O’Rin of the Water: A ghostly apparition found near Mibu Village.
Sakura Bull of the Palace: A frenzied bull that is only available in the Fountainhead Palace.
Mist Noble: While technically a boss, this encounter is generally considered a joke due to its extreme weakness.
Great Colored Carp: An underwater boss that requires feeding it the Truly Precious Bait.
Bull of the Palace: A stronger version of the Sakura Bull of the Palace.
Inner Father: This version of Owl (Father) is only available in the Gauntlets.

Mini-Bosses: Stepping Stones to Glory

While not counted as “full” bosses, the mini-bosses in Sekiro are critical for honing your skills. They often serve as preludes to the main boss encounters, teaching you valuable lessons about posture breaking, deflecting, and using prosthetics. Many mini-bosses can be skipped, but facing them head-on will make you a stronger and more capable shinobi. Key mini-bosses include:

General Naomori Kawarada
Chained Ogre
Blazing Bull
Seven Ashina Spears – Shikibu Toshikatsu Yamauchi
Lone Shadow Longswordsman

Preparing for Battle: Tips for Success

Defeating bosses in Sekiro requires more than just raw skill. Preparation is key.

Learn enemy attack patterns: Observe your opponents carefully. Memorize their attack timings and learn when to deflect, dodge, or counterattack.
Master the Mikiri Counter: This is essential for defeating enemies with thrust attacks. Practice it until it becomes second nature.
Utilize your prosthetic tools: Each prosthetic tool has a unique use. Experiment to find which tools are most effective against different bosses.
Stock up on consumables: Healing gourds, pellets, and other items can be lifesavers in a tough fight.
Upgrade your vitality and attack power: Collect Prayer Beads and Memories to increase your survivability and damage output.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding Sekiro’s boss encounters:

Are the Headless and Shichimen Warriors considered different bosses? While there are multiple Headless and Shichimen Warriors, they are generally categorized as one type of boss each due to their similar mechanics and the fact that they are optional encounters.
Does defeating all bosses unlock anything special? There are no specific in-game rewards for defeating every boss. However, completing certain optional bosses unlocks new skills, prosthetic upgrades, and achievements/trophies.
Which boss is considered the hardest in Sekiro? Isshin, The Sword Saint is widely considered the hardest boss due to his multiple phases, diverse attacks, and relentless aggression. The Demon of Hatred also ranks highly in difficulty.
Can I skip any of the mandatory bosses? No, you cannot skip any of the 13 mandatory bosses. They are required to progress through the main story of Sekiro.
What are the best prosthetic tools for boss fights? The Firecrackers are effective against beasts, the Loaded Axe can break shields, the Loaded Spear can pull armor off enemies, and the Sabimaru can inflict poison. Experimentation is key!
How do I deal with the Terror status effect? Terror builds up from certain enemy attacks (like the Headless). Use Pacifying Agent items to reduce Terror build-up and prevent instant death.
What is the significance of memories? Defeating bosses grants you Memories, which can be used to increase your attack power at Sculptor’s Idols.
Do bosses respawn in Sekiro? Bosses do not respawn in the same playthrough after being defeated. However, you can refight certain bosses in the Reflection of Strength and Gauntlet of Strength modes unlocked after beating the game.
What are Gauntlets of Strength? Gauntlets of Strength are challenge modes that pit you against a series of bosses in a row, without healing between fights. They are a great way to test your skills and unlock new outfits.
How do I unlock different endings in Sekiro? Different endings are unlocked by making specific choices during the game and obtaining certain items. Each ending requires you to fight a different final boss (or a slightly altered version of one).
Are there any “cheese” strategies for beating bosses? While there are some exploits that can make certain fights easier, they are often patched out by FromSoftware. It’s generally recommended to learn the boss’s moves and defeat them legitimately for the most satisfying experience.
How important is stealth in boss fights? Stealth is generally not a factor in full boss fights. However, you can sometimes use stealth to thin out the crowd around a mini-boss before engaging.
What is the best way to farm experience points in Sekiro? The best way to farm experience points is to find a challenging area with numerous enemies and repeatedly kill them, resting at an Idol to reset the enemies. Late-game areas offer the highest experience yields.
Do difficulty settings affect the number of bosses? Sekiro does not have difficulty settings. The number of bosses remains the same regardless of your skill level.
Is Sekiro a difficult game? Yes, Sekiro is widely considered a challenging game. However, its difficulty is fair, and overcoming its challenges is incredibly rewarding. Patience, perseverance, and a willingness to learn are key to success.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice offers a deeply rewarding experience with its challenging and memorable boss encounters. Knowing the number of bosses, both mandatory and optional, allows you to prepare for the journey ahead. Embrace the challenge, master the combat, and become the ultimate shinobi. Good luck, Wolf!