Sekiro Ashina Castle: All Bosses & Strategies

What's up, gamers! Today, we're diving deep into one of the most iconic and challenging areas in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice – Ashina Castle. This place is absolutely packed with tough bosses that will test your skills, your patience, and maybe even your controller's durability. If you're stuck or just want to prep yourself for the battles ahead, you've come to the right place, guys. We're going to break down every single boss you'll encounter within the walls and grounds of Ashina Castle, giving you the lowdown on their moves, weaknesses, and the best strategies to take them down. Get ready to master those deflections and perfect your posture! Let's get this bread.

The Gates of Ashina: General Kenichiro Ashina

Alright, let's kick things off with the big one, the gatekeeper to the upper echelons of Ashina Castle: General Kenichiro Ashina. This guy is your first real wall, the boss that separates the casual Sekiro players from the ones who are truly starting to get it. He's a master swordsman, and his fight is a brutal, multi-phase dance of death that demands near-perfect execution. General Kenichiro Ashina isn't just a boss; he's a rite of passage. You'll likely die to him many, many times, but each death is a lesson. Learn his patterns, feel the rhythm of his attacks, and understand that this isn't just about dodging; it's about deflecting. Mastering the posture system is crucial here. His perilous attacks – the thrust and the sweep – are your main cues for when to switch tactics. The thrust is your golden opportunity for a Mikiri Counter, which deals massive posture damage. If you see the kanji and he lunges forward with his sword, dodge into the attack and press the button. It's game-changing. For his sweeps, a simple jump and stomp on his head will also stagger him and deal significant posture damage. Don't get greedy! Try to land one or two hits after a successful deflection or counter, then prepare to defend again. His lightning attacks in the third phase are terrifying, but they have a specific counter: jump into the air just as the lightning is about to hit you, get hit mid-air (which redirects the lightning), and immediately press the attack button before you land. This will send the lightning right back at him for massive damage and stun him. It sounds risky, but it's the most effective way to deal with it. Remember, the key to beating General Kenichiro Ashina is aggression balanced with defense. You need to constantly pressure him to build his posture, but you also need to be ready to parry every single one of his relentless combos. His sheer speed and variety of attacks can be overwhelming, but with practice, you'll start to see the openings. Think of this fight as a skill check. If you can beat Kenichiro, you have a solid foundation for the rest of the game. Don't be discouraged by the frequent deaths; they are part of the learning process. Every attempt gets you closer to understanding his tells and perfecting your timing. Focus on staying calm, reading his movements, and exploiting every opportunity to counter. This is where you truly become the "one-armed wolf."

Mist Noble and the Gates

Before you even get to the imposing gates of Ashina Castle, you'll likely encounter the Mist Noble if you take a less direct route, or more commonly, the formidable samurai guarding the entrance. These aren't bosses in the traditional sense, but they serve as excellent warm-ups and introduce you to the castle's defensive setup. The Mist Noble, if you stumble upon him in the misty valley leading up to the castle, is more of an environmental puzzle and a test of your stealth capabilities than a direct combat challenge. He's vulnerable to surprise attacks, and often, you can stealth-kill him or bypass him entirely by understanding the mist mechanics and enemy patrol routes. Don't waste precious healing items or spirit emblems on him if you can avoid it. The real prelude to the castle's challenges often involves clearing out the samurai troops and mini-bosses stationed around the lower levels and approaches. These enemies are designed to teach you how to handle multiple opponents and how to break through defensive lines. Pay attention to their attack patterns – many of them wield katanas similar to yours, meaning deflecting their strikes is paramount. Some might use spears, requiring different defensive maneuvers like jumping or Mikiri Counters for their perilous thrusts. These encounters are your training ground for the main event, General Kenichiro Ashina. Treat every fight leading up to him as an opportunity to hone your skills. Practice your parries, work on your dodge timing, and get comfortable with managing your stamina and opening for counter-attacks. The castle's defenses are designed to wear you down, so efficiency in these early skirmishes is key. Don't just hack and slash; aim for clean kills, utilizing stealth when possible and conserving your resources. The goal is to arrive at the main boss fights with as much health and as many healing gourds available as possible. These 'mini-boss' encounters might seem like annoying obstacles, but they are crucial for developing the muscle memory and strategic thinking needed to overcome the tougher challenges within the castle itself. Think of them as tutorials that don't hold your hand. You learn by doing, and by failing. So, when you face these guardians, don't just see them as fodder; see them as essential steps in your journey to mastering Sekiro's combat.

