Mikiri Counter

Learn the crucial Mikiri Counter technique in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Master this move to deflect thrust attacks and gain the upper hand against tough enemies.

Hey there! So, you've probably run into enemies who just love to stab you, right? And maybe you've noticed that just dodging or blocking doesn't always cut it. That's where the Mikiri Counter comes in, and it's one of the most important moves you'll learn in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Seriously, mastering this will make a huge difference.

Think of it as your secret weapon against those annoying thrust attacks. When an enemy winds up for a big stab, instead of just trying to parry or dodge away, you're going to use the Mikiri Counter to shove their own attack right back at them. It's super satisfying and deals a ton of posture damage, which is key to breaking an enemy's guard and getting in for a deathblow.

To pull it off, you need to be paying attention to the enemy's tells. When you see that red kanji symbol flash above their head, and they're clearly winding up for a thrust, that's your cue. You don't want to dodge *away* from the attack. Instead, you want to press the dodge button (that's 'B' on Xbox controllers, 'Circle' on PlayStation, or 'Spacebar' on PC by default) *towards* the incoming thrust, just as it's about to hit you. It feels a bit counter-intuitive at first, like you're running into the sword, but trust me, timing it right will make Sekiro step forward, stomp on the blade, and deal massive posture damage.

Why is this so crucial? Well, if you just try to block a thrust, you'll take a lot of posture damage and likely get staggered. If you dodge away, you might miss an opportunity to punish. The Mikiri Counter is the *intended* way to deal with these attacks, and it's your most reliable tool for opening up enemies who rely on them. Practice it on those basic soldiers first – they're great for learning the timing. Once you get it down, you'll feel a massive power spike in your combat ability. Keep at it, and you'll be countering thrusts like a pro in no time!