10 Best Combat Arts In Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Ranked

Summary

• Whirlwind Slash: Early, effective, cost-efficient Combat Art for groups of enemies.
• One Mind: Flashy but not as useful against tough enemies due to vulnerability.
• Spiral Cloud Passage: Powerful Combat Art with status effects, effective against bosses.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice was a major deviation from FromSoftware’s usual soulslike gameplay, with a main feature being the difference in combat. Focusing on deflection rather than dodging, Sekiro has become known for its combat, often cited as the best in FromSoft’s repertoire of games.

Another feature present in Sekiro is Combat Arts; damaging abilities that the player can use with a range of different effects. Some are the regular damage dealing attacks, while others should be used for specific scenarios, while still others can completely obliterate enemies. There aren’t a vast number of Combat Arts, but there are definitely some that are better than others, and some that are amazing to use for any encounter.

10

Whirlwind Slash

A Great Early Combat Art

• Acquired in the Shinobi Arts skill tree.

There are a vast number of Combat Arts in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, but the one that is the easiest to obtain is Whirlwind Slash. Available early in the game for one skill point, Whirlwind Slash is a solid and consistent option for dealing with enemies.

It deals two slashes in a circular motion, allowing players to quickly damage enemies and dispatch groups of adversaries. It costs no Spirit Emblems to use, making it a reliable Combat Art, and one that can be used repeatedly.

9

One Mind

A Cool But Awkward Combat Art

• Acquired after defeating Isshin Ashina.

FromSoftware’s games always have some flashy and over-the-top attacks. One Mind fits the bill, as it looks like something that Vergil would use. However, despite its attractive visuals, it isn’t very useful to use in combat.

While capable of dealing with regular enemies, tougher opponents can simply tank it and poise through the barrage of slashes, attacking the player when they are vulnerable while using the Combat Art. However, the final slash of One Mind can be a powerful attack if players pull it off.

8

Spiral Cloud Passage

A Powerful Combat Art When Combined With Status Effects

Not every Combat Art is as good as others. Spiral Cloud Passage is definitely better than some others, but doesn’t quite compare to some higher-tier Combat Arts. Its use on its own is still sufficient, but doesn’t do much compared to its peers.

However, when combined with status effects, Spiral Cloud Passage shines. It can burn enemies, leading to easy damage and a window of opportunity to quickly attack them as setting opponents on fire staggers them. With status effects, it can work well against bosses and not just normal enemies. Despite this, its cost can be hefty. It requires 3 Spirit Emblems for the full combo, while also needing more Spirit Emblems if using a status effect acquired from a Prosthetic Tool via the Living Force skill.

7

Praying Strikes – Exorcism

A Combat Art For Dealing Posture Damage

• Acquired in the Temple Arts skills tree.

A large part of Sekiro is dealing posture damage. This is the prime way to defeat bosses, even more so than attacking their health. Another notable portion of the game is Senpou Temple, in which the Senpou Esoteric Text can be found to unlock Praying Strikes – Exorcism.

This might not be the flashiest of Combat Arts, but its unique properties can be powerful. Praying Strikes – Exorcism can’t be deflected, and is able to deal a good bit of posture damage, with the final attack dealing the most,. It can also be charged to deal a heavier hit that can stagger enemies.

6

Ashina Cross

A Quick And Responsive Combat Art

• Acquired in the Ashina Arts skill tree

Of the different skill trees in Sekiro, the final skills are usually sought after, adding either new Combat Arts or features to make Wolf more powerful. Ashina Cross is at the end of the Ashina Arts tree, as it is a strong Combat Art.

With two quick attacks, this Combat Art can damage enemies who let their guard down for a bit. Even if enemies have their guard up, Ashina Cross can deal a decent amount of posture damage, which can be repeated several times as it only costs two Spirit Emblems. It is also very responsive, letting players deflect attacks by redrawing their sword in time.

5

Shadowfall

A Gap-Closer That Can Be Combined With Other Attacks

• Acquired in the Mushin Arts skill tree

As the final skill tree available in Sekiro, it would be normal for some of the most powerful Combat Arts to be there. This is exactly where players can find Shadowfall, an upgraded variation of Shadowrush.

Shadowfall requires two Spirit Emblems to use, and is a useful tool to close distances with. It can be a strong Combat Art to deal posture damage, but can also be used in combination with Prosthetic Tools. Players can use Prosthetic Tools in combination with the Combat Art, or very quickly after Shadowfall ends, making for a heavy-hitting flurry of attacks.

4

Dragon Flash

A Long-Range Combat Art

• Acquired after defeating Isshin, The Sword Saint

After defeating the final boss of the entire game, most players would expect him to drop an equivalent reward. The Dragon Flash Combat Art is a pretty good one, being a skill that can cause great damage against enemies in subsequent playthroughs.

Dragon Flash is an extremely long-range Combat Art, with both the initial slash and the follow-up attack able to hit enemies from a greT distance away. On top of that, it deals a respectable amount of posture damage, making it useful as an attack that can keep the pressure up for enemies that escape out of melee range.

3

Sakura Dance

A Convenient Combat Art With Low Cost

• Acquired after completing the Gauntlet of Strength: Divine Heir.

Part of the mythos of Sekiro is the Fountainhead Palace and the Heavenly Realm that it is linked with. As a large part of the lore, it would make sense for Wolf to learn a Combat Art associated with Fountainhead Palace.

Sakura Dance isn’t too punishing on an enemy’s vitality or posture. What it is useful for is its convenience, as it can dodge an enemy’s attack as it launches the player into the air. More importantly, it can reverse lightning automatically, and doesn’t deal chip damage like the regular lightning reversal. It also doesn’t cost much to use, only requiring a single Spirit Emblem.

2

Ichimonji Double

A Combat Art With Almost No Downsides

• Acquired in the Ashina Arts skill tree.

As it is frequently used by Isshin, Ichimonji Double, as would be expected, is found in the Ashina Arts skill tree, as a higher-end skill. As an upgraded version of the regular Ichimonji, it now features an additional attack.

Despite the added attack, it can still be used as the regular Ichimonji. It can be used in the air to decrease the time it takes to use the first attack, requiring the Mid-air Combat Arts skill. It deals a large amount of posture damage, while also restoring some of the player’s own posture. However, if using the Combat Art while on the ground, it leaves players vulnerable for a long period after they use it.

1

Empowered Mortal Draw

Unleashing The Power Of The Mortal Blade

• Acquired in the Mushin Arts skill tree.

A fabled and legendary sword, the Mortal Blade allows the player to unleash devastating power against any enemy. As an upgraded version of the regular Mortal Draw, the Empowered Mortal Draw is one of the last skills available, which adds up given its strength.

It ican deal a severe amount of posture damage, easily skipping through portions of the target’s posture. It can also harshly harm, being able to deal noticeably more damage than regular attacks. It can trivialize fights, as it can bully enemies, especially when paired with the Mid-air Combat Arts skill, since it is treated as a charged attack when jumping. The only negative is the Spirit Emblem cost, requiring six when using both attacks.