How to Beat Gyoubu Oniwa

Struggling with Gyoubu Oniwa? This guide breaks down his moves and offers strategies to help you defeat him in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Learn his patterns and conquer the first major boss!

Alright, so you've hit Gyoubu Oniwa, huh? Don't sweat it, he's the first big roadblock for a lot of players in Sekiro. He looks super intimidating with that giant spear and horse, but honestly, once you get his rhythm, he's not too bad. Think of this fight as your real introduction to Sekiro's combat – it's all about deflection and finding your openings.

Stats / Weaknesses:

• Gyoubu Oniwa
• Weaknesses: Firecrackers (stuns him briefly), Lightning (if you can redirect it, though risky here).
• Key Attacks: Spear Sweep, Charge Attack, Arrow Volley, Overhead Slam.
• Posture is Key: Like most bosses, breaking his posture is easier than depleting his health bar.

Phases:

1. Phase 1: On Horseback
   Gyoubu starts the fight mounted. He'll mostly use sweeping attacks with his spear and charge at you. He also occasionally fires a volley of arrows. The main goal here is to survive his onslaught while chipping away at his posture.
2. Phase 2: On Foot (sort of)
   After you break his first Deathblow, he'll get back on his horse. The second phase is very similar to the first, but he might be a bit more aggressive. The strategy remains largely the same.

Strategy:

• Stay Mobile: Don't stand still! Gyoubu's charge attack can be devastating if you're caught flat-footed. Keep moving, strafe, and be ready to dodge.
• Use the Grappling Hook: This is your best friend in this fight. When Gyoubu is on his horse and charges, dodge to the side and immediately use your grappling hook to latch onto him. This will pull you in and give you a great opening to attack his posture.
• Deflect, Deflect, Deflect: When he attacks, focus on deflecting his spear strikes. Perfect deflections build up his posture damage significantly. Don't just hold block; time your button presses to match his attacks.
• Dodge the Charge: When he lowers his spear and charges, dodge *sideways* at the last second. If you dodge forward or backward, you're more likely to get hit.
• Punish Recovery: After he finishes a big combo or a charge, there's a small window where he's recovering. This is your chance to get a few hits in. Don't get greedy, just land a couple of strikes and be ready to defend again.
• Watch for Arrows: If he starts firing arrows, just keep moving and dodging. They're not hard to avoid if you're not standing still.
• Firecrackers: If you have the Shinobi Firecracker prosthetic, you can use it to stun him for a few seconds, giving you a free opening to attack. It's not essential, but it can help if you're really struggling.
• First Deathblow: Focus on building his posture. Keep deflecting, attacking, and using the grappling hook after his charges. Once his posture bar is full, you'll get your first Deathblow.
• Second Phase: Rinse and Repeat
  After the first Deathblow, he gets back on his horse. The fight is essentially the same. Keep up the pressure, stay mobile, and look for those grappling hook opportunities. He might add a few new moves or be slightly faster, but the core strategy doesn't change.

Don't get discouraged if you don't get him on the first few tries. This is a learning fight. Pay attention to his tells, practice your deflections, and you'll take him down. You got this!