BOSS FIGHT IN SEKIRO: Leader Shigenori Yamauchi

Hey fellow Sekiro shinobi! I wanted to share my experience with one of the first true skill checks in the game: the Leader Shigenori Yamauchi boss fight. When I first encountered this formidable samurai general, clad in his imposing armor with that striking red 'death' kanji on his chest, I genuinely thought I'd never get past him. He felt like such an intense duel! Yamauchi might seem like just another general, but he's a fantastic introduction to the core Sekiro combat deflect mechanic. His attacks are slow enough to learn, but hit hard if you miss your parry timing. The key here is definitely mastering that intense parry combat. Forget dodging for most of his standard swings; you want to deflect, deflect, deflect! Each successful deflection builds his posture, pushing you closer to that glorious Shinobi Deathblow. One thing I noticed that really helped me turn the tide was understanding his attack patterns. He has a few main swings, often followed by a thrust or sweep. For thrusts, the Mikiri Counter is your best friend – it’s incredibly satisfying and deals massive posture damage. If he sweeps, jump on his head! It’s all about reading those red kanji indicators. My heart would pound every time I saw that kanji, knowing I had to react perfectly. For those moments when you're really struggling, and let's be honest, Sekiro can be brutal, there are a few general Tenzen Yamauchi cheese tactics that can be adapted. While I wouldn't recommend them for a first playthrough if you want to learn the mechanics, sometimes you just need to progress! One common strategy is to use stealth to get a free deathblow, reducing his health by one bar before the fight even properly begins. You can also try to bait him into certain areas or use prosthetic tools like the Loaded Axe for posture damage after deflecting a heavy attack. Remember that glowing prayer bead necklace floating around him? That's your prize! Defeating Yamauchi earns you a Prayer Bead, which are crucial for increasing your Sekiro's vitality and posture. Every bead counts, especially early on. This fight isn't just about beating a boss; it's about solidifying your understanding of Sekiro's unique combat system. Don't get discouraged if it takes a few tries (or twenty!). Keep practicing those deflections, learn his tells, and you'll emerge victorious. You've got this, shinobi!