Dogs

Learn about the Dogs and Shinobi Dogs in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Find their locations in Ashina Castle, Hirata Estate, and more, plus effective tactics to defeat them.

Alright, let's talk about the dogs you'll encounter in Sekiro. They're not exactly man's best friend in this game, but they can certainly be a nuisance if you're not prepared. You'll find these 'Dogs' or 'Hounds' as common enemies in areas like Ashina Castle, Ashina Outskirts, Ashina Depths, and Hirata Estate. They often patrol with Ashina Swordsmen or Soldiers, and sometimes even Bandits. Keep an eye out for them near the Outskirts Wall - Gate Path, and after you've dealt with Gyoubu Masataka Oniwa. They also prowl in packs in the Temple Grounds of Senpou Temple, and you'll find a couple near the first Sculptor's Idol in Mibu Village. Be warned, their phantom forms in the Hidden Forest are invisible until you're right on top of them, so tread carefully there! Behaviour and Tactics These pups have a basic 'Lunge' attack where they bark and leap forward for a bite. They're pretty sensitive to sound and movement, even if you've got skills like Suppress Presence and Suppress Sound. Their bark can also alert other enemies nearby, so be mindful of that. The good news is they're pretty weak. You can usually break their posture with just one deflect, leading to a Deathblow. Otherwise, they go down in one or two hits, or even just one if you use a Shuriken. A neat trick: if you use the Finger Whistle prosthetic on them, they'll actually turn on any other enemies nearby, which can be super useful! Shinobi Dogs Then there are the Shinobi Dogs. These tougher versions are usually found with Interior Ministry Agents on the rooftops of Ashina Castle during the invasion, and also around the Great Serpent Shrine, often under the command of Lone Shadow Masanaga the Spear-Bearer. They behave much like regular dogs but hit harder. They'll often attack when their Lone Shadow companions whistle for them. Shinobi Dog Tactics For these guys, your best bet is to use the Loaded Shuriken prosthetic from a distance. If you're up close, try to step dodge their bite. They can be defeated with a few hits, but they're more aggressive than the regular dogs. Here's a quick look at what you might get for defeating them: | Drop | Experience | |---|---| | +11-17 Skill Experience | 0 Sen | | +22 Skill Experience | 0 Sen | | +221 Skill Experience | 0 Sen |