Who is the Boss After Blazing Bull in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice?
The immediate boss encounter following the Blazing Bull in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is General Kuranosuke Matsumoto. He is a mini-boss found within the Ashina Castle area, making him a crucial stepping stone in your progression through the game. This encounter marks a significant shift in the game’s challenges, as you move away from beasts and into more strategically complex sword fights.
Navigating to General Kuranosuke Matsumoto
After defeating the Blazing Bull, your path will lead you directly into the heart of Ashina Castle. The game guides you quite deliberately in this direction, making it clear that this is where you need to go to advance the story and unlock new areas. There aren’t any alternative significant areas you’re intended to explore before taking on Ashina Castle. Thus, your progression is linear at this point. The layout of the level itself is fairly straightforward and will lead you to General Kuranosuke Matsumoto near the staircase in the castle area. Be prepared though, as he is not the only encounter you will have in this area. There are several enemies to tackle, requiring you to use your stealth and combat prowess wisely.
Understanding General Kuranosuke Matsumoto’s Combat Style
General Kuranosuke Matsumoto is a mini-boss, but he should not be underestimated. He presents a different kind of challenge compared to the Blazing Bull, being a heavily armored human enemy that requires precise deflections and posture damage to take down. He wields a large blade, and his attacks can be powerful. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Deflection is Key: You’ll want to rely heavily on your parrying (deflecting) ability to build up his posture. This is more important than simply reducing his health.
- Be Aggressive But Patient: While you need to be aggressive to inflict damage and posture break him, be patient. If you attack too much, he can easily counter.
- Mind His Unblockables: Be ready to jump when he performs sweeping unblockable attacks.
- Utilize Mikiri Counters: Look for the unblockable thrust attacks which you can Mikiri Counter to inflict heavy posture damage.
Mastering these points and being adaptable to his attacks is necessary to succeed.
Progression After General Kuranosuke Matsumoto
Once you defeat General Kuranosuke Matsumoto, you continue your journey through Ashina Castle, tackling more of its formidable inhabitants and eventually facing its main boss which is Genichiro Ashina. Ashina Castle is a hub from which other game areas open up, branching your journey into various routes. Unlike earlier sections of the game which are linear, you’ll have more choices after clearing this area on which section you want to visit next, all of which are equally important to progress further into the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are 15 frequently asked questions (FAQs) that provide additional valuable information about progression and other topics related to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice:
1. What is the intended area to visit after Blazing Bull?
The intended area to visit after Blazing Bull is Ashina Castle. This area is where the story progresses, and it is essentially linear from this point until after you defeat its boss.
2. How does the area after Blazing Bull differ from previous ones?
Ashina Castle is different from the areas before it because it introduces heavily armored human enemies and intricate level design. It requires a more tactical approach with a greater emphasis on parrying, stealth, and understanding enemy attack patterns.
3. What is the order of main bosses in Sekiro?
The order of main bosses is roughly as follows: Gyoubu Masataka Owina, Lady Butterfly, Genichiro Ashina, Folding Screen Monkeys, Guardian Ape/Headless Ape, Corrupted Monk, Emma/Isshin Ashina, Great Shinobi Owl/Owl Father, and finally, Isshin, the Sword Saint (as the final boss for certain endings). This can slightly vary depending on the paths you take within the game.
4. Who is considered the hardest boss in Sekiro?
Isshin, The Sword Saint is often considered the hardest boss in Sekiro, followed closely by the Demon of Hatred and Owl Father.
5. How many main boss encounters are in Sekiro?
There are approximately 13 main boss encounters in Sekiro, some of which may be faced more than once in slightly different scenarios.
6. Which boss is considered the coolest in Sekiro?
Many players find Isshin, The Sword Saint to be the coolest boss due to his combat mastery, historical lore and the epic final boss encounter. The Demon of Hatred, and Father Owl are also fan favorites.
7. Is Sekiro harder than other souls-like games?
Many players find Sekiro to be harder than other Souls-like games due to its heavy focus on precise deflections and posture damage. There is little emphasis on stat builds which means you must master the combat mechanics to succeed.
8. Which boss is considered the easiest in Sekiro?
While opinions vary, The Demon of Hatred is sometimes considered the easiest boss due to its Souls-like mechanics that many players are familiar with from other games. Some say it is Gyoubu Masataka Owina, due to being an early boss with obvious attacks.
9. Who is the true final boss of Sekiro?
Isshin, The Sword Saint is the true final boss in the game for the normal ending. However, other endings may have a different final encounter.
10. Is Sekiro harder than Elden Ring?
Sekiro is often considered harder due to its very specific combat mechanics and limited customization. Elden Ring’s difficulty can be reduced using certain builds and summons, making it easier than Sekiro for some players.
11. Does Sekiro have a secret boss fight?
Yes, Sekiro has a secret boss fight against Owl (Father), a version of Owl in his prime, available at Hirata Estate if you meet specific requirements.
12. Are you supposed to lose the first fight in Sekiro?
Yes, you are intended to lose the first mandatory boss fight in Sekiro, which is against Genichiro Ashina. This event is scripted for a loss as it is part of the story progression.
13. Who is the first boss giant in Sekiro?
The first boss giant you might encounter is the Chained Ogre in Ashina Outskirts.
14. Can you deflect the Blazing Bull?
Yes, you can deflect the Blazing Bull. When it charges and puts its head down, you can parry that attack to build posture.
15. Are there any missable bosses in Sekiro?
Yes, some bosses like Owl (Father) and some mini-bosses within the Hirata Estate area are missable if you don’t complete certain requirements before completing the final phase of the game. You can continue the game in New Game+ and revisit missed areas, but some content is locked out during the final stage.
This in-depth look at who comes after the Blazing Bull, along with additional context about Sekiro, should help you as you journey through this demanding but incredibly satisfying game. Remember to stay persistent, learn from your defeats, and embrace the challenge that Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice presents.