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Is Headless Ape Optional Boss?

Yes, the Headless Ape is an optional boss in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. While defeating him grants valuable Memory and unlocks progression in certain areas, the game can be completed without engaging him in either of his encounters. However, doing so means missing out on key upgrades and experience.

Understanding the Headless Ape and its Significance

The Headless Ape presents a significant challenge to players. Its erratic movements, wide swings, and perilous attacks make it a formidable foe. Understanding its attack patterns, weaknesses, and the optimal strategies for defeating it are crucial for success.

Where to Find the Headless Ape

The Headless Ape is encountered in two distinct locations:

Sunken Valley Passage: This is the initial encounter. After progressing through the Gun Fort, you’ll find yourself in a large area where the Headless Ape awaits. This fight is solo.
Ashina Depths (Guardian Ape’s Burrow): After defeating the Headless Ape in the Sunken Valley Passage, you’ll encounter him again in the Ashina Depths, this time accompanied by his mate. This is commonly referred to as the Guardian Ape duo fight.

Why Fight the Headless Ape?

While optional, defeating the Headless Ape provides several benefits:

Memory: Headless Ape: This increases your Attack Power, making future encounters easier. Attack Power directly increases the damage you inflict on enemies.
Ape’s Ball: This item is required to progress a side quest involving the Folding Screen Monkeys at Senpou Temple, Mt. Kongo. Completing this quest unlocks an ending and a new combat art.
Unlock Additional Areas: Defeating the Guardian Ape (duo fight) unlocks access to the Poison Pool and the Hidden Forest, opening up new areas to explore and new items to acquire.
Experience Points: Defeating the Headless Ape, like any boss, grants a substantial amount of experience points, which can be used to purchase skills.

Consequences of Skipping the Headless Ape

If you choose to skip the Headless Ape:

Missed Attack Power Upgrade: You’ll have a slightly harder time defeating other enemies and bosses due to the lower Attack Power.
Inability to Complete Folding Screen Monkeys Quest: You won’t be able to obtain the Ape’s Ball and complete the related questline at Senpou Temple.
Restricted Area Access: You’ll miss out on the Poison Pool and Hidden Forest areas, and the items and mini-bosses within them.
Lost Experience Points: You’ll miss out on a large sum of experience points.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to the Headless Ape in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice:

Is the Headless Ape weak to any specific combat art? Oil can be applied to the ape and then followed up with the Flame Vent Prosthetic Tool. This will do burn damage over time and deal vital posture damage to the Ape.
What are the best Prosthetic Tools to use against the Headless Ape? The Firecrackers can startle the Headless Ape, providing an opening for attacks. The Flame Vent is highly effective, especially when combined with Oil, causing burn damage and posture damage over time. The Loaded Umbrella (specifically the Suzaku Umbrella) can deflect his Terror-inducing screams.
How do I deal with the Headless Ape’s Terror attacks? Using Pacifying Agent can mitigate Terror buildup. The Divine Confetti can inflict more posture damage to the Ape. The Suzaku Umbrella is also effective at blocking Terror attacks.
What’s the strategy for the second Headless Ape fight (Guardian Ape’s Burrow)? Focus on defeating the Headless Ape’s mate first. Use Oil and the Flame Vent on her to deal significant damage. After she’s defeated, apply the same strategy you used in the first fight to the Headless Ape.
Can I use the Puppeteer Ninjutsu on the Headless Ape’s mate? No, the Puppeteer Ninjutsu cannot be used on the Headless Ape’s mate.
Is it possible to stealth-kill the Headless Ape at any point? No, the Headless Ape cannot be stealth-killed. Both encounters require a direct confrontation.
How can I avoid the Headless Ape’s perilous scream attack? Distance yourself as much as possible or use the Suzaku Umbrella to block the attack. Timing is crucial for both methods. Pacifying Agents can also mitigate terror build-up.
What is the best time to attack the Headless Ape? After he finishes his jumping slam attack, he’ll be momentarily vulnerable. This is an opportune time to land a few hits. Also, after stunning the ape with firecrackers.
Does the Headless Ape have any other weaknesses? While not a weakness in the traditional sense, exploiting his predictable attack patterns and using the environment to your advantage (such as creating distance) can greatly improve your chances of success.
What rewards do I get for defeating the Guardian Ape duo (Headless Ape and his mate)? In addition to the Memory: Headless Ape and the Ape’s Ball, you’ll gain access to the Poison Pool and Hidden Forest areas.
What is the Ape’s Ball used for? The Ape’s Ball is a key item required to progress the Folding Screen Monkeys questline at Senpou Temple, Mt. Kongo.
Is it worth farming the Headless Ape for experience points? While he provides a good amount of experience, there are generally more efficient farming locations later in the game. However, if you need a boost early on, he can be a viable option.
How does the Headless Ape differ from the Headless mini-bosses? The Headless Ape is a fully-fledged boss with a unique arena and behavior. The Headless mini-bosses are smaller, less powerful, and share a similar moveset, relying heavily on Terror attacks. Divine Confetti is helpful on both the ape and mini-bosses
What stats can I improve to help me fight the Headless Ape? Increasing your Attack Power through defeating other bosses and mini-bosses will improve your damage output. Increasing your Vitality and Posture can improve your survivability. Investing in skills that improve your deflection timing and attack power are also beneficial.
What happens if I die during the Headless Ape fight? As with any death in Sekiro, you’ll lose half of your experience points and sen (currency) unless you’re protected by Unseen Aid. You’ll respawn at the nearest Sculptor’s Idol and can attempt the fight again.

Conclusion

While the Headless Ape is an optional boss, choosing to defeat him unlocks significant benefits in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, including increased Attack Power, access to new areas, and progression in a key side quest. Although challenging, mastering his attack patterns and utilizing the right tools and strategies will lead to victory and enhance your overall Sekiro experience. Therefore, skipping the Headless Ape will close off some areas and endings, but is ultimately doable.

Is Headless Ape optional boss?