What Does Bell Demon Do in Sekiro?

The Bell Demon in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a special item that significantly increases the game’s difficulty. When acquired and used, it places a curse on Wolf, making enemies tougher to defeat and deal more damage. In exchange for this heightened challenge, the Bell Demon increases the drop rate of items and sen (the game’s currency) from defeated enemies. Essentially, it’s a risk-versus-reward system designed for players seeking a greater challenge and faster resource acquisition.

Understanding the Bell Demon’s Mechanics

The Bell Demon is not just a simple difficulty slider. It alters several key aspects of gameplay, impacting both combat and resource management. Let’s delve into the specifics.

Increased Enemy Aggression and Damage

With the Bell Demon active, enemies become more aggressive. Their attack patterns may become slightly more unpredictable, and they will generally pursue Wolf more relentlessly. Crucially, they deal significantly more damage. Even standard enemies can quickly drain Wolf’s health, requiring greater precision in parrying and dodging. This increased damage output forces players to rely even more heavily on mastering the combat system.

Enhanced Item and Sen Acquisition

The primary benefit of using the Bell Demon is the increase in item and sen drops. Enemies will drop a greater variety of items, including consumables like pellets and divine confetti, as well as upgrade materials. The amount of sen gained from each enemy is also boosted. This can be particularly helpful for players who need to farm resources for upgrades or prosthetic tools. However, it’s important to remember that this bonus comes at the cost of making every encounter more dangerous.

Obtaining and Using the Bell Demon

The Bell Demon can be obtained from a bell hanging within the dilapidated temple located behind the Old Grave idol in the Ashina Outskirts. You’ll need to defeat the Headless guarding the cave leading to the temple to acquire the bell. Once obtained, interact with the bell to acquire the Bell Demon item.

To activate the Bell Demon’s effects, simply use the item from your inventory. This will apply the “Sinister Burden” effect to Wolf. The only way to remove this burden is to use the Demon Bell item again. This effectively “drops” the burden, removing the increased difficulty and returning the game to its normal state. Importantly, you can reactivate the burden at any time as long as you have the Bell Demon item.

Considerations for Using the Bell Demon

Before activating the Bell Demon, consider your current skill level and playstyle. If you are new to the game or struggling with the existing difficulty, using the Bell Demon is likely to make the experience unnecessarily frustrating. However, experienced players who have mastered the combat system may find that the increased challenge and reward are a welcome addition.

Also, consider the specific area you are in. Some areas are already inherently difficult, and adding the Bell Demon’s effects may make progress incredibly challenging. Conversely, in areas with abundant and easily defeated enemies, the increased item and sen drops can be particularly beneficial for farming.

The Role of Rot Essence

It’s also important to note that using the Bell Demon can have an impact on Rot Essence. Dying frequently with the Bell Demon active can exacerbate the effects of Rot Essence, potentially hindering NPC storylines. Therefore, players who are particularly concerned about NPC interactions may want to exercise caution when using the Bell Demon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the Bell Demon in Sekiro, providing even more details and helpful tips:

1. Does the Bell Demon increase enemy health? No, the Bell Demon primarily increases enemy damage output and aggression, but it does not directly increase their health.

2. Does the Bell Demon affect boss fights? Yes, the Bell Demon makes boss fights significantly more challenging by increasing their damage output. However, the increased item drops from the boss upon defeat can also be very rewarding.

3. Can I drop the Bell Demon effect at any time? Yes, you can remove the “Sinister Burden” at any time by simply using the Bell Demon item again from your inventory.

4. Does the Bell Demon affect stealth? While it doesn’t directly affect stealth mechanics, enemies are more likely to detect you due to their increased aggression.

5. Does the Bell Demon stack with other difficulty modifiers? No, the Bell Demon is a unique difficulty modifier that doesn’t stack with other effects.

6. Is it worth using the Bell Demon on my first playthrough? For most players, it’s generally recommended to avoid using the Bell Demon on their first playthrough. Focus on learning the game’s mechanics before increasing the difficulty.

7. Are there any achievements or trophies related to using the Bell Demon? No, there are no specific achievements or trophies tied to using the Bell Demon.

8. Does the Bell Demon affect the types of items that drop? While it mainly increases the quantity of drops, some players believe it slightly increases the chance of rarer items appearing, but this is largely anecdotal.

9. Does the Bell Demon impact the “Unseen Aid” chance? The increase in deaths due to the Bell Demon will lower your Unseen Aid percentage, making you lose more sen and experience upon death.

10. Can I use the Bell Demon multiple times to stack the effects? No, you can only have one “Sinister Burden” effect active at a time. Using the Bell Demon again removes the existing effect, and then applies it back.

11. Does the Bell Demon affect my posture recovery? No, the Bell Demon does not directly affect your posture recovery. However, since enemies hit harder, your posture will break more easily.

12. Where exactly is the bell located that gives you the Bell Demon? The bell is in a dilapidated temple behind the Old Grave idol in Ashina Outskirts. You must defeat the Headless enemy guarding the entrance to the cave leading to it.

13. Does the Bell Demon make enemies more resistant to status effects like poison or fire? No, there’s no confirmed evidence that the Bell Demon affects enemy resistance to status effects.

14. If I remove the Bell Demon effect, does it reset my progress toward item farming? No, removing the Bell Demon simply removes the difficulty boost and reduced item drop rate. It doesn’t affect any items you’ve already acquired.

15. Is there any visual indicator that the Bell Demon is active? Yes, the “Sinister Burden” effect will be displayed on your status screen, indicating that the Bell Demon is active.