Armored Warrior

Learn the best strategies and tips to defeat the Armored Warrior in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Master this challenging boss fight and progress through the game.

Hey there! So you've run into the Armored Warrior, huh? Don't sweat it, this guy can be a real pain if you don't know what you're doing. He's got that super tough armor that makes him a nightmare to chip away at with normal attacks. But don't worry, I've got your back. We'll get you through this!

Stats / Weaknesses:

• Health: High
• Posture: High, but breakable
• Weaknesses: Loaded Axe prosthetic tool, Mikiri Counter (for thrusts), jumping over sweeps
• Resistances: Most direct damage, especially early on

Phases:

1. Phase 1: The Armored Warrior starts with his massive armor intact. He'll use wide, sweeping attacks and occasional thrusts. His armor makes him very resistant to direct damage, so focus on building his posture damage.
2. Phase 2: After you break his posture for the first time, he'll shed some of his armor, making him slightly more vulnerable to direct damage, but his posture is still the main target. He might gain a few new moves or become more aggressive.

Strategy:

• Posture is Key: Seriously, don't even bother trying to deplete his health bar. It's a waste of time and spirit emblems. Your main goal is to break his posture.
• Loaded Axe is Your Best Friend: If you have the Loaded Axe prosthetic tool, this fight becomes significantly easier. Wait for him to finish one of his big, slow attacks, then unleash the Loaded Axe. It deals massive posture damage. You can often get two hits in if you time it right.
• Dodge and Weave: His swings are wide and cover a lot of ground. Learn the timing of his attacks and dodge *through* them, not just away. Getting close after a dodge is often the best time to counter-attack or use the axe.
• Watch for the Thrust: Like many bosses, he has a perilous thrust attack. If you see the red kanji and he lunges forward with his weapon, prepare to use the Mikiri Counter. This is crucial for dealing significant posture damage.
• Jump the Sweeps: He also has a perilous sweep attack. If you can't dodge it, jumping over it and following up with a jump kick can also deal good posture damage.
• Patience, Young Shinobi: This isn't a fight to rush. Chip away at his posture, punish his big openings with the axe, and don't get greedy. It might take a few tries, but once you get the rhythm, you'll take him down.
• Prosthetic Tool Usage: If you don't have the Loaded Axe, you'll need to rely more on deflecting and dodging to build his posture. The Firecrackers can also stun him briefly, giving you a small window for attacks.