What is the Best Order to Fight Sekiro’s Bosses?

While Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is not open-world, it does feature a sort of free-form linear structure that allows players to pick the order in which they face many of the game’s bosses. This has become something of a staple of FromSoftware’s game design, and they are almost always better for it. Still, many players may find themselves at a loss about what to do next, wondering what the best order to face Sekiro’s bosses might be.

Sekiro features some of the most difficult bosses in FromSoftware’s massive pantheon. This guide will show players the best path to take, from Gyoubu Oniwa, to the Sword Saint himself. The focus of this guide will be the Return ending, which many feel is the official canon ending Sekiro’s story – at least for the time being.

Updated January 16, 2025 by Christopher Norman Worcester: As we head into 2025, Sekiro: Shadow Die Twice remains one of FromSoftware’s most popular titles. Given the game’s slightly unique structure, the best boss order in Sekiro is an extremely popular topic. In the original guide, we focused on the best boss order for reaching the ‘true’ Return ending. In this update, we will add a new section that quickly explains Sekiro bosses in order, in addition to the longer list with mini-bosses.

Best Boss Order for All Endings – Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

All Sekiro Bosses in Order:

Sekiro: Shadow Die. Twice features four unique endings. The following tables will show the best boss order to receive each outcome. To unlock all four ending trophies/achievements without any save file manipulation, you’ll need to finish Sekiro at least three times, as the Shura and Immortal Severance endings require you to make choices that will lock out any of the other three. The tasks required for the Return and Purification ending requirements can be met in one playthrough without messing with saves.

Return, Immortal Severance, and Purification Ending Boss Order:

This table focuses on the mandatory bosses in Sekiro. If you want a Sekiro boss order list with mini-bosses, scroll down to the individual Sekiro bosses list that is found after the table section. Each entry will list the smaller Sekiro bosses you’ll face before and after each major boss.

The only difference between these three endings is what you give Kuro at the end. The only real diligence will happen after you face Great Shinobi Owl. If you want to achieve the Purification ending, you’ll need to add one boss fight. We will clearly mark that fight on the table below. Remember, you can complete every boss and still get any of these three endings, depending on what you give Kuro. In fact, it is well worth going through it all.

Shura Ending Boss Order:

After defeating the Corrupted Monk, return to the castle and Obey the Iron Code when you meet with Owl. This avoids his fight altogether, leading into the final two battles:

Gyoubu Oniwa – Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Find Gyoubu Oniwa before the entrance to Ashina Castle

• Gyoubu will always be the first true boss of Sekiro. While it is technically possible to fight Lady Butterfly first, this is not recommended.
• There is something to say about the iconic image of Gyoubu Oniwa bursting through the battlefield detritus on his horse, yelling at the top of his lungs. Make sure you have the Firecracker unlocked, which can be purchased from the Memorial Mob at the top of the rock hill after General Kawarada. Take it to the Dilapidated Temple to let the Sculptor upgrade the prosthetic.
• It is worth waiting until after this fight to enter Hirata Estate. Use a Sculptor’s Idol to increase your Attack Power as soon as you finish this fight.

Mini-Bosses Before Gyoubu Oniwa:

Lady Butterfly – Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Find Lady Butterfly at the end of Hidden Estate

• The Hirata Estate level is a perfect, self-contained area that can act as a makeshift training ground for players struggling to learn Sekiro’s unforgiving combat mechanics. Get the charm from the old woman in the ruined building after General Kawarada.
• Lady Butterfly is a difficult foe. Don’t worry if you cannot defeat her on the first go. She perfectly prepares Sekiro for the enemies he will face further along in the game.
• Hirata Estate as a whole should be completed before moving on to the next major boss.

Mini-Bosses Before Lady Butterfly:

Genichiro Ashina – Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Find Genichiro Ashina at the top of Ashina Castle

• Genichiro is the true gatekeeper in Sekiro. His fight will stump more players than any other in the game. There is a case to be made for exploring as much as you can before fighting Genichiro. Make sure to get every available Gourd Seed and Prayer Bead. Having the extra healing, health, and posture, can make all the difference as you begin the war with Tomoe’s protégé.

Before fighting Ashina, make sure you unlock the Mikiri Counter technique, and practice it with Hanbei the Undying. Competence in this skill, as well as deflections, will help you immensely.

Mini-Bosses before Genichiro Ashina:

• General Kuranosuke Matsumoto (technically optional)
• Ashina Elite – Jinsuke Saze

Folding Screen Monkeys – Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

FInd the Folding Screen Monkeys by ringing the bell at the end of Senpou Temple

• The Folding Screen Monkeys are a group of four monkeys that test your puzzle-solving abilities. While not ‘hard’ in the same way as the other bosses, this encounter can prove to be challenging in its own unique way. While this fight can be completed after visiting the Sunken Valley, it makes far more sense to complete it first. Reap all the benefits before taking on the other primate bosses.

Mini-Bosses before Folding Screen Monkeys:

• Armored Warrior
• Long Arm Centipede Sun-Un (Optional)

Guardian Ape – Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Find Guardian Ape at the end of Sunken Valley

• Guardian Ape is the stuff of nightmares for many players. In Phase One, it relentlessly tracks Sekiro, seemingly leaving no corner of the arena untouched. In Phase Two, it will seem completely unhinged and impossible to read. Fortunately, both phases can be overcome with patience and practice. During the first phase, never stop moving, and get in hits whenever possible. That sounds like obvious advice, but it really is the only option. It will be a war of attrition, but you will come out on top.
• The second phase is a little tougher. In our experience, this is one of those fights that seem impossible at first, then you take the time to learn the patterns, and it becomes incredibly easy. It’s just that middle part that’s tricky. You may die a couple…dozen times, but don’t give up until you have learned every oddly timed strike.

Mini-Bosses before Guardian Ape:

Headless Ape – Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Find Headless Ape in the Ashina Depths

• Headless Ape is encountered not long after the Guardian Ape sequence. This is a boss that is impossible to fight out of sequence, for reasons that will become obvious at the end of the Guardian Ape fight.
• The first phase of this fight largely mirrors the second phase of Guardian Ape’s fight. It is the second phase of this fight that many players struggle with, as a second ape comes in to make Sekiro’s life as difficult as possible.

Mini-Bosses before Headless Ape:

Corrupted Monk – Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Find Corrupted Monk at the end of Mibu Village

• The Corrupted Monk is found at the end of the long stretch that is Hidden Forest and Mibu Village. This boss fight is mainly built around deflection, as even Divine Confetti doesn’t do as much damage as you would hope. Anything that helps inflict posture damage, like Ako’s Sugar or Ako’s Spirtfall, will be very helpful here.
• In NG+ runs, heading to Corrupted Monk early will allow you to get the Mibu Breathing Technique early.

Mini-Bosses before Corrupted Monk:

Great Shinobi Owl – Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Find Great Shinobi Owl at the Top of Ashina Castle

• When you return to Ashina Castle after collecting the stone, Great Shinobi Owl will be waiting for you. This is one of the more challenging fights in the game, as Sekiro’s adopted father will use many of the same Shinobi tools that Sekiro uses.

If you side with Owl, you will instead face Emma and Lord Isshin. This leads to the Shura ending, which is generally considered the worst possible outcome.

True Corrupted Monk – Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Find True Corrupted Monk at the entrance to Fountainhead Palace

• After defeating Great Shinobi Owl, Sekiro will head to the Fountainhead Palace, where he will face the True Corrupted Monk at its entrance. This is a three-phase fight, which ups the stakes significantly from the first fight with what appeared to be the Monk’s spectral form. Defeating the Monk will grant you entrance to the palace grounds.

Divine Dragon – Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Find the Divine Dragon at the end of Fountainhead Palace

• In many ways, the Divine Dragon fight is more of a set piece than a true boss fight. In the first phase, make sure to use the tree that sprouts from the clouds to attack from above. This will make this phase incredibly easy.
• In Phase 2, make sure to switch between trees while the lighting is active, then send it back before touching the ground. This fight can still present a challenge if you have trouble with this mechanic, so make sure to stay focused, and pay attention to where the lighting is at all times.

For those going for the Purification ending, you will now want to fight Owl – Father. It is not required for the Return ending, so feel free to skip it. However, it is a very rewarding fight, and gives insight into one of the game’s central mysteries. Follow the directions in the above link to reach Owl – Father.

Demon of Hatred – Sekiro: Shadows Die Teice

Demon of Hatred can be found in Gyoubu Oniwa’s arena, near Ashina Castle.

• Though Demon of Hatred is completely optional, the fight is incredibly important to the overall lore of Sekiro. There is no point spoiling it here, but players should know that missing this fight will rob them of one of the game’s best death scenes.
• Think of this fight as being more like a typical Dark Souls encounter. Use dodge, use your tools – deflection may not be your best friend here. If you are really struggling, use the famous cheese method linked to above. There is no shame in it, as many find Demon of Hatred to be the hardest fight in the game, particularly after they have spent the entire game learning Sekiro’s unique combat, only to be faced with a very different type of enemy.

Isshin, the Sword Saint – Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Isshin is found in the same field as the first Genichiro fight, near Ashina Reservoir.

• The final fight in Sekiro has earned its place in gaming history. It is one of the coolest fights ever created – infamous ‘glock’ notwithstanding. There is not much to say about this fight, other than you should make sure you are ready before heading through that door at the base of Ashina Reservoir. There is no fight that more perfectly encapsulates the ‘Hesitation is defeat’ mentality.