... Read moreOkay, Sekiro fans, let's talk about the Armored Warrior. When I first faced him on the treacherous Senpou Temple bridge, I honestly thought it was going to be an impossible fight. His massive armor made him seem invincible, and those powerful swings felt like they could flatten me in an instant. I tried dodging, deflecting, and even running around aimlessly for a bit (don't judge!), but nothing seemed to work. I saw that promotional image featuring him, and honestly, the meme-like screaming character on the side perfectly captured my frustration at the time!
But after a lot of trial and error, I discovered the secret, and it’s surprisingly straightforward once you get the hang of it. The key to defeating the Armored Warrior isn't about depleting a health bar, but about breaking his posture and pushing him off the bridge. Sounds simple, right? It is, but there's a rhythm to it.
Here’s the strategy that finally worked for me:
1. Deflect, Deflect, Deflect!
The Armored Warrior's attacks are slow and heavily telegraphed. This is your cue to practice your perfect deflections. Don't try to dodge most of his regular swings; instead, stand your ground and deflect. Each successful deflect builds his posture meter significantly. You'll hear that satisfying 'clang' and see sparks fly. This is crucial because his posture is what we're aiming to break.
2. Recognize Perilous Attacks:
He has two main perilous attacks: a thrust and a sweep. For the thrust, a simple deflect often works, but if you're quick, you can try for a Mikiri counter, though it's not strictly necessary as he doesn't often follow up with another attack immediately after a thrust. The sweep attack is your opportunity to jump over him and stomp on his head. This also deals considerable posture damage. Keep an eye out for the red Kanji symbol – that's your warning sign.
3. Use the Environment to Your Advantage:
The bridge is your arena, and its edges are your best friend. As you deflect his attacks and build his posture, try to maneuver him towards the edge of the bridge. After you successfully break his posture, he'll be momentarily stunned, leaving him open for a Deathblow. When you see the red Deathblow marker appear, use it! Instead of a typical Deathblow, Sekiro will perform a special move, kicking or throwing the Armored Warrior towards the edge. If he's close enough, he'll fall right off!
4. Patience is Key:
This isn't a fight where you can rush in and hack away. It's a dance of deflections and positioning. Stay calm, observe his attack patterns, and don't get greedy with your own attacks. A few well-timed deflections are far more effective than spamming your sword. He might roar and stomp, which also deals posture damage to you, but it also creates an opening for you to get a few hits in or build your own posture back.
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Dodging too much: Dodging won't build his posture, which is your main objective here.
Getting cornered: Always try to keep yourself in the middle of the bridge or with enough space to retreat.
Panicking: His attacks look intimidating, but they are predictable. Keep your cool.
With this strategy, the intimidating Armored Warrior becomes less of a wall and more of a predictable challenge. Once you get that final push, the feeling of victory is incredibly satisfying. You've got this, Shinobi!