How Many Treasure Carp Scales for Truly Precious Bait?
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To acquire the Truly Precious Bait in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, you’ll need to exchange seven Treasure Carp Scales with the Pot Noble Harunaga, located in the Hirata Estate. This is a one-time purchase, and arguably one of the most valuable items he offers, enabling you to progress certain storylines and achieve specific endings.
Treasure Carp Scales: More Than Just Fish Food
Treasure Carp Scales are a unique currency found within Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. These scales are shed by the elusive and sometimes aggressive Treasure Carp that inhabit various bodies of water throughout the game. Collecting these scales isn’t just about acquiring rare items; it’s often intertwined with exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat encounters. They act as a key to unlocking powerful upgrades, consumables, and crucial plot advancements from the Pot Nobles, Harunaga and Koremori.
The Pot Nobles: Merchants of the Deep
The Pot Nobles, Harunaga and Koremori, are perhaps the most interesting vendors in Sekiro. These enigmatic figures reside in massive, ornate pots and deal exclusively in Treasure Carp Scales. Each Pot Noble offers a different selection of goods, but the Truly Precious Bait is a shared, critical item. Understanding their wares and locations is essential for maximizing your scale investments. Harunaga is found in the Hirata Estate, and Koremori resides in the Fountainhead Palace.
Why Truly Precious Bait is Essential
The Truly Precious Bait is not just another consumable. It plays a vital role in the game’s narrative, specifically in the storyline involving the Great Colored Carp. This carp is a colossal, nearly invincible creature whose fate is tied to the Pot Nobles. Feeding the Truly Precious Bait to the Great Colored Carp triggers significant events that influence certain character arcs and ultimately contribute to specific ending requirements. Therefore, acquiring this bait is not merely optional; it’s a key step in unlocking the full potential of Sekiro‘s intricate story.
Location Matters: Choosing the Right Pot Noble
While both Pot Nobles offer the Truly Precious Bait for the same price of seven Treasure Carp Scales, Harunaga in the Hirata Estate is the logical choice early on. Reaching him is significantly easier than navigating the treacherous Fountainhead Palace. This allows you to acquire the bait earlier in the game, giving you more time to influence the Great Colored Carp and progress the associated storylines.
Farming Treasure Carp Scales: Tips and Tricks
Collecting enough Treasure Carp Scales can seem daunting, but several strategies make the process more manageable:
- Explore thoroughly: Scales are often hidden in underwater locations, behind waterfalls, or in secluded areas.
- Defeat Treasure Carp: Though challenging, killing a Treasure Carp yields one scale. Careful planning and strategy are crucial. The Loaded Spear is an excellent tool for taking them down.
- Check Merchant Inventories: Some merchants, like Anayama the Peddler, occasionally sell Treasure Carp Scales.
- Consider the Divine Abduction Combat Art: This can occasionally turn enemies into items, and scales are among the possible drops in specific areas.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into Treasure Carp Scales
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Treasure Carp Scales and their significance in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice:
1. Where can I find my first Treasure Carp Scale?
Your first Treasure Carp Scale is commonly found in the Hirata Estate, near the Dragonspring – Hirata Estate idol. Look for it in the pond area, often guarded by bandits.
2. How many Treasure Carp Scales are available in the entire game?
Approximately 42 Treasure Carp Scales can be found in a single playthrough of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. This number can vary slightly depending on whether you successfully defeat all Treasure Carp.
3. What are the most efficient farming locations for Treasure Carp Scales?
The Fountainhead Palace is generally considered the most efficient farming location due to the higher concentration of Treasure Carp. However, the Hirata Estate and Sunken Valley are also viable options, especially early in the game.
4. Can I use the Truly Precious Bait more than once?
No, the Truly Precious Bait can only be used once per playthrough. Choose wisely when and where you administer it.
5. What happens if I feed the Truly Precious Bait to the wrong carp?
Feeding the Truly Precious Bait to the smaller, non-Great Colored Carp will simply result in them dying. It wastes the bait and provides no benefits. Make sure you are feeding it to the Great Colored Carp residing in the Sunken Valley Passage area.
6. Is it possible to miss out on Treasure Carp Scales?
Yes, some Treasure Carp Scales are missable if you progress too far in the story without collecting them. Ensure thorough exploration of each area before moving on to the next.
7. Do Treasure Carp Scales carry over into New Game Plus?
Yes, any Treasure Carp Scales you have remaining at the end of the game will carry over into New Game Plus.
8. Besides the Truly Precious Bait, what other items are worth purchasing with Treasure Carp Scales?
Other valuable items include the Mask Fragment: Dragon, which increases attack power in exchange for spirit emblems and health, and the Lapis Lazuli, essential for upgrading certain prosthetic tools to their ultimate forms.
9. What is the purpose of the Great Colored Carp?
The Great Colored Carp is a significant creature whose fate is tied to the Pot Nobles and the game’s overall narrative. Interacting with it using the Truly Precious Bait influences character arcs and can contribute to specific endings.
10. Are the Pot Nobles related?
While their exact relationship is never explicitly stated, the Pot Nobles are implied to be related, possibly as evolved or transformed versions of the same being. Their shared inventory and mutual interest in the Great Colored Carp support this theory.
11. Can I kill the Pot Nobles?
Yes, it is possible to kill the Pot Nobles after you have exhausted their inventory and completed their storylines. However, there’s no tangible reward for doing so.
12. What happens after I feed the Great Colored Carp the Truly Precious Bait?
After feeding the Great Colored Carp the Truly Precious Bait, you’ll need to progress the story further. The carp will eventually die, leading to further developments in the related character storylines, including the Pot Nobles.
13. How does the Divine Dragon’s Tears factor into the Pot Noble storyline?
The Divine Dragon’s Tears, a key item in the game’s main quest, are indirectly related. Progressing with obtaining the Divine Dragon’s Tears allows you to complete certain stages of the Pot Noble’s quests.
14. Is it necessary to complete the Pot Noble’s questline for any specific ending?
While not strictly necessary for any single ending, completing the Pot Noble questline contributes to a deeper understanding of the game’s lore and provides valuable items that can make achieving certain endings easier. Furthermore, it affects the fate of specific characters, adding nuance to your playthrough.
15. What are the potential downsides to killing Treasure Carp for their scales?
Killing the Treasure Carp can be considered a morally ambiguous action, as they are presented as unique and majestic creatures. Furthermore, killing too many carp in a specific area can impact the local ecosystem and potentially affect item drops. However, in terms of gameplay, there are no significant negative consequences.
By understanding the importance of Treasure Carp Scales and the Truly Precious Bait, players can navigate the intricate world of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice more effectively and unlock the full potential of its compelling narrative. Remember to explore thoroughly, manage your resources wisely, and choose your purchases carefully to make the most of your Treasure Carp Scale collection. Happy hunting, Shinobi!