How to Beat General Tenzen Yamauchi

This guide provides strategies and tips to help you defeat General Tenzen Yamauchi in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Learn his attack patterns and weaknesses to overcome this challenging boss.

Hey there! So you've run into General Tenzen Yamauchi and he's giving you a hard time, huh? Don't worry, pretty much everyone struggles with him at first. He's a bit of a gatekeeper, but once you get his rhythm down, you'll be slicing through him like butter. Let's break down how to take him down.

Stats / Weaknesses:

• Health: 2 Deathblows
• Weaknesses: Posture damage, Loaded Axe

Phases:

1. Phase 1: Yamauchi starts with his standard sword combos. He's fast, but predictable.
2. Phase 2: After the first deathblow, Yamauchi becomes more aggressive and adds a few new perilous attacks.

Strategy:

• Deflection is Key: The most important thing against Yamauchi is mastering your deflects. His sword combos are long, but if you time your blocks perfectly, you'll build up his posture damage quickly. Don't just hold block; tap it to deflect.
• Punish Openings: After he finishes a combo, there's usually a small window where you can get a few hits in. Don't get greedy, just land one or two and be ready to defend again.
• Watch for Perilous Attacks: Yamauchi has a few perilous attacks (indicated by the red Kanji symbol). He has a thrust, a sweep, and a grab. You'll need to react differently to each:
  • Thrust: Mikiri Counter is your best friend here. If you see the Kanji and he lunges forward, hit dodge *towards* him just as his sword is about to connect.
  • Sweep: Jump over it! A well-timed jump can also let you follow up with a kick to his head for some extra posture damage.
  • Grab: This one is dangerous. Your best bet is to dodge *away* from him as quickly as possible.
• Use the Loaded Axe: If you've unlocked the Loaded Axe prosthetic, it's incredibly effective against Yamauchi. It deals massive posture damage and can stagger him, opening him up for more attacks. Wait for an opening, like after he misses a big swing, and unleash the axe.
• Stay Calm: It's easy to panic when he's on the offensive, but try to stay composed. Focus on deflecting and only attacking when it's safe. Rushing in will likely get you punished.
• Second Deathblow: Once you land the first deathblow, he'll get back up and enter his second phase. He'll be more aggressive and might mix up his perilous attacks more. Just stick to the same strategy: deflect, punish, and react to his perilous moves.

You've got this! Keep practicing those deflections and learning his moveset, and you'll overcome General Tenzen Yamauchi in no time.