Who is the First Mini-Boss in Hirata Estate?
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The first mini-boss you encounter in Hirata Estate in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is Enshin of Misen. He’s a formidable early-game obstacle characterized by his distinctive bamboo hat and deadly spear. Players will find him blocking a key pathway shortly after entering the Hirata Estate memory.
## Encountering Enshin of Misen
Enshin is strategically positioned to guard a critical route deeper into Hirata Estate. Players will find him on a raised platform, near a burning building and a collection of archers and swordsmen. This location provides Enshin with a tactical advantage, making a direct assault challenging. He is surrounded by normal enemies, so strategy is critical.
### Preparing for the Fight
Before engaging with Enshin, it’s crucial to prepare. This involves understanding his attack patterns, equipping suitable combat arts, and making use of the environment. Stealth can be helpful to eliminate surrounding enemies before focusing solely on Enshin, this can be done by distracting other enemies using ceramic shards.
## Combat Strategies Against Enshin
Enshin relies heavily on spear attacks that can deal substantial damage and break your posture. Deflecting his strikes perfectly is crucial for inflicting posture damage on him.
### Utilizing Mikiri Counter
One of the most effective techniques against Enshin is the Mikiri Counter. Because he uses thrust attacks frequently, performing a well-timed Mikiri Counter can stagger him and open him up for a free attack. Mastering this is essential.
### Exploiting Openings
After successfully deflecting a series of attacks or landing a Mikiri Counter, Enshin will become vulnerable. Use this opportunity to deliver quick strikes and build up his posture.
### The Importance of Posture
Like all enemies in Sekiro, Enshin’s posture bar is vital. Filling his posture gauge will allow you to perform a Deathblow, instantly defeating him. Focus on deflecting and using Mikiri Counter to quickly deplete this.
## Rewards for Defeating Enshin
Upon defeating Enshin of Misen, you will receive valuable rewards. These rewards often include prayer beads, which are crucial for increasing your vitality and posture. These will help you in the long run.
### Upgrading Your Character
Prayer Beads are combined in sets of four to create a Prayer Necklace. These necklaces provide significant boosts to both vitality and posture, substantially enhancing your combat capabilities.
## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Enshin of Misen
1. Is Enshin of Misen an optional boss?
No, Enshin of Misen is a mandatory mini-boss you must defeat to progress further into Hirata Estate.
2. What is the best combat art to use against Enshin?
While various combat arts can be effective, many players find that using Ichimonji can disrupt his attacks and deal significant posture damage.
3. Can I stealth-attack Enshin?
No, you cannot initiate a stealth attack directly on Enshin. However, you can use stealth to eliminate the surrounding enemies before engaging him.
4. How many health bars does Enshin have?
Enshin has one health bar. Once his posture is broken and you land a deathblow, he is defeated.
5. What is the recommended attack power before fighting Enshin?
There isn’t a strict requirement, but having at least an attack power of 2 or 3 is beneficial. You can increase your attack power by defeating other bosses and obtaining memories.
6. Is it possible to parry all of Enshin’s attacks?
Yes, it is possible to parry all of Enshin’s standard attacks with perfect deflection. Mastering the timing is key to success.
7. What happens if I die to Enshin repeatedly?
Dying to Enshin repeatedly will result in a gradual increase in Unseen Aid loss. This reduces your chances of retaining experience and Sen (currency) upon death.
8. Are there any prosthetic tools particularly useful against Enshin?
The Loaded Shuriken can be used to interrupt some of his attacks and create openings. The Firecrackers prosthetic tool can also be used for creating a short opportunity to attack.
9. Can I use poison against Enshin?
While Enshin is not particularly susceptible to poison, applying it can still deal some additional damage over time.
10. How long does it typically take to defeat Enshin?
The duration of the fight varies depending on your skill and strategy. A skilled player can defeat him in a few minutes, while others may take longer.
11. Is it better to focus on deflecting or dodging Enshin’s attacks?
Deflecting is generally more effective, especially for building up his posture. However, dodging can be useful for avoiding certain attacks, particularly those with a wide range.
12. What should I do if I’m struggling to defeat Enshin?
Consider revisiting earlier areas to gather more resources, upgrade your prosthetics, and practice your deflections. Also, watch videos of other players defeating him to learn new strategies.
13. Does Enshin have any unique attack patterns I should watch out for?
Yes, be particularly wary of his thrust attacks, as these are perfect opportunities to use the Mikiri Counter. His sweeping attacks are also dangerous if you try to deflect without jumping.
14. Is there any specific charm or buff that helps against Enshin?
Using the Ako’s Sugar or other similar items before the fight can temporarily increase your attack power, giving you an edge. Also, certain divine confettis can help you against him.
15. After defeating Enshin, what is the next area I should explore in Hirata Estate?
After defeating Enshin, you should proceed through the area he was guarding. This will lead you deeper into Hirata Estate, where you’ll encounter more enemies and eventually the next major boss.