What Are the Pink Circles in Sekiro?

The pink circles that appear above enemies’ heads in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice are a visual indicator of their Posture. When you attack, deflect, and use certain combat arts, you build up an enemy’s Posture. Once the circle fills completely, the enemy’s Posture breaks, leaving them vulnerable to a Deathblow. Mastering Posture breaking is the key to defeating even the toughest bosses in Sekiro.

Understanding Posture in Sekiro

Posture in Sekiro is arguably even more important than Vitality (health). While chipping away at an enemy’s health bar can weaken their Posture recovery, directly attacking their Posture is often the fastest route to victory. Unlike traditional stamina systems, Posture affects both the player and enemies. Successfully deflecting attacks also builds Posture, but with proper timing, you can inflict significantly more Posture damage than you receive.

How Posture Works

• Building Posture: Every time you attack, deflect (especially if the timing is slightly off), or use certain combat arts, you and your enemies build Posture. The amount of Posture damage inflicted varies depending on the attack, enemy type, and whether the attack is blocked or deflected.
• Posture Recovery: Posture recovers automatically over time. The rate of recovery depends on several factors, including how much Vitality the enemy has and whether they are blocking. Enemies with full Vitality recover Posture much faster than those with low Vitality.
• Posture Break: When an enemy’s Posture bar (the pink circle) fills completely, they are “broken” and momentarily stunned. This creates an opening for a Deathblow, which instantly kills most regular enemies and deals massive damage to bosses.
• Risk Meter: Your own Posture is represented by a risk meter at the bottom of the screen. If your Posture breaks, you become vulnerable to enemy attacks. Guarding continuously also increases your Posture meter so learning to parry and deflect is crucial.
• Deflecting: Successfully deflecting an attack, meaning guarding right before it lands, deals heavy posture damage to the enemy and only a small amount to you. This is the most fundamental mechanic to master in Sekiro.

Visual Cues and Strategy

The pink circle is a crucial visual aid. Observing how quickly an enemy’s Posture recovers allows you to adjust your strategy. For instance:

• High Vitality: If the enemy’s Posture recovers very quickly, focus on reducing their Vitality first. This will slow down their Posture recovery and make them easier to break.
• Low Vitality: If the enemy’s Vitality is low, concentrate on relentlessly attacking their Posture. Even if they block, the constant pressure will eventually break them.
• Unblockable Attacks: Certain attacks cannot be blocked and are telegraphed with a red symbol. These attacks can be dodged, jumped over, or, in some cases, Mikiri Countered to deal significant posture damage.
• Perilous Attacks: Recognize the different perilous attacks and counter them appropriately. This can make fights easier. For example, if an enemy does a sweep attack, jumping on them deals Posture damage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I effectively build up Posture on bosses?

Aggression is key. Constantly attack and force the boss to block, then deflect their counterattacks. Use Combat Arts and Prosthetic Tools to deal extra Posture damage. Look for openings to Mikiri Counter Thrust attacks or jump over Sweep attacks.

2. What is the difference between blocking and deflecting?

Blocking simply guards against an attack, reducing damage but building your own Posture. Deflecting requires precise timing (guarding just before an attack lands), mitigating all damage and inflicting significant Posture damage on the enemy.

3. Does vitality affect posture?

Yes, the lower an enemy’s Vitality, the slower their Posture recovers. Damaging an enemy’s vitality is crucial for breaking their posture easily.

4. What are Combat Arts, and how do they affect Posture?

Combat Arts are special attacks that consume Spirit Emblems. Some Combat Arts deal significant Posture damage, making them valuable for breaking tough enemies.

5. How do Prosthetic Tools help with Posture breaking?

Many Prosthetic Tools can inflict Posture damage or create opportunities for attacks. For example, the Loaded Umbrella can deflect attacks that are difficult to parry, and the Loaded Axe can break through shields.

6. What is a Mikiri Counter, and how does it work?

A Mikiri Counter is a special counterattack performed against thrust attacks. When an enemy telegraphs a thrust (indicated by a red symbol), press the dodge button (usually Circle/B) towards the enemy. If timed correctly, you will step on their weapon and inflict massive Posture damage.

7. How do I deal with enemies that recover Posture very quickly?

Focus on reducing their Vitality. Once their Vitality is low, their Posture recovery will slow down considerably.

8. Are there any skills that improve Posture management?

Yes, the Emma’s Medicine: Potency skill increases the healing amount of the Healing Gourd, which indirectly helps with Posture management by allowing you to withstand more damage. Certain other skills can increase your Posture and Vitality.

9. How do I manage my own Posture effectively?

Avoid blocking continuously. Deflect as much as possible to minimize Posture build-up. If your Posture is getting high, back away and hold block to recover it quickly.

10. What happens if my own Posture breaks?

If your Posture breaks, you become staggered and vulnerable to enemy attacks. This can often lead to taking significant damage or even death.

11. Does the difficulty setting affect Posture damage or recovery?

No, the difficulty setting primarily affects enemy health and damage output, not Posture mechanics. However, enemies might have new attack patterns that require you to properly deflect their posture.

12. What’s the best strategy for dealing with multiple enemies at once?

Prioritize thinning the herd. Focus on eliminating weaker enemies quickly to reduce the number of attacks you have to deflect. Use stealth to eliminate enemies before engaging in direct combat.

13. Can I use items to affect Posture?

While there aren’t many items that directly affect Posture, items that inflict status effects like Burn or Poison can indirectly weaken enemies and make them more vulnerable to Posture damage.

14. How do I practice deflecting consistently?

Practice is essential. Head to the Undying Training Grounds and practice deflecting against the Undying Warrior. Experiment with different timings until you get a feel for it.

15. Is Posture important on every enemy in the game?

While Vitality damage is always a factor, mastering Posture breaking is crucial for defeating most bosses and challenging enemies. Even against regular enemies, breaking their Posture allows for quick and efficient kills. It will make your progression faster.

By understanding the mechanics behind Posture and practicing your deflections, you can master the combat system in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and overcome even the most formidable challenges the game throws your way. Remember to always observe the pink circles above your enemies’ heads – they are the key to victory.