Lone Shadow Longswordsman

As you push further into Ashina Castle, you'll inevitably cross paths with the Lone Shadow Longswordsman. This guy is another tough cookie, often found guarding key areas or acting as a surprise ambush. He's fast, aggressive, and his combos can be devastating if you let him get started. Lone Shadow Longswordsman focuses on rapid sword strikes and kicks, often chaining them together into long, dangerous sequences. His perilous attacks include a quick thrust and a sweeping kick. The thrust, as always, is a prime candidate for the Mikiri Counter. For his sweeping kicks, jumping and stomping is effective. What makes this guy tricky is his speed and the sheer number of hits he can string together. You can't just button-mash your way through this fight. You need to be reactive, deflecting his attacks precisely and looking for small openings to strike back. Don't try to get too many hits in; one or two well-timed hits after a successful deflection are usually all you can safely manage before he starts his next barrage. Keep your cool, focus on your posture, and maintain a defensive stance until you see a clear opening. Spirit Emblems can be useful here, perhaps employing the Loaded Axe to break his posture quickly after a stun, or the Firecrackers to briefly interrupt his assault and create an opening for a few hits. However, don't rely solely on prosthetic tools; your swordplay is still your primary weapon. This fight is a test of your ability to react to fast, unpredictable sequences and to punish brief moments of vulnerability. If you find yourself getting overwhelmed by his speed, try focusing purely on perfect deflections for a while. Once you feel comfortable with his rhythm, start looking for those one-or-two-hit opportunities. The Lone Shadow Longswordsman is designed to make you work for every hit, so patience and precise timing are your greatest allies here.

Lone Shadow Masashiro

Following a similar theme of tricky swordsmen, you'll also encounter Lone Shadow Masashiro. He's another agile combatant who relies on speed and relentless pressure. Lone Shadow Masashiro often fights in environments that can limit your movement, adding another layer of difficulty. His move set is reminiscent of the Lone Shadow Longswordsman but often with slightly different timings and additional perilous attacks. Pay close attention to his feints and his quick dashes. He'll often bait you into attacking and then punish your aggression with a swift counter. Again, the Mikiri Counter for his thrusts and a well-timed jump for his sweeps are your bread and butter. What makes Masashiro particularly dangerous is his ability to close distance rapidly and launch into long, punishing combos. Your best bet is to stay relatively close to him, forcing him to engage in swordplay rather than letting him create distance for powerful, unblockable attacks. Deflect, deflect, deflect! Use the openings after his combos to land a couple of hits, then reset. If you have the Loaded Shuriken, you can sometimes interrupt his wind-ups or even knock him out of the air if he jumps. Firecrackers can also create brief windows of opportunity. However, the core strategy remains the same: master your deflections, punish openings, and don't get greedy. Lone Shadow Masashiro will push your reaction times to their limit, so staying focused and calm is absolutely essential. Learning his specific combo strings and the tells for his perilous attacks is key. Don't be afraid to use your entire arsenal of skills and tools, but always prioritize precise swordplay. This fight is a true test of your mastery over Sekiro's core combat mechanics, and overcoming him will feel incredibly rewarding.

The Inner Sanctum: Juzou the Drunkard (Revisit) and Great Shinobi Owl

As you progress deeper into Ashina Castle, you might find yourself revisiting certain areas or facing familiar foes with a twist. While not strictly inside the main castle keep, Juzou the Drunkard can sometimes be encountered in areas accessible from the castle's path, especially if you're exploring optional routes. He's a formidable opponent, known for his wide-reaching flails and his ability to summon adds. If you've fought him before, you know his weaknesses: fire and posture damage. The Fire Vent prosthetic tool is incredibly effective here, allowing you to stun him and deal continuous damage. If you haven't fought him yet, prepare for a messy brawl. Juzou the Drunkard loves to swing his massive club in wide arcs, often catching you even when you think you're safe. His perilous attacks usually involve a grab or a sweeping motion. The grab is deadly, so dodge sideways or backwards. His sweeps can be jumped over, but be wary of the follow-up. The adds he summons can be a nuisance, so try to deal with them quickly using sweeps or shurikens, or by kiting them away while you focus on Juzou. Stamina management is key, as you'll be doing a lot of dodging and deflecting. The most satisfying way to beat Juzou is often with a combination of aggressive posture damage and precise deflections, using the environment to your advantage when possible. Now, for the true climax of many players' journey through Ashina Castle: Great Shinobi Owl. This is arguably one of the most intense and strategically demanding boss fights in the entire game. Great Shinobi Owl is your father figure, and this encounter is a gut-wrenching betrayal. He's incredibly fast, deals massive damage, and has a wide array of powerful attacks, including poison and stealth. In the first phase, he utilizes his signature shinobi tools and sword techniques. His perilous attacks include a deadly thrust and a sweeping leg sweep. The Mikiri Counter is essential for his thrusts, and jumping over his sweeps will give you a small window to attack. He also uses a poison smoke bomb that can inflict poison status, so be ready to use a Pellets or Divine Confetti if needed. His agility is insane; he can jump great distances, disappear, and reappear right behind you. His