The Must-Have Skill in Sekiro: Mastering the Mikiri Counter

The single most essential skill in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, without any hesitation, is the Mikiri Counter. While many skills offer advantages, and some are undeniably powerful, the Mikiri Counter is fundamentally tied to the core gameplay loop of deflection and posture breaking. It’s not just helpful; it’s absolutely crucial for consistently defeating many bosses and mini-bosses, and understanding its nuances elevates you from a struggling shinobi to a true master.

Why the Mikiri Counter Reigns Supreme

Sekiro’s combat system revolves around aggressive, back-and-forth swordplay. Unlike many action games that prioritize dodging, Sekiro compels you to stand your ground and perfectly deflect enemy attacks. Successful deflections build up the enemy’s Posture, eventually leading to a vulnerable state for a devastating deathblow. The Mikiri Counter is an extension of this system, specifically designed to punish perilous thrust attacks.

Thrust attacks are easily identifiable by the red kanji symbol that appears above the Wolf’s head. These attacks are unblockable with normal guarding. Without the Mikiri Counter, you’re often left with limited options: jump backwards (risky in enclosed spaces), attempt a risky deflect, or use a specific combat art. The Mikiri Counter, however, turns these dangerous attacks into opportunities.

By pressing the dodge button (typically the “O” or “B” button) directly into the path of the incoming thrust, Wolf will stomp on the enemy’s weapon, causing a significant amount of Posture damage to the enemy. This drastically reduces the amount of time needed to break the enemy’s Posture and deliver the fatal deathblow. The timing is tight, but mastering it is incredibly rewarding.

The Mikiri Counter’s importance goes beyond simple damage dealing. It:

• Encourages Aggression: It rewards players for staying close and reacting quickly, reinforcing the game’s intended playstyle.
• Provides Consistent Vulnerability: Many bosses and mini-bosses rely heavily on thrust attacks. The Mikiri Counter turns their strength into a weakness.
• Opens Up New Strategies: Knowing you can reliably counter thrusts allows you to plan your attacks and defenses more effectively.
• Forces Mastery of Deflection: Learning to distinguish between normal attacks and thrust attacks sharpens your overall deflection skills.
• Is Fundamental to Progression: Some bosses are nearly impossible to defeat consistently without a solid understanding of the Mikiri Counter.

In short, the Mikiri Counter is not just a skill; it’s a foundational element of Sekiro’s combat system. Mastering it is the key to unlocking your true potential as a shinobi and overcoming the game’s toughest challenges. Learning its precise timing and implementing it into your combat loop is paramount.

Mastering the Counter: Tips and Tricks

Simply unlocking the Mikiri Counter isn’t enough; you must practice and refine your timing. Here are some tips:

• Practice on Hanbei the Undying: This training partner at the Dilapidated Temple allows you to practice the Mikiri Counter risk-free. Focus on nailing the timing consistently.
• Pay Attention to Animations: Each enemy has a unique tell for their thrust attacks. Learn these animations to anticipate the incoming strike.
• Don’t Hesitate: The Mikiri Counter requires commitment. Hesitating will often result in taking the full thrust attack.
• Think Forward, Not Backward: The dodge direction should be directly into the attack, not away from it.
• Experiment with Different Timings: The exact timing window can vary slightly depending on the enemy and the attack.
• Don’t Rely on It Exclusively: While the Mikiri Counter is powerful, it’s not a magic bullet. Use it in conjunction with deflections, dodges, and combat arts.
• Be Patient: It takes time and practice to master the Mikiri Counter. Don’t get discouraged if you struggle at first. Keep practicing, and you will eventually master this skill.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the role and benefits of the Mikiri Counter, along with other skills and combat mechanics within Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice:

1. What if I can’t seem to get the timing of the Mikiri Counter down?

If you’re struggling with the timing, go back to Hanbei the Undying at the Dilapidated Temple and practice specifically the Mikiri Counter exercise. Focus on anticipating the start of the thrust animation, rather than reacting to the spear itself. Also, remember you’re dodging into the attack, not away from it.

2. Are there any enemies where the Mikiri Counter is not effective?

While the Mikiri Counter works on most thrust attacks, there are exceptions. Some larger enemies with unweilding thrust attacks, or attacks that do not have a weapon. Some bosses may have thrust attacks that are difficult to Mikiri due to their speed or unusual animations. In these cases, dodging or other defensive strategies may be more reliable.

3. Besides the Mikiri Counter, what other Shinobi Arts skills should I prioritize early on?

Suppress Presence is a valuable early skill for stealth, allowing you to approach enemies more easily. Mid-air Deflection is also useful for deflecting attacks while jumping. Breath of Life: Light provides some health recovery after a deathblow, which can be very helpful.

4. Is Ichimonji Double as good as the article suggests?

Ichimonji Double is a potent Combat Art, especially early in the game. It deals high Posture damage and can interrupt enemy attacks. However, it does have a slow wind-up, leaving you vulnerable. As you progress, you may find other Combat Arts that better suit your playstyle.

5. How does the Mikiri Counter compare to the Deflect skill?

The Deflect skill is the core of Sekiro’s combat system. It allows you to block attacks with perfect timing, building up enemy Posture. The Mikiri Counter is a specialized form of deflection specifically for thrust attacks. Both are essential, but deflect is more fundamental and used far more frequently.

6. What are the “perilous attacks” and how do I deal with them?

Perilous attacks are unblockable attacks indicated by a red kanji symbol. They come in three forms: thrusts (which the Mikiri Counter addresses), sweeps, and grabs. Sweeps must be jumped over, and grabs must be dodged. Mastering the responses to all three types of perilous attacks is crucial.

7. What is Posture and why is it so important?

Posture is an enemy’s (and your own) stability. When an enemy’s Posture is broken, they become vulnerable to a deathblow. Building up enemy Posture is the primary goal in combat. Deflecting attacks and using Combat Arts are the main ways to increase Posture damage.

8. How many Skill Points are needed to unlock everything in Sekiro?

125 Skill Points are needed to unlock all Combat Arts and Latent Skills. This requires a significant amount of grinding, especially in the early game. Farming becomes more efficient in New Game Plus cycles.

9. What’s the best way to farm Skill Points?

The most efficient farming spots are typically found in later areas of the game, particularly in New Game Plus cycles where XP gains are increased. Look for areas with easily defeated enemies that grant a good amount of experience. Consider using the Bell Demon to increase enemy difficulty (and XP yield).

10. Is it possible to get all endings in one playthrough?

No, achieving 100% completion and earning all Achievements in Sekiro requires a minimum of 2.5 playthroughs because there are four separate endings that require different choices at key points in the story.

11. What’s the best way to approach a new boss fight?

In a new boss encounter, prioritize learning the boss’s attack patterns. Focus on deflecting attacks perfectly and identifying openings. Don’t be afraid to die repeatedly while you learn. Once you understand the boss’s moveset, you can start implementing strategies and exploiting weaknesses.

12. Do I need to parry every attack to succeed in Sekiro?

Yes, you need to deflect the vast majority of attacks to succeed in Sekiro.

13. How do I increase Wolf’s attack power?

Wolf’s attack power can be increased by defeating bosses to acquire Memories, and by using the Dancing Dragon Mask to convert Skill Points into attack power. This becomes relevant in the late game and New Game Plus cycles.

14. Does Sekiro have a new game plus mode?

Yes, Sekiro has a New Game Plus (NG+) mode, which allows you to replay the game with increased difficulty and carry over your skills, items, and upgrades. The difficulty increases up to NG+7.

15. How does Sekiro compare to other Souls-like games?

Sekiro emphasizes aggressive combat, precise deflections, and stealth, differentiating it from other Souls-like games that often prioritize dodging and RPG elements. Sekiro’s Posture system and reliance on well-timed actions creates a faster-paced and more demanding combat experience. If you’re interested in exploring the educational aspects of gaming, resources like the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ can offer deeper insights.

Mastering the Mikiri Counter isn’t just about winning fights; it’s about understanding the core principles of Sekiro’s design. It’s about embracing the aggressive dance of blades, anticipating your opponent’s moves, and turning their aggression against them. Once you’ve truly mastered the Mikiri Counter, you’ll not only find yourself conquering the game’s toughest challenges but also experiencing the pure joy of mastering one of the most rewarding combat systems in modern gaming.