Sekiro How To Increase Attack Power

Okay, so picture this: I'm face-to-face with the Guardian Ape, right? That hairy, terrifying beast who throws, uh, things at you? I'm blocking, dodging, chipping away at his health bar, feeling like a total badass. Except… the health bar barely moves! I swear, I could have spent a week just slapping him with my sword and it wouldn't have made a difference. It was at that moment, covered in Ape… residue… that I realized I needed a serious attack power upgrade. Seriously. My controller nearly met its untimely demise from frustration that day.

We've all been there, right? Staring down a boss in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, feeling like you're hitting them with a wet noodle. It's a humbling experience, to say the least. But don't worry, fellow Shinobi, you're not destined to spend eternity tickling bosses to death. There are ways, effective ways, to crank up your attack power and finally bring those challenging encounters to their knees. Let's dive in!

What is Attack Power, Anyway?

Before we go full-on ninja-buff-mode, let's quickly define what we're talking about. Attack Power, in simple terms, is how much damage your sword (Kusabimaru) inflicts with each strike. The higher your Attack Power, the faster you’ll whittle down enemy health and posture. It’s directly linked to how efficiently you can take down your foes. You can see your current Attack Power in the menu. Check it out - you might be surprised at what you see! (Or, more likely, underwhelmed, hence you reading this!).

Think of it like this: Your Attack Power is the base damage, and other things like specific combat arts or buffs you might use during combat modify that base. So, increasing your Attack Power sets you up for even greater damage potential when you're using those special moves. Clever, eh?

The Main Method: Memory Remembrance (and Bosses!)

This is the primary way you'll boost your Attack Power in Sekiro. Every time you defeat a boss, you gain a Memory. These aren't just trophies to show off (though they are pretty cool). You can use them to Reminisce at a Sculptor's Idol, granting you a permanent Attack Power increase. So, the simple answer to the question is: Kill more bosses! Easier said than done, I know. But hey, that's Sekiro for ya!

Reminiscing - A Step-by-Step Guide

Okay, let's walk through the process of using those precious Memories.

1. Defeat a Boss: This is, obviously, the first and most crucial step. Go forth and conquer! (Or, you know, die repeatedly until you finally figure out their attack patterns. We've all been there.).
2. Travel to a Sculptor's Idol: Any Sculptor's Idol will do. These act as your save points and fast travel hubs, so you'll be seeing them a lot.
3. Select "Remnant Memory": Interact with the Idol and choose this option.
4. Choose the Memory: You'll see a list of Memories you've acquired. Select the one corresponding to the boss you just defeated.
5. Confirm Your Choice: A confirmation screen will appear. Confirm that you want to use the Memory.
6. Enjoy Your Attack Power Boost: Congratulations! Your Attack Power has permanently increased. Bask in the glory!

It's worth noting that you can only Reminisce once per Memory. So, make sure you use them wisely. (Actually, you don't really have a choice. Once you get a memory, you have to use it to get the attack power. I just like saying things dramatically). You might be tempted to hoard them "just in case," but trust me, the sooner you use them, the easier the game will become.

Bosses: The Key to Power (and a Lot of Pain)

So, which bosses should you prioritize? Well, all of them, eventually! But here's a general order that makes sense:

• General Naomori Kawarada: He's one of the first bosses you'll encounter, and beating him is a good early boost.
• Chained Ogre: This guy is a beast (literally), but taking him down early will give you a nice advantage. Fire is your friend here. Trust me.
• Lady Butterfly: Tricky, but not too bad once you learn her patterns. Remember, shurikens interrupt her aerial attacks!
• Gyoubu Masataka Oniwa: He rides a horse. 'Nuff said. Okay, maybe not. Use your grappling hook!
• Genichiro Ashina: This fight is a major skill check. Mastering parrying is crucial here. Good luck! You’ll need it.
• Folding Screen Monkeys: A puzzle boss, not a straight-up fight. Relax and enjoy the change of pace. (Sort of).
• Guardian Ape: See my opening story. This is where I really understood the importance of Attack Power. Firecrackers are… helpful.
• Corrupted Monk: Another tough fight. Learn her perilous attacks!
• Divine Dragon: An epic and visually stunning encounter. Enjoy the spectacle!
• Isshin, the Sword Saint: The final boss of one of the endings. Prepare for a brutal challenge. He’s… tough. Really tough.

This is just a suggested order, of course. Feel free to explore and tackle bosses as you see fit. Just remember, each victory brings you closer to becoming an unstoppable Shinobi warrior!

Other Ways to Increase Attack Power (Temporarily)

While defeating bosses and using Memories is the permanent way to increase your Attack Power, there are also some temporary buffs you can use during combat.

Divine Confetti

Divine Confetti is a consumable item that temporarily imbues your sword with the power to damage apparitions and other supernatural foes. It also increases your attack power against all enemies, regardless of whether they're ghostly or not. It’s basically a temporary damage booster. Always good to have some on hand for those REALLY annoying encounters.

Divine Confetti can be found in various locations throughout the game, but it's relatively rare. You can also buy it from certain merchants, but it's quite expensive. Alternatively, you can farm it from specific enemies, like the Headless (though fighting them without Divine Confetti is… not recommended!).

Use it strategically, especially against bosses. The Attack Power boost can make a significant difference, especially if you're struggling.

Ako's Sugar

Ako's Sugar is another consumable item that provides a temporary Attack Power boost. The effect isn't as strong as Divine Confetti, but it's much easier to obtain. You can find it more frequently throughout the world, and it's cheaper to buy from merchants. Also, you get Ako's Spiritfall after defeating the Headless, which is basically a reusable Ako's Sugar at the cost of Spirit Emblems.

Ako's Sugar is a good option for general combat, when you want a little extra damage without wasting your precious Divine Confetti. Use it liberally during exploration and tougher encounters with regular enemies.

Other Buffs

There are other combat arts and prosthetic tools that can indirectly increase your damage output, even if they don't directly boost your Attack Power. For example, the Loaded Umbrella can deflect perilous attacks and follow up with a powerful counterattack. Certain combat arts can break enemy posture more quickly, allowing you to land critical hits.

Experiment with different tools and techniques to find what works best for your playstyle. Sekiro rewards creativity and adaptability. You might find a surprising combination that allows you to absolutely shred through enemies!

Things to Keep in Mind

• Attack Power Isn't Everything: While a high Attack Power is certainly helpful, it's not the only thing that matters. Mastering the combat system, learning enemy patterns, and using the right tools for the job are just as important. You can have all the Attack Power in the world, but if you can't parry or dodge effectively, you're still going to get your butt kicked.
• Don't Be Afraid to Grind: If you're really struggling with a particular boss, it might be worth farming some XP to unlock new skills or gathering resources to upgrade your prosthetic tools. Sometimes, a little preparation can make a big difference. (Though honestly, I'm not a huge fan of grinding. I'd rather just throw myself at the boss until I win… eventually).
• Explore Every Nook and Cranny: Sekiro is a beautiful and intricate world, filled with hidden secrets and valuable items. Take your time to explore thoroughly, and you might stumble upon some unexpected treasures that will aid you on your journey. Seriously, look behind every waterfall and check every dead end. You never know what you might find!
• Don't Give Up! Sekiro is a challenging game, but it's also incredibly rewarding. Don't get discouraged by setbacks. Learn from your mistakes, adapt your strategy, and keep pushing forward. You'll eventually overcome any obstacle in your path.

Final Thoughts

Increasing your Attack Power in Sekiro is a crucial part of progressing through the game. By defeating bosses, using Memories, and utilizing temporary buffs, you can significantly increase your damage output and conquer even the most challenging encounters. Remember, though, that Attack Power is just one piece of the puzzle. Mastering the combat system and adapting your strategy are equally important. So, go forth, Shinobi, and become the ultimate warrior! And try not to get covered in too much Ape… stuff. Trust me on that one.

Now go forth and absolutely DESTROY those bosses